The Evil That Men Do.(Inspector Faro Mystery No.11) Read Online Free Page A

wallpaper—’
    Ah, here’s the coffee. At last,’ said Theodore, his relieved tone indicating boredom with the architect and his intensity.
    The evening over, Faro and Vince declined the offer of a carriage in favour of walking the short distance home to Sheridan Place.
    We are thinking of a honeymoon in Paris,’ said Vince. ‘Are you pleased?’
    ‘I am indeed, lad. It’s great news. Hey, slow down. You’re walking too fast.’
    ‘You’re out of condition, Stepfather. Have to get you out on the golf course. Nine holes before breakfast. That’ll get you in perfect trim in no time.’
    ‘I get enough exercise,’ grumbled Faro, ‘without chasing a blasted ball around a green.’
    ‘You don’t know what you’re missing. Marvellous for the digestive system. A necessity after dining at Priorsfield.’
    ‘Indeed, another memorable meal, but a little too rich for your future father-in-law. I can sympathise with him.’
    ‘I didn’t think he looked at all well,’ said Vince.
    ‘True. Very pale, I thought earlier in the evening.’
    ‘You noticed that too.’
    ‘I think you should recommend a few rounds of your golf to put some colour back in his cheeks.’
    ‘As a matter of fact I am rather worried about him.’
    ‘My dear lad, I’ve seen you just as bad - worse even - after a night out at Rutherford’s—’
    ‘It’s more than that, Stepfather. This isn’t the first time he’s had to leave the table hurriedly during dinner. A weak digestion, he calls it.’
    And what does Adrian call it?’
    ‘Oh, he gives him a bottle to help and grumbles that families with doctors never want to listen to their advice.’
    Faro’s own digestive system was not his strong point and he could understand Cedric’s impatience. Especially as Vince’s attempts to coddle him, as he called it, drove him to distraction.
    ‘You know what he’s talking about,’ Vince added with a grin.
    ‘I do indeed, but I don’t usually have to take flight from the dining table in the middle of a meal.’ Faro had long ago diagnosed his stomach upsets as due to the stress of a detective’s life, with hasty, infrequent, and often inedible meals. Doubtless, Langweil Ales had their anxious business moments too.
    But that look he had interpreted between Theodore and Cedric, as if they shared some secret awareness, continued to haunt him. It came to mind vividly when next day a constable brought into the Central Office a note from Vince.
     
    Stepfather. Prepare yourself for a shock. Cedric died during the night. I am going to Priorsfield.
     
    Faro carried the news into Superintendent McIntosh’s office.
    ‘Can’t believe it, Faro. Saw him only yesterday morning. Seemed perfectly fine in wind and limb.’
    When Faro told him about the dinner party, McIntosh shrugged.
    ‘No one dies of indigestion. Doubtless his doctor brother will know the real cause.’
    As they left together, the newsboys on the High Street were calling: ‘Sudden Death of Cedric Langweil. Read all about it.’
    Buying a paper, with McIntosh staring over his shoulder, Faro was somewhat frustrated to find only a heavily black-edged paragraph giving Cedric’s age and brief biographical details.
    ‘That’s how they sell newspapers,’ grumbled McIntosh.
    As they parted and Faro headed home towards Sheridan Place, a series of melancholy pictures filled his thoughts. There would be a funeral, followed by six months’ deep mourning for the family, before the marriage of Grace to Vince Laurie could now take place.
    Suddenly the world of happy families he had pictured to himself only yesterday was no longer a reality. Ominously he felt it was in danger of collapsing like a house of cards.
    Anxious for news he waited up until midnight, but Vince did not return until breakfast the following morning.
    ‘Grace is inconsolable. As for her poor mother - the whole family are absolutely shocked. It seems quite unbelievable. None of them could have imagined such a