Princes Gate by Mark Ellis Read Free Book Online Page B

naturally she is a little, how shall I put it, er, gauche.”
    Bridges cast a puzzled look at his boss. “Miss Edgar means naïve, Sergeant, a little unsophisticated. Does Miss Harris work particularly closely with any of the Ambassador’s staff?”
    “As I say, she is a member of a pool. Because of her efficiency, of course, some staff request her services in particular.” Miss Edgar leaned back in her chair and removed her spectacles. “On the day she went missing, for example, I remember Mr Norton getting into a real tizzy because he had some reports to get typed up and he wanted Joan to do them. Had a bit of a tantrum in fact, but he’s often doing that. Mr Norton, Mr Zarb, the Ambassador himself – they all had a preference for Joan because she was so quick and made few mistakes, if any.”
    “I believe we met Mr Norton at the door. He has a senior position here, does he?”
    “Well he doesn’t really have a formal position, not in diplomatic terms that is. He is a special aide to the Ambassador. Mr Kennedy brought him over to England from Boston when he took up his post in 1938. I understand Mr Norton performed important work for Mr Kennedy in some of his commercial ventures in the United States.”
    “I see.” Merlin looked at his watch and then at Bridges. “I wonder if Mr Harris is in any better shape by now. You have been most helpful. Naturally, we shall have other questions for you and your staff if unfortunately it is indeed Miss Harris in the morgue. Would you mind if we took Morgan along as a second party to confirm the identification? He would be able to do that, wouldn’t he?”
    “Certainly. No, I have no objection.”

    The steady metronomic tick of the clock in the corner seemed to compound the slow passage of time. Lord Halifax had begun the meeting with his senior civil servants over three hours ago. The long minutes and hours had been monopolised by his droning voice as he analysed the situation in France and in Europe generally, and complained vehemently about the short-sightedness of several of his Cabinet colleagues. Douglas had managed to make a few pithy interjections, which seemed to meet with the approval of his boss. His office-mate, and junior, Edward Fraser, had also made some telling contributions, much to Douglas’ irritation. Now Fraser was speaking again, tentatively quoting Halifax’s arch-enemy, Winston Churchill. His Lordship’s face darkened and Douglas smiled to himself.
    “I’d be most grateful, Mr Fraser, if you refrained from repeating that gentlemen’s words to me. I have little regard for Mr Churchill, as you know. He is a dangerous man who would lead us into oblivion if he ever got the chance.”
    “But, sir, I think…” Halifax raised his withered left arm and glared at Fraser, who subsided back into his chair.
    Douglas licked his lips and felt his stomach rumble. He was looking forward to his lunch at The Ritz, although his expected company was not up to much. Nevertheless when duty called, he obliged, and duty certainly did now call, as Halifax had explained to him in the private meeting which had preceded this one. He and Fraser had been cultivating the rather odd American chap he was meeting for some time, on Halifax’s instructions. Now he had been given the task of taking matters just a little further.
    At last Halifax wrapped up the meeting. As he went out of the door he gave Douglas one of his wintry smiles. “How’s that charming fiancée of yours doing, Freddie? Hope you’ve found some time to see her.”
    “Unfortunately not, sir. Her father’s keeping her out of London at the moment. A little nervous of bombs I’m afraid.”
    “Ah. A pity for you, my dear fellow.” Halifax disappeared through the door.
    “A pity, eh? What do you know, you old cripple?” Douglas muttered under his breath.
    “What was that, Freddie?”
    “Nothing, Edward. Nothing at all. Must be off. Important lunch. Tell you all about it later.”

    Norton was