Murder by Appointment: Inspector Faro No.10 Read Online Free PDF

for disposing of it or to a better cause. So I gave it to him. He put it on then and there, hugging it to him. The violent colour didn't seem to bother him. I thrust a sovereign into his hand to go with it. He protested weakly but I could see he was delighted—and grateful. As he was leaving, he turned and said, "God be good to you, Mr Lachlan. And you be careful, take care, take good care." When I laughed and said indeed I would, he was suddenly very serious. He took my hand and said, "I mean it, young sir you watch your step. Be very, very careful." '
    Lachlan sighed. 'In view of what happened a few minutes later, his words might well have been prophetic, don't you think?'
    An interesting encounter, or a coincidence? Was Lachlan putting too much meaning into the man's parting words.
    Apart from the carriage there was little evidence to connect Lachlan's attackers with those on the Mound. As Faro was thinking of a suitable reply, the hall clock melodiously struck the half-hour. Lachlan shot out of his seat.
    'I really must go, Mr Faro. I've taken up enough of your time and I'm late for my rehearsal.' He paused. 'Thank you for listening to me. I shall leave it all to your discretion—I mean, what if anything I should do about it.'
    He smiled. 'I thought it was only in the American west that men drove along those streets and took pot shots at passers-by. I've told myself that perhaps it was some drunken revellers here—young blades, I think they call them.'
    Faro regarded him sternly. Drunken revellers there were, but armed drunken revellers were something new and unique in Edinburgh. 'You can dismiss that theory from your mind. I don't think these bad habits have crossed the Atlantic into Edinburgh—particularly into George Street. There's plenty of room in our cells for those sort of lads,' he added grimly.
    'So you think I should report it,' said Lachlan reluctantly.
    'I will look into the matter personally. And I will do my best to see that it is not made public.'
    'I'll be grateful, Mr Faro.'
    As Faro rose from his desk, he felt there was still a great deal unsaid, unsayable, and that the would-be assassin's identity masked a sinister purpose greater than jealousy or revenge. But what?
    Preparing to part, the two shook hands. Lachlan hesitated then said quietly, 'I had another reason for coming to you, sir. My mother—my mother said that if ever I found myself in danger or in trouble of any kind, you were a friend I could rely on and that I was to come to you.' Again he paused. 'My mother thinks highly of you, Mr Faro. Very highly.'
    A now thoroughly confused Faro was spared the embarrass ment of thinking of a suitable reply as, about to ask politely after Inga St Ola's health, he was interrupted by the front doorbell pealing shrilly through the house.
    'I must go,' said Lachlan. 'Goodbye, sir, and thank you again.'
    There was a sound of light footsteps, familiar footsteps, on the stairs. The door was thrown open and Rose Faro flung herself into her father's arms.
    'Dear Papa. How are you—' And thrusting aside her bonnet to release a cascade of fair curls, she was suddenly aware that they were not alone.
    Lachlan Brown moved out of the shadows.
    'You!—' Rose stared at him and a moment later laughed delightedly as he rushed forward and seized her hands.
    'This is wonderful—I can't believe it—' said Lachlan.
    As the two young people stared at each other with aston ishment and delight, Faro announced, 'This is my daughter Rose.’
    Chapter 6
     
    The young couple hardly heeded Faro's introduction.
    Still holding Rose's hand, Lachlan looked across at Faro: 'Yes of course, now I do see a resemblance.'
    'You have met before?' Faro's polite question was by now somewhat superfluous.
    'We have indeed,' said Lachlan warmly. 'So this young lady is your daughter—Rose. Rose,' he repeated, smiling as if the name pleased him. Turning again to Faro, he said, 'Forgive me, I really must leave. I'm already late—' And to