Danny Dempsey and the Unlikely Alliance Read Free Page B

Harrington, beaming from ear to ear at his success. ‘I’ll have that Hennessy’s guts for garters at the next inter-station outing.’
    Harrington hadn’t the faintest notion to whom the Superintendent was referring.
    â€˜The smug nincompoop won’t know what hit him,’ the Superintendent continued conversationally, retrieving the golf ball and repeating the successful putt a second time. ‘Send him back to his station with the smile on the other side of his face for once. And without the trophy next time.’ He beamed again, delighted with himself. ‘I must say you’re a splendid addition to the force.’ His eyebrows lifted and a look of concentration beset his face. ‘What did you say your name was again? Eh?’
    *
    Now, as Harrington waited for the command to enter the Superintendent’s office, he could hear Mrs. Pearson impatiently pressing the bell outside, accompanied by her shrill chattering complaints regarding the disgraceful service which abounded everywhere these days. He also thought he caught something about people being murdered in their beds and the forces of law and order not caring less whether they were or not. Then Dermot’s name was brought into her shrieking, being instructed to write to their local government representative the very second they got home. Harrington was considering if he should return to reception and politely request the lady to give over screeching quite so loudly, when the deep voice of Superintendent Clifford finally granted him permission to enter.
    When he did so, the Superintendent was sitting behind his desk, resplendent in his uniform, studiously peering at some documents in front of him. His face was a mask of concentration, his normally generous, half-smiling mouth set in a frown. Harrington closed the door behind him and approached the desk, again patiently waiting for permission to state the cause of his business. He knew better than to disturb the Superintendent’s train of thought before it had come into the station of its own accord. The Superintendent was muttering away to himself, evidently not too pleased about the contents of the documents he was studying. He gave a little grunt of displeasure before eventually raising his head to acknowledge Harrington’s presence.
    â€˜Awful business,’ he informed him, as though Harrington knew what he was talking about. ‘Terrible altogether.’
    â€˜I’m sure it is, sir,’ Harrington said, having learned that the best response to practically all of the Superintendent’s puzzling statements was to agree with them. He hesitated a moment, took a deep breath, then said, ‘There’s a lady at reception who insists on seeing you personally, sir.’ He took another deep breath. ‘It’s Mrs. Pearson, sir.’
    â€˜Again!’ the Superintendent growled. ‘What’s wrong with her this time? The slugs been criminally attacking her rose bushes? Eh? Or have some naughty five year-olds been talking too loudly passing her house or something?’
    â€˜She didn’t give me a chance to ask, sir,’ Harrington told him. ‘She doesn’t consider I’m important enough to deal with her complaint. As usual, sir,’ he added, reminding the Superintendent that that was always the case where Mrs. Pearson and himself were concerned. ‘But she did say it was a very serious matter.’
    â€˜I’m far too busy to see that awful woman now, Harrington,’ the Superintendent said firmly. ‘Have Sergeant Neville deal with her.’
    â€˜He’s not here, sir. He’s - -’
    â€˜Did you try his office?’
    â€˜No sir, - -’
    â€˜There you are! He’s your man. Keep knocking until you wake him up.’
    â€˜He’s gone out on a case, sir,’ Harrington informed the Superintendent. ‘He left over an hour ago.’
    â€˜An hour ago! Why wasn’t I