Inspector Alleyn 3-Book Collection 8: Death at the Dolphin, Hand in Glove, Dead Water

‘“If you don’t know what to do, think it over in the loo.”’

‘Quite. Was it still there this morning?’ Bimbo asked sharply.

‘When did you get back?’

‘Here? I don’t know exactly.’

‘Before Lady Bantling, for instance?’

‘Oh, yes. She drove old Period home. That was later. I mean, it was while I was out. I mean, we were both out, but I got home first.’

‘You saw her come in?’

‘I really don’t remember that I actually saw her. I heard her, I think. I was looking round the ballroom to see everything was all right.’

‘Any idea of the time?’

‘I’m afraid I really wasn’t keeping a stop-watch on our movements. It was before twelve because they were all meant to be back by midnight.’

‘Yes, I see. And did you leave the house again?’

‘I did not.’

‘I believe there was some sort of dog-fight.’

‘My God, yes! Oh, I see what you mean. I went out with the others to the terrace and dealt with it. That ghastly bitch –’ Here Bimbo made one or two extremely frank comments upon Pixie.

‘She bit you, perhaps?’

‘She certainly did,’ Bimbo said, nursing his hand.

‘Very professional bandage.’

‘I had to get the doctor.’

‘After the party?’

‘That’s right. I fixed it up myself at the time, but it came unstuck.’

‘You tied it up?’

Bimbo stared at him. ‘I did. I went to a bathroom, where there’s a first-aid cupboard, and stuck a bandage on. Temporarily.’

‘How long did this take you, do you know?’

‘I don’t know. How the hell should I?’

‘Well – at a guess.’

‘Quite a time. It kept oozing out, but in the end I fixed it. Quite a time really. I should think all of twenty minutes before I rejoined the party. Or more. Some bloody mongrel tore my trousers and I had to change.’

‘Maddening for you,’ Alleyn said sympathetically. ‘Tell me: you are a member of the Hacienda Club?’

Bimbo went very still. Presently he said: ‘I simply cannot conceive what that has to do with anything at issue.’

‘It has, though,’ Alleyn said cheerfully. ‘I just wondered, you see, whether you’d ever run into Leonard Leiss at the Hacienda. His name’s on their list.’

‘I certainly have not,’ Bimbo said. He moved away. Alleyn wondered if he was lying.

‘I’m no longer a member and I’ve never seen Leiss to my knowledge,’ Bimbo said, ‘until yesterday. He got himself asked to our party. In my opinion he’s the rock-bottom. A frightful person.’

‘Right. So that settles that. Now, about the business of your step-son and the Grantham Galleries.’

He gave Bimbo time to register the surprise that this change in tactics produced. It was marked by a very slight widening of the eyes and recourse to a cigarette-case. Alleyn sometimes wondered how much the cigarette-smoking person scored over an abstainer when it came to police investigations. ‘Oh, that!’ Bimbo said. ‘Yes, well, I must say I think it’s quite a sound idea.’

‘You talked it over with Bantling?’

‘Yes, I did. We went into it pretty thoroughly. I’m all for it.’

‘To the extent of taking shares in it yourself?’

Bimbo said airily: ‘Even that. Other things being equal.’

‘What other things?’

‘Well – fuller inquiries and all that.’

‘And the money of course?’

‘Of course.’

‘Have you got it?’ Alleyn asked calmly.

‘I must say!’ Bimbo ejaculated.

‘In police inquiries,’ Alleyn said, ‘no question is impertinent, I’m afraid.’

‘And I’m afraid I disagree with you.’

‘Would you mind telling me if you are still an undischarged bankrupt?’

‘I mind very much, but the answer is no. The whole thing was cleared up a year ago.’

‘That would be at the time of your marriage, I think?’

Bimbo turned scarlet and said not a word.

‘Still,’ Alleyn went on after a slight pause, ‘I suppose the Grantham Gallery plan will go forward now, don’t you?’