Gently with the Ladies (Inspector George Gently 13)

required.’
    ‘And you were there all day?’
    ‘Yes, since the morning. That is, we go out, but I am still with Giselle. That is, except for a little time in the afternoon. Giselle will tell you all this.’
    ‘Go on, Miss Junot.’
    ‘Then it is after lunch and we are going out to buy a skirt for Giselle. It is her birthday, this understand, and always we give each other presents. So I look in my bag and – no purse. I have left my purse in my room. I have two hand-bags, please notice, and it is in the other one I leave my purse. So I say to Giselle, Never mind, this will not take me one minute, and I go very fast back to the flat and fetch my purse from the other handbag. Then I return to Giselle, and we buy her a nice skirt at Peter Robinson.’
    ‘What time did you go back?’ Gently asked.
    Albertine spread her hands. It is after lunch a little time. Perhaps it is nearly three o’clock.’
    ‘Was your mistress there?’
    ‘I did not see her, but yes, she will be lying down. I do not make any noise, this understand, in case I am detained by Madame. Madame is not an easy woman. There is perhaps some washing-up.’
    ‘But you are sure she was there.’
    ‘I think she is.’
    ‘You heard her stirring, making sounds.’
    Albertine pulled a face. ‘No, no sounds. But I think she is, that is usual.’
    ‘Did you hear any sounds from the flat above?’
    ‘Oh no. One cannot hear from up there.’
    ‘Movements, conversation?’
    ‘Is not possible. No, I did not hear anything.’
    ‘Did you see my car out front,’ Fazakerly said. ‘You know my car – the old Aston?’
    She shook her head. ‘I do not come in that way. It is not convenient, too far.’
    ‘And this is all you have to tell me?’
    ‘But no. It is only to tell you I was there. That is important, very important. You see Monsieur is very interested.’
    She made an expressive movement with her shoulders and gave Monsieur a bright smile. Fazakerly was staring intently at her. His initial sparkle was fading.
    ‘It is not anything I hear,’ Albertine said. ‘It is someone I see going up the stairs. Past the landing, up the stairs. And you know who? It is the sister.’
     
    Gently said: ‘Why haven’t you come forward with this before, Miss Junot? You have a fairly shrewd idea that it’s an important piece of evidence.’
    Albertine twisted her shoulders and pouted. ‘So?’ she said. ‘Do I know that? When Madame tells me it is certainly him, and you are everywhere looking for him? No, no, Monsieur, I do not think of it, the sister is often going up there. She will tell you herself if it is important. I do not think of it again.’
    ‘You’ve thought of it now.’
    ‘Ah, yes. Since you did not lock Mr Johnny up. Is not so certain then, is it? Perhaps he is not the one after everything.’
    ‘’So you go to him with this information.’
    ‘Yes, Monsieur. To Mr Johnny. He is still in trouble, the funny man, and I like to help him. That is right.’
    Fazakerly said: ‘Thanks, Albertine. You’re my only friend in London.’
    Albertine made her face again and gestured with hand and shoulder.
    ‘I see,’ Gently said. ‘So you saw Miss Merryn. Well, it comes in rather pat. You’re sure it was her?’
    ‘But certainly, Monsieur. I know the sister very well.’
    ‘What was she wearing?’
    Albertine hesitated. ‘It is through the doors, this understand. One does not see it very clearly. Is not much light behind the doors.’
    ‘Dress or costume?’
    ‘I will not say! It is a dark colour, that is true. Yes, a dark colour . . . perhaps a costume. Perhaps the costume she wears to business.’
    ‘Had she a hat?’
    ‘Well . . . yes, a hat.’
    ‘You saw her hat?’
    ‘Yes. I think.’
    ‘You think you saw it?’
    ‘I will not be certain! I simply see her, a figure. So!’
    ‘But you are certain that figure was Brenda Merryn.’
    She spread both hands and yawed her shoulders. ‘A thousand times – I know that woman! I look, I see her, I say: Aha! Her clothes, her hat I don’t notice. How do I know I should notice them? It may be Madame, that is what I am thinking, but is not Madame, is the sister. This is all that matters to me.’
    ‘Don’t bully the poor soul,’ Fazakerly said. ‘She’s doing her best to give it to us straight. You’ve had nothing serious on Brenda till now. This is a breakthrough. It’s the proof.’
    Gently gave him a long stare. ‘Yes,’ he said. It’s a break-through. But what it’s