A Case Of Murder (Kendall Book 6) Read Online Free Page B

ceiling. “You know I’ve seen all of those films. Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum. The lot of them.”  He started to laugh. “The Big Sleep. The Maltese Falcon. You name it.”
    Kendall began to wonder what all of this had to do with the death of Bob Andrews. “Inspector I wonder …” he started to speak.
    “Enjoyable in their own way I suppose, but it’s all fantasy of course,” Whittaker continued. “None of its real you know.”  He shrugged once again, and looked at Kendall. “I mean there’s absolutely no way that they would really solve a crime is there?”  He shook his head. “I mean a real crime that is, not one of those pretend things on the films.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Hollywood. Fiction. That’s all it is. Fairy tales. It’s all staged. Clever mind you, very clever. And very entertaining I admit. But I mean.” He shook his head and started to smile. “Stands to reason,” he continued, looking up at the ceiling, and leaning back in his chair. “Oh no, I’m talking about a proper crime. You know, real life. Things aren’t quite so easy in reality are they?  They are far more complex, more involved.”  He shrugged his shoulders once again, and sat up straight.
    He looked at Kendall. “You need a real professional for that. Someone with the knowledge, and the experience. The skill. Someone who knows what they are talking about. Someone who can recognise the important things. To sift through the clues, and arrive at a logical, well thought out conclusion based upon the facts.”  He paused for a moment. “It’s all to do with deduction you see,” he continued. “Deduction and logic.” 
    * * *
    “But I thought that you said that we only had limited value,” said Kendall mockingly. “Like checking up on a husband who is playing around, or an unfaithful wife. That kind of thing. The odd insurance claim perhaps, or maybe checking up on a benefit cheat.” 
    “Alright Kendall, alright, you win. So I was wrong,” the Chief Inspector protested. “I have to admit that Private Detectives do have some uses, occasionally. How’s that? Better?”
    Kendall smiled and nodded. “Go on, Chief Inspector, I’m listening.”
    “Well the thing is, I was actually hoping to employ you,” the Chief Inspector started to explain.
    “You were hoping to employ me?” replied Kendall disbelievingly, and trying hard not to laugh. “Am I hearing right.”
    Kendall suddenly felt a sharp pain in his left calf. He looked at Mollie. She simply smiled sweetly, and nodded. Kendall looked back at Whittaker. “You were saying.”
    “Perhaps we could get a drink somewhere and I’ll explain further,” said Whittaker. “There’s a pub just around the corner. How does that sound to you?”
    A drink sounded like a good idea and Kendall did not need to be asked twice.
    * * *
    Ten minutes later the drinks had been ordered, and the three were seated at a corner table of the “Wig and Pen” public house. Although it was only four o’clock in the afternoon it was very busy.
    “They are nearly all legal people in here,” Whittaker explained, as he looked around. “Barristers in between cases, that sort of thing. Lawyer’s Clerks. Oh, and of course we can’t forget the press can we?” He looked over to the far side of the room.  “Daily Express boys,” he said indicating a group. “And just behind them we have the Daily Mail reporters.” He gave a cursory wave.
    Kendall wasn’t really interested in the tour. “All right, Chief Inspector, so we know who’s who.” He paused for a moment, and looked over at the reporters. He smiled, and turned back to face Whittaker. “So tell me, what’s this all about?”
    Whittaker was about to say something when a young lady arrived with their drinks. “Ah, here’s our drinks,” he said as they were placed on the table. “That’s a scotch for you, Mr. Kendall, and ….”
    “Kendall, will do just fine,” said Kendall.
    “Pardon me,” said