Killer in the Shade Read Online Free

face.
    â€˜You’ve come for a cup of coffee, of course.’
    â€˜No one makes coffee like Aunt Judy.’
    â€˜Flatterer,’ she said, pleased at the tribute, and reaching for a fresh cup and saucer. ‘You’ve come for information straight from the horse’s mouth.’
    â€˜If the stable door hasn’t been bolted after the horse has gone.’
    â€˜What’s that supposed to mean?’ asked his uncle.
    â€˜The seven o’clock news mentionedSuperintendent Drury. He has Bill Hazard with him. They’re a close team, John. It just could be you were told not to talk to the Press.’
    John Cadman grinned widely at his nephew’s reference to himself as Press. He wondered how it would sound if he referred to himself as the medical profession. It might be enough to get him certified.
    â€˜No, I wasn’t told to keep a still tongue in my head, Rollo,’ he said.
    â€˜Fine. Then you can give me what you know before I turn up at the
Gazette
. That should earn a grudging word of thanks from old Simpson, our news editor.’
    By the time Rollo had finished the cup of coffee poured for him by his aunt, he knew as much as John Cadman could tell him. The recital had not brought a look of excitement to the nephew’s face.
    â€˜Put like that, John, it doesn’t sound much,’ he said.
    â€˜You mean it was hardly worth struggling through the mist to collect. Well, nevermind. The coffee, I’m sure, made the trip worthwhile.’
    Rollo Hackley grinned.
    â€˜Now, you two,’ said Judy Cadman. ‘Stop sparring. You haven’t told us what the announcer said about your uncle.’
    â€˜He said the man who discovered the body was Dr John Cadman, and that Superintendent Drury had taken over the case. The victim wasn’t named. Oh, yes, he added that Dr Cadman had been returning from a late-night call.’
    â€˜Nothing about the streets being dark due to the power strike?’ the doctor inquired.
    His nephew shook his head. ‘Why do you ask? Was that relevant in any way?’
    John Cadman’s face remained bland. He didn’t want to lead Rollo into a blind alley.
    â€˜I was only thinking that darkness can help a man who wants to vanish after committing murder.’
    â€˜Why a man necessarily?’ the younger man probed.
    â€˜Just my impression. The victim was stabbed in the back and the knife reachedthe heart. It didn’t suggest a woman’s work to me, but then I’ve been spared much experience with modern Butch types.’
    â€˜John!’ exclaimed Judy Cadman, feigning shock at his choice of words.
    Rollo stood up. ‘Well, thanks for the coffee, Aunt Judy.’
    â€˜Another cup? I think I can squeeze out another.’
    â€˜No, thanks. John.’ The young man turned to his uncle. ‘It’s all right if I quote you?’
    â€˜If you mean correctly — of course. But don’t put words into my mouth. I don’t want to rub this Superintendent Drury the wrong way. What’s his reputation?’
    â€˜Competent. He’ll get the killer.’
    â€˜You sound very assured.’
    â€˜That’s the sort of detective Drury is. Well, I’ll be battling my way back through the misty rush hour, folks. I’ll ring you later, John, if that’s okay.’
    â€˜Any time that isn’t surgery hours, Rollo, though I can’t see how I’ll be much use to you. I’ve got to make a statement to the police and then I’llimagine they’ll be pleased to forget me. I came on the body within minutes — ’
    John Cadman stopped short, seeming a little confused.
    â€˜You’ve been holding out,’ his nephew accused, smiling but looking keenly at the other.
    â€˜I just mean that, being a doctor, I could tell that the dead man had not been dead long. That’s all.’
    â€˜How long?’
    â€˜I think you’d better let the police surgeon