The Blood Diamond Read Online Free PDF Page A

the mouthpiece with his hand. ‘It’s Parker, of ‘A’ Division.’
    â€˜Anything brewing there?’
    â€˜I don’t think so . . . hallo, Parker . . . yes, I’m all right, thanks. There’s plenty to do, you know . . . eh? . . . yes, I’ve had Baynes’s report . . . what’s that?’
    He listened intently, staring at Tring, while Tring tapped the P.C.’s report significantly and looked almost smug.
    â€˜There isn’t any doubt, I suppose,’ Bristow said at last. ‘No . . . fine, thanks. I’ll look into it. Goodbye.’
    He replaced the receiver, and lit a cigarette; his small moustache was stained bright yellow with nicotine. He eyed Tring through a cloud of smoke, and the new Inspector continued to tap the report and to look as if he wanted to say: ‘I told you so.’
    â€˜Well?’ asked Tring, at last. ‘Something is up, isn’t it?’
    â€˜It’s a queer business,’ said Bristow, ‘but I can’t believe there’s anything in it. The man at Quinn’s this afternoon has been identified. The sergeant placed him.’
    â€˜Who is he?’
    â€˜Josh Larraby.’
    â€˜Larraby! The man who stole that stuff from the Mace Gallery? I thought he was inside.’
    â€˜He’s been out for three months, on his ticket of leave.’
    â€˜Cor, strewth!’ exclaimed Tring. ‘And Mannering’s pally with him. There you are, what did I tell you? I don’t think I’ll take a day off tomorrow, after all, Mr. Bristow, thanks all the same.’
    Â 

Chapter Four
THE BARON AND HIS WIFE
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    Mannering hurried up the stairs to the Green Street flat, just before seven o’clock. Lorna opened the door before he took out his keys. He beamed.
    â€˜Wonderful! Anyone would think you were glad to see me.’
    â€˜I am. Getting soft in the head, aren’t I?’
    â€˜You said it. A plucked beauty.’ He kissed her between the brows, where there was a faint pink puffiness. ‘Food?’
    â€˜Plenty.’
    â€˜Work?’
    â€˜I’ve done some sketches of Larraby.’
    â€˜Why aren’t they round the walls?’
    They sat at the table, where dinner was served.
    â€˜You can go upstairs after dinner and see them,’ said Lorna. ‘I couldn’t have picked a better subject if I’d tried for a year.’
    â€˜As a model, maybe.’
    â€˜I know he’s a tramp, but—’
    â€˜Oh, he’s not such a tramp,’ said Mannering. ‘He’s known better days. Trust you to pick our Josh to come here.’
    â€˜What is the mystery about?’
    â€˜His past. He was a jewel merchant in a small way, and gradually increased his business, and then one day fell for some stuff which he pinched. He had a big failing as a dealer – he loved gems for their own sake.’
    Lorna sat, very still and silent, frowning.
    â€˜There was a small collection at the Mace Gallery, five years ago. It was a private show, carelessly arranged, and there was a diamond Josh coveted. He took it and was caught. He’s still on his ticket of leave.’
    Lorna said heavily: ‘What a fool I am. We can’t have him here.’ All her brightness had gone.
    â€˜Light fingers being dangerous in the flat? He may genuinely have reformed. Such things happen! I’m inclined to think that he fell to temptation and wished he hadn’t, even before he was caught. I took to him.’
    â€˜You would.’
    â€˜You wouldn’t!’
    Lorna forced a laugh. ‘I didn’t know his past. What was he doing in the shop?’
    â€˜Apparently he was passing the window and saw the Adalgo diamond. He wasn’t the first to stand and stare. A policeman wanted to move him on, but the proud Josh wasn’t having any. He swept the said policeman imperiously on one side and entered the shop. Carmichael had heard most of what went on, thanks to