A Case of Spirits by Peter; Peter Lovesey Lovesey Page B

that I can’t refuse ’im. Took me in, ’e did, and taught me ’ow to get in touch. It’s a gift, you know, but you’ve still got to learn ’ow to ’andle it.’
    ‘I’m sure,’ said Cribb. ‘I should think it changed your life.’
    ‘Out of all bleeding recognition,’ said Brand. ‘It’s taken me into some of the nobbiest ’ouses in London. Mingled with the aristocracy, I ’ave. Could never ’ave done it without the professor.’
    ‘He sounds a very generous man. What made him do it, do you think?’
    ‘Ah, ’e’s almost lost the power, you see. Can’t produce the effects no more. It takes its toll of a man as ’e gets older. When ’e found the power was going ’e started lookin’ round for someone ’e could pass ’is knowledge on to.’
    ‘And his engagement-book, I dare say,’ said Cribb.
    ‘I got some introductions through ’im, true, but I’ve collected a sizeable number on my own account.’
    ‘Would Miss Crush be one of them?’
    ‘Miss Crush?’ The faintest tinge of colour rose in Brand’s cheeks. ‘She would, as it ’appens.’
    ‘She’s in the audience tonight, isn’t she?’ said Cribb. ‘She was your first volunteer. To anyone who didn’t know, it must have sounded quite impressive, all that stuff about Uncle what was his name?’
    ‘Walter,’ said Brand. ‘Give us a chance, guvnor. Strange things ’appen to a man of my calling. If I ’ave the good fortune to spot somebody I know, I ain’t so stupid as to turn me back on ’em. The old duck was pleased enough with what she ’eard, wasn’t she?’
    ‘No doubt of that,’ said Cribb. ‘And quite surprising too, considering her loss on the night you had the seance at Dr Probert’s.’
    ‘Loss?’ repeated Brand, vacantly.
    ‘Didn’t you hear about it? A vase was taken from her house in Eaton Square.’
    ‘Blimey! No one told me. Not the Minton?’
    ‘You saw it, then?’ said Cribb.
    ‘Saw ’em all lined up on the sideboard. I know a nice piece of porcelain when I spot it. Are you trying to find it then? Must be worth a cool thousand. Takes years to build up the surface on them things. They do it layer by layer.’
    ‘It wasn’t the Minton that went,’ explained Cribb. ‘It was a Royal Worcester piece.’
    ‘That’s all right then,’ said Brand. ‘Bloody rubbish, that Japanese thing. What are you asking me about it for? You don’t think I would want it, do you?’
    ‘Do you have a collection yourself?’
    ‘Blimey, no. I’m not that flush. I might be makin’ a name for meself, but I ’aven’t even got me own place yet. I’m sub-lettin’ a room from the professor. Got no room for china, I can tell you.’
    ‘Pictures, perhaps?’ said Cribb.
    ‘What are you gettin’ at?’
    ‘An Etty was stolen from Dr Probert’s house the other night.’
    ‘You don’t say.’ Brand’s jaw gaped.
    ‘That’s two of your clients,’ said Cribb. ‘Miss Crush and Dr Probert.’
    ‘They don’t suspect me? ’ said Brand in horror.
    ‘ They don’t. Others might.’
    ‘What do you take me for? It’s more than my career’s worth to ’elp meself to clients’ property. Jesus, I’m booked for another three seances at Dr Probert’s. Scientific stuff. The next one’s on Saturday. I’d ’ave to be off me ’ead to filch ’is pictures, wouldn’t I?’
    Cribb nodded. ‘No question about it.’ He leaned forward. ‘These things that happen in the seances, Mr Brand. Spirit hands and that sort of thing. Do you actually believe in ’em yourself?’
    There was a pause. Then Brand said, ‘You’re tryin’ to trap me, Copper. I ain’t obtainin’ money by false pretences, if that’s what you mean. My clients understand that I can’t guarantee nothin’ without the co-operation of the spirits. You can ask Miss Crush or Dr Probert or ’is daughter or any of ’em what they’ve seen and ’eard. Things ’appen when I put my ’ands on a table, strange things that none of us can account for, nor