Breaths of Suspicion Read Free Page A

pretentious, and low, to demonstrate his wealth in such an obvious manner. ‘Please, Mr James, let’s not consider the question of the bills falling due. I’m aware that a gentleman of your standing, and future prospects, must lay out a considerable amount of tin to further his career. Holding your paper is, as you are well aware, a sort of insurance for me, rather than a way of becoming rich. And, I’m sure you’ll agree, I’ve been of an obliging nature in the matter of timely repayment.’
    I knew what he meant by insurance, recalling the murder that had followed the
Running Rein
affair. Reluctantly, I nodded agreement , and sipped the claret he had provided. It was of an excellent vintage, but that did not surprise me. Lewis Goodman was known to live well.
    The night house owner sent an appreciative glance around the room, his dark eyes expressing satisfaction. But I was aware that those eyes could also become heavy-lidded with menace, and his handsome, smiling features could mask a deadly intent. ‘In fact,’ he murmured, ‘I have it in mind to cancel the particular bills you refer to. In exchange for a certain favour from you.’ His eyes switched to mine, holding my gaze directly. ‘The cancellation will not affect your fee-earning capacity, of course.’
    I blinked. A knot of suspicion formed in my chest. ‘A favour?’
    ‘A certain friend of mine finds himself in a degree of difficulty. He will be appearing at the Old Bailey within the week. I’d like you to represent him.’
    I frowned. ‘That’s not the way things are done, and you know it. I cannot have truck directly with the public like this: a brief must come from an attorney—’
    Goodman waved my comment aside with a contemptuous and peremptory flick of the wrist. ‘Ha, don’t be concerned,the formalities will be attended to. A certain Mr Fryer will be presenting himself at your chamber. He is a respected attorney.’
    ‘As your friend is not?’ I ventured. ‘Respected, I mean.’
    Something glinted in Goodman’s eyes but he said nothing for a moment. Then he smiled. ‘Let me put the matter in this way. A Mr Edward Agar will be appearing in court on a charge of handling forged papers. Evidence will be presented by Inspector Redwood, an officer of whom you have already some acquaintance, I believe.’
    I made no reply, but the old image flashed before my eyes again, of the drowned mistress of Lester Grenwood being dragged from the filthy water of the Thames, under the watchful eye of Inspector Redwood.
    ‘The charge against Mr Agar is a serious one. It will carry a heavy prison sentence, if proved. But it is not in my best interests at this time that Mr Agar should be locked up for the immediate future. It is important to me that he should escape the charge. We have … ah … certain common interests that need to be promoted.’
    Nefarious, no doubt, I thought. ‘If I were to act in his defence there would be no guarantee of success,’ I warned. ‘I can only handle the evidence that is presented and—’
    ‘The evidence is trumped up,’ Goodman intervened. ‘Inspector Redwood has been after Mr Agar for some time. Agar would never be so foolish as to carry forged papers on his person, in the street.’
    ‘He was apprehended—’
    ‘In broad daylight, on Red Lion Street. The papers were produced from his pockets at Bow Street Police Station. They’d have been planted there.’
    ‘By Inspector Redwood?’ I asked in surprise.
    ‘By one of his minions,’ Goodman replied.
    ‘I can hardly believe—’
    ‘Believe it!’ Goodman snapped. ‘And do not affect such a surprised tone. You know as well as I that the blues are as open to corruption as those whom they seek to put away in the hulks.’
    I was silent for a little while, aware of the truth of what he was saying. I knew for a fact that Goodman had access even to the Commissioner of Police, if he chose to use his influence. I wondered why he did not use that influence in