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He noticed the man was wearing brown leather gloves. For some reason the detail struck him as sinister. It was not a particularly cold day. To his policeman’s mind, the only reason a man might don gloves on a day like today was to commit a crime.
He watched the man cross the Embankment and then lost sight of him behind a London plane tree. The only possible conclusion was that he was hiding – waiting for Qui
Qui
Qui
What he ought to do was confront the man. But all at once a strong sense of repugnance came over him. Whatever it was that had carved that expression on to the man’s face, it was not something Qui
He set off down the Embankment towards New Scotland Yard, his gaze fixed steadfastly ahead of him.
Sunlight flooded the cramped attic room. Qui
He took off his bowler and hung it on the coat stand. There was no sign of DCI Coddington’s Ulster.
Detective Sergeant Macadam looked up from the journal he was reading. ‘Morning, sir.’ Qui
‘Good morning, Macadam. Is himself about?’
‘Who, sir?’
‘Coddington.’
‘I’ve not seen him yet, sir. At least not in the department. I think I did catch sight of him on one of the lower floors earlier.’
‘So … he is in the building?’
‘I believe so, sir. Unless I was mistaken. However, his herringbone Ulster is very distinctive.’
‘His herringbone Ulster?’
Macadam frowned, presumably at Qui
‘I was the first Scotland Yard detective to wear a herringbone Ulster, Macadam. Coddington copied me.’
‘If you say so, sir.’
‘I’m not wearing it today, of course. No need for it on a day like today.’
‘You can never tell at this time of the year though, sir, can you? Granted, it’s fine now.’ Macadam looked out of the window dubiously, as if he suspected the weather of malicious designs. ‘But it could change like that, sir. It’s the sort of thing you have to bear in mind if you wish to make a kinematograph.’
Qui
Inside was a card:
You are cordially invited to the world premiere of
THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
The latest moving picture drama from VISIONARY PRODUCTIONS, of Cecil Court
With scenes of unprecedented MYSTERY, SENSATION, HORROR & EMOTION
Astonishing visual presentation
Featuring MADEMOISELLE ELOISE, the international star of the silver screen,
in the role of
THE LOVED ONE
Written and directed by the renowned maestro KONRAD WAECHTER
The world premiere of THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER will be screened at
PORRICK’S PICTURE PALACE, Leicester Square
On Friday, April the 17th, 1914, at 7 p.m.
Before an audience of specially invited celebrities
Handwritten in the top-left corner in green ink were the words: Quick-Fire Qui
So. This was what it had come to. He was a celebrity. He supposed he had The Daily Clarion to thank for that. He wouldn’t go, of course. It was beneath his dignity. And if Sir Edward ever found out, there would be hell to pay. The Special Crimes Department was meant to keep its head down, a creature of the shadows. Sir Edward Henry, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Force who had created the department, was far from happy with the notoriety Qui
Qui
‘You’re probably asking yourself, why on earth should I wish to do that?’
Qui
‘But have you considered that the kinematograph could be a valuable aid to policing?’
A cheery whistling on the landing inhibited Macadam. He hurriedly put the journal down as Sergeant Inchball stooped into the room.
‘Mornin’, guv’nor. Whatcha got there, Mac?’ Inchball didn’t miss a trick. He leaned over and read the title. ‘The Kinematograph Enthusiast’s Weekly? What the bloody ’ell you readin’ that for? You thinkin’ of leavin’ us and goin’ into the moving picture business?’
‘Of course not. I’m looking into it to see if we could incorporate it into our investigative techniques.’
‘What the …? I’ve ’eard it all now!’
‘Think of the evidence-gathering possibilities. We already use photographic cameras. A kinematograph is merely taking that technology one step further. Imagine if we could record a kinematograph of a criminal in the very act of committing a crime.’
‘Don’ make me laugh! What villain’s go
‘I am talking about secret filming, of course. It could be used in a surveillance operation.’
‘Secret filmin’? ’Ave you lost your bleedin’ mind? ’Ave you ever been on a bleedin’ surveillance op?’
‘Yes, of course I have.’
‘Day or night?’
‘Both.’
‘Ever see anything naughty?’
‘Once or twice.’
‘And was that during the day or during the night?’
Macadam hesitated before answering, his head dipped in embarrassment. ‘Night-time, mostly.’
‘’Ow you go
Qui
Inchball exchanged an ominous glance with Macadam.
‘I shall be back forthwith.’
The two sergeants looked far from certain, united at least in their concern for their superior.
He stood watching her from the other side of the room, reluctant to make his presence known. If she knew he was there she would lose the heedless, charming ease with which she held herself as she worked at the typewriter. She would become angry and angular and awkward. It was true that she seemed a little harassed as he watched her, but beautifully so. I