DeKok and the Sorrowing Tomcat Read Online Free PDF Page A

position, yawned unashamedly and ignored the policemen. DeKok noticed the expression on the cat’s face. It seemed to him as if the cat gave him a mocking grin.
    Bent made an inviting gesture.
    â€œPlease sit down and excuse me for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
    He left the room and DeKok stared after him. He admired the straight back, the athletic posture, the light thread and he concluded that Bent, despite his years, must have gone to considerable effort to keep fit. Rowing, perhaps, on the Amstel.
    Bent returned to the study after a few minutes. He seemed dejected. There was a disappointed set to his mouth.
    â€œI wanted to introduce you to my wife,” he said morosely, “but she has gone to bed. She asks you to excuse her. She’s not feeling well. A slight migraine, I think.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that,” said DeKok with genuine sympathy. “We would have liked to meet her. Another time perhaps?”
    Bent looked at him.
    â€œYes, yes,” he answered absent-mindedly, “Another time.” He dropped into one of the easy chairs. He looked suddenly very tired. He seemed a different person, older, more gray. “But to business,” he said. His tone of voice had changed as well, had become more sharp, more incisive. “I take it that time is precious for you gentlemen?” The tone of voice did not match the expression on his face.
    Vledder grinned.
    â€œYes,” answered the young Inspector, “the lead the robbers have, increases with every minute’s delay.”
    Bent nodded.
    â€œI’m aware of that. Time is money. But I would appreciate it, if you could spare the time to listen to me.”
    He moved in his chair and brought his hands forward until the tips of his fingers rested against each other.
    â€œOf course,” he continued, “I don’t know in what direction your investigations are leading, but I want to make it clear that our personnel, from high to low, is completely trustworthy. You might as well forget any possibility about a leak at B&G.”
    Vledder looked at the man with ill concealed surprise.
    â€œAnd.” he asked sarcastically, “is that all you have to tell us?”
    A tic developed in one corner of Bent’s mouth.
    â€œYes,” he hesitated, “yes, that’s about it, I think.”
    Vledder made an impatient gesture.
    â€œAnd for this,… this … eh, shocking revelation you waste our valuable time and you drag us from the Emperor’s Canal all the way to your house, here, on the Amstel?”
    Bent nodded.
    â€œYes,” he agreed emphatically, “for that remarkable revelation…”
    DeKok interrupted him smoothly.
    â€œMy young colleague means, of course, that your statement was superfluous. There was no need to tell us. The reliability and trustworthiness of your personnel was never an issue. B&G enjoys, also with the police, an outstanding reputation.”
    Bent looked suspiciously at DeKok and was apparently unsure how to react, at a loss for words.
    â€œThank you,” he said finally.
    At that moment, the black tomcat again rose, stretched its back high and lightly jumped down from the chair. It took the cat just a moment to make up its mind, then it jumped on Vledder’s lap, turned a few times the way cats do and settled down in a comfortable position. Vledder softly scratched it under the chin. The animal started purring.
    Bent looked at the cat and then at Vledder. The scene seemed to touch him and for just a moment he seemed to have forgotten all about the situation.
    â€œIt’s strange,” remarked the B&G president in a friendly tone of voice, “but whenever somebody sits down in that particular chair, he will always jump on that person’s lap. I’ve noticed it many times. It’s a peculiar habit. Not everybody likes cats.”
    DeKok coughed.
    â€œIn connection with the hold-up,” he remarked in an