Over the High Side by Nicolas Freeling Read Free Book Online Page A

old boy in the way of business somehow a few years back, knew who he was, of course. Bound to say I took to him – never saw anyone with such a marvellous way with head waiters.’ He chuckled appreciatively. ‘Well, how can I be of service to you, Commissaire?’
    â€˜You had a little arrangement.’
    â€˜Well, not formally. Didn’t amount to much. If I came across something not really in our own line of country I’d let him know. And to, well, help him out occasionally I have fronted for him – a telephone call. And I’m bound to say he helped me. He knew people all over the place, was very skilful in certain areas, knew his law very well. Mustn’t think of me offering a charity – he had great experience. Had a factory here once, and another later on, before the war, that’d be, in Ireland I do believe. I couldn’t employ him, you understand? False position, so much older than me and so on. He wouldn’t have stood for it anyway. Prized his independence. No nine-to-five for Vader; not his style at all!’
    â€˜What do you know of his transactions?’
    â€˜Nothing at all. Friendly agreement as I said. Outside that – my business is mine, his was his, that’s obvious, surely? We didn’t “compete”. He interested himself in things that can advantageously be done by one man, without office apparatus. Go-between, call it. Doesn’t sound grand, or very creditable. But it can be useful, profitable, valuable, and necessary. And not in the least dishonourable,’ he added as an afterthought.
    â€˜Have you – accidentally, incidentally – any knowledge of what he was doing over the last fortnight or so?’
    â€˜None whatever,’ cheerfully. ‘Come, Commissaire, you’re almost beginning to hint that he might have been doing something questionable and I might be aware – no no. Unethical. I’ve no guilty knowledge. If I had you’d never get me to admit it. Make me an accessory or something. But I’ll say this –you’re backing the wrong horse there. I understand he was stabbed, in the street even, and that does sound like a gangster serial – you know. O’Brien knows too much, have the Syndicate rub him out. No, Commissaire, he wasn’t the man for any dirty games, however thin a patch he might be going through.’
    â€˜Just what his wife said but I’d be interested to hear your reasons. You know her, by the way?’ very by-the-way.
    â€˜Know her no – know she exists. Didn’t ask to know her – wouldn’t have been maybe very tactful – remember I’d be a sort of bastard stepson,’ laughing. ‘But Vader – well – he was too experienced, too level-headed. And too genuinely honourable – a straight dealer. Agents – we sometimes dodge regulations, cut through red tape. Doesn’t make us shady, Commissaire.’
    â€˜Don’t sound defensive,’ said Van der Valk. ‘I’m not the financial squad.’
    â€˜I only mean to say,’ hastily, ‘why there’s an office on this floor, specialized in tax advice – use it myself. What is it? – consultant telling you legal ways to dodge tax, avoid quarrel with the Excise Branch and so on. Doesn’t make him illegal or even a twister; as respectable a man that walks the pavements of this town. Fair enough?’
    â€˜You needn’t get warm,’ smiling. ‘I have to verify everything, however absurd.’
    â€˜That’s all right, we understand each other. Anything else I can help you on? – believe me, I’ve nothing to conceal.’
    â€˜You’ve never met the wife?’
    â€˜Oh yes, I’ve seen him with her – restaurants or whatnot. Young, pretty woman, great eye, Vader. Althea? – no it isn’t Althea, get her mixed up. Whole heap of ex-half-sisters on the other side of the blanket, I