Five Dead Canaries

‘Only if I’m present,’ insisted Qui

‘You and your wife are most welcome to sit in on the discussion, sir.’ He smiled at Maureen and indicated his companion. ‘This is Inspector Marmion who’s in charge of the investigation. He was keen to meet you face-to-face.’

‘Good evening,’ said Marmion, removing his hat. ‘I’m sorry that it’s rather late to be calling but this is in the nature of an emergency.’

Qui

‘We’ve just come from Agnes Collier’s house,’ he explained. ‘Her mother is now aware of the tragic events at the Golden Goose. She bore up surprisingly well.’

‘Sadie Radcliffe is a tough character,’ said Qui

‘So is your daughter, from what I hear.’

‘She’s been brought up proper, Inspector. We don’t mollycoddle children.’

Maureen eyed them anxiously. ‘What do you want to know?’

‘Well,’ said Keedy, taking his cue, ‘we’d really like a bit more detail about the other people at the party. Essentially, all that you told me earlier were their names and addresses. Because you were in such a delicate state, I didn’t want to press you too hard. But the inspector feels that we can’t leave without some indication of the sorts of people your friends were. We know a little about Agnes Collier, of course, from her mother — but what about the others?’

‘For instance,’ said Marmion, ‘tell us about Florrie Duncan. I understand that it was her birthday. How old was she?’

‘Twenty-nine,’ replied Maureen. ‘She was the oldest of us.’

‘What about you?’

‘I was the youngest.’

‘I spoke on the phone to Mr Ke

‘That’s true,’ agreed Maureen, brightening a little. ‘She was always so full of life. Florrie looked out for us. If there was ever any trouble at work, she’d always step in and help.’

‘What kind of trouble?’ asked Qui

‘Oh, it was nothing serious, Daddy. It’s just that some of the men-’

‘Did they pester you, Maureen? You should have told me. I’d have put a stop to that right away. I won’t let anyone hassle my daughter.’

‘Florrie kept an eye on me,’ said Maureen. ‘She could see off anyone. And if some of the managers got too bossy, she’d stand up to them. Nobody pushed Florrie Duncan around.’

Marmion was interested. ‘Were you in the National Federation of Women?’

‘Yes, Inspector — Florrie made us join even though trade union activity was ba

‘Now that’s something I don’t agree with,’ Qui

‘They’re entitled to protect themselves, Mr Qui

‘No need, Sergeant — I deliver coal. Only a fool would try to exploit me. But you take my point? Trade unions for women — well, it’s just not right.’

‘Thank you,’ said Marmion, crisply, ‘your opinion is noted but it’s not really relevant. It’s Maureen we want to hear, Mr Qui

Qui

‘Go on telling us about Florrie Duncan,’ said Marmion, nodding at her. ‘It sounds to me as if she was a kind of mother to the rest of you.’

‘Yes, she was, Inspector,’ replied Maureen as if it was the first time that the idea had every occurred to her. ‘That’s exactly what she was. If you had a problem, you’d always turn to her. I remember when Enid — that’s Enid Jenks — was having terrible rows at home with her father. She asked Florrie for advice and things got a lot easier after that.’

The detectives let her ramble on. Now that Qui

‘What about Shirley Beresford?’

‘She was … very nice.’

‘Tell us a bit more about her.’

‘Yes,’ said Marmion, gently. ‘Was she single or married? What did she do before she came to work at the factory? Who were her closest friends? Did she have any hobbies? What do you remember most about her?’

It was all too much for Maureen. Having exhausted her ability to bring the women back to life, she was now overcome by the horror of their deaths. It was borne in upon her that she’d never see any of them and hear their lively banter. They’d been wiped instantaneously out of her life. Hands to her face, she burst into tears and bent forward. Her father put an arm around her and pulled out a grubby handkerchief to thrust at her. As his daughter continued to sob, he looked accusingly at the visitors.

‘Did you have to badger her like that?’ he said.

‘Your daughter has given us a lot of important information, Mr Qui

‘Yes,’ said Keedy, also on his feet now, ‘it was very brave of you. We’re sorry to intrude at such a time but you’ll appreciate that this is a criminal investigation. We need all the help we can get if we’re to bring the person who planted that bomb to justice.’

‘Make sure you catch the bastard before I do,’ growled Qui

In search of more comfort, Ellen and Alice Marmion had adjourned to the living room. Every so often, one of them would glance up hopefully at the clock on the mantelpiece, only to be jolted by the lateness of the hour. Ellen had been very unhappy at the notion of her daughter giving up her job as a teacher to join the Women’s Emergency Corps. While she admired the sterling work performed by the organisation, she feared — wrongly, as it turned out — that it would be filled with militant suffragettes who’d have a bad influence on Alice. She was even less pleased with her daughter’s move into the ranks of the police force, believing that law enforcement was primarily a job for men. They not only had the necessary strength and stamina, they were less likely to be shocked by some of the hideous sights they’d inevitably see and more able to cope with situations of grave danger.

From Alice’s point of view, there was one great drawback to the move. She was under the strict supervision of someone who clearly disliked her.

‘Who is she?’ asked Ellen.

‘Thelma Gale,’ said her daughter, ‘or, as she insists on being called, Inspector Gale. If you met her, you’d see why her nickname is “Gale Force”. When her temper is up, she’s like a one-woman hurricane.’

‘And she treats you badly?’

‘She treats all of us badly. Power has gone to her head.’