The Repentant Rake by Edward Marston Page A

grim tidings. A mere question about her
brother had been enough to upset her. News of his murder might destroy her
completely Christopher resolved to choose his words with utmost care. Eager to
see Susan Cheever again, he wished that he could meet her in any circumstances
but the present ones.
        She
remained at the forefront of his mind until he turned into Addle Hill.
        'Mr
Redmayne!'
        'Good
day to you, Mrs Bale.'
        'It
is so nice to see you again, sir.'
        'The
pleasure is mine, I assure you.'
        Though
she had only met him on a handful of occasions, Sarah Bale was very fond of
Christopher. He was always polite, charming and kind to her children. Having
heard that he was due to call, she made sure that she answered the door to him.
Once she had shown him into the parlour, however, she left him alone with her
husband. They had serious business to discuss and she did not wish to hold them
up. Christopher was touched that he had been invited to the house. It was a
sign of friendship. Whether out of resentment or from feelings of social
inferiority, Jonathan Bale had always been unhappy about his earlier visits,
but those objections seemed to have disappeared. Christopher was welcomed and
shown to a seat. Turning down the offer of refreshment, he plunged straight
into the matter in hand.
        'I
believe that I know who killed Gabriel Cheever,' he began.
        Jonathan
was delighted. 'You have a name?'
        'Not
yet, Mr Bale, but I have critical evidence. The person behind the murder is the
same man who has been trying to extort money from my brother.'
        After
swearing the constable to secrecy, Christopher gave him an abbreviated account
of the two blackmail letters, tactfully omitting any scurrilous details about
his brother's indiscretions. Jonathan listened with fascination. He was
especially attentive when given more details about the murder victim. One fact
was pounced upon.
        'Gabriel
Cheever lived in Knightrider Street?' he said.
        'Not
necessarily,' warned Christopher. 'Someone claims to have seen him
there, that is all. There's no guarantee that he had lodgings there.'
        'On
the other hand it does establish a possible link with this ward.'
        'Granted.'
        'Knightrider
Street is not far from Paul's Wharf.'
        'It
might be worth knocking on some more doors.'
        'Yes,'
said Jonathan. 'Tom Warburton can try his luck there.'
        'What
of your news?'
        'I got
to the morgue just in time to stop them arranging a burial. The body will be
held until a family member can identify and reclaim it. If Gabriel Cheever is a
resident of Knightrider Street, he should be buried in the cemetery of the
parish church.'
        'That
is something for his family to decide.'
        'I
thought that he had broken with them.'
        'Not
all of them, Mr Bale.'
        'Oh.'
        'Leave
the family to me,' said Christopher. 'Sir Julius has a married daughter who
lives in Richmond. He gave me her address. I plan to ride there first thing in
the morning to break the news to her and to find out when her father is
expected.'
        'Would
you like me to come with you, Mr Redmayne?'
        Christopher
smiled. 'No, thank you. But it's a kind offer, particularly when it comes from
a man who hates riding as much as you do.'
        'Nature
did not intend me to sit astride a horse.'
        'You
prefer to keep your feet on the ground, Mr Bale. In every sense.'
        'What
can I do in the meantime?'
        'Speak
to some of the people on this list that Henry gave me,' said Christopher,
taking it from his pocket. 'Start with Arthur Lunn. He was closer to Gabriel
Cheever than anyone. See what he can tell you about the dead man.'
        'How
will I find the gentleman?'
        'At
his favourite coffee house. Sir Marcus Kemp may be there as well. He was the
man who claimed to have seen Cheever in Knightrider Street. Between