by John Creasey
“The A.C.’s post,” said Gideon.
“You’re a week early, aren’t you?”
“I’m pretty clear about what I want to do.”
“Well?”
“I think I’ll stay as I am,” announced Gideon.
There it was; decision made and the Commissioner told about it. Gideon felt a strange kind of relief, and at the same time had a feeling that Scott-Marie was looking at him in disapproval. He felt as if he had to steel himself to justify the decision.
Scott-Marie said quietly: “There’s just one thing that would have prevented you from being the best assistant commissioner I could hope for - the fact that at heart you would always have preferred to be commander. I think you’re right, but I’m very sorry that you are.”
Why was it some men had to say such warming things so coldly?
“Thanks very much,” Gideon said.
“Now there’s a new problem,” went on Scott-Marie, as if that was that and there was nothing more to be said about it. “This matter of sabotage of goods for America. I don’t like the look of it at all.”
“Shouldn’t think you do,” said Gideon gruffly.
“I’ve a letter and some figures from Lord Oiling. The number of cases of suspected sabotage is surprisingly high. Much of it happens at sea and after arrival in the U.S.A. What I’d like you to do is this...” Scott-Marie was asserting his authority as he seldom did, almost as if he disapproved of the decision in spite of what he had said. “Put Hobbs on to this job with Ormeroyd, and make sure they have all the help they require. He’s the right man to deal with the F.B.I, principals, don’t you think?”
Old school tie, thought Gideon: but Scott-Marie was quite right.
“Yes, although he’ll be off sick for a bit.”
“So I understand, but this is a long-term investigation. Then I would like you to see Lord Oiling and Sir Arthur Fielding again, to get the fullest possible picture, and go over to New York to discuss it with the F.B.I. people there - and with the New York police. It could develop into an inquiry for their F.B.I, and will probably become one for Interpol - like the West German marks affair. But we started it here, and we don’t often get the chance to show big business what we do for them. No reason why you shouldn’t go to New York, is there?”
Gideon’s heart was racing.
“Not that I know of,” he said.
“If I were you I’d go over by ship, and that will give you time to study the facts before you get to New York. It ought to be fairly soon - in the next month, for certain - so that you can be back in time to help the new Assistant Commissioner when he’s appointed.”
After a long pause, Gideon said: “Commissioner, all I can say is ‘thank you’.”
Of course, he would take Kate. Prudence would be all right, she had only ten days to go now. It would be wonderful for Kate, as well as for him, a new world of experience. It would mean digging into their savings, but what were savings for?
Just before twelve, his private line telephone bell rang, and he wondered if it was Henderson. When he heard Kate’s voice, a shock of alarm ran through him. Then he thought, She’s just being Kate.
“George,” Kate said, “Pru’s lost her baby. She’s all right, and there shouldn’t be any complications, but—isn’t it dreadful?
Dreadful. My darling Pru—”
The time to tell her about New York was not yet, but when the time came the news would be great solace for Kate.
Series Information
Published or to be published by
House of Stratus
Dates given are those of first publication
Gideon Series
(Writing as JJ Marric)
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Title Also Published as:
1 Gideon’s Day Gideon of Scotland Yard 1955
2 Seven Days to Death Gideon’s Week 1956
3 Gideon’s Night 1957
4 Gideon’s Month 1958
5 Gideon’s Staff 1959
6 Gideon’s Risk 1960
7 Gideon’s Fire 1961
8 A Conference for Assassins Gideon’s March 1962
9 Travelling Crimes Gideon’s Ride 1963
10 An Uncivilised Election Gideon’s Vote 1964
11 Criminal Imports Gideon’s Lot 1965
12 Gideon’s Badge 1966
13 From Murder to a Cathedral Gideon’s Wrath 1967
14 Gideon’s River 1968
15 Gideon’s Power 1969
16 Sport, Heat & Scotland Yard Gideon’s Sport 1970
17 Gideon’s Art 1971
18 Gideon’s Men 1972
19 Gideon’s Press 1973
20 Gideon’s Fog 1975
21 Gideon’s Drive 1976
22 Vigilantes & Biscuits Gideon’s Force 1978
Other Series by John Creasey
Published or to be published by
House of Stratus
Dates given are those of first publication
‘Department ‘Z’’ (28 titles)
‘Dr. Palfrey Novels’ (34 titles)
‘Inspector West’ (43 titles)
‘Sexton Blake’ (5 titles)
‘The Baron’ (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)
‘The Toff’ (59 titles)
along with:
The Masters of Bow Street
This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey’s account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel’s Act in 1829.
Select Synopses
Gideon’s Day
Gideon’s day is a busy one. He balances family commitments with solving a series of seemingly unrelated crimes from which a plot nonetheless evolves and a mystery is solved. One of the most senior officers within Scotland Yard, George Gideon’s crime solving abilities are in the finest traditions of London’s world famous police headquarters. His analytical brain and sense of fairness is respected by colleagues and villains alike.
Gideon’s Night
On this particular night Commander George Gideon has to deal with a couple of psychopaths who trail pain and blood in their wake. One targets infants, and the other young women on London’s foggy streets. There’s also an explosive gang war in the offing, and one way or another all of these cases are coming to their breathtaking conclusions at the same time. Can Scotland Yard’s finest cope with such a nightmarish scenario, with what would ordinarily be months of time consuming police work crammed into just one night?
Gideon’s Fire
Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard has to deal successively with news of a mass murderer, a depraved maniac, and the deaths of a family in an arson attack on an old building south of the river. This leaves little time for the crisis developing at home . . .
Meet the Baron
John Mannering (The Baron) makes his first appearance in this volume. Lord Fauntley cannot help showing off both his daughter and the security under which his precious jewels are kept. Mannering finds himself attracted to both .... Money is tight and so he plans a burglary, but this fails and unexpected consequnces result. The relationship with Lorna Fauntley flourishes, and a series of high profile thefts and adventures ensure Mannering’s future, so he believes, until Lorna equates him with The Baron. One of the many further twists in this award winning novel occurs when the police appear to seek Mannering’s help, only to have everything turned upside down as the plot develops . . .
Shadow The Baron
John Mannering (‘The Baron’) is called in by Scorland Yard’s Superintendent Bristow to help catch the mysterious jewel thief ‘The Shadow’. No one know the thief’s identit
y, but he has managed to pull off many high profile robberies. However, as Mannering proceeds to track down the target, he finds the pursuer becomes the pursued . . . ..
The House of the Bears
Standing alone in the bleak Yorkshire Moors is Sir Rufus Marne’s ‘House of the Bears’. Dr. Palfrey is asked to journey there to examine an invalid - whom he finds has disappeared. Moreover, Marne’s daughter lies terribly injured after a fall from the minstrel’s gallery, which Dr. Palfrey discovers was no accident. He sets out to look into both matters, but the discoveries he makes are truly fantastic. A deserted mine, powerful explosive and a submarine all feature in this powerful mystery. The results are even capable of surprising him ...
Inspector West Takes Charge
Extortion is the name of the game, as one victim after another is ruthlessly targeted. Chief Inspector Roger West must now solve the problem, along with a tangle of murders - but the case becomes more frightening as every minute passes.
The Case Against Paul Raeburn
Chief Inspector Roger West has been watching and waiting for over two years - he is determined to catch Paul Raeburn out. The millionaire racketeer may have made a mistake, following the killing of a small time crook. Can the ace detective triumph over the evil Raeburn in what are very difficult circumstances? This cannot be assumed as not eveything, it would seem, is as simple as it first appears .....
Introducing The Toff
The Toff is the Hon. Richard Rollison; the ultimate sleuth who revels in solving crimes. Whilst returning home across the Essex countryside from a day’s cricket at his father’s Norfolk home, he happens upon an accident that sets him on a new trail. This involves murder, suspense and thrilling action as The Toff applies his mind with its usual precision and thoroughness.
The Toff in New York
‘Say, Miss Hall, I hope that brother of yours hasn’t run into any trouble.’ But Will Hall had been kidnapped and the Honourable Richard Rollison, known by many by the apt if absurd soubriquet of the ‘Toff’ is soon on the scene, but not before a murdered man had fallen into Valerie Hallís arms. There’s lots of action in ‘millionaire surroundings’, with a rich private eye and the NYPD all on the case, whilst the Toff tracks Dutch Himmy, surely the worst man in New York . . . ..
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