Johnny Swanson - Eleanor Updale [47]
The inspector gave Bennett an understanding smile. The tale of a rich young man temporarily infatuated with a show girl was a familiar one. He returned to the point. ‘It seems that you may have been the last people to see the Langfords before they disappeared.’
‘Disappeared?’ Bennett sprayed crumbs from his mouth as he finished the last of his toast. ‘They didn’t disappear, Inspector. Whatever gave you that idea? No. They went to France. They may have left a bit abruptly, but they told me they were going.’ The junior detective got out a notebook and started writing as Bennett continued. ‘They talked about it over supper that night. I remember clearly. Mrs Langford received a telephone call while we were there. One of her relatives – a cousin, I think – was seriously ill. They were going over to visit her – to see if they could help. I imagine it’s quite useful to have a retired doctor in the family at a time like that.’
‘I dare say,’ said the inspector. ‘So you are sure they both went?’
‘Yes, but Mrs Langford wrote to tell me that her husband was on his way back. The letter came only the other day. I may still have it. Would you like me to try to find it?’
‘That would be very good of you, sir,’ said the inspector. Johnny could tell he was trying not to show too much enthusiasm about a possible lead.
‘Come this way then, gentlemen,’ said Bennett, leading them into a third room, right next to the coat-stand. When they were all inside, Johnny let his feet drop to the floor and shook out his aching arm. Then he edged along to look round the door-frame. It was Mr Bennett’s study. He was facing the window, rummaging through large piles of papers on the desk. The two detectives stood on either side of him. To Johnny’s relief, all three had their backs to him.
‘It should be here somewhere,’ said Bennett, ‘unless I threw it out straight away. To be honest, I only glanced at it when it arrived. It didn’t seem very important at the time.’
‘I quite understand, sir,’ said Inspector Griffin, ‘but do please have a look, if you don’t mind.’
‘I’ve had a tremendous amount of correspondence since my father died: letters of condolence, family business, and so on. Things still aren’t straight after more than a year. There are rather a lot of bills, I’m afraid – what with the state of the stock market, and death duties, of course. You know how it is.’
The inspector grunted sympathetically as Bennett leafed through his paperwork.
‘Ah! We’re in luck,’ said Bennett, holding up a sheet of paper. ‘There’s no address, I’m afraid. Just a date – Friday the thirtieth of November nineteen twenty-nine.’ He lifted a silver-framed calendar from his desk. ‘So, let’s see, that’s two weeks ago tomorrow.’
‘Exactly so,’ said Inspector Griffin. ‘It should give us an idea of the whereabouts of Dr and Mrs Langford on that day at the very least. Would you be so good as to read us the rest of the letter?’
Bennett continued: ‘Dear Frederick, Do forgive me for taking so long to write, but as you know we left for France in rather a hurry. Giles and I both want to tell you formally how grateful we are for your generous donation towards the work of the sanatorium at Emberley.’
Bennett cleared his throat with mock modesty. ‘I was very impressed with what Dr Langford and his colleagues were doing there. TB is such a wretched disease. One has to give what one can.’ The policemen nodded. Bennett continued reading. He was walking around the room now, and every now and then Johnny had to dart back to avoid being seen.
‘It was quite unexpected, and I assure you that my only motive in inviting you to supper was to enjoy the pleasure of your company, and that of your charming friend—Well, not quite so charming, as it’s turned out. But never mind … My cousin’s health – Ah, I was right: it was a cousin – My cousin’s health is improving somewhat, and my husband feels that he should be able to return to