Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict by Emily Brightwell (lightest ebook reader txt) 📕

come to me, told me the truth of it and said I had to

keep our son from hangin’.”

“You’re sure she was tellin’ the truth?”

Blimpey nodded. “Oh yes, I’ve always suspected he was

mine, but she never said anything and I was too stupid to

ask. I’ve decide that when he gets out, I’ll set him up with

a little shop or somethin’ like that.”

“Make him a shopkeeper, eh,” Smythe laughed. “Don’t

worry, your secret’s safe with me. I’d not embarrass either

lady by ever mentioning the subject again.”

“You’re a good man, Smythe.” Blimpey chugged his

beer. “I’ll tell ya what, to show my appreciation for what

you’ve done for me and the lad, in the future, I’ll give you

as much information as you need.”

“For free?”

“Nothing is free in this old world, mate,” Blimpey

replied. “But I’ll only charge you half as much as before.”

A week later Inspector Witherspoon walked out of the

front door of Scotland Yard. A strong wind from the river

tugged at his bowler and he shoved it harder down onto his

head. He headed for the river. He was feeling very pleased.

Tommy Odell had been released, they had a confession out

of Lucy Turner for both crimes, and he was having dinner

that night with Ruth. He rounded the corner and started

onto the bridge.

“Hello, Witherspoon.” Nivens stepped directly in front

of him.

“Inspector Nivens,” he said, stumbling to a halt. “Gracious, I didn’t expect to see you here. Did you wish to speak to me? Why don’t we go back to the Yard and—”

“This won’t take long,” Nivens interrupted. “You’ve

made me look a fool, you know.”

“I assure you, sir,” Witherspoon replied, “I intended no

such thing, but I couldn’t let an innocent man hang. I had

to do my duty.”

Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict

211

“You made a big mistake, Witherspoon.” Nivens smiled

faintly. “From now on, I’m going to be watching every single thing you do. I know you’ve had help on every case you’ve solved, and I’m going to find out who has been helping you. When I expose the truth, I’m going to tell everyone. I’m going to make you the laughingstock of this town.

You’ll be sorry you crossed me.”

“No, sir, I don’t think I will.” Witherspoon straightened

his spine. “I use ordinary police procedures in my investigations, and I don’t get any more help than any other police officer. Your investigation into the Muran murder was shoddy and criminally incompetent.”

“How dare you.”

But Witherspoon was tired of worrying about stepping

on Nivens’ toes. “I’d hoped to avoid further conflict with

you, sir. But I will not neglect my duty in order to advance

your career. Now, if you’re through making idle threats, I

really must be going.”

Nivens gaped at him in surprise and quickly stepped

back. Witherspoon pushed past him and kept on walking

across the bridge. He knew that Nivens would make good on

his threat, but for once, he didn’t care. Let him do his worst.

Witherspoon didn’t mind making enemies in the pursuit of

justice.

/body>

Document Outline

Cover Page

Praise

Berkley Prime Crime Books by Emily Brightwell

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Table of Contents

Cover Page

Praise

Berkley Prime Crime Books by Emily Brightwell

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Table of Contents

Cover Page

Praise

Berkley Prime Crime Books by Emily Brightwell

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven