The Galitzi Diamonds: Inspector Hadley Mysteries, #1

By Laura Walker

'Diamonds are a girl's best friend,' though it isn't so well defined to Inspector Hadley when he finds himself in search of a missing gem or two...

 

1920: Inspector Mikey Hadley has a tough case to crack when his Italian friend, Lord Manne Galitzi, comes to inherit the family diamonds. His friend is paranoid he's being watched by someone who has designs on the diamonds, and he calls Hadley to act as a bodyguard for the heirlooms when he holds a party at the Galitzi Mansion. Can Hadley use his skills to prevent the diamonds from being stolen?

 

Meanwhile, there is much speculation about the Sanderson family in London society and Inspector Hadley finds himself falling for the selfish, impulsive beauty, Aida Sanderson, and she seems to return his feelings. But is she only using his interest in her to cover up her own guilt?

 

The Galitzi Diamonds is a 1920s mystery and the first book in the Inspector Hadley Mysteries.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Walker
• Release date: Apr 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215355343

Laura Walker

Laura Walker grew up in the Derbyshire Dales. She now lives with her husband in Staffordshire. She has been writing since childhood and specialises in ya romance, regency romance and mystery novels.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

London, 1920

'Diamonds are a girl's best friend,' though it wasn't so well defined to Inspector Hadley when he found himself in search of a missing gem or two.

Today, which was a grey, dusky morning, Detective Inspector Hadley was sitting behind the solid oak desk in his office, his chair perched on its hind legs. His arms were folded at the back of his sandy-blonde waves of hair, his legs crossed with one foot resting against his knee. His grey, penetrating eyes stared up at the ceiling, as he used his cognitive skills with full zest.

He was aware that at thirty years of age his experience was limited, yet he had been told his skills far outweighed his years and that was how he'd achieved the rank of Inspector. Living alone afforded him ample opportunity to work on cases without distractions.

The Chief's asking for you, his sergeant's musical voice broke through his revery. Letting his chair fall back to solid ground, Hadley eyed Scallop standing under the doorframe having just quit the Chief Superintendent's office. Scallop's fluffy, orange hair caught the light.

What did he have to say? Hadley asked.

See for yourself. It's a general message for the station, Scallop said, his pale green eyes containing flecks of yellow were soothing, and slightly comical.

Hadley stood to his full height of six feet one, towering above Scallop as he left his office. Swinging his pinstriped, double-breasted jacket across his shoulder, he swaggered passed the row of glass screens partitioning off the police officer's desks. He heard the sounds of shuffling papers, squeaky chair hinges, and drilling telephones.

Reaching a door at the end of the corridor with a plaque which read, Chief Superintendent Jacques, he wrapped it with his knuckles.

The Chief Superintendent was sitting behind his desk, his hands clasped before him. He ran a finger beneath the collar of his high-necked shirt that was so tight it made his neck bulge. There you're, Hadley. I won't swerve around the thornbush, Jacques said. As he spoke, his dark brown moustache that was parted in the centre, moved up and down over his thin lips. With one slender finger, he beckoned Hadley to a chair. Hadley waved the seat, preferring to stand.

I'm sure you're aware of the increase of crime in our community of late? Jacques said.

Hadley inclined his head in acknowledgement.

I blame this modern trend for looseness. Men have taken to gambling far too frequently, and it's not just the men. Women have lost their corsets, skirts have got shorter, and thanks to Coco Chanel, some have even taken to wearing trousers, Jacques said.

Hadley's eyes roamed to the notice board over Jacques' head, and he could make out what the leaflets contained under the white, electric light.

Gambling surge in North London.

Not enough is being done to tackle mob violence.

When do late night brawls stop?

We're going all out to tackle it, an officer on every street corner, if necessary. We must crack crime, whatever it takes. Is that clear? Jacques said.

I heard you, sir, Hadley said, directing his eyes back to his face.

Jacques narrowed his eyes. Hm. I did wonder. You're usually in a world of your own.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, Hadley climbed into his 'Tin Lizzie,' T Model automobile. Driving through London, he gazed at the streets teeming with people.

As the roof on his car was closed, he deployed the windscreen wipers to clear away the thick mist of rain. Passing the rows of night clubs, jazz clubs and cocktail bars that had flourished in the cities since people wanted to have a good time after the horrors of war, he exhaled. He was certain the rise in crime was down to this trend.

He pulled up outside a high rise art deco apartment block. Going inside, he made for the elevator. He punched in a number on the fifth floor, and the doors sprung shut. Exiting the elevator, he jingled a key in the lock of the first door he came to. Letting himself into the apartment, a strong natural light hit him, treetop views were visible from the window. Two club chairs stood either side of a duck egg blue sandstone fireplace, a glass top, a bronze side table between the tiny roll armrests.

From the corner, on the dark, lacquered bureau with Chinese patterns, the telephone chimed. Hurriedly unbuttoning his navy blue coat with a wide lapel, he hung it neatly on a coat stand, picking up the receiver.

His friend, Lord Manne Galitzi's gravelly Italian voice echoed down the line. I'm sorry to disturb you, Hadley. I know how much you hate being disturbed in your meditative state, but it's a fairly urgent matter.

What is it, Lord Galitzi? Hadley said, running a hand across his face. Lord Galitzi was right, he did not like to be disturbed when in such a state of thought.

I'm hosting a party at my place, and I want you to be there, Galitzi said.

Hadley, shaken out of his reverie, suddenly sprang forward and glared into the telephone speaker as though Galitzi could see him. Did I hear you correctly, Galitzi? A party, did you say? Since when has a party been a fairly urgent matter?

It would mix business with pleasure, Hadley. I need you to monitor things at my place. I have a sneaky suspicion I am being spied upon, and that the culprit is amongst some of my closest acquaintances, and they will be at this party. I need you to watch the guests for me.

Hadley's heart leaped. A party was actually a great opportunity to boost his investigative skills in the right direction as he looked the part at gatherings, fitting into society well enough to observe human nature without giving himself away. Spied upon, you say? In what way? Hadley asked, becoming calm again.

Well, I have recently come into possession of the Galitzi family diamonds, and this has become common knowledge in society. I think someone has become interested, shall we say, in this knowledge, and would like to get their shady hands on the diamonds for themselves.

Galitzi diamonds, you say? Worth a fair price, I should imagine. When did you first know you were being spied upon?

Yesterday I'm certain I was being followed home and then the house was watched last night. Then again today, I was followed in a car and the house is being watched again now as we speak.

Are you sure it's not just paranoia, old chap? These things can get into your mind when you’re on edge, you know?

That is what I told myself at first, but it has become increasingly obvious that it is real. I'm really being watched. I think they will turn up at the party tomorrow and that is why I need you at your post, Hadley.

Did you get a look at the person spying on you? Could you say if it was a man or a woman, for instance?

I couldn’t say, the car windows were blacked out, I’m afraid, and whoever watches the house, wears a black hooded cloak, obscuring their face; It could have been a man or a woman.

What makes you so sure they're amongst your acquaintance? Could you be mistaken?

Not in your life. They are aware of all my movements around London, Hadley. I feel as though they know all about me.

Hm. sounds like they’ve got under your skin, all right.

They have that. So, how about it? Will you come, Hadley?

You can count me in, Galitzi. I never pass up an opportunity like this.

I’ll see you there, then. Seven-thirty sharp. The receiver clicked.

Hadley resumed his former position, deep in thought. This time, however, his thoughts had changed to the Galitzi diamonds.

Hm. I read about the Galitzi diamonds in the evening paper a few nights ago, Hadley thought as he threw himself into a club chair.