The Blue Girl Read Online Free Page A

starter.”
    “Well, it didn’t work. Anyway, your killer isn’t here. There’s nobody here except you and me, and I’m not sure why you’re here.”
    “You’re still being rude.”
    She sighed. “What can I help you with, Inspector?”
    “Thank you. I’m looking for a Mr Cream.”
    There was a clear shift in Veronica’s attitude as her attention was engaged. Even her hair seemed to shimmer and I was tempted to reach out and set it free of the chignon.
    “Which Mr Cream?”
    “This is the Cream Library, no?”
    “It is. But, I believe I mentioned that Robert Cream donated this library upon his death. You’ll have some trouble speaking with him now.”
    “Did you say Robert Cream?”
    “Yes.”
    “Surely not the same Robert Cream who wrote
Marriage, Custom and Practise
?”
    “You know it?”
    “I’ve read it.”
    “You surprise me. You hardly seem like the marrying kind. Or even the kind that reads.”
    “We are all full of surprises. Do you have that book here?” I gestured at the multitude of books around me.
    “Of course I do.”
    “I’m wondering whether a young woman might have checked it out recently.” And learned from it to put a sixpence in her shoe. “Is that something you can tell me?”
    I expected her to look at the cards or go to a shelf, but she shook her head. “No. We have three copies of that book and they’re all right here on the shelves, where they belong.”
    “You’re certain about that?”
    “I know everything about everything in this room.”
    “What about the things outside this room?”
    “I know virtually nothing of the things outside this room. Nothing that isn’t in a direct line to my home.”
    “That seems a shame. Perhaps a nice dinner and a stroll along the . . .”
    “Inspector, I don’t understand how you could possibly mistake my intent. I’m not the least bit interested in your company.” She held up her hand to be sure I saw the diamond ring. I decided not to point out that it was on the wrong hand. Custom dictates that a wedding ring be worn on the left hand, not the right. I didn’t need to consult Robert Cream’s book to know that. I had no idea what the ring signified to Veronica, but she clearly hoped it might ward off any Pringles who stumbled into her library.
    “I see,” I said. “Well then, we were talking about a book.
Marriage, Rot and Bother
.”
    She rose and walked to the far side of the room. I watched her carefully as she climbed a ladder and reached out. A moment later, she descended and held two books out for me to see. Her frown had become more pronounced and I tried to picture her with a smile. My imagination wasn’t up to the task.
    “You said there were three copies,” I said. “This is only two.”
    “Oh, so you’re one of those detectives who is also a mathematical genius. Yes, one of my copies is missing.”
    “And you’re sure nobody’s borrowed it?”
    “Quite sure. I’d know.”
    “So someone has stolen it.”
    “I don’t see how. I know everyone who comes in and . . .”
    I watched her face as she broke off and stared out the big picture window. Pearly fog moved behind the glass.
    “You know who has it,” I said.
    “I don’t.”
    I took out the sketch of the blue girl and held it out for her. “Have you seen her in here?”
    “No. Never.”
    “You’re sure.”
    “Quite.”
    I folded it again and slipped it back into the pocket of my waistcoat. “Do you know something that might help me?”
    “Nothing.”
    “I think you do.”
    “I don’t like to say anything. It’s perfectly ordinary, nothing suspicious about it. Certainly nothing to warrant the attention of a detective.”
    “Shouldn’t I be the one to determine that?”
    “Do you know how a circulating library works, Detective?”
    “Of course I do.”
    She told me anyway. “Every resident of this district, upon paying a modest subscription fee, is eligible to borrow a reasonable number of books for a reasonable amount of