Hardcastle's Traitors by Graham Ison Page B

sir.’ Catto was on surer ground now that he had a specific instruction, and turned to leave. But wondering how he could knock at the door and still not show out.
    â€˜Just a minute,’ said Hardcastle. ‘Have any of you learned anything from your informants about Gosling’s fencing activities?’
    â€˜Not yet, sir.’
    â€˜Don’t forget,’ growled Hardcastle.
    Henry Catto was far more confident when he was out of the DDI’s presence. He rang the bell of Hannah Villiers’s apartment and waited.
    Having passed the hurdle of Mrs Villiers’s maid, Catto was eventually shown into the drawing room.
    â€˜I’m a police officer, madam,’ said Catto. ‘Detective Constable Catto,’ he added, producing his warrant card.
    â€˜Captain Villiers isn’t here, if that’s who you want,’ said Mrs Villiers with a sigh. ‘He’s visiting his lady friend, and I’ve no idea where she lives.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, madam, but I don’t know anything about a Captain … who did you say?’
    â€˜There were two policemen here on Monday. Haven’t you come about the same thing?’
    â€˜No, madam, I’m merely warning people in the area that there have been a number of thefts locally by a man pretending to be from the water board. He usually asks the householder to go upstairs and turn on the bathroom taps while he pretends to check the downstairs pipes for leaks. While she’s doing that, he steals whatever he can lay his hands on and makes off.’
    â€˜Oh, I see. Thank you, officer. I’ll be on my guard, and I’ll inform my servants.’
    â€˜If any suspicious characters should call, madam, don’t admit them, and call a constable.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ said Hannah Villiers again, and rang for Elsie to show Catto out.
    Just to guard against the possibility of Mrs Villiers mentioning his visit to her neighbours, Catto called at the apartments on either side of Mrs Villiers’s and warned them against the fictitious water board official. That done, he made his way to nearby Battersea police station and sent a message to Sergeant Marriott.
    â€˜A message from Catto, sir. He called at Mrs Villiers’s place and she told him that Haydn Villiers was visiting his lady friend, but that she didn’t know where she lived. It looks as though Annabel Powell’s forgiven him after all. If that’s where he’s gone.’
    â€˜I just hope Catto didn’t blow the gaff,’ said Hardcastle, as ever reluctant to give praise, even when it was due.
    â€˜He’s a very reliable officer, sir.’ Marriott was always finding himself in the position of defending Catto against what he saw as the DDI’s unjustified criticism.
    â€˜So you say, Marriott, so you say.’ Hardcastle put on his hat and coat, and took hold of his umbrella. Finally, he took his pipe from the ashtray and thrust it into his pocket. ‘We’ll pay another visit to Annabel Powell and have a word with young Villiers.’
    â€˜But he might have another lady friend who lives somewhere else, sir.’
    â€˜Judging by the cut of young Villiers, I wouldn’t mind betting he’s got a whole stable of fillies in London, Marriott,’ said Hardcastle. ‘But if that’s the case, we’ll know soon enough.’
    Hardcastle beat a loud rat-a-tat on the lion’s head knocker of Annabel Powell’s Elm Park Gardens house. To his amazement, the door was opened by Haydn Villiers himself.
    â€˜What on earth are you doing here, Inspector? It’s not very convenient at the moment.’
    â€˜I don’t suppose it is, Captain Villiers, but I have something of vital importance to tell you.’
    â€˜You’d better come in, then.’ Reluctantly, Villiers showed the two CID officers into the drawing room.
    â€˜Who was that at the door, Haydn darling?’ Annabel Powell, wearing the