The Short Forever (Stone Barrington 8)

“I take it your pickpocket is female.”

“Indeed, yes.”

“Go to it.”

Cricket turned to Jones. “Bobby, what do you have for Mr. Barrington?”

Jones produced his own notebook. “I began surveillance of the Farm Street house at seven A.M. this morning. By mid-morning, it became apparent to me that the house was not occupied, except by a cleaning lady who arrived at eight and departed at ten, so I had my man go in and wire the place for sound while I stood guard. He was out by one P.M., and now all the phones serve as taps for us, whether they are in use or not. The microphones are voice-activated and are recorded automatically by a machine in a garage about forty meters from the house. I’ll check it daily for anything of interest.

“I continued my surveillance of the house, and a little after three P.M. Mr. Cabot and Miss Burroughs returned and went into the house with some luggage. Less than an hour later, two men arrived outside in a car and knocked at the door. They were large gentlemen, and in spite of extensive tailoring and barbering, they struck me as right out of the East End. They rang the bell, and when Mr. Cabot emerged, they pulled him out of the house and began to rough him up, in the manner, I would say, of debt collectors for a loan shark or a bookmaker. Since I assumed you did not wish the man harmed, I approached, identified myself as a police officer, and asked Mr. Cabot if he required any assistance.

“He said he did not. I asked if he wished to make a charge against either or both of the gentlemen; he said he did not. I took the gentlemen aside and suggested that if I caught them in the neighborhood again I would have them in the nick very shortly. They got into their car and left. By this time, Mr. Cabot was already back inside the house.

“I then went to the garage and listened to the tape recording of what was said in the house. Miss Burroughs asked Mr. Cabot who had been at the door, and he replied, quite coolly, I thought, that some people had knocked at the wrong door. After that their conversation was of a mundane nature, and I reset the recorder. I waited within sight of the house until it was time to come here and see you.”

“Very good, Bobby,” Stone said. “Were you able to overhear any of the conversation between Cabot and the two men?”

“No, I’m afraid I was out of earshot. I expect they might be leery of returning to the house, but if they should telephone Cabot, we’ll have a recording of the conversation.”

“Do you have any further instructions for us, Mr. Barrington?” Cricket asked.

“You already know what to do about Mr. Gray; my main concern is to know his real identity. As for Mr. Cabot, Bobby, I’d like to maintain the surveillance on him for a few more days. I want to know who he sees during the days—I don’t think we need bother with his evenings. I’m particularly interested to know if he has any criminal contacts. After his encounter with the muscle, I wouldn’t be surprised. And, of course, I’d like a daily report on what your recorder picks up.”

“Of course,” Jones replied. “If anything that sounds remotely interesting is recorded, I’ll dub it off onto a portable so you can hear it.”

“Very good,” Stone said, rising. “I’ll look forward to hearing from both of you.”

“Mr. Barrington,” Cricket said, “may I make a suggestion?”

“Of course.”

“I think it might be good for Bobby and me to swap targets every day. That way, the gentlemen are less likely to spot the tail.”

“By all means,” Stone said. “Change whenever you wish.”

He shook hands with the men, and they left.

Stone returned to his room, and as he entered, the phone rang.

“Hello?”

“It’s Sarah; I’m in London. Can we have dinner tonight?”

“All right. Where would you like to meet?”

“Where do you suggest?”

“It’s your town.”

“There are some press people hanging around outside my flat.”

“Then I don’t think you should be seen with me; that would just add fuel to the flame.”

“I can get out a back way, I think. Why don’t I come to the Connaught? I don’t think they would follow me inside, and if they did, they’d be thrown out.”

“All right.”

“What’s your suite number?”