A Maze of Murders by Roderic Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page A

customers but partitioned off by plate glass. Contrary to traditional caricature, the manager was cheerful and friendly and he actually enjoyed helping people overcome their financial problems, especially if while doing so he could enjoy the Mallorquin pastime of circumventing one or more of the multitude of rules and regulations. A short, rotund man, balding, yet with bushy eyebrows, he came round the desk and shook hands. ‘Nice to see you, Enrique. How’s the family?’
    â€˜They’re all well,’ Alvarez replied.
    â€˜Give Jaime and Dolores my regards … Now, how can I help you?’
    â€˜I need some information.’
    â€˜In connection with what?’
    â€˜On the face of things, there’s been an accident and a man’s drowned. Only there’s no body so it’s not certain he’s dead; and if he is, I’ve the feeling it wasn’t an accident. So if I can establish that there is a motive for his death, things should become clearer. Do you follow me?’
    â€˜I hope so.’
    â€˜I’ll put it in concrete terms. A man arrives on the island and is hard put to rub two five-hundred-peseta coins together; yet within a few days he’s staying at the Vista Bella, chartering a motor cruiser for a hundred and fifty thousand, and has well over seven hundred thousand in cash. It seems logical to suppose that the newly acquired wealth has a direct connection with his disappearance and I’m trying to find out if logic is fact.’
    The manager rested his elbows on the desk, joined the tips of his fingers together. ‘And the inference is?’
    â€˜Drug trade,’ Alvarez replied succinctly. ‘Killed because he was trying to pull a fast one on either the supplier or the purchaser. I might gain a lead if I can identify the source of the money.’
    â€˜So you’re going to ask me to check for details of movements of unusually large amounts of cash?’
    â€˜And to ask all other banks to do the same.’
    â€˜But unfortunately you do not have a court order calling on us to co-operate?’
    â€˜It would take forever to get that. And in this case, time could be very important.’
    The manager said reflectively: ‘It’s only a few days since I learned that the son of a cousin of mine has had to go into a clinic which deals with drug abuse … Can you suggest any names to make the search easier?’
    â€˜The best I can offer is the reasonable certainty that the money will have been drawn by someone who speaks English.’
    â€˜Hardly much use when there are thousands of British residents on the island … This will take time.’
    *   *   *
    Despite having enjoyed a good siesta, Alvarez found it very difficult to stay wide awake as he sat in the stuffy office. Soon, it became impossible. He settled back in the chair, closed his eyes, and allowed his mind to wander. It had just attained the gentle incoherence which immediately preceded sleep when the telephone rang. After a while, it became silent. Contentedly, he recalled the comment of the Duke of Plesencia when informed that his wife had just died. Even a hurricane must cease. His mind once more drifted peacefully … The phone rang again.
    Swearing, he wriggled into an upright position, reached forward and picked up the receiver.
    â€˜Inspector Alvarez?’
    There was, alas, no mistaking the plum-filled voice. ‘Speaking, señorita.’
    â€˜I have been trying to ring you, but there has been no answer.’
    â€˜I have only just got back from some outside work.’
    â€˜The superior chief wishes to speak to you.’
    â€˜I thought he was at a conference.’
    â€˜It ended early.’
    A badly organized conference.
    Salas was as impolitely abrupt as ever. ‘Have you the slightest idea of what a full analysis of evidence costs?’
    â€˜Not really, señor.’
    â€˜Yet you send a bottle