The Sugared Game - K.J. Charles Page 0,23
ever checked what’s inside the chest?”
“Of course. She isn’t a fool,” Beaumont said indignantly. “It’s just the furs, and Mrs. Skyrme’s treats.”
“What treats are these?”
“A carton of Hungarian gaspers and two boxes of chocolates. She has Flora bring them to her as a present when she returns, and that’s when she arranges for the furs to be collected.”
“I see. Does she share her little treats with Mrs. Appleby?”
“What does that matter?”
Kim shrugged. “It gives me a picture of the woman. If someone smuggled a chest of furs across Europe for me, I’d offer them a chocolate, or a cigarette.”
“You’d think so, wouldn’t you? As it happens, she doesn’t. Flora was quite offended by that. She said Mrs. Skyrme has never so much as opened the boxes in front of her. Typical of her. I dare say she’s stuffing her face with violet creams while we’re all sweating away downstairs.”
“I dare say,” Kim said sympathetically. “So Mrs. Appleby is abroad now. When does she return?”
“They’re expected back on Sunday week. Why do you care about a bit of playing the fool with import duty? You said this was about blackmail.”
“It is,” Kim said. “And isn’t it interesting that Mrs. Skyrme chose Mrs. Appleby’s personal indiscretion to blackmail her with, rather than this serious legal offence?”
“Oh. You mean...” He frowned. “No, I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t worry about it. Thank you for trusting us with this, Beaumont. You won’t regret it. I will give you my card. Call one of us if there are any developments at all, and don’t confront Skyrme or otherwise act without our instructions. Got it?”
“Yes, but what are you going to do?” Beaumont demanded.
“From what you’ve said, it seems clear your problem and mine are linked, so Darling and I are going to stick in a crowbar, lever the top off this thing, and drag Mrs. Skyrme out kicking and screaming. When I’ve finished with her, she’ll have other things to think about than your lady’s marital affairs. Take my word for it.”
“Gosh. But what about Fuller? He’s dangerous.”
“That’s what Darling’s for,” Kim said. “Can we count on you?”
“Well... Oh, curse it. Yes, I suppose so.”
“Glad to hear it.” Kim grinned at him. “So tell us. What’s my best way to get into the High-Low Club and raid her office?”
They spent a good twenty minutes with Beaumont detailing the security arrangements of the High-Low through night and day. It sounded more like a fortress than a night-club to Will. He added his own observations, helped Beaumont sketch a plan of the interior, and seethed inwardly with the questions he had a pressing urge to ask Kim.
He had to escort Beaumont to the front door to let him out and lock up behind him. That involved a few words of reassurance and a farewell, and when he walked into the back room with hard conversation on his mind, Kim had gone.
Chapter Six
Two days later, Will sauntered round to the tradesman’s entrance of Gerrard Mansions in Holborn, where Kim lived. He had on a flat cap and his oldest coat, carried a brown paper parcel, and felt ridiculous.
Kim had sent a brief note instructing him to stay away till then, not ’phone, and take these precautions when coming round. Will didn’t know if that was fear of Zodiac or just dodging questions. Probably both, and he intended to have serious words about the latter, but he turned up as per orders all the same, and was admitted at the mews door by an inexpressive bald man in a severe black coat.
“Mr. Peacock?”
“Mr. Darling.” Peacock the manservant let him in. “I shall take you up the back stairs and advise Lord Arthur of your arrival.”
He led the way up a set of plain stairs that brought them into Kim’s little kitchen. Will had breakfasted here, once, after they’d spent the second of their two nights together. He wondered if Peacock had cooked their food then.
“Excuse me, sir.” Peacock inclined his head, rapped on the kitchen door, and opened it, proceeding into the lounge in a stately manner. “Lord Arthur, the delivery you mentioned has arrived.”
“Will?” Kim called. “Come through.”
Will did, passing Peacock, who gave him a very correct bow on his way out. Will glanced after him.
“Don’t mind him,” Kim said. “He loves the cloak and dagger stuff, it’s why he tolerates me.”
“But at least he does tolerate you,” Phoebe said from the sofa. “He regards me as an incapable one step from Colney Hatch, and doesn’t he let