Peter Lovesey - A Case of Spirits

‘If you say so, Sarge,’ said Thackeray, ‘but I wouldn’t put the chance very high.’

‘Why not?’

‘There was something I noticed earlier this evening, but I didn’t report it to you. I was-er-using my blind eye.’

‘Oh?’ Cribb gave Thackeray a long look.

‘Yes, I was waiting in the corridor outside the library while you were reconstructing the seance, if you remember. I didn’t hear much of what was going on, but I saw Professor Quayle tiptoe into the study and come out again.’

‘Quite right,’ said Cribb. ‘That was what he did on Saturday. He played his part convincingly.’

‘That’s a fact, Sarge. He even had a bottle of gin in his pocket. After he came out of the study he made his way upstairs to Mrs Probert’s room.’

‘That wasn’t strictly necessary to the investigation,’ said Cribb, ‘but I suppose he was retracing the movements he made on Saturday.’

‘That’s what I supposed, Sarge, and I thought I’d better try to play your part and follow him upstairs. And that was when I had to turn my blind eye.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, I think Mrs Probert didn’t understand what he was coming up the stairs for. She opened her door and instead of throwing her book of sermons at him she pulled him inside and closed it. I shouldn’t think there will be much of that gin left by now, and I don’t give much chance of harmony on Richmond Hill tonight when Dr Probert finds out.’

Cribb smiled. ‘I wouldn’t lose any sleep over that, Thackeray. The last I saw of Dr Probert, he was inviting Miss Crush to take a look at his Etty.’

‘Well, I hope she knows how to turn a blind eye,’ said Thackeray.