Джон Пристли - Salt is Leaving

Buzzy contorted his features, already too small for his face, so they almost seemed to vanish. "They do, Doc. But they won't have me in. Too common. I know about it, though. Ask me an" I'll tell you."

"Young girls from the town go there sometimes, don't they?"

"That's right. Special parties. Party girls, these kids are. They feed "em to their Belgian directors and big buyers from the States and South America. Bzzz . I have two girls working here who used to go, before they got too hard and tough. They like "em young and fresh up there – same as vegetables. And I'd say they"re wrong, even if they"re only out for the old goona-goona-"

"So would I, Buzzy. Young girls are for boys. Men should have women. But it's chiefly the idea that fascinates these fellows – taking something that doesn't belong to them."

"But does a party girl have to go to bed with somebody?" Maggie asked.

"Oh – no, she could just keep on teasing "em. Bzzz ."

"Buzzy, I met Sir Arnold Donnington yesterday morning. We were both visiting the police. I didn't like Sir Arnold, but I can't see him attending these parties-"

" Him? He wouldn't admit they existed. He fines school-kids two quid for necking. Bzzz . He's a blue-nose if there ever was one."

"Yet he's the big boss at United Fabrics."

"That's right. But the old dolchy-veety up there at the Fabrics Club is run by the Sales Director, Tommy Linsdale. And he likes the gay life, Tommy does. I know him. He used to bet with me now and again. He and a fancy piece he's keeping, they run the parties. Bzzz . She finds the girls. He brought her here one night – slumming. A classy handsome piece – and about as soft and tender as a sheet of high-duty alloy. Jill Something – I forget what-"

"Would it be Jill Frinton?" said Maggie.

"That's her. You know her, Miss Culworth?"

"No, not really." She glanced at Dr Salt, who was staring hard at her. "I was serving in the shop one Saturday afternoon, and she came in with a man. She bought one book and asked for another we hadn't in stock, so she ordered it and gave us her name and address. And there are two reasons why I remember her name. I once had a dreadful fiasco of a holiday at Frinton. The other reason is that my brother Alan happened to be in the shop that afternoon, and he couldn't take his eyes off this Jill Frinton. We teased him about it afterwards. She's tall, dark, very smart – and I suppose very attractive if you like that type." She couldn't resist looking inquiringly at Dr Salt, but he wasn't having any.

"But why the Fabrics Club, Doc? If you"re thinking of living it up before you go, I can't oblige you there. But you can have anything you want here at my Club. Buzzy " s is all yours. Bzzz ."

"Thanks, Buzzy, but I like a quiet life. I'm asking questions because a young patient of mine is missing. Noreen Wilks. She's not been heard of since September 12th. And I think she went that night to a party at the Fabrics Club."

"Noreen Wilks, did you say? I'll ask around. Some of my boys and girls might know something. Excuse me." He pushed past them, shouting, "Winston, make a note." When Winston opened the door, he was told to stay where he was. "Make a note for when Fred, Whitey and Joe get here. I want to ask "em about a kid called Noreen Wilks. Been missing for weeks. Might be a brass, I don't know, but she doesn't sit at home watching the telly and mending her drawers."

They could hear but not see Winston. "They don't wear drawers."

"A lad who looks like you oughtn't to know what they wear. Bzzz . Oh – an" make another note. Russ – you remember him? Well, I want to know what he's doing now. One of the boys'll know." Buzzy shut the door. "You heard that, Doc? Might be some help. Doing my best. Bzzz ."

"Thanks, Buzzy. By the way, who'd be paying Russ to make a nuisance of himself? He must be working for somebody."

"Anybody who wouldn't want him to sweat for his money. Otherwise, you've got me. I can't think who. But I'll ask around. You heard me telling Winston. Bzzz ."

"In a day or two," said Dr Salt, rather dreamily, "it might get rough."

"If it does, Doc – let me know – bing - bang . If Russ or anybody just promises you some trouble, tell him from me to expect a punch-up. But it isn't likely, is it?"

"That's just what I was going to ask," said Maggie.

"It's extremely likely. Somebody wants me to clear out of Birkden – the sooner the better – simply because I'm asking questions about Noreen Wilks." Dr Salt looked at Maggie and then at Buzzy. "Somebody doesn't want any questions about Noreen Wilks. I'm serious, Buzzy. I might have to ask you soon for a little protection-"

"You'll get it, Doc – pronto."

"Maggie, do you want to tell Buzzy why you"re here?"

"Yes. Buzzy, my father came to Birkden on Monday – and we don't know where he is or what he's doing – and this is so unlike him. I know one thing, though. He asked a friend of hers where Noreen Wilks was."

"And I think Russ told this girl, Noreen's friend, to shut up and clear out-"

"And she shot off to Birmingham last night, without telling her mother why she was going or where she was going. I suppose I could tell the police-"

"Don't make me laugh. I'm getting too fat. Bzzz . But I'll start my boys and girls asking questions – tonight."

"I saw Superintendent Hurst, yesterday morning, Buzzy, and told him about Noreen Wilks. Do you know Hurst?"

"Known him since he was on the beat. He's all right, Bob Hurst is, Doc. Wouldn't plant evidence on you – none of them games. Bzzz . But he hasn't got to be superintendent by showing his independence, if you see what I mean."

"What's the Chief Constable – Colonel Ringwood – like?"

"Well, if they just had kit inspections in the police, he'd be good. As it is, he's wasted on us, the colonel is. The only thing you couldn't pinch from under his nose would be his official uniform. Bzzz . You won't get any action from him unless you turn yourself into a horse. Another drink – Miss Culworth – Doctor?"

"No, thank you, Buzzy." She looked at Dr Salt, who was shaking his head and getting out of his chair, which was low and sagging.

"Well, watch it, Doc. Birkden isn't a very nice town any more. Bzzz . What's your next move now?"

"I thought we might pay a call at the Fabrics Club. But you know nothing about it, Buzzy."

"I can tell you one or two things that might help. Bzzz . It's run by an after-shave-and-talcum nance called Donald Dews. On the company pay sheet as Assistant Personnel Officer. They get away with bloody murder, these big combines. He looks and sounds like a powder-puff twerp, but don't kid yourself – he's as wide and crafty as they come. I know that much because a barman up there – Tony – used to work for me, and just after he went he came back once or twice for a natter. Bzzz ."

"That's all, is it, Buzzy?"

"No, there was something else. I'm trying to remember the name. Might be useful. Tony said the real hard character round there – on the Admin at the works but kept an eye on the Club – was – half a minute – it's a funny name – son – son?"

"I think there's an Ericson-"

"No, I've got it. Not Ericson – Aricson – same thing but not quite. Tony said he was the real hard character round there – Aricson. Bzzz . Well, Miss Culworth, pleased to have met you. Hope you find your father all right. And any time you want to sit here and watch the monkey house – or do a jiggle yourself – I've a good little four-piece band – just walk up these back stairs."

"Thank you, Buzzy."

"It's a privilege and a pleasure to see a nice class of people round here. "Cos I'll tell you frankly – I won't lie – most of my customers are either silly twerps or sheer bloody riffraff. So long, Doc. Come again."