Francis Durbridge - Paul Temple and the Margo Mystery

Raine looked up sharply. ‘She said she hadn’t?’

‘That’s right, Superintendent. She said she certainly had no wish to consult Paul about anything.’ Steve turned to Temple, whose expression showed his scepticism. ‘Darling, why were you surprised when I mentioned the name Kelburn?’

‘Well, coming over on the ’plane a man called Langdon introduced himself to me. He works for George Kelburn. Apparently Kelburn’s having trouble with his daughter and he’s asked Langdon to try and sort it out.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard of Miss Kelburn,’ Raine said meaningfully. ‘Julia, by name.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Always in the newspapers. She must be quite a handful, that young lady. I don’t envy Mr Langdon his assignment.’ He put his hands on his knees to push himself upright. ‘Well, I’ll be making a move. Glad you’re feeling better, Mrs Temple.’

Raine had been gone for an hour and Steve had announced her intention of going to bed early when the doorbell rang and they heard Charlie going to answer it. A few moments later his head came round the door.

‘What is it, Charlie?’

‘Are you in or out, Mr Temple?’

‘At a quick glance, I should say we’re in.’

‘Well, there’s a Mr Langdon would like to see you. Looks like a Yank to me.’

‘Yes – he is a Yank, as you so elegantly put it, Charlie. Show the gentleman in.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Langdon?’ Steve asked. ‘Is this the man you met on the ’plane?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did you ask him to call?’

‘Not in so many words, but I said if I could be of use any time I’d be pleased to see him.’

Like Raine, Langdon refused the offer of a drink, but accepted a chair. Steve resigned herself to being a listener to another of Temple’s interviews. She always admired his capacity for making people feel that a visit from them was just what he had been hoping for and that he had all the time in the world to listen to their confidences.

‘I’ve already had more than my share of drink this evening,’ Langdon said with a sigh. ‘Which isn’t surprising – considering.’

‘Why, is the Kelburn business getting you down?’

‘It certainly is.’

‘You’ve seen Julia, I take it?’

‘Yes, half a dozen times. It’s hopeless – she has every intention of doing precisely what she wants.’

‘And what about the young man she’s keen on – Tony Wyman?’

‘I went to see Wyman last night.’ An expression of distaste crossed Langdon’s face. ‘At The Hide and Seek. He completely denied that he and Julia were engaged. He just laughed when I said that Kelburn would pay him twenty-five grand not to see her again. He became quite offensive. Said he wouldn’t marry the girl if she was the last piece on earth. So far as he was concerned Kelburn could keep his twenty-five grand and his daughter too!’ Langdon sighed again.

‘What a charming young man!’

‘You can say that again, Mrs Temple. I wasn’t exactly enthralled by Master Wyman!’

‘Do you think he was telling the truth?’

‘I don’t know, Temple. He sounded convincing and yet it just doesn’t add up. Everyone I’ve spoken to swears he’s got his eye on her. Temple, I know this is a bit of a cheek, but do you think you could make one or two enquiries for me?’

Steve shot Temple a warning look, but he seemed to be more interested in refilling his pipe.

‘All right, Langdon, we’ll get on the grapevine and see what we can do.’

‘That’s mighty kind of you,’ Langdon said effusively. ‘I appreciate it, I really do.’

‘Then how about changing your mind and having a drink?’

As Steve turned away to hide her exasperation at Temple’s excessive hospitality, Langdon put his head on one side. ‘There’s nothing I’d like better.’

Temple raised his head from the pillow at the third ring of the telephone, but no sooner was he properly awake than it stopped.

‘Probably realised they were dialling the wrong number,’ Steve said beside him. He could tell from her voice that she had been lying awake.

‘What time is it?’

‘Struck three a few minutes ago.’

‘Couldn’t you get to sleep?’

‘I keep thinking of Laura Kelburn. It must be awful having a daughter like Julia. Paul, do you think she was lying when she said she hadn’t telephoned me?’

‘I can’t see why she—’ Paul stopped as the ’phone started ringing again.’ Who could be telephoning us at this hour?’

‘Take your time, Paul. If they really want us they won’t ring off.’

Temple waited for a little while before switching the light on and picking up the ’phone.

‘Hello.’

‘Is that Paul Temple?’ A woman’s voice, speaking softly, as if she was afraid of being overheard.

‘Yes, speaking.’

‘This is Mrs Kelburn…’ There was a crackling on the line and he could hardly catch the name.

‘Who?’

‘Mrs Kelburn…Laura Kelburn…’

‘Oh, good evening – er – good morning, Mrs Kelburn.’

‘Mr Temple, I’m sorry to disturb you at this time of night, but – I’ve got to see you.’ There was desperation in her voice as she added: ‘It really is important.’

‘Well – what is it you want to see me about?’

‘About – about Julia. My stepdaughter.’

‘What about Julia?’ Temple asked, not trying very hard to conceal his impatience.

‘When can I see you, Mr Temple?’ She was still speaking so softly that he could hardly hear her. ‘Will nine o’clock be all right? I’ve got your address so…’

‘Look, Mrs Kelburn, I’m quite prepared to see you, but first of all I must know what this is all about.’

‘I’ve told you. It’s about my stepdaughter – Julia.’

‘Yes, I know, but what about Julia?’

There was a long pause, but no indication that she had rung off. Temple wondered whether someone had taken the receiver from her. Then suddenly she said very quickly but quite distinctly: ‘She’s going to be murdered.’

There came a click and Temple was left listening to the dialling tone.

‘Hello, Steve!’ Temple had finished his toast and marmalade and was pouring himself a second cup of coffee before his wife appeared for breakfast the next morning. ‘You’re nice and late this morning!’

‘Yes, I know,’ Steve admitted wryly. ‘I didn’t get to sleep until five o’clock.’

‘It’s not surprising. We didn’t stop talking until half past four. I’ll pour you some coffee.’

‘No, I don’t want any coffee, dear. I’ll just have the orange juice. What time is it, anyway?’

‘Twenty past nine.’

‘My word, we are late…’

‘Yes – and so’s your friend, Laura Kelburn. She said she’d be here by…‘He was stopped by a long peal on the doorbell. ‘This will be her now.’

‘Do you want me to stay?’

‘Yes, of course.’

Temple had time to pour an orange juice and put it down at Steve’s side of the table before Charlie opened the door.

‘Superintendent Raine would like to—’ Charlie broke off scandalised as the Superintendent pushed in past him. He had not even taken time to remove his overcoat.

‘Excuse me! Mr Temple, may I have a word with you?’

‘Yes, of course. All right, Charlie.’ Temple dismissed Charlie with a reassuring nod. ‘What is it, Raine? What’s happened?’

‘We picked a girl out of the river – about two hours ago. She’d been strangled. It was George Kelburn’s daughter.’

‘Julia Kelburn?’

‘Yes. But that isn’t everything.’ Raine paused for a moment. ‘The dead girl was wearing a coat. There was a name label stitched inside the collar. We’ve seen that name before, sir.’