The Horse You Came in On by Martha Grimes Read Free Book Online

the marble figure in the inner courtyard of Stonington, the figure that could be seen from every room, at different angles. The first time he had ever seen Jenny Kennington had been with the black cat, Tom, on the steps of Stonington and, later, in those big,empty rooms from which she was moving. Some of the pieces here in this cottage had come from there: the marquetry secretaire, the ivory-inlaid writing desk, the delicate-looking but sturdy neoclassical chairs on which they now sat.
    â€œYou were thinking of going back the last time I saw you, to Stonington.”
    â€œIt’s been let since then,” she said sadly, the small glass of port raised to her lips. “I’m thinking of opening a restaurant.”
    â€œ What? ”
    She looked round the table. “It wasn’t that good?”
    â€œThe meal? It was superb. It’s just a long way from superb cooking to a restaurant.”
    â€œOh? Why?”
    He laughed at her genuine surprise. He supposed the confidence pleased him. Jenny was shy but by no means shrinking. “No reason, I expect.”
    â€œWhat I’m doing is practicing. I cook up these elaborate dinners for myself; sometimes I invite one or two people, and sometimes just Elsie. She really is learning to help out.”
    He pictured it: Elsie and Jenny, sitting opposite each other across this festive little table, talking about food and the Royal Shakespeare Company. It stabbed him a little, this picture of poignance. “It’s a wonderful idea, Jenny. Is there somewhere around here you’re thinking of?”
    â€œOutside of town there’s a pub that needs a new manager. They could do thirty, maybe forty covers.”
    â€œYou’ve really looked into this. I can see you as a landlady.”
    â€œNo, you can’t.” She smiled and changed the subject. “You said something about ‘thanking’ me. For what?”
    â€œFor Pete Apted. Pete Apted, Q.C. The man does not come cheap. It took me a long time to work that out, who had retained Pete Apted.”
    â€œYou of all people should remember that I had a little money. And also that if it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have.”
    That was a massive exaggeration. She was talking about the emerald necklace, but her husband had not died a poor man. And she had also inherited money from that relation of hers she’d travelled with.
    She said, “It was something good to do with the money I got from that necklace. Something really worthwhile, after all the hell it caused. And Pete Apted’s fee wasn’t that high. I think he made concessions; I think he liked you. And he didn’t have to go to court.”
    â€œNo, thank God. But he’d have won. You just have that feeling about him. I don’t think Pete Apted, Q.C., ever loses. He helped out a friend of mine. Three friends, actually.” Jury smiled. The smile faded. It was alsothat whiz of a barrister, Pete Apted, who had worked out just what was going on. And had made Jury face it. For a few moments in his office a year ago, he had hated Pete Apted as he had seldom hated anyone. Did Apted have to be so damned clever?
    â€œSomething wrong? You look furious.”
    â€œWhat? Oh, no. No.”
    A pleasant silence drew out while Jenny sat there turning the stem of her glass. She asked: “Did you come to Stratford just to see me, then?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œNo, you didn’t.”
    He laughed. “In addition to you, I wanted to see Sam Lasko. Warwickshire constabulary. I’m job hunting.”
    She gasped. “What?”
    â€œI’m tired of London. And for God’s sake don’t quote Dr. Johnson, will you?”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œSure of what?”
    â€œThat it’s London you’re tired of?”
    â€œYou mean, am I tired of something else?”
    She looked away. “Memories, perhaps.”
    â€œLike Jane, you mean?” There was no