Here Comes the Toff by John Creasey

Friends
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    Kohn did not speak; Irma seemed as though she could not. The Toff pushed the door to behind him, and offered cigarettes.
    He smiled as he took out his case, and there was something inimitable and rakish about the crook of his brows and the twist of his lips, a something Anthea would have loved to see.
    â€œI don’t seem to be among friends,” he said, “and that’s a pity. Smoke? No? Another pity.”
    He lit a cigarette and flicked the match into the fireplace, sending a streamer of grey smoke over Irma’s head as he did so. His movements were remarkably assured, and Kohn, seeing him for the first time, must have been impressed. He even sat down, hitching his trousers up to care for the crease, and he seemed quite unaware of the coldness of his greeting, or, at least, he ignored it.
    Kohn kept silent deliberately; he was waiting to see how the woman would react to this unexpected encounter. The slightest sign of weakness, and his association with her would have to finish. He was surprised by the visit, but not alarmed: so far, he saw no need for being alarmed. He need not have worried about Irma, for she drew a deep breath, and flashed a smile more brilliant than Kohn had seen from her before.
    â€œSo you’re back again, Rollison? I’ve been waiting for you.”
    â€œI’m always butting in when I’m not wanted,” murmured the Toff. “It’s a bad habit, but it has its points. Just to comfort you and your Sphinx-like friend, this is solely a social call.”
    â€œWe don’t have to make you welcome,” said Irma.
    â€œI hardly expect it, but I’m not really sorry. My regard for you was magnetic, sweetheart. I saw you at the Embassy last night, of course, and I couldn’t resist following you. You’re not surprised?”
    â€œNot at all, but why the delay?”
    â€œOne way and the other I was busy, and had no time to see you home,” said the Toff, and his smile was winning. “And I should hate to compete with so practised a veteran as Renway.”
    He drawled the name out, watching Kohn as he spoke. The man’s face showed expression, losing its immobility for a fraction of a second; but the Toff knew malevolence when he saw it. Irma took it better than Kohn, and even smiled. She was used to the unexpected from Rollison, was getting over the first shock of meeting him face to face.
    â€œYou robbed me of my income,” she said. “I’ve got to be fed and clothed somehow.”
    â€œPossibly,” murmured the Toff, “although it’s hard to see why. Renway must be a profitable golden egg for you and Kohn. It is Kohn, isn’t it? Leo to friends?”
    He glanced across at Kohn through narrowed mocking, eyes, and he saw the man’s thin lips curl back, knowing that his self-control was being severely tested.
    â€œI don’t know who you are,” snapped Kohn at last, “but I do know you’ve overstayed your welcome. Unless you want to talk to him, Irma?”
    â€œA delicate hint, to be followed up by the more than possibility of my being thrown out,” said Rollison.
    He tossed his cigarette away. “I’ll relieve you of the bother, but you know where to get me if I’m wanted. Irma does, at all events—77a Gresham Terrace, as always, my sweet, and if you come tomorrow night I may be entertaining Renway. You’d be surprised if you knew how that man likes me.”
    He waved a hand and moved across the room, easy, lithe, graceful. He was outside almost before Kohn realized it, and certainly before the crook had recovered from his anger.
    Kohn stood up now, his face red, and his eyes blazing.
    â€œThe blasted fool! I’ll get him if …”
    â€œIt’s your last job on earth,” said the Toff’s voice languidly from the other side of the door. “Teach Leo how easily threats slide off me, Irma, it will be your good deed for the