Salute the Toff (14 page)

BOOK: Salute the Toff

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Epilogue

Those were the things that came to the Toff's mind when he saw Fay Draycott at the New Forest cottage not a long way from Hurley. And he recalled the quiet registrar's office wedding some six months after the scene at Gay Street, and marvelled â as he had done at the time â that it was possible for two people like Fay and Jimmy Draycott to see each other and fall in love, and yet to keep silent, while the man remained faithful to a conception of things that included loyalty.

He recalled with some amusement that even after it was finished Draycott had wondered whether he had not indulged in something akin to a showy climax in his assault on 91 Gay Street No man who had not lived among the East Enders, and studied them for many years, would understand the paramount fact that against the police they were as one, even those who would have nothing to do with crime. Draycott would never fully realise that the first essential for the Toff had been to get into that hovel, and make sure that Fay was not hurt, and also that he had not dared to show a weapon, for that would have started the shooting match which he had wanted so desperately to avoid.

And had avoided.

There was one other thing they talked about: how Phyllis Harvey had recovered, and had gone to live in France. She was married to an American who admired her beauty as he would a picture; it was said they were very happy.

“And thank God they are!” said Fay. “Oh, what an impossible thing it seemed at one time, Rolly! And would have stayed that way, but for you. Don't say it wouldn't!”

The Toff smiled.

“I couldn't call it my greatest success,” he said, “but I will call it the most interesting case I had met until then.”

“You're better than Jolly at understatement,” said Fay, pushing back her lovely hair. “How is he?”

“The last time I talked to him about you he had a complaint. He said that I had asked you for a list of the directors of the Mid-Provincial Company, and Murray and Firth, and that you forgot it.”

“I didn't!” said Fay with spirit. “I had it in my bag when I was taken from Anthea's flat. I didn't worry about it afterwards, as it didn't matter.”

“As I told Jolly,” smiled the Toff, “but he insisted that it might have done. But now, Fay, I must be off.”

He took his leave, waving to her until the cottage was out of sight.

Series Information

Published or to be published by

House of Stratus

Dates given are those of first publication

Alternative titles in brackets

'The Baron' (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)

'Department 'Z'' (28 titles)

'Dr. Palfrey Novels' (34 titles)

'Gideon of Scotland Yard' (22 titles)

'Inspector West' (43 titles)

'Sexton Blake' (5 titles)

'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.

'The Baron' Series