Johnny Swanson - Eleanor Updale [39]
A car was parked outside. Johnny had never seen it before. He peered through its windows. The back seat was covered with clothes, messy papers, maps and empty cigarette packets. Hutch came out. He put his hand on Johnny’s shoulder.
‘I was only looking,’ said Johnny.
‘That’s all right, son,’ said Hutch, in a tone that was meant to reassure him, but was so kind that it gave Johnny a jolt of panic. Hutch steered him towards the shop. ‘Come inside,’ he said. ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’
A man in a brown suit and a soft hat was leaning half in and half out of the wooden telephone booth, just inside the door. He was lighting a cigarette. Johnny noticed it was the same brand as the ones in the car.
‘May I have another word with you, Mr Hutchinson?’ the man called as they went past.
‘I’ll be back with you in a moment, sir. This is my delivery boy. We just need to sort a few things out.’
Johnny didn’t understand. The bag of newspapers was always ready for him, behind the counter. Why was Hutch taking him through to the stockroom?
‘Sit down,’ said Hutch, pointing to a tea chest. ‘Johnny, lad, I’ve got some bad news.’
‘Mum?’ cried Johnny, terrified that something had happened to her at the sanatorium.
‘No, Johnny. I’m sure your mother is all right. It’s Dr Langford, Johnny. I’m very sorry to be the one to tell you this, but I’m afraid Dr Langford has died.’
‘Where? How do you know?’
‘He was found up at his house a couple of hours ago. Miss Dangerfield called the police when she noticed a window had been broken. She thought there might have been a burglary. But when the constable got in to have a look, he discovered the doctor’s body.’
Johnny buzzed with shock, excitement and indignation. ‘So Dr Langford was in there, dead, all this time, while everyone thought he was away? I told you. I said—’
‘Well, no, Johnny. That’s what I thought at first too. But that gentleman out there is a newspaper reporter, and he’s told me the police are sure that Dr Langford died last night.’
Johnny thought back to the lights he had seen; then his mind started running on. ‘What did he die of? Where’s Mrs Langford? Was she there too?’
Hutch silenced him. ‘Calm down, Johnny. I don’t know many details yet, but I think it’s right for me to tell you this. According to that reporter, the police think that Dr Langford was murdered.’
‘Murdered? How? Why?’
‘I don’t know. The detectives are still up at the house. But I thought that since you knew Dr Langford well, you should hear the news from me.’ Johnny was staring ahead. Hutch wasn’t sure whether he had taken everything in. ‘Would you like me to come home with you to tell your mother?’
‘She won’t be there. She’s working at the sanatorium at Emberley today, and she’s going to go straight on to her job at the pub tonight.’
‘She’ll probably hear about it there, poor woman. I’m so sorry. I know the doctor was very kind to you both.’
Johnny was stunned. He could hear his blood pumping round his ears, and his arms and legs were tingling. He remembered that he was supposed to be doing his paper round. ‘I’d better go,’ he said, jumping up and strapping on the bag. ‘People will be waiting for their newspapers.’
‘Only go if you’re sure you’re all right,’ said Hutch. ‘But Johnny, I think it will be best if I do the round in the morning. There’s nothing in tonight’s paper, but this business is bound to be all over tomorrow’s. I wouldn’t want you to have to handle the … the details … if you see what I mean.’
Johnny left with the newspapers, and Hutch went to talk to the reporter again. The news was already sweeping the town, and as Johnny passed from house to house, more people spoke to him than usual.