Gently with the Ladies (Inspector George Gently 13)

the invaders with frigid eyes. She watched Albertine. Albertine went out of her way to avoid catching Madame’s eye. And so the excellent coffee was drunk in a curious and uneasy atmosphere.
    Reynolds had gone to fetch Fazakerly but he had left the two policewomen with Gently. They accompanied him and the other three women up the stairs to the Fazakerly flat. The flat felt chilly. Stockbridge, probably, had decided to cut off the central heating, and though thin October sun slanted into the lounge it had small effect on the temperature.
    Mrs Bannister shivered. ‘If we must come here I don’t see why we should freeze to death. Can’t we have some heat?’
    ‘If you wish.’
    ‘Albertine. Fetch a heater.’
    Albertine hurried out and returned lugging a big Belling. She knew where the point was and carried the plug to it and the Belling glowed and creaked into life. Mrs Bannister took a chair and sat beside it, spreading her hands to the current of warm air. But she still seemed to feel the chill of the room and now and then gave another shiver.
    Brenda Merryn had gone across to the settee. Her sharp eye noticed the stains. She glanced at Gently, who made no sign, and she gave a little shrug.
    ‘Poor Clytie.’
    Mrs Bannister said fiercely: ‘I wish Miss Merryn would spare us her comments.’
    ‘Come off it Sybil,’ Brenda Merryn said. ‘You’d better keep relaxed while you’re up here. George hasn’t brought us here for fun. He hopes this room is going to crack us. If you’ve any sense you’ll act curious and have a look at the settee.’
    ‘Thank you so much. But I’m not an actress. And perhaps you’re not a good one either.’
    ‘Miaow.’
    ‘I can guess about the settee.’
    ‘I couldn’t. And I find it oddly suggestive.’
    Mrs Bannister lifted her head. ‘Is this woman working with you?’ she asked Gently. ‘I find her offensive. I don’t have to remain here and unless you put a curb on her I shall leave. I should have thought there was not much doubt of where she stood after her peculiar display this morning.’
    ‘Touché,’ Brenda Merryn said. ‘First blood to me. And don’t forget your own standing has its points of interest.’
    ‘You are impertinent.’
    ‘I can’t help it. It’s your pose, Sybil. One has to bait you.’
    ‘Perhaps they will teach you different in Holloway.’
    ‘Yes. To me it wouldn’t come natural.’
    The second policewoman smothered a giggle but unfortunately Mrs Bannister heard it. She sprang to her feet. She found Gently standing with his back to the door.
    ‘Sit down, Sybil,’ Brenda Merryn said. ‘Doing the duchess isn’t good enough. It takes more than a repertory job to impress George. Sit down and think up some new insults.’
    ‘You coarse bitch.’
    ‘You charming parasite.’
    ‘You should be whipped.’
    ‘You should know.’
    ‘You are an envious and scheming and insolent person.’
    ‘Dear Sybil. You’ll shoot your bolt before we come to the big picture.’
    Mrs Bannister swung round on Gently. ‘Superintendent, I insist on leaving. You have no right to keep me here and if you try I will sue you. Stand aside.’
    ‘You may go, Mrs Bannister.’
    ‘I certainly may. Let me through.’
    ‘But we shall have to fetch you again directly to identify a certain person for us.’
    She halted, fronting him. ‘Oh. Who?’
    ‘I would sooner you told us that when you’ve seen the person.’
    ‘This is very mysterious. I suppose it isn’t an invention to keep me a prisoner in this room?’
    Brenda Merryn chuckled. ‘I doubt it, Sybil. I think I can guess who George is bringing here. George is sharp. You’d better prepare yourself. He’s going to hit you, and it’s going to hurt.’
    Mrs Bannister threw her a scorching look. ‘I repeat. Who is this person I am supposed to identify?’
    ‘A person connected with the case, Mrs Bannister.’
    ‘I wish to know more.’
    ‘I believe I hear them arriving.’
    There was a sound of the outer door being unlocked and Albertine rose as though to attend to it. Gently motioned her to sit again. Mrs Bannister stood undecided and staring suspiciously. There came a tap on the lounge door. Reynolds entered, followed by Fazakerly. Then Sarah Johnson.
    When Mrs Bannister saw her she gave a gasping cry and slithered to the floor in a faint.
     
    ‘You are Beryl Rogers?’
    Sarah Johnson’s flattish face was pale and tight. She walked into the room and slowly across to the window and stood