The Affair of the Thirty-Nine Cufflinks Read Free

really gone to town. That's your mother and me when she opened the County Show last month. Nice photo of you.'
    'It's the one that was in The Tatler .'
    'Oh yes. But they've put you in a line with all these other girls. "Beauties Involved in Murder." You, Jane Clifton, Anilese de la Roche, Laura Lorenzo, the little Dove - and Mabel Turner, for heaven's sake! This picture of her must be twenty years old, at least.'
    'That "involved in" is a bit rich. You'd think they'd have had the decency to distinguish between the victims, the criminals and the innocent bystanders.'
    'Well, you weren't a bystander, either time. You were gettin' mixed up in the investigations.'
    Gerry nodded, a wistful expression on her face. 'You know, in spite of all the horrible things that happened, it was fun, wasn't it - looking back?'
    'I look back as infrequently as I can. Reckon those weekends put twenty years on my life.'
    'There's even a photo of Chief Inspector Wilkins - see.'
    'Oh yes. 'The Man Who Solved Both Cases." Looking as bewildered as ever. He came up trumps, though. Er, did you just get the one copy of this?'
    'Two. Mummy's got the other.'
    'Oh, you've shown her. How did she take it?'
    'As you'd expect: phlegmatically.'
    'Good. I was just thinkin', rubbish as it all is, might be a good idea to get a few more copies. I can think of quite a few people who'd like to see it - some of the others who were here, apart from anybody else.'
    'OK, I'll get another half dozen.'
    'Better make it a dozen. So, what you doin' here? Row with the boyfriend?'
    'Of course not! And he's my fiancé, not just my boyfriend; remember?'
    'Thought you youngsters preferred these new-fangled terms. Anyway, why are you home?'
    'I explained in my telegram. He's had to go away on family business. You know there was a death in his family - which is why we had to postpone the wedding. Well, it's led to a lot of legal and financial complications and he's had to go and help sort it all out. It was going to be lonely until he got back and I wanted a break.'
    'Why didn't you go with him?'
    'I felt I'd be in the way.'
    'Lor, you've got sensitive all of a sudden. Anyway, it's nice to have you home, sweetheart. Place seems pretty empty sometimes, without you.'
    Gerry looked surprised and pleased. 'Why, thank you Daddy. Anyway, I'm going to have a shower.' She started towards the door, then stopped and turned round. 'Oh, while I remember, I saw Great Aunt Florrie last week. She sent her love to you both.'
    'Oh, good. Your mother and I called to see her for a couple of hours back in the spring. How is she?'
    'Perky as ever. Apart from my wedding, all she wanted me to talk about was the murders - much to Miss Mackenzie's disapproval. I filled her in on all the undercover stuff that never came out publicly. I think I'll send her a copy of Peepshow . I'm sure she'll enjoy making Mackenzie read it to her.'
    'Suppose I ought to read it - just to make quite sure they have got their facts right.'
    'Oh, absolutely,' Gerry said.
    She went out. The Earl buried his head in Peepshow .

Chapter Four
    'Then there's Gregory,' said Florrie. 'He's certain to come when he learns he's in the will. Don't suppose his wife will bother, though. She's never been here.'
    'That's Alexandra, isn't it?'
    'Yes. Don't think it's much of a marriage. She's very politically ambitious, and I imagine the fact Gregory's not exactly had a dazzling career has been a disappointment to her.'
    'But he's very respected as an MP, isn't he?'
    'I believe so. I can't trust him, though. Maybe just because he's a politician. I don't believe a word one of them says. Frankly, I'd never be surprised to learn . . .'
    She tailed off.
    'To learn what, dear?'
    'Oh, nothing,' said Florrie.
     
    * * *
     
    'Greggy, darling, I saw an absolutely too divine dress in Bond Street today.'
    Gregory Carstairs, MP, who was pouring himself a gin and tonic at the time, gave a grunt. His companion, a sinuous dark-haired girl with pouting, scarlet