Murder on the Salsette Read Online Free PDF Page B

herself. Cannadine shook her hand gratefully.
    â€œIt’s such a relief to meet someone who hasn’t come to complain,” he said. “That Portuguese lady was the third in a row who’s not happy with her cabin. Because she spoke very little English and because I only know few words of Portuguese, it was a rather fraught conversation.”
    â€œWell, I haven’t come to demand a change of cabin, Mr. Cannadine.”
    â€œThat’s music to my ear.”
    â€œThe facilities seem excellent to me.”
    â€œThe
Salsette
was built for speed and comfort.”
    â€œI’m sure that it will be an enjoyable voyage,” said Genevieve. “You’ve met my partner, I understand?”
    â€œYes, Mr. Dillman and I had a brief chat. As I told him, we never have any serious problems onboard. You and he should have a quiet time of it.”
    â€œThat will make a pleasant change.”
    â€œEach of you has a cabin in first class, but I assume that you’ll divide your duties. Who will look after the second-class passengers?”
    â€œBoth of us,” she said. “Once we’ve found our way around, we’ll take it in turns to drift into the public rooms in second class to see what’s going on. George is an absolute master at blending in. Did you know that he used to work as an actor?”
    â€œNo,” replied Cannadine, “but the news doesn’t surprise me. He has all the right attributes for the stage. But then,” he went on with a smile of frank admiration, “so do you, Miss Masefield.”
    â€œI’ve never been attracted to work in the theater.”
    â€œThat’s a pity. I’d certainly pay to watch you.”
    â€œThen you’re going to be disappointed, Mr. Cannadine. I don’t court attention. I prefer to stay in the shadows and look on. That’s why I enjoy my work so much. It’s like being a spectator at a play—I sit there and watch a drama unfold.”
    â€œUntil something untoward happens.”
    â€œThat’s always a possibility, I fear.”
    â€œBut then, if a crime is involved, you have the ability to interrupt proceedings. That must give you a lot of satisfaction.”
    â€œOh, it does, believe me.”
    Like her partner, Genevieve found the purser to be affable and observant. Though he moaned about complaints from passengers, he did so without rancor and she was sure that he could handle any emergency with calm efficiency. Cannadine exuded the quiet confidence of a man who loved his job and endeavored to do it properly.
    â€œI hear that Mr. Dillman used to be a Pinkerton agent,” he said.
    â€œThat’s correct. They trained him well.”
    â€œHas he been able to pass on some of the tricks of the trade?”
    â€œYes,” said Genevieve. “George has taught me everything. He also pointed out that my greatest asset is my appearance.”
    Cannadine beamed. “I’d happily endorse that judgment.”
    â€œWhat he meant was that I deflect suspicion. Nobody who meets me for the first time suspects for a moment that I might be employed as a ship’s detective. People are off guard. They tend to confide in me.”
    â€œThey confide in me, as well,” said the purser, ruefully, “but all that I get to hear are their reproaches. The engines are too noisy, the ship rolls too much, the food is not to their taste, the service is tardy, and so on.” He gave a dry laugh. “I even had a Frenchman in here earlier who complained that he’d been caught on the pier by that storm.”
    â€œP and O is not responsible for the weather.”
    â€œHe seemed to think it was.” There was a tap on his door. “One moment, please,” he called. “Another brickbat, no doubt,” he said to Genevieve. “It’s always like this at the start of a voyage.”
    â€œThen I won’t get in your way any longer. I just wanted to make