Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths Holly Bell (top rated ebook readers .txt) 📖

We need an arrest. But that’s not our way. We need the perpetrator, not a scapegoat.’

‘We need a break, in this case, sir,’ urged the sergeant. ‘And we need it now. It doesn’t matter where it comes from. We need it now.’

Trelawney cogitated on Baker’s last words. ‘It doesn’t matter where it comes from.’

***

The call came. Thomas knew it would. He was being summoned to the office of Chief Inspector Francis Maxwell.

Thomas sent a text:

Mike, I’m on the carpet. T

He got an instant reply.

Sorry, Thomas, this is a train I couldn’t stop. Francis will be fair. Let me know how it goes. Mike

PS. He’s now acting superintendent pending confirmation to make it permanent. He needs this one in the bag. Mike

Francis Maxwell leaned back in his chair, took off his specs and cleaned them. He looked tired.

‘Trelawney, I hope you know how highly I regard your capabilities.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ replied the inspector, seated on the opposite side of the imposing but practical desk.

‘I believe absolutely that we have our best man on the job. Even so, this has become a high-level case, and there are accusations of incompetence on the part of the police. I won’t sugarcoat this, Trelawney. The victim’s grandfather is a mystifyingly influential man. I’ve had calls not only from Veronica Loftleigh-Gibbs and Damian Gibbs but also from the Home Secretary’s office. And I’m sure you know what that means.’

‘I can imagine, sir,’ responded Trelawney.

Maxwell put his glasses back on. ‘Damian Gibbs makes a substantial contribution both in tax and trade to this country’s bank balance. He’s one of our leading philanthropists, moreover. In fact, sub rosa, he’s up for the Queen’s next honours list.’

‘O.B.E?’

Was that the information that Gibbs had been withholding? Or was it just one piece?

‘Indeed. And now this second Madley business is in danger of dragging his name through the mud. A man about to receive The Order of the British Empire.’

‘That does add an extra dimension of seriousness to the situation. I do appreciate that, sir.’

‘Not only the parents of the girl, and the Home Secretary but also the press, are baying for an immediate arrest. We must have something to throw to the hounds, man. The story of the incident at the Centre only weeks ago and Gibbs’s connection with it has been revived. Even the broadsheets are making it look appalling, never mind the gutter press. They’re starting to talk about The Curse of the Gibbs, for goodness sake.’

Trelawney chose his words carefully.

‘I suspected that the situation was escalating. My team and I are continuing diligently to pursue every avenue.’

‘I have no doubt, Inspector. And, I also have no doubt that in any ordinary case, you would, in time, bring it to a satisfactory and just resolution. But we have run out of time. Twenty-four hours. You have twenty-four to make an arrest.’

‘I understand sir.’

Trelawney found a booth in the nearest quiet coffee shop where he might recover from the interview. No easy feat in that dense quarter of London. He ordered tea and called Hogarth.

‘Bad?’ asked Mike.

‘I have 24 hours to make an arrest.’

‘Who will it be, Thomas?’

‘There can be only one person. She had means and opportunity, and no alibi. But no motive, Mike. Still, I am now without any other option.’

‘Before you do make the arrest, there’s a call I recommend you make.’

***

Amanda, at Mrs Pagely’s request, was back at the library.

‘Oh my dear, thank you for coming. Let’s just step into the reference section for a moment. It’s quiet there.’

They sat down. The librarian was calm but deeply troubled. Even Amanda could see that as she waited for her friend to begin.

‘Kind Constable Nikolaides called. Such a dear girl. She told me that the powers that be are pressing for arrest and I am …’

‘What? Surely not you, Mrs Pagely!’

‘It’s quite all right, my dear,’ said Mrs Pagely putting her hand on Amanda’s. ‘The Truth will out. I believe that utterly.’

‘But …!’

‘It may be a little uncomfortable. I’ve never been in a cell before. I do hope it’s warm enough. As long as they let me have my blood pressure pills. They’re all packed …’

Amanda sat silent, a frown deepening between her brows. Suddenly she spoke.

‘No.’

‘My dear?’

‘No,’ she repeated emphatically. ‘I’m not having this. This is wrong.’

‘Amanda?’

‘Enough is enough. Leave this with me.’

Amanda rose and strode purposefully from the library.

Chapter 30

Preparing Amanda

Trelawney was about to follow through Mike’s recommendation and make the call, when he was pre-empted.

‘Inspector.’

‘Miss Cadabra. I was about to phone you.’

‘How long have you been given before you make an arrest?’

‘I was given 24 hours. That was 12 hours ago.’

‘Give me three.’

‘Three?’

‘Yes,’ Amanda confirmed. She paused, about to put her word on the line. ‘Give me three, and I will get you a lead,’

He took a patient breath. ‘I see. Except I don’t. Where and how do you intend to come upon this lead?’

‘I’d rather not say.’

‘And I would very much rather that you did,’ Trelawney countered emphatically. ‘If you want me to give you this latitude then I need you to be open with me. For a change,’ he added dryly. ‘Are you at the cottage?

Clearly, he would brook no arguments. Amanda acquiesced with,

‘I can be.’

‘Good. I’m on my way. Forty-five minutes.’

Amanda excused herself from The Grange for the rest of the day, went home, and got the tea tray ready. Then there was the fire to be lit and some agitated pacing time to put in, watched from the sofa with evident boredom by Tempest.

She jumped at the sound of a voice, however familiar it was,

‘Now then, bian.’

‘Grandpa!’

‘Calm yourself down.’

Both her grandparents had appeared and were making themselves comfortable in their favoured armchairs opposite the sofa. Inevitably, they had brought refreshments.

‘Amanda dear, you’ve got the words of the spell down pat?’ asked Senara, helping herself to a slice of Battenberg cake.

‘Yes, Granny.’

‘You know what you intend by the words? That’s what counts.’

‘I do, Granny.’

‘You know that if you don’t