Did Mr. Jefferson give him what he asked for?
Oh yes. Whenever he was asked, he always sent money.
From these letters, I said, touching the letters, Herman seems to have asked for money once a year. Were the sums substantial?
Never more than five hundred dollars.
He couldnt have lived on that for a year. He must have earned something besides.
I suppose so.
I rubbed my jaw while I stared out of the window, my mind busy.
Theres not much to go on, is there? I said finally. Then I asked the question I had been wanting to ask since I had become aware of her nearly concealed tension. Did you know Herman Jefferson personally?
That got a reaction. I saw her stiffen slightly and the remoteness went out of her eyes for a brief moment, but came back.
Why, yes, of course. I have been with Mr. Jefferson for eight years. Herman lived here before he went out East. Yes: I knew him.
What sort of man was he? His father says he was wild[56] but he now thinks if he had been more understanding his son wouldnt have been so wild. Do you agree?
Her eyes flashed suddenly and I was startled to see how hard she could look when she let her mask slip.
Mr. Jefferson was very shocked to learn his son was dead, she said, her voice sharp. At the moment he is feeling sentimental. Herman was vicious, callous and amoral. He was a thief. He stole money from his father: he even stole money from me. It is hard to believe he was Mr. Jeffersons son. Mr. Jefferson is a fine man: he has never done a mean thing in his life!
I found her intensity slightly embarrassing.
Well, thanks, I said and got to my feet. Ill do my best for Mr. Jefferson, but Ill have to have some luck.
She flicked through a pile of signed cheques, found one and pushed it across the desk.
Mr. Jefferson wishes to pay you a retainer. I will have your air ticket ready when you let me know when you can leave. If you need more money, please let me know.
I looked at the cheque. It was signed by her and for a thousand dollars.
Im not this expensive, I said. Three hundred would have been enough.
Mr. Jefferson told me he wanted you to have it, she said as if she had handed me five bucks.
Well, I never refuse money. I looked at her. You handle Mr. Jeffersons affairs?
Im his secretary, she said, a curt note in her voice.
Well There didnt seem anything to say to that, so instead, I said, Ill contact you as soon as I know when I can leave.
As I was moving to the door, she said, Was she very pretty?
For a moment I didnt catch on[57], then I looked quickly at her. She sat still, and there was a curious expression in her eyes I couldnt read.
His wife? I guess so. Some Chinese women are very attractive. She was even in death.
I see.
She picked up her fountain pen and pulled the triple cheque book towards her. It was her way of dismissing me.
I found the butler waiting for me in the hall. He let me out with a slight bow. No one could ever accuse him of being over-talkative.
I walked slowly to my car. That last scrap of dialogue had been enlightening. I was suddenly sure at one time or the other Janet West and Herman Jefferson had been lovers. The news of his marriage and his death must have been as great a shock to her as it had been to old man Jefferson. This was an unexpected and interesting development. I decided it might pay off[58] to know something more about Janet West.
I got into my car and drove to police headquarters. I had to wait half an hour before I could see Retnick. I found him at his desk, chewing a dead cigar and in a depressed mood. I dont know if I want to waste time with you, shamus, he said as I shut the door and came over to his desk. What do you want?
Im now employed by J. Wilbur Jefferson, I said. I thought you should know.
His face hardened.
If you foul up my investigation, Ryan, he said, Ill see you lose your licence. Im warning you. He paused, then went on, Whats he paying you?
I sat down on the upright chair.
Enough. I wont have a chance to foul up anything. Im going to Hong Kong.
Who wouldnt be a peeper[59], he said. Hong Kong, eh? Wouldnt mind going there myself. What do you imagine youll do when you get there?
The old man wants to know who the girl is. He thinks we wont get anywhere until Ive dug up her background and taken a look at it. He could be right.
Retnick fidgeted with a ball-pen for some moments, then he said, Itll be a waste of money and time, but I dont suppose thatll worry you as long as you get paid.
It wont, I said cheerfully. He can afford to indulge his whims and I can afford the time. I might even strike lucky.
I know as much about her as youll ever find out. I didnt have to go to Hong Kong to find out either. All I had to do was to send a cable.
And what did you find out?
Her name was Jo-An Cheung thats a hell of a name, isnt it? Three years ago she was caught landing in Hong Kong from a junk from Macau. She spent six weeks in jail and was then given papers. She worked as a taxi dancer at the Pagoda Club and that probably means she was a prostitute. He scratched his ear, looking out of the window for some moments before going on. She married Jefferson before the American Consul on the 21st of September of last year. They lived together at a Chinese joint called the Celestial Empire Hotel. Jefferson seems to have had no work. He probably lived on what she earned and what he picked up from his old man. On September 6th of this year, he was killed in a car smash and she applied to the American Consul for permission to take his body back to his home. Thats the story. Why go to Hong Kong?
4
getting up to tricks when he was away (разг.) погуливать в его отсутствие
5
a split-second impulse (разг.) решение, принятое в последнюю минуту
6
was still toiling for a living (разг.) всё ещё сидел на работе, отрабатывая своё жалованье
7
Poking my nose where it shouldnt be poked, huh? (разг.) Что, я сую свой нос не в своё дело?
8
the glove compartment (разг.) «бардачок» в машине
9
I had a crick in my neck (разг.) У меня затекла шея
10
Whats it to you (разг.) Вам-то какое дело
11
had sent me on this wild goose chase (разг.) послал меня искать ветра в поле
12
but on second thoughts (разг.) но передумал
13
dog-eared magazines (разг.) журналы с обтрёпанными страницами
14
apparently not short of money (разг.) явно не бедная
15
he was about as useful as a hole in a bucket (разг.) проку от него было как от козла молока
16
shamus (разг., ирл.) частный детектив
17
give with the story (разг., уст.) выкладывайте, что тут случилось
18
Koh-i-Noor diamond индийский бриллиант весом 106 каратов, является частью сокровищ Британской короны
19
My locks are nothing special. (разг.) Замки у меня примитивные
20
M.O. сокр. отMedical Officer
21
dont flap your mouth (разг.) не треплите языком
22
plain-clothes man (разг.) полицейский в штатском
23
Gospel truth. (разг.) Вот как Бог свят; ей-богу
24
Someones got knocked off. (разг., уст.) Кого-то там кокнули
25
Put it on the slate (уст.) Запишите на мой счет
26
to stand him on his ear (уст.) навострить уши; насторожиться
27
For the love of Mike! (воскл.) Господи помилуй!
28
A .38 (разг.) пистолет 38-го калибра (используемый полицией)
29
why dont you come clean (разг.) почему бы вам не сознаться во всем
30
Fort Knox Форт-Нокс, резервация в Северном Кентукки, где хранится золотой запас США
31
Frisco (разг.) сокр. от Сан-Франциско
32
to throw you in the tank (сленг) закрыть тебя в общей камере
33
to sit around shaking my head at myself (разг.) сидеть и жалеть себя
34
Take it up with him Можете это с ним обсудить
35
wouldnt give two bits (разг.) не дам и ломаного гроша
36
Give this car the works (разг.) Как следует обыщите машину
37
would have been any the wiser (разг.) ничего бы не узнали
38
D.A. сокр. отDistrict Attorney, окружной прокурор
39
the eager-beaver (разг.) энтузиаст; молодой и горячий
40
Cant I kid you a little (разг.) Уж и пошутить нельзя
41
no nothing so far (искаж.) пока мы ничего не знаем
42
travelled light (разг.) путешествовала налегке
43
He draws a lot of water in this city. (разг.) В этом городе у него всё схвачено (он дёргает за верёвочки)
44
Ive done you a good turn (разг.) Я оказал вам хорошую услугу
45
was a reckless fella (разг.) был без царя в голове