“Fired, I was. Out of Fane and Watchman’s.
And I’ve a very good idea who was responsible for that.” “Oh?” Giles made his tone interrogative, but Afflick shook his head.
“I’m not saying anything. I’ve my own ideas. I was framed–that’s all–and I’ve a very fair idea of who did it. And why!” The colour suffused his cheeks.
“Dirty work,” he said. “Spying on a man — laying traps for him — lying about him.
Oh, I’ve had my enemies all right. But I’ve never let them get me down. I’ve always given as good as I got. And I don’t forget.” He stopped. Suddenly his manner changed back again. He was genial once more.
“So I can’t help you, I’m afraid. A little bit of fun between me and Helen — that was all. It didn’t go deep.” Gwenda stared at him. It was a clear enough story—but was it true? she wondered. Something jarred — it came to the surface of her mind what that something was.
“All the same,” she said, “you looked her up when you came to Dillmouth later.” He laughed.
“You’ve got me there, Mrs. Reed. Yes, I did. Wanted to show her perhaps that I wasn’t down and out just because a longfaced lawyer had pushed me out of his office. I had a nice business and I was driving a posh car and I’d done very well for myself.” “You came to see her more than once, didn’t you?” He hesitated a moment.
“Twice — perhaps three times. Just dropped in.” He nodded with sudden finality. “Sorry I can’t help you.” Giles got up.
“We must apologise for taking up so much of your time.” “That’s all right. Quite a change to talk about old times.” The door opened and a woman looked in and apologised swiftly.
“Oh, I’m sorry — I didn’t know you had anyone — ” “Come in, my dear, come in. Meet my wife. This is Mr. and Mrs. Reed.” Mrs. Afflick shook hands. She was a tall, thin, depressed-looking woman, dressed in rather unexpectedly well-cut clothes.
“Been talking over old times, we have,” said Mr. Afflick. “Old times before I met you, Dorothy.” He turned to them.
“Met my wife on a cruise,” he said. “She doesn’t come from this part of the world.
Cousin of Lord Polterham’s, she is.” He spoke with pride — the thin woman flushed.
“They’re very nice, these cruises,” said Giles.
“Very educational,” said Afflick. “Now, I didn’t have any education to speak of.” “I always tell my husband we must go on one of those Hellenic cruises,” said Mrs.
Afflick.
“No time. I’m a busy man.” “And we mustn’t keep you,” said Giles.
“Good-bye and thank you. You’ll let me know about the quotation for the outing?” Afflick escorted them to the door. Gwenda glanced back over her shoulder. Mrs.
Afflick was standing in the doorway of the study. Her face, fastened on her husband’s back, was curiously and rather unpleasantly apprehensive.
Giles and Gwenda said good-bye again and went towards their car.
“Bother, I’ve left my scarf,” said Gwenda.
“You’re always leaving something,” said Giles.
“Don’t look martyred. I’ll get it.” She ran back into the house. Through the open door of the study she heard Afflick say loudly: “What do you want to come butting in for? Never any sense.” “I’m sorry, Jackie. I didn’t know. Who are those people and why have they upset you so?” “They haven’t upset me. I—” He stopped as he saw Gwenda standing in the doorway.
“Oh, Mr. Afflick, did I leave a scarf?” “Scarf? No, Mrs. Reed. It’s not here.” “Stupid of me. It must be in the car.” She went out again.
Giles had turned the car. Drawn up by the kerb was a large yellow limousine, resplendent with chromium.
“Some car,” said Giles.
“.A posh car’,” said Gwenda. “Do you remember, Giles? Edith Pagett when she was telling us what Lily said? Lily had put her money on Captain Erskine, not ‘our mystery man in the flashy car’. Don’t you see, the mystery man in the flashy car was JackieAfflick?” “Yes,” said Giles. “And in her letter to the doctor Lily mentioned a ‘posh car’.” They looked at each other.