The Toff and the Kidnapped Child by John Creasey Read Free Book Online

two strides, held the card gingerly by one tip, and then took the other corner, so that the words written on it in block letters were easy to read. Miss Ellerby and Miss Abbott had moved round so that they could see it, too.
    It read: “ Don’t go to the police or you won’t see her again.”
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5
GUILTY FATHER?
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    Rollison felt Eve trembling; this was almost more than she could stand. Still holding the card by one corner, he put his free arm round Eve’s shoulders, and led her towards one of the large armchairs. Miss Abbott patted a cushion. Eve lowered herself into the chair and sat for a few moments, staring blankly in front of her; only the twist of her lips and the way her eyes were narrowed told of her anguish.
    â€œI’d like to cut this string,” Rollison said. “There might be fingerprints on the card.” He wasn’t surprised that Miss Ellerby went straight to a small Welsh dresser of dark oak, and picked up a pair of scissors. “And can I have two clean envelopes? We need to keep the envelope that this came in.” Miss Abbott and Miss Ellerby fetched envelopes and waited on him, until the card and the crumpled envelope were quite safe.
    Throughout all this, Eve had sat staring in front of her, but as Rollison pushed the protected card and envelope into his pocket, she said explosively: “I can’t believe that it’s Ralph.”
    â€œIt would surely have been signed, if it were from him,” Miss Ellerby declared, and looked at Rollison.
    â€œI can’t believe that he would have allowed other people to come and take Caroline away,” said Eve. “I’m quite sure that he wouldn’t do anything as crude as this.”
    â€œThen why—” Miss Abbott began, but stopped at a sign from the Head.
    â€œThe obvious possibility is that she will be held to ransom,” Rollison said, and wasn’t surprised to see the shocked reaction on Miss Abbott’s horsey face. “But there’s nothing to indicate that yet.”
    â€œMr Rollison,” Miss Ellerby said in much the tone of voice she used when talking to Mrs Higgs.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œHow thoroughly will the police look for the car? Are you sure that it wouldn’t be better, in the circumstances, to tell them what this is about? They will surely treat the matter with a greater sense of urgency.”
    â€œThey won’t slack,” Rollison assured her.
    â€œThe official you spoke to might have thought that your interest was very casual.”
    â€œHe would take it for granted that it was urgent if not desperate, or I wouldn’t have asked for help,” retorted Rollison. “You can be quite sure that the local police are already making inquiries about that car. It won’t be easy to find out much about it until the morning, but you can be sure that police patrols and beat-duty policemen in the towns and cities within a hundred miles will have been alerted. I’d like to talk to that porter, Smart,” he added, and his sense of urgency showed in his manner.
    â€œHe didn’t see the number of the car. Higgs asked him,” announced Miss Ellerby.
    â€œYou’d be surprised how much people see without realising it until they’re questioned,” Rollison said drily. “Do you know his address?”
    â€œHe’ll still be at the station, he’s on night duty.”
    â€œI’ll go and find him,” Rollison decided. “Meanwhile, I’d like all three of you to exercise your own memories to see if you know anything that might help, but which you’ve forgotten.” He was looking intently at Eve. “Eve, this is especially important for you. Have you had the slightest indication that anything like this might happen – indications that you wouldn’t appreciate before the event, but which might drop into perspective now that it’s happened?”
    â€œWhat kind of thing?”