Читать книгу The Klondike Mysteries 4-Book Bundle - Vicki Delany - Страница 39

I sent Angus home with his pockets full of money. I told him to give the money to Mrs. Mann and tell her we were having company for dinner and to do the best she could.

After that, he was to go to Mr. Mann’s store down by the waterfront and work for the rest of the afternoon. Provided he was still wanted.

Make no mistake, I was absolutely furious. He’d forged my signature, lied to an officer of the law, failed to show up at his place of employment, disappeared for five days and worried his mother half to death, not to mention a good portion of the citizenry.

But he had come back. Safe and sound.

When I ventured downstairs, some of the men watched me, but most of the excitement had passed with the departure of Sterling, and shortly after, Angus, both of them still in one piece.

“Everything all right, Fee?” Ray asked.

“I hope so.” I walked around the back of the bar, and Ray bent forward so that I could whisper into his ear. Only he, and Her Majesty, glowering disapprovingly at us from her portrait, could hear. “It would appear that Angus strung Sterling quite a line, and Inspector Starnes is furious about it all. What a mess.”

“Speaking of the police.” Ray pointed his chin towards the door.

I turned to see Inspector McKnight enter the saloon. The customers gave him a wide berth. “Evening, Mrs. MacGillivray. Do you have a minute, Walker?”

“No. Ye might not have noticed, but we’re busy at the moment.”

“I think you’ll be interested in what I have to say. In private.” The Inspector looked at the group of drinkers lingering nearby, unashamedly hanging on his every word.

Barney belched in his face. Grumbling, Ray led the way to Helen’s kitchen, and I followed, as did a pack of miners. I shut the door firmly in their dirty, bearded faces.

There was scarcely enough space in the room for three people to stand, and only one chair. McKnight seated himself. As I hadn’t been invited to follow them, I could scarcely complain about this shocking breach of manners.

“I thought you’d want to know that Sterling located your friend, Mr. Johnny Stewart.”

“I figured that was why he went to the Creeks.”

“Mr. Stewart confirms your alibi.” “

Could of told you that,” Ray said. But some of the tension he’d been carrying all week slipped from his shoulders and he almost, but not quite, cracked a smile.

“That’s wonderful,” I said. “It’s kind of you to take the time to come here and inform us in person, Inspector.”

He made no effort to stand but twisted his hands in his lap and coughed. “Well, uh, Mrs. MacGillivray, there is one small thing you could do for me.”

Ray and I exchanged knowing glances. So that was the way it was to be played, was it?

“I’d be pleased to offer you the hospitality of our house, Inspector,” I said, the words choking in my throat. Bribery of the local constabulary might be common business practice for bars and gambling houses in every other corner of the world. But not in Dawson. For the first time, I was about to bribe an officer of the law. Perhaps we’d find out that Stewart hadn’t given Ray an alibi after all.

McKnight flushed. “You misunderstand me, Mrs. MacGillivray. I was sort of hoping that once all this is settled, you might introduce me to Miss Ellie.” The words out, he leapt to his feet. “Nothing improper, you understand. She’s so admired that it’s quite difficult, impossible really, to get a moment to speak to her. Privately. And I would like to.” He studied the wall behind my head. “Speak with her, I mean. For just a moment. Nothing improper, of course. But if you think it improper…I’d best be leaving.” He bolted for the door.

I smiled and touched his sleeve. “It would be my pleasure, Inspector. Why don’t you come by this evening, say around quarter to eight? I’ll be happy to introduce you. Ellie doesn’t go on stage until well after eight, perhaps you could escort her to the bar and enjoy a drink or two. My treat, of course.”

“Mrs. MacGillivray! That would be perilously close to a bribe.” He looked at me through his thick eyeglasses. “A brief introduction to the lady is all I ask. I’ll see you this evening.”

The door stuck momentarily on badly-installed hinges. McKnight wrestled it open and ran, his ears scarlet.

I laughed, after ensuring that the Inspector had been swallowed up by the noisy crowd.

“You shouldn’t o’ promised to introduce them,” Ray said. “It’s not right.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The fellow wants to meet the object of his affections for a minute or two in a packed bar.” I walked out, still chuckling.