Реймонд Маршалл - The Paw in the Bottle

‘There is one thing,’ she said awkwardly. ‘I feel I should—’ She broke off and began again. ‘Those furs. I’d like the Arctic fox. I don’t see why I shouldn’t have it. I’m doing a lot for you.’

‘And I’ve done nothing so far for you, is that it?’ Wesley returned, smiling. ‘When I am in jail I shall be happy to think of you wearing the Arctic fox. But I’m certainly not giving it to you now. Let’s be quite frank with each other, Julie. My work and life are in your hands. I have no reason to trust you, and I’d feel a lot safer if I kept something you wanted very badly. It gives me a hold on you. You can see that, can’t you? This I promise you: when I have finished my work you’ll have not only the Arctic fox but the other furs as well. You won’t have to wait long: two months at the outside.’

She had to be content with that.

Now that Wesley had nothing to hide from her his attitude towards her underwent a change. He hurt and angered her by his plain speaking. He admitted he had set her up in the flat for no other reason than to ensure her silence. It was unfortunate he still had to live with her. The police would think it odd if he suddenly left her as he wished to do. At this stage he didn’t wish the police to think anything he did was odd.

She was free to do what she liked. She had money, clothes and the use of the flat. She could invite her friends here, and he asked nothing of her except her silence.

‘The harder I work the quicker your friend Gleb will be free, and the sooner you will have the furs, so don’t expect me to take you out as often as you’d like. I simply shall not have the time.’

This wasn’t at all what Julie had expected, and when Wesley had gone off to the factory she became depressed and lonely. She had no friends. The people she once knew, the people who frequented the Bridge Café, were ruled out. She was afraid to make contact with them again. The morning dragged by and the afternoon spent at a cinema bored her. She was glad when she heard Wesley come in a few minutes after six.

‘I hope you had an amusing day, Julie.’

‘I don’t suppose you care,’ she replied bitterly. ‘But if you want to know I’ve had a rotten day.’

He went into the sitting-room and she trailed after him.

‘I’m sorry to hear that. I have a lot of work to do now, but if you like we can have supper together about nine. If you have something better to do I’ll have a tray sent up.’

‘Oh, no, I’d like to go out to-night.’ She watched him sit down by the dictaphone. ‘What happened to Benton?’ she went on. She had been thinking savagely of Benton all day.

Wesley adjusted the dictaphone, put on a new cylinder before replying.

‘I’ve frozen him out.’ There was a curt, hard note in his voice. ‘It was simple enough. He owed money and I had only to withdraw certain guarantees for the bottom to fall out of his financial world. He won’t bother me anymore.’

‘You’re hard, aren’t you?’ Secretly she was delighted.

‘I suppose I am. You have to be hard these days, Julie. You’re not exactly soft yourself.’

She saw he was impatient to begin work and she hated leaving him. She wanted company.

‘I suppose I can’t help you in your work?’ she suggested, hoping he would let her stay with him.

He turned to look at her.

‘Help me? You know, Julie, I’ve never met such an extra-ordinary young woman. Have you no fear of me? Aren’t you horrified, knowing what I have done?’

Julie shrugged.

‘Why should I care? She deserved all she got. She wasn’t fit to live. Why should I be frightened of you?’

‘I envy you your outlook. No, Julie, I don’t think you can help me. You should be enjoying yourself. You mustn’t waste time, you know. I really didn’t expect to find you in at this hour. I thought you would be certain to be out having a good time.’

‘How can I have a good time alone? I’ve been bored stiff all day.’

‘Blanche was always complaining about being bored. You’re beginning rather soon, aren’t you? Why don’t you look up your friends?’

‘You know I haven’t any friends now. It’s all your fault. You’re just jeering at me.’

‘Oh, nonsense.’ He showed his impatience. ‘But I’ve got to get on. We’ll go into your troubles at supper. Please run along, Julie, and let me work.’

‘I’m sure I don’t want to stay if I’m not wanted!’ she exclaimed, her eyes filling with angry tears, and she went out, slamming the door.

Later she was abruptly jerked out of her slough of self-pity by the ringing of the front door bell. She was startled to find Detective Inspector Dawson waiting in the passage.

‘Is Mr. Wesley in?’

She tried to hide her consternation, aware Dawson was studying her closely.

‘Yes, but he’s working.’

‘I’d like a word with him. Tell him I won’t keep him long, will you please?’

Julie reluctantly let him into the little hall.

He looked round and whistled softly.

‘How do you like it here?’

‘It’s all right,’ Julie said sullenly.

‘That’s a pretty dress you have on. He’s looking after you well, isn’t he? I wonder why?’

Julie gave him an angry look, but she was scared, wondering what he wanted, and she burst in on Wesley flustered and shaken.

As soon as Wesley saw the frightened expression in her eyes, he said quietly: ‘Dawson?’

‘Yes. He wants to speak to you.’

‘All right. Has he said anything?’

‘Only you seem to be looking after me well and he wonders why.’

Wesley smiled.

‘He’s no fool, is he? All right, Julie, show him in. There’s nothing to be frightened about. But if he worries you, you’d better tell him the truth.’

‘You’d look silly if I did.’

‘But you won’t, of course.’

‘You’d better not be too sure.’

‘Don’t keep him waiting and try not to be melodramatic. It doesn’t suit you.’

‘I’m beginning to hate you,’ Julie said furiously. ‘You’re always sneering at me.’

‘Don’t be childish.’

She went out of the room, her face scarlet, and Dawson was quick to see how angry she was.

‘He’ll see you,’ she said, not looking at him. ‘He’s in the end room.’

Dawson seemed to be in no hurry.

‘I saw your pal Harry Gleb yesterday. He’s pretty ill. I told him how you and Wesley had hooked up. When a chap’s in prison he likes to hear the latest gossip. But Harry didn’t seem to appreciate that item of news. He seemed to think it was your fault he was caught.’ Dawson shook his head sadly. ‘Ever think of Harry? I don’t expect you have much time for your old friends. You’re having a lot of fun, aren’t you? Well, Harry isn’t. Harry’s worried. Between you and me if I were in his shoes I’d be worried too. Off the record, that young fellow’s going to hang.’

Julie eyed him steadily, but said nothing.

‘Perhaps you don’t think so? Maybe you’ve got something up your sleeve that’ll save him?’

‘I haven’t.’

‘Sure? Anyone withholding evidence in a murder case can get into a whale of a lot of trouble. You still think Harry didn’t do it?’

‘Did you want me, Inspector?’ Wesley asked from the doorway.

Dawson sighed, turned.

Wesley, his eyes hidden by the dark glasses, was standing looking towards Dawson. There was a stillness about him that betrayed his tension.

‘I did.’ Dawson moved slowly across the room. ‘I was just having a word with Miss Holland. But now you’re here—’

‘Come into the sitting-room. You’ll find it more comfortable. And Julie, you’d better change. When the Inspector has gone we have an appointment, if you remember.’