Cry For the Baron by John Creasey Page B

gossip columnist and find out all you can about her and Kenneth?”
    Chittering studied the photograph.
    â€œVery nice.”
    â€œShe’s scared out of her wits, and she’s probably frightened that something drastic will happen to her. You can do this research much more easily than I can, and the police won’t be surprised at you probing. I don’t want them to know what I’m up to yet.”
    â€œI shan’t tell them. Have you seen this?” asked the reporter, taking a folded copy of the Daily Record from the pocket of his raincoat. “All the latest news; if you want the facts read the Record.” The headline was about Bernstein’s murder, and the sub-heading ran: “Murderer Gets £100,000-worth of Jewels.” There was a picture, not of man or woman but of the Diamond of Tears, and in a heavy black type a potted history of the diamond and of the three men and one woman who had owned the Tear and died violent deaths. The Tear was valued at £55,000; the other jewels were listed. Bristow and Gordon had made good use of the little black book.
    â€œNot bad,” said Chittering.
    â€œWhat else do you know?”
    â€œLondon’s being turned upside down. Every man the Yard and the Divisions can spare is on the job. Every fence in the City and the West End is being checked, jewel dealers everywhere have a description of the stolen stuff, a full release has been made to the Press. The official statement is that the police are following up an important clue and expect to make an arrest shortly. Unless they’re going to arrest you.”
    Mannering said: “Not just yet.”
    â€œIs the Tear still here?”
    â€œWas the Tear ever here?”.
    â€œI am not normally a cautious man,” said Chittering, his blue eyes rounding, “but I sleep sometimes and I’ve slept on this. I was a fool not to take that jewel to the police last night and you’ll be a bigger fool if you hide it for long. They mean to get the man who has the Tear because they think the man who has the Tear killed Jacob. Go warily, John.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œMeaning you’ll do exactly what you want to. I admit being relieved that I can’t give evidence of seeing the Tear in this flat. How’s Lorna taking it?”
    â€œAs you’d expect.”
    â€œYou’re a dangerous couple when roused,” said Chittering. “When will the inheritance of lovely Fay be made public?”
    â€œBristow will probably want to keep it secret—and don’t forget he’s almost certainly watching Fay.”
    â€œAccording to what I was told at the Yard, a woman was seen to come out of Jacob’s shop or one near it, John. Could she have been Fay, I wonder? If she’s going to inherit a fortune she’d have a pretty big motive for killing Jacob. Also, according to a whisper from the garrulous Gordon, you’re suspected of knowing that the girl was at the shop and letting her escape. Gordon breathed the word ‘accessory.’ What have you done to Gordon? He hates your guts.”
    â€œThat’s because of what I haven’t done for him,” said Mannering. “Don’t worry about Gordon. Thanks for all you’re doing. You’ll find it’s worth the trouble.”
    Glittering grinned. “It’s a good job I’ve a soft spot for your wife; if it were only you I’d stand by and watch them catch you.” He slouched towards the door, hands thrust deep into the pockets of his raincoat, curly head bare and untidy. “When you get anything I can print don’t sit on it, will you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHow convincingly he lies,” marvelled Glittering. “How Lorna lives with you I don’t know. I—”
    The front door bell rang, cutting across his words. He murmured: “Bristow, maybe,” and moved back into the study.
    Mannering opened the front door – and saw