Devious Murder by George Bellairs Read Free Book Online

it. When she takes the lot I have to go with her.’
    â€˜A bit risky even taking a few pieces, isn’t it?’
    â€˜They’re her instructions and what she says and does usually goes with her husband.’
    â€˜Is she faithful to her husband?’
    The question took Cairncross by surprise. He drew a deep breath, blew through his moustache and passed his hand across his face.
    â€˜If you knew some of the men she mixes with and knew her volatile temperament you wouldn’t ask. I’m not here as security officer for her morals and conduct. That should be her husband’s business. I’ve enough on with the safety of the house and valuables. He’s so occupied with his oil that he hasn’t time to see what goes on.’
    Cairncross started to sulk, as though indignant at the amount of responsibility they were expecting him to assume.
    â€˜Has she a regular lover?’
    Cairncross gaped at another unexpected question and then lost his temper.
    â€˜I’m a security officer, not a divorce detective! Now, if I don’t answer your question you’ll no doubt say I’m obstructing the course of justice. All this has nothing to do with the case you’re investigating, I’m sure.’
    â€˜Come on, Cairncross, let’s have an answer.’
    The silence lasted quite a time while Cairncross made up his mind just how much to divulge.
    â€˜Oh, all right. But if I tell you, it’s understood that it’s strictly confidential. Unless you promise I won’t tell you. I’ll go to gaol first.’
    He folded his arms and tightened his lips in an overemphatic gesture as he waited for the verdict.
    â€˜If what you tell us has nothing to do with this murder case we’ll forget you ever told us.’
    Cairncross cleared his throat noisily, as though the secret was choking him.
    â€˜She’s had quite a few since I’ve been here. But recently she seems to have fallen for somebody.…’
    â€˜I’m sure you know who it is, so you might as well tell us.’
    â€˜All in good time, I’m coming to it.’
    â€˜Hurry up, then.’
    â€˜It’s Mr. Leo.…’
    â€˜Leo who?’
    â€˜Mr. Leo Havenith.’
    â€˜A member of her husband’s family?’
    â€˜He’s Mr. Havenith’s son. Mrs. Havenith’s his stepmother.’
    â€˜What age will he be?’
    â€˜About the same as his stepmother.’
    â€˜Where does he live?’
    â€˜In London and, very often, at
The Limes
. He’s his father’sagent. He looks after everything over here. The properties and the financial side. And he looks after his stepmother good and proper, too.’
    Cairncross looked very pleased with himself for some reason. Perhaps it gratified him to think he’d given Littlejohn a surprise for a change.
    â€˜Quite a pretty pickle, Cairncross.’
    Cairncross seemed hurt, as though accused of outrageous conduct himself.
    â€˜Well … You insisted, didn’t you? If Mr. Havenith, senior, gets to know of this there’ll be another murder or two.’
    â€˜Does Mr. Leo know the combination of the safe?’
    â€˜What a funny question to ask. He’s not supposed to know it, but I’ve no doubt Julie … that’s Mrs. Havenith … will have told him. In any case, what use is that information? Leo’s hardly likely to pinch Mrs. H’s jewellery. He’s enough money of his own for anything he needs. His father makes him a good allowance.’
    Littlejohn turned to Cromwell, who had been a silent spectator hitherto.
    â€˜Have you any questions, Bob?’
    â€˜You have covered most of the ground. It seems to me, however, that we’ll have to turn our attention to
The Limes
and interview a few of the occupants, including Mrs. Havenith. It might easily be that Blunt had finished his inspection of
The Limes
and thought the time ripe for burgling it. If so, when he entered