The Black Tower Read Online Free PDF Page A

heavy breasts swung loose under the thin cotton. Three wooden bangles clanked on her left forearm. The total impression was of a raffish but not unattractive sexuality, so strong that, although she wore no scent, she brought into the room her own female and individual smell.
    He said: “My name’s Adam Dalgliesh. I came here intending to visit Father Baddeley. It seems that it won’t now be possible.”
    â€œWell, that’s one way of putting it. You’re exactly eleven days late. Eleven days too late to see him and five days too late to bury him. Who are you, a chum? We didn’t knowthat he had any. But then, there were quite a number of things we didn’t know about our Reverend Michael. He was a secretive little man. He certainly kept you hidden.”
    â€œWe hadn’t met except briefly since I was a boy and I only wrote to tell him I was coming the day before he died.”
    â€œAdam. I like that. They call a lot of kids that nowadays. It’s getting trendy again. But you must have found it a bit of a drag when you were at school. Still, it suits you. I can’t think why. You aren’t exactly of the earth, earthy are you? I know about you now. You’ve come to collect the books.”
    â€œHave I?”
    â€œThe ones Michael left you in his will. To Adam Dalgliesh, only son of the late Canon Alexander Dalgliesh, all my books to keep or dispose of as he sees fit. I remember it exactly because I thought the names were so unusual. You haven’t lost much time, have you? I’m surprised that the solicitors have even got round to writing to you. Bob Loder isn’t usually that efficient. But I shouldn’t get too excited if I were you. They never looked particularly valuable to me. A lot of dry old theological tomes. By the way, you weren’t expecting to be left any of his money were you? If so, I’ve got news for you.”
    â€œI didn’t know that Father Baddeley had any money.”
    â€œNor did we. That was another of his little secrets. He left £19,000. Not a great fortune, but useful. He left it all to Wilfred for the benefit of Toynton Grange, and it came just in time from all I hear. Grace Willison is the only other legatee. She got that old bureau. At least she will get it when Wilfred bothers to have it moved.”
    She had settled down in the fireside chair, her hair thrown back against the headrest, both legs splayed wide. Dalgliesh pulled out one of the wheel-backed chairs and sat facing her.
    â€œDid you know Father Baddeley well?”
    â€œWe all know each other well here, that’s half our trouble. Are you thinking of staying here?”
    â€œIn the district perhaps for a day or two. But it doesn’t seem possible now to stay here …”
    â€œI don’t see why not if you want to. The place is empty, at least until Wilfred finds another victim—tenant, I should say. I shouldn’t think that he’d object. Besides you’ll have to sort out the books won’t you? Wilfred will want them out of the way before the next incumbent moves in.”
    â€œWilfred Anstey owns the cottage then?”
    â€œHe owns Toynton Grange and all the cottages except Julius Court’s. He’s further out on the headland, the only one with a sea view. Wilfred owns all the rest of the property and he owns us.”
    She looked at him appraisingly.
    â€œYou haven’t any useful skills, have you? I mean you’re not a physiotherapist or a male nurse or a doctor, or even an accountant? Not that you look like one. Anyway, if you are I’d advise you to keep away before Wilfred decides that you’re too useful to let go.”
    â€œI don’t think that he’d find my particular skills of much use.”
    â€œThen I should stay on if it suits you. But I’d better put you in the picture. You might then change your mind.”
    Dalgliesh said:
    â€œStart with yourself. You haven’t