Inspector West Takes Charge Read Online Free PDF Page A

on his mission.’
    ‘Or he may have been asking for legal help. I’d rather the police did the watching.’
    ‘The police won’t tell me what they find even if they watch. Just the names of his callers, that’s all. If you should happen to learn where he goes and who he goes to see, I wouldn’t mind hearing.’
    ‘I know what you want,’ Morgan said. ‘Everything and anything you can get about Gabby Potter. I’m not saying it couldn’t be done, but I wouldn’t like Gabby to know I had anything to do with it. I’m wondering whether you know how many people who offend Gabby get beaten-up? I wouldn’t say that he knew anything about that,’ Morgan went on cautiously, ‘but it’s a funny coincidence. I’ve known two or three people who thought they could find something about him, and after they’d tried they had a very nasty experience, and finished up in hospital. Handsome West knows it as well as I do. If he can’t get Potter, what chance have I got?’
    ‘Well, if you won’t, Pep –’
    ‘I’ll tell you what,’ interrupted Morgan. ‘I know a man who might do it. He does odd jobs for me, but it isn’t well known. Just leave it to me. I’ll telephone you this afternoon if I can’t fix it for you. Er does Handsome know about it?’
    ‘No,’ answered Mark, ‘but I’ll make sure he learns how helpful you’ve been.’
    ‘If you ask me, Handsome will run into trouble one of these days. The VIPs won’t take kindly to having him cut through red tape. He’s young, you know, and could do with a bit of experience, but if he keeps his nose clean, he’ll go places.’
    ‘And if he becomes a Yard VIP you’ll be glad you cooperated with his friend Lessing,’ Mark observed.
    They both laughed.

 
4:   Family Suspicion
    Charlie Clay had two things in his favour, Roger soon learned; an alibi and a legal adviser. Potter stayed with him while Roger questioned him, and put in caustic comments from time to time.
    Charlie, Roger inferred, had been told on the East End grapevine that the police were after him, and had rushed to Potter’s office for legal aid.
    ‘It’s quite clear that there is no justification at all for this persecution of my client, Inspector. He can prove he was nowhere near this Mr Lessing’s flat last night. I think a letter or two to the newspapers might ensure that a man who is striving in every way to lead a straightforward and honest life will not be badgered by unimaginative policemen. You must realize the delicacy of your position, Inspector.’
    Roger said shortly: ‘Take him away, but if we break that alibi, look out.’
    ‘You cannot do the impossible,’ Potter said coldly.
    He went out with a hand on Clay’s arm.
    Roger stared out of the window of the interviewing room. Potter might try to cause trouble.
    He went off moodily to lunch. When he returned to the office he was button-holed by an eager Eddie Day: ‘You’re for it. The AC’s after you. I think Potter got on the phone to him. Said he’d ring again. Mark my words; you’ll slip up one day if you don’t stop working out-of-hours with your friend Lessing. He put you on to Charlie Clay, didn’t he?’
    ‘Charlie Clay’s fingerprints did,’ answered Roger.
    Ten minutes later a curt voice requested his presence in the Assistant Commissioner’s room. Curtness was not particularly alarming, for the voice was that of the AC’s secretary, who had never been known to be anything but brusque. The AC was a man of moods, Roger knew, and particularly touchy about newspaper criticism, which Potter had threatened.
    Sir Guy Chatworth was sitting behind his large highly polished desk in his highly polished office with electric light shining on his pale, highly-polished cranium. He had a fringe of dark brown hair, flecked with grey, and a deceptive appearance of amiability. He looked like a prosperous country doctor, not a soldier turned policeman.
    ‘Ah, West. I’m glad you’re back. I want a word with you. Pull