To Perish in Penzance by Jeanne M. Dams Page B

Lexa’s death.”
    Well, that took my breath away, as he’d known it would. I simply looked my questions, and he grinned. “Oh, well, if you want the whole story, that will take a bit longer. It seems that young Colin has an exaggerated opinion of my prowess as an investigator. He called me into his office as soon as I got to the station …”
    â€œSuperintendent Cardinnis will see you immediately,” the constable at the desk had said. “You’ll remember where his office is, I don’t doubt.”
    â€œI remember,” said Alan, and walked the length of the brown-linoleumed hallway with growing apprehension.
    â€œChief Constable, come in, sir!” The superintendent sounded welcoming, even cordial. Confused and wary, Alan went into the office and sat down.
    â€œJust Mr. Nesbitt nowadays, you know, Superintendent.”
    â€œNot in these parts, sir. Here you’re The Chief, and always will be. We’re very proud of you, you know.”
    Alan had not considered matters in quite that light.
    â€œYou’re the only local man who’s ever risen to the very top, and we’re not likely to forget it,” continued Cardinnis.
    â€œYour SOCOs seemed a bit stiff this morning,” said Alan dryly.
    Cardinnis shook his head. “I was afraid it might have struck you that way. Embarrassment, pure and simple, mixed with not a little awe. And, of course, fear that they might make great fools of themselves in front of you.”
    â€œI see.” Alan’s tone was noncommittal.
    Cardinnis looked at Alan and seemed to hear what he wasn’t saying. “You’ll be wondering why I had the effrontery to ask you here. The fact is, I’d have come to you, but I wanted to put a proposition in front of you now, today, and I simply hadn’t the time to leave the station. That’s why I don’t intend to beat about the bush. Chief Constable, I know you’re retired. I know you’ve come here with your wife on holiday, and I’ve a lot of cheek to ask. But the fact is, I’d like your help with this Alexis Adams mess.”
    Alan said nothing, just kept his eyes focused on the superintendent’s.
    â€œUnofficially, of course. I can’t hire you, and I can’t pay you, but what you began to tell me seems to confirm the first idea I had when I heard about your call this morning.”
    â€œAnd that was?”
    â€œThat there’s a connection between the two cases, the unsolved murder from your time, and this one.
    â€œMy grandfather and my father, both, used to talk about that old murder. Like you, they were convinced it
was
murder. And they said that if anyone ever found the key to it, it would be you. Now, maybe it’s just coincidence that you found the body of the Adams woman, and that you’ve learned of her link with that old case. Myself, I don’t believe in coincidence. I think it was meant.”
    The old superintendent of his time, Alan thought, young Colin’s grandfather, had been a strong Methodist. It sounded as though Colin might be following in his footsteps.
    â€œSo I’d be a fool—wouldn’t I, sir?—to ignore all the connections. Your intimate knowledge of the earlier case, your acquaintance with the present victim, your reputation as an investigating officer. And I’m not that much of a fool.” He sat back and waited.
    Alan chose his words with some care. “I am, as you say, on holiday. What exactly is it that you propose?”
    Cardinnis sat up. “An exchange of information. You tell me what you know and what you are able to learn in further inquiries. In return, I keep you apprised of the progress of the case from our end. Autopsy results, interview transcripts, the lot. No official sanction or authority. Unofficially, any help that an understaffed operation can provide.”
    Then Alan had sprung what would, he was sure, be the undoing of the proposal.