The Case of Naomi Clynes Read Free Page B

constable carried the form upstairs, and two minutes later returned with the Assistant Commissioner’s messenger. “Please step this way, sir.”
    The coroner was conducted to a large room on the first floor where Charles Morden was sitting at his office table.
    â€œYou seem to be full of red tape since I was here last.”
    Morden laughed. “Yes, it’s a new rule, but there is a useful side to it. What can I do for you?”
    â€œMy officer reported to me this morning that the Chelsea police had failed to find the address of any relations or friends of a woman who committed suicide last night by gassing herself. How can I hold an inquest with nothing but the medical evidence to go upon? It’s absurd! The woman must have had friends somewhere.”
    â€œLet me see; the divisional detective inspector is away on leave, but the first-class sergeant ought to be working on the case.”
    He rang the bell for his messenger. “Find out whether Sergeant Hammett from B Division is in the building,” he said. “Send him in if he is.”
    In less than a minute Hammett was ushered into the room.
    â€œThis is the officer in charge of the inquiry,” said Morden to the coroner. “He will tell you how far he has got. The coroner wishes to know whether you have found any friends of the woman who gassed herself last night?”
    â€œI’ve questioned everybody in the house, sir, and I think that they are telling the truth when they say that the woman received no visitors at her flat, and, as far as they know, received very few letters. I’ve called at the house-agents’, and there I’ve got a little further. She was required to furnish two references before entering into possession. I have their names and addresses here.” He took out his note-book. “A clergyman, the Vicar of St. Andrew’s, Liverpool, and a Mr. John Maze, a solicitor of Liverpool. Both references were satisfactory: both were shown to me.”
    â€œDid you find any correspondence in her flat?”
    â€œTo tell you the truth, sir, I haven’t had time to search it yet. Our hands are pretty full with that big burglary in Tedworth Square, and that shopbreaking case in Lower Sloane Street, and I came on here to ask for help over this case.”
    â€œUm! It seems, on the face of it, to be quite a simple case—one that the division ought to be able to clear up without calling in help from outside. Still—if you are really pressed—I’ll see what can be done.” He pressed a button on his table and picked up the receiver of his desk telephone.
    â€œIs that you, Mr. Beckett? Is there an inspector free in Central to undertake a case?”
    â€œâ€¦â€
    â€œYes, he would do all right. Will you send him round?” Turning to Sergeant Hammett, he said,
    â€œInspector Richardson will take over the case. You’d better have a talk with him as you go out.”
    The coroner rose. “I suppose,” he said, “that this inspector will get into touch with those people in Liverpool and let me know all that he finds out about the woman?”
    â€œYes, I’m sure he will.”
    â€œHe’s a good man?”
    â€œAbout the best of the younger men; he’ll make a name for himself some day: he has had very quick promotion.”

Chapter Two
    H AMMETT KNEW all about Inspector Richardson by repute. He was one of the first-class sergeants who imagined that they had a grievance against him because he had been promoted out of his turn, but Richardson was gradually overcoming this prejudice by his unfailing courtesy and good temper; indeed, very few of the malcontents bore him any ill will at this moment.
    Hammett went to the inspectors’ room and found him packing up stationery and instruments in his attaché-case.
    â€œMr. Morden has put you in charge of a case in my division, Mr. Richardson. He wants me to tell you how far we’ve