The Unexpected Guest

AgathaChristie
TheUnexpectedGuest
NovelisedbyCharlesOsborne
Contents
Chapter1
ItwasshortlybeforemidnightonachillyNovemberevening,…
Chapter2
‘Byallmeans,’themanreplied.Heranahand…
Chapter3
Starkwedderlookedatherwithasomewhatbemusedexpression.‘Well?’…
Chapter4
StarkwedderstaredatLaura.‘Richardranoverachild?’he…
Chapter5
AfterclosingthedoorbehindLaura,Starkwedderpaused,workingout…
Chapter6
Ateleventhefollowingmorning,RichardWarwick’sstudylookedsomewhatmore…
Chapter7
TheinspectorthrustCadwallader’snotebookbackathimroughly,as…
Chapter8
SergeantCadwalladerclosedthedoorandstoodwithhisback…
Chapter9
Justthen,SergeantCadwalladerusheredinJan,whorushedup…
Chapter10
Crossingthefronthall,MissBennettpausedtoadmitStarkwedder…
Chapter11
Therewasanawkwardpauseafterthepoliceofficershad…
Chapter12
Laterthatday,towardstheendoftheafternoon,Julian…
Chapter13
‘I’msorryI’vekeptyouwaiting,Julian,’Lauracalledas…
Chapter14
JulianFarrarandLaurarantowardsthehouse,almostcolliding…
Chapter15
AshockedsilencegreetedInspectorThomas’sannouncement.Then,hesitantlyand,…
Chapter16
StarkwedderandInspectorThomasfacedeachotherinsilencefor…
Chapter17
MrsWarwickwassilentforafewmoments.Thenshesaid…
Chapter18
StarkwedderlookedatMissBennettandsmiled.‘You’reprettysharp,aren’t…
Chapter19
MissBennettbeckonedtoJan,thensteppedbackintotheroom…
Chapter20
‘Afterhim!Quickly!’theinspectorshoutedtoCadwalladerasthey…
Chapter21
SergeantCadwallader’sannouncementwasgreetedwithastunnedsilence.Laura…
Postscript
TheUnexpectedGuest
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
Chapter1
ItwasshortlybeforemidnightonachillyNovemberevening,andswirlsofmistobscuredpartsofthedark,narrow,tree-linedcountryroadinSouthWales,notfarfromtheBristolChannelwhenceafoghornsoundeditsmelancholyboomautomaticallyeveryfewmoments.Occasionally,thedistantbarkingofadogcouldbeheard,andthemelancholycallofanight-bird.Whatfewhousestherewerealongtheroad,whichwaslittlebetterthanalane,wereaboutahalf-mileapart.Ononeofitsdarkeststretchestheroadturned,passingahandsome,three-storeyhousestandingwellbackfromitsspaciousgarden,anditwasatthisspotthatacarsat,itsfrontwheelscaughtintheditchatthesideoftheroad.Aftertwoorthreeattemptstoaccelerateoutoftheditch,thedriverofthecarmusthavedecideditwasnousepersevering,andtheenginefellsilent.
Aminuteortwopassedbeforethedriveremergedfromthevehicle,slammingthedoorbehindhim.Hewasasomewhatthick-set,sandy-hairedmanofaboutthirty-five,withanoutdoorlookabouthim,dressedinaroughtweedsuitanddarkovercoatandwearingahat.Usingatorchtofindhisway,hebegantowalkcautiouslyacrossthelawntowardsthehouse,stoppinghalfwaytosurveytheeighteenth-centurybuilding’selegantfa?ade.Thehouseappearedtobeintotaldarknessasheapproachedthefrenchwindowsonthatsideoftheedificewhichfacedhim.Afterturningtolookbackatthelawnhehadcrossed,andtheroadbeyondit,hewalkedrightuptothefrenchwindows,ranhishandsovertheglass,andpeeredin.Unabletodiscernanymovementwithin,heknockedonthewindow.Therewasnoresponse,andafterapauseheknockedagainmuchlouder.Whenherealizedthathisknockingwasnothavinganyeffect,hetriedthehandle.Immediately,thewindowopenedandhestumbledintoaroomthatwasindarkness.
Insidetheroom,hepausedagain,asthoughattemptingtodiscernanysoundormovement.Then,‘Hello,’hecalled.‘Isanyonethere?’Flashinghistorcharoundtheroomwhichrevealeditselftobeawell-furnishedstudy,itswallslinedwithbooks,hesawinthecentreoftheroomahandsomemiddle-agedmansittinginawheelchairfacingthefrenchwindows,witharugoverhisknees.Themanappearedtohavefallenasleepinhischair.‘Oh,hello,’saidtheintruder.‘Ididn’tmeantostartleyou.Sosorry.It’sthisconfoundedfog.I’vejustrunmycarofftheroadintoaditch,andIhaven’tthefaintestideawhereIam.Oh,andI’veleftthewindowopen.I’msosorry.’Continuingtospeakapologeticallyashemoved,heturnedbacktothefrenchwindows,shutthem,andclosedthecurtains.‘Musthaverunoffthemainroadsomewhere,’heexplained.‘I’vebeendrivingroundthesetopsy-turvylanesforanhourormore.’
Therewasnoreply.‘Areyouasleep?’theintruderasked,ashefacedthemaninthewheelchairagain.Stillreceivingnoanswer,heshonehistorchonthefaceofthechair’soccupant,andthenstoppedabruptly.Themaninthechairneitheropenedhiseyesnormoved.Astheintruderbentoverhim,touchinghisshoulderasthoughtoawakenhim,theman’sbodyslumpeddownintoahuddledpositioninthechair.‘GoodGod!’themanholdingthetorchexclaimed.Hepausedmomentarily,asthoughundecidedwhattodonext,andthen,shininghistorchabouttheroom,foundalightswitchbyadoor,andcrossedtheroomtoswitchiton.
Thelightonadeskcameon.Theintruderputhistorchonthedeskand,lookingintentlyatthemaninthewheelchair,circledaroundhim.Noticinganotherdoorwithalightswitchbyit,hewentacrossandflickedtheswitch,thusturningonthelampsontwooccasionaltablesstrategicallyplacedaroundtheroom.Then,takingasteptowardsthemaninthewheelchair,hegaveastartashesuddenlynoticedforthefirsttimeanattractive,fair-hairedwomanofaboutthirty,wearingacocktaildressandmatchingjacket,standingbyabook-linedrecessontheoppositesideoftheroom.Withherarmshanginglimplybyhersides,sheneithermovednorspoke.Itseemedasthoughshewastryingnoteventobreathe.Therewasamoment’ssilencewhiletheystaredateachother.Thenthemanspoke.‘He–he’sdead!’heexclaimed.
Completelywithoutexpression,thewomanansweredhim.‘Yes.’
‘Youalreadyknew?’askedtheman.
‘Yes.’
Cautiouslyapproachingthebodyinthewheelchair,themansaid,‘He’sbeenshot.Throughthehead.Who–?’
Hepausedasthewomanslowlybroughtherrighthandupfromwhereithadbeenhiddenbythefoldsofherdress.Inherhandwasarevolver.Themandrewinhisbreathsharply.Whenitseemedthatshewasnotthreateninghimwithit,heapproachedher,andgentlytookthegunfromher.‘Youshothim?’heasked.
‘Yes,’thewomanreplied,afterapause.
Themanmovedawayfromher,andputthegunonatablebythewheelchair.Foramomenthestoodlookingatthedeadbody,andthengazeduncertainlyaroundtheroom.
‘Thetelephoneisoverthere,’saidthewoman,noddingtowardsthedesk.
‘Telephone?’themanechoed.Hesoundedstartled.
‘Ifyouwanttoringupthepolice,’thewomancontinued,stillspeakinginthesamedetached,expressionlessmanner.
Thestrangerstaredatherasthoughunabletomakeherout.Then,‘Afewminutesonewayortheotherwon’tmakeanydifference,’hesaid.‘They’llhaveabitofajobgettinghereinthisfoganyway.I’dliketoknowalittlemore–’Hebrokeoffandlookedatthebody.‘Whoishe?’
‘Myhusband,’repliedthewoman.Shepaused,andthencontinued,‘HisnameisRichardWarwick.IamLauraWarwick.’
Themancontinuedtostareather.‘Isee,’hemurmuredfinally.‘Hadn’tyoubetter–sitdown?’
LauraWarwickmovedslowlyandsomewhatunsteadilytoasofa.Lookingaroundtheroom,themanasked,‘CanIgetyoua–drink–orsomething?Itmusthavebeenashock.’
‘Shootingmyhusband?’Hertonewasdrilyironic.
Appearingtoregainhispoisesomewhat,themanattemptedtomatchherexpression.‘Ishouldimagineso,yes.Orwasitjustfunandgames?’
‘Itwasfunandgames,’repliedLauraWarwickinscrutablyasshesatdownonthesofa.Themanfrowned,lookingpuzzled.‘ButIwouldlike–thatdrink,’shecontinued.
Themantookoffhishatandthrewitontoanarmchair,thenpouredbrandyfromadecanteronthetableclosetothewheelchairandhandedhertheglass.Shedrankand,afterapause,themansaid,‘Now,supposeyoutellmeallaboutit.’
LauraWarwicklookedupathim.‘Hadn’tyoubetterringthepolice?’sheasked.
‘Allingoodtime.Nothingwrongwithhavingacosylittlechatfirst,isthere?’Hetookoffhisgloves,stuffedthemintohisovercoatpocket,andstartedunbuttoninghiscoat.
LauraWarwick’spoisebegantobreak.‘Idon’t–’shebegan.Shepausedandthencontinued,‘Whoareyou?Howdidyouhappentocomeheretonight?’Withoutgivinghimtimetoanswer,shewenton,hervoicenowalmostashout,‘ForGod’ssake,tellmewhoyouare!’
Chapter2
‘Byallmeans,’themanreplied.Heranahandthroughhishair,lookedaroundtheroomforamomentasthoughwonderingwhereorhowtobegin,andthencontinued,‘Myname’sMichaelStarkwedder.Iknowit’sanunusualname.’Hespeltitoutforher.‘I’manengineer.IworkforAnglo-Iranian,andI’mjustbackinthiscountryfromaterminthePersianGulf.’Hepaused,seemingbrieflytoberememberingtheMiddleEast,orperhapstryingtodecidehowmuchdetailtogointo,thenshruggedhisshoulders.‘I’vebeendownhereinWalesforacoupleofdays,lookingupoldlandmarks.Mymother’sfamilycamefromthispartoftheworldandIthoughtImightbuyalittlehouse.’
Heshookhishead,smiling.‘Thelasttwohours–morelikethree,Ishouldthink–I’vebeenhopelesslylost.DrivingroundallthetwistinglanesinSouthWales,andendingupinaditch!Thickfogeverywhere.Ifoundagate,gropedmywaytothishouse,hopingtogetholdofatelephoneorperhaps,ifIwaslucky,getputupforthenight.Itriedthehandleofthefrenchwindowthere,founditwasn’tlocked,soIwalkedin.WhereuponIfind–’Hegesturedtowardsthewheelchair,indicatingthebodyslumpedinit.
LauraWarwicklookedupathim,hereyesexpressionless.‘Youknockedonthewindowfirst–severaltimes,’shemurmured.
‘Yes,Idid.Nobodyanswered.’
Lauracaughtherbreath.‘No,Ididn’tanswer.’Hervoicewasnowalmostawhisper.
Starkwedderlookedather,asthoughtryingtomakeherout.Hetookasteptowardsthebodyinthewheelchair,thenturnedbacktothewomanonthesofa.Toencourageherintospeakingagain,herepeated,‘AsIsay,Itriedthehandle,thewindowwasn’tlocked,soIcamein.’
Laurastareddownintoherbrandyglass.Shespokeasthoughshewerequoting.‘“Thedooropensandtheunexpectedguestcomesin.”’Sheshiveredslightly.‘ThatsayingalwaysfrightenedmewhenIwasachild.“Theunexpectedguest”.’Throwingherheadbackshestaredupatherunexpectedvisitor,andexclaimedwithsuddenintensity,‘Oh,whydon’tyouringupthepoliceandgetitover?’
Starkwedderwalkedovertothebodyinthechair.‘Notyet,’hesaid.‘Inamoment,perhaps.Canyoutellmewhyyoushothim?’
ThenoteofironyreturnedtoLaura’svoiceassheansweredhim.‘Icangiveyousomeexcellentreasons.Foronething,hedrank.Hedrankexcessively.Foranother,hewascruel.Unbearablycruel.I’vehatedhimforyears.’CatchingthesharplookStarkweddergaveheratthis,shecontinuedangrily,‘Oh,whatdoyouexpectmetosay?’
‘You’vehatedhimforyears?’Starkweddermurmuredasthoughtohimself.Helookedthoughtfullyatthebody.‘Butsomething–somethingspecial–happenedtonight,didn’tit?’heasked.
‘You’requiteright,’Laurarepliedemphatically.‘Somethingspecialindeedhappenedtonight.Andso–Itookthegunoffthetablefromwhereitwaslyingbesidehim,and–andIshothim.Itwasassimpleasthat.’ShethrewanimpatientglanceatStarkwedderasshecontinued,‘Oh,what’sthegoodoftalkingaboutit?You’llonlyhavetoringupthepoliceintheend.There’snowayout.’Hervoicedroppedassherepeated,‘Nowayout!’
Starkwedderlookedatherfromacrosstheroom.‘It’snotquiteassimpleasyouthink,’heobserved.
‘Whyisn’titsimple?’askedLaura.Hervoicesoundedweary.
Approachingher,Starkwedderspokeslowlyanddeliberately.‘Itisn’tsoeasytodowhatyou’reurgingmetodo,’hesaid.‘You’reawoman.Averyattractivewoman.’
Lauralookedupathimsharply.‘Doesthatmakeadifference?’sheasked.
Starkwedder’svoicesoundedalmostcheerfulashereplied,‘Theoretically,certainlynot.Butinpracticalterms,yes.’Hetookhisovercoatovertotherecess,putitonthearmchair,andreturnedtostandlookingdownatthebodyofRichardWarwick.
‘Oh,you’retalkingaboutchivalry,’Lauraobservedlistlessly.
‘Well,callitcuriosityifyouprefer,’saidStarkwedder.‘I’dliketoknowwhatthisisallabout.’
Laurapausedbeforereplying.Then,‘I’vetoldyou,’wasallshesaid.
StarkwedderwalkedslowlyaroundthewheelchaircontainingthebodyofLaura’shusband,asthoughfascinatedbyit.‘You’vetoldmethebarefacts,perhaps,’headmitted.‘Butnothingmorethanthebarefacts.’
‘AndI’vegivenyoumyexcellentmotive,’Laurareplied.‘There’snothingmoretotell.Inanycase,whyshouldyoubelievewhatItellyou?IcouldmakeupanystoryIliked.You’veonlygotmywordforitthatRichardwasacruelbeastandthathedrankandthathemadelifemiserableforme–andthatIhatedhim.’
‘Icanacceptthelaststatementwithoutquestion,Ithink,’saidStarkwedder.‘Afterall,there’sacertainamountofevidencetosupportit.’Approachingthesofaagain,helookeddownatLaura.‘Allthesame,it’sabitdrastic,don’tyouthink?Yousayyou’vehatedhimforyears.Whydidn’tyouleavehim?Surelythatwouldhavebeenmuchsimpler.’
Laura’svoicewashesitantasshereplied,‘I’ve–I’venomoneyofmyown.’
‘Mydeargirl,’saidStarkwedder,‘ifyoucouldhaveprovedcrueltyandhabitualdrunkennessandalltherestofit,youcouldhavegotadivorce–orseparation–andthenyou’dgetalimonyorwhateveritistheycallit.’Hepaused,waitingforananswer.
Findingitdifficulttoreply,Lauraroseand,keepingherbacktohim,wentacrosstothetabletoputherglassdown.
‘Haveyougotchildren?’Starkwedderaskedher.
‘No–no,thankGod,’Laurareplied.
‘Well,then,whydidn’tyouleavehim?’
Confused,Lauraturnedtofaceherquestioner.‘Well–’shesaidfinally,‘well–yousee–nowIshallinheritallhismoney.’
‘Ohno,youwon’t,’Starkwedderinformedher.‘Thelawwon’tallowyoutoprofitastheresultofacrime.’TakingasteptowardsLaura,heasked,‘Ordidyouthinkthat–?’Hehesitated,andthencontinued,‘Whatdidyouthink?’
‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,’Lauratoldhim.
‘You’renotastupidwoman,’Starkweddersaid,lookingather.‘Evenifyoudidinherithismoney,itwouldn’tbemuchgoodtoyouifyouweregoingtobeimprisonedforlife.’Settlinghimselfcomfortablyinthearmchair,headded,‘SupposingthatIhadn’tcomeknockingatthewindowjustnow?Whatwereyougoingtodo?’
‘Doesitmatter?’
‘Perhapsnot–butI’minterested.Whatwasyourstorygoingtobe,ifIhadn’tcomebarginginandcaughtyouherered-handed?Wereyougoingtosayitwasanaccident?Orsuicide?’
‘Idon’tknow,’Lauraexclaimed.Shesoundeddistraught.Crossingtothesofa,shesatfacingawayfromStarkwedder.‘I’venoidea,’sheadded.‘ItellyouI–Ihaven’thadtimetothink.’
‘No,’heagreed.‘No,perhapsnot–Idon’tthinkitwasapremeditatedaffair.Ithinkitwasanimpulse.Infact,Ithinkitwasprobablysomethingyourhusbandsaid.Wasthatit?’
‘Itdoesn’tmatter,Itellyou,’Laurareplied.
‘Whatdidhesay?’Starkwedderinsisted.‘Whatwasit?’
Lauragazedathimsteadily.‘ThatissomethingIshallnevertellanybody,’sheexclaimed.
Starkwedderwentovertothesofaandstoodbehindher.‘You’llbeaskeditincourt,’heinformedher.
Herexpressionwasgrimasshereplied,‘Ishan’tanswer.Theycan’tmakemeanswer.’
‘Butyourcounselwillhavetoknow,’saidStarkwedder.Leaningoverthesofaandlookingatherearnestly,hecontinued,‘Itmightmakeallthedifference.’
Lauraturnedtofacehim.‘Oh,don’tyousee?’sheexclaimed.‘Don’tyouunderstand?I’venohope.I’mpreparedfortheworst.’
‘What,justbecauseIcameinthroughthatwindow?IfIhadn’t–’
‘Butyoudid!’Laurainterruptedhim.
‘Yes,Idid,’heagreed.‘Andconsequentlyyou’reforit.Isthatwhatyouthink?’
Shemadenoreply.‘Here,’hesaidashehandedheracigaretteandtookonehimself.‘Now,let’sgobackalittle.You’vehatedyourhusbandforalongtime,andtonighthesaidsomethingthatjustpushedyouovertheedge.Yousnatchedupthegunthatwaslyingbeside–’Hestoppedsuddenly,staringatthegunonthetable.‘Whywashesittingherewithagunbesidehim,anyway?It’shardlyusual.’
‘Oh,that,’saidLaura.‘Heusedtoshootatcats.’
Starkwedderlookedather,surprised.‘Cats?’heasked.
‘Oh,IsupposeIshallhavetodosomeexplaining,’saidLauraresignedly.
Chapter3
Starkwedderlookedatherwithasomewhatbemusedexpression.‘Well?’heprompted.
Lauratookadeepbreath.Then,staringstraightaheadofher,shebegantospeak.‘Richardusedtobeabig-gamehunter,’shesaid.‘Thatwaswherewefirstmet–inKenya.Hewasadifferentsortofpersonthen.Orperhapshisgoodqualitiesshowed,andnothisbadones.Hedidhavegoodqualities,youknow.Generosityandcourage.Supremecourage.Hewasaveryattractivemantowomen.’
Shelookedupsuddenly,seemingtobeawareofStarkwedderforthefirsttime.Returninghergaze,helithercigarettewithhislighter,andthenhisown.‘Goon,’heurgedher.
‘Wemarriedsoonafterwemet,’Lauracontinued.‘Then,twoyearslater,hehadaterribleaccident–hewasmauledbyalion.Hewasluckytoescapealive,buthe’sbeenasemi-crippleeversince,unabletowalkproperly.’Sheleanedback,apparentlymorerelaxed,andStarkweddermovedtoafootstool,facingher.
Lauratookapuffathercigaretteandthenexhaledthesmoke.‘Theysaymisfortuneimprovesyourcharacter,’shesaid.‘Itdidn’timprovehis.Instead,itdevelopedallhisbadpoints.Vindictiveness,astreakofsadism,drinkingtoomuch.Hemadelifeprettyimpossibleforeveryoneinthishouse,andweallputupwithitbecause–oh,youknowwhatonesays.“SosadforpoorRichardbeinganinvalid.”Weshouldn’thaveputupwithit,ofcourse.Iseethat,now.Itsimplyencouragedhimtofeelthathewasdifferentfromotherpeople,andthathecoulddoashechosewithoutbeingcalledtoaccountforit.’
Sheroseandwentacrosstothetablebythearmchairtoflickashintheashtray.‘Allhislife,’shecontinued,‘shootinghadbeenthethingRichardlikeddoingbest.So,whenwecametoliveinthishouse,everynightaftereveryoneelsehadgonetobed,he’dsithere’–shegesturedtowardsthewheelchair–‘andAngell,his–well,valetandgeneralfactotumIsupposeyou’dcallhim–AngellwouldbringthebrandyandoneofRichard’sguns,andputthembesidehim.Thenhe’dhavethefrenchwindowswideopen,andhe’dsitinherelookingout,watchingforthegleamofacat’seyes,orastrayrabbit,oradogforthatmatter.Ofcourse,therehaven’tbeensomanyrabbitslately.Thatdisease–whatd’youcallit?–myxomatosisorwhatever–hasbeenkillingthemoff.Butheshotquitealotofcats.’Shetookadragonhercigarette.‘Heshottheminthedaytime,too.Andbirds.’
‘Didn’ttheneighboursevercomplain?’Starkwedderaskedher.
‘Oh,ofcoursetheydid,’Laurarepliedasshereturnedtositonthesofa.‘We’veonlylivedhereforacoupleofyears,youknow.Beforethat,welivedontheeastcoast,inNorfolk.OneortwohouseholdpetswerevictimsofRichard’sthere,andwehadalotofcomplaints.That’sreallywhywecametolivehere.It’sveryisolated,thishouse.We’veonlygotoneneighbourformilesaround.Butthereareplentyofsquirrelsandbirdsandstraycats.’
Shepausedforamoment,andthencontinued.‘ThemaintroubleinNorfolkwasreallybecauseawomancametocallatthehouseoneday,collectingsubscriptionsforthevillagefête.Richardsentshotstotherightandleftofherasshewasgoingaway,walkingdownthedrive.Sheboltedlikeahare,hesaid.Heroaredwithlaughterwhenhetoldusaboutit.Irememberhimsayingherfatbacksidewasquiveringlikeajelly.Butshewenttothepoliceaboutit,andtherewasaterriblerow.’
‘Icanwellimaginethat,’wasStarkwedder’sdrycomment.
‘ButRichardgotawaywithitallright,’Lauratoldhim.‘Hehadapermitforallhisfirearms,ofcourse,andheassuredthepolicethatheonlyusedthemtoshootrabbits.HeexplainedawaypoorMissButterfieldbyclaimingthatshewasjustanervousoldmaidwhoimaginedhewasshootingather,whichhesworehewouldneverhavedone.Richardwasalwaysplausible.Hehadnotroublemakingthepolicebelievehim.’
StarkweddergotupfromhisfootstoolandwentacrosstoRichardWarwick’sbody.‘Yourhusbandseemstohavehadaratherpervertedsenseofhumour,’heobservedtartly.Helookeddownatthetablebesidethewheelchair.‘Iseewhatyoumean,’hecontinued.‘Soagunbyhissidewasanightlyroutine.Butsurelyhecouldn’thaveexpectedtoshootanythingtonight.Notinthisfog.’
‘Oh,healwayshadagunputthere,’repliedLaura.‘Everynight.Itwaslikeachild’stoy.Sometimesheusedtoshootintothewall,makingpatterns.Overthere,ifyoulook.’Sheindicatedthefrenchwindows.‘Downtheretotheleft,behindthecurtain.’
Starkwedderwentacrossandliftedthecurtainontheleft-handside,revealingapatternofbulletholesinthepanelling.‘Goodheavens,he’spickedouthisowninitialsinthewall.“RW”,doneinbulletholes.Remarkable.’Hereplacedthecurtain,andturnedbacktoLaura.‘Imustadmitthat’sdamnedgoodshooting.Hm,yes.Hemusthavebeenprettyfrighteningtolivewith.’
‘Hewas,’Laurarepliedemphatically.Withalmosthystericalvehemence,sherosefromthesofaandapproachedheruninvitedguest.‘Mustwegoontalkingandtalkingaboutallthis?’sheaskedinexasperation.‘It’sonlyputtingoffwhat’sgottohappenintheend.Can’tyourealizethatyou’vegottoringupthepolice?You’venooption.Don’tyouseeitwouldbefarkindertojustdoitnow?Orisitthatyouwantmetodoit?Isthatit?Allright,Iwill.’
Shemovedquicklytothephone,butStarkweddercameuptoherasshewasliftingthereceiver,andputhishandoverhers.‘We’vegottotalkfirst,’hetoldher.
‘We’vebeentalking,’saidLaura.‘Andanyway,there’snothingtotalkabout.’
‘Yes,thereis,’heinsisted.‘I’mafool,Idaresay.Butwe’vegottofindsomewayout.’
‘Somewayout?Forme?’askedLaura.Shesoundedincredulous.
‘Yes.Foryou.’Hetookafewstepsawayfromher,andthenturnedbacktofaceher.‘Howmuchcouragehaveyougot?’heasked.‘Canyoulieifnecessary–andlieconvincingly?’
Laurastaredathim.‘You’recrazy,’wasallshesaid.
‘Probably,’Starkwedderagreed.
Sheshookherheadinperplexity.‘Youdon’tknowwhatyou’redoing,’shetoldhim.
‘IknowverywellwhatI’mdoing,’heanswered.‘I’mmakingmyselfanaccessoryafterthefact.’
‘Butwhy?’askedLaura.‘Why?’
Starkwedderlookedatherforamomentbeforereplying.Then,‘Yes,why?’herepeated.Speakingslowlyanddeliberately,hesaid,‘Forthesimplereason,Isuppose,thatyou’reaveryattractivewoman,andIdon’tliketothinkofyoubeingshutupinprisonforallthebestyearsofyourlife.Justashorribleasbeinghangedbytheneckuntilyouaredead,inmyview.Andthesituationlooksfarfrompromisingforyou.Yourhusbandwasaninvalidandacripple.Anyevidencetheremightbeofprovocationwouldrestentirelyonyourword,awordwhichyouseemextremelyunwillingtogive.Thereforeitseemshighlyunlikelythatajurywouldacquityou.’
Lauralookedsteadilyathim.‘Youdon’tknowme,’shesaid.‘EverythingI’vetoldyoumayhavebeenlies.’
‘Itmay,’Starkwedderagreedcheerfully.‘AndperhapsI’masucker.ButI’mbelievingyou.’
Lauralookedaway,thensankdownonthefootstoolwithherbacktohim.Forafewmomentsnothingwassaid.Then,turningtofacehim,hereyessuddenlyalightwithhope,shelookedathimquestioningly,andthennoddedalmostimperceptibly.‘Yes,’shetoldhim,‘IcanlieifIhaveto.’
‘Good,’Starkwedderexclaimedwithdetermination.‘Now,talkandtalkfast.’Hewalkedovertothetablebythewheelchair,flickingashintheashtray.‘Inthefirstplace,whoexactlyisthereinthishouse?Wholiveshere?’
Afteramoment’shesitation,Laurabegantospeak,almostmechanically.‘There’sRichard’smother,’shetoldhim.‘Andthere’sBenny–MissBennett,butwecallherBenny–she’sasortofcombinedhousekeeperandsecretary.Anex-hospitalnurse.She’sbeenhereforages,andshe’sdevotedtoRichard.Andthenthere’sAngell.Imentionedhim,Ithink.He’samalenurse-attendant,and–well,valet,Isuppose.HelooksafterRichardgenerally.’
‘Arethereservantswholiveinthehouseaswell?’
‘No,therearenolive-inservants,onlydailieswhocomein.’Shepaused.‘Oh–andIalmostforgot,’shecontinued.‘There’sJan,ofcourse.’
‘Jan?’Starkwedderasked,sharply.‘Who’sJan?’
Lauragavehimanembarrassedlookbeforereplying.Then,withanairofreluctance,shesaid,‘He’sRichard’syounghalf-brother.He–heliveswithus.’
Starkweddermovedovertothestoolwhereshestillsat.‘Comeclean,now,’heinsisted.‘WhatisthereaboutJanthatyoudon’twanttotellme?’
Afteramoment’shesitation,Lauraspoke,thoughshestillsoundedguarded.‘Janisadear,’shesaid.‘Veryaffectionateandsweet.But–butheisn’tquitelikeotherpeople.Imeanhe’s–he’swhattheycallretarded.’
‘Isee,’Starkweddermurmuredsympathetically.‘Butyou’refondofhim,aren’tyou?’
‘Yes,’Lauraadmitted.‘Yes–I’mveryfondofhim.That’s–that’sreallywhyIcouldn’tjustgoawayandleaveRichard.BecauseofJan.Yousee,ifRichardhadhadhisownway,hewouldhavesentJantoaninstitution.Aplaceforthementallyretarded.’
Starkwedderslowlycircledthewheelchair,lookingdownatRichardWarwick’sbody,andpondering.Then,‘Isee,’hemurmured.‘Isthatthethreatheheldoveryou?That,ifyoulefthim,he’dsendtheboytoaninstitution?’
‘Yes,’repliedLaura.‘IfI–ifIbelievedthatIcouldhaveearnedenoughtokeepJanandmyself–butIdon’tknowthatIcould.Andanyway,Richardwastheboy’slegalguardianofcourse.’
‘WasRichardkindtohim?’Starkwedderasked.
‘Sometimes,’shereplied.
‘Andatothertimes?’
‘He’d–he’dquitefrequentlytalkaboutsendingJanaway,’Lauratoldhim.‘He’dsaytoJan,“They’llbequitekindtoyou,boy.You’llbewelllookedafter.AndLaura,I’msure,wouldcomeandseeyouonceortwiceayear.”He’dgetJanallworkedup,terrified,begging,pleading,stammering.AndthenRichardwouldleanbackinhischairandroarwithlaughter.Throwbackhisheadandlaugh,laugh,laugh.’
‘Isee,’saidStarkwedder,watchinghercarefully.Afterapause,herepeatedthoughtfully,‘Isee.’
Laurarosequickly,andwenttothetablebythearmchairtostubouthercigarette.‘Youneedn’tbelieveme,’sheexclaimed.‘Youneedn’tbelieveawordIsay.Forallyouknow,Imightbemakingitallup.’
‘I’vetoldyouI’llriskit,’Starkwedderreplied.‘Nowthen,’hecontinued,‘what’sthis,what’s-her-name,Bennett–Benny–like?Isshesharp?Bright?’
‘She’sveryefficientandcapable,’Lauraassuredhim.
Starkweddersnappedhisfingers.‘Something’sjustoccurredtome,’hesaid.‘Howisitthatnobodyinthehouseheardtheshottonight?’
‘Well,Richard’smotherisquiteold,andshe’sratherdeaf,’Laurareplied.‘Benny’sroomisoverontheothersideofthehouse,andAngell’squartersarequiteseparate,shutoffbyabaizedoor.There’syoungJan,ofcourse.Hesleepsintheroomoverthis.Buthegoestobedearly,andhesleepsveryheavily.’
‘Thatallseemsextremelyfortunate,’Starkwedderobserved.
Lauralookedpuzzled.‘Butwhatareyousuggesting?’sheaskedhim.‘Thatwecouldmakeitlooklikesuicide?’
Heturnedtolookatthebodyagain.‘No,’hesaid,shakinghishead.‘There’snohopeofsuicide,I’mafraid.’HewalkedovertothewheelchairandlookeddownatthecorpseofRichardWarwickforamoment,beforeasking,‘Hewasright-handed,Iassume?’
‘Yes,’repliedLaura.
‘Yes,Iwasafraidso.Inwhichcasehecouldn’tpossiblyhaveshothimselfatthatangle,’hedeclared,pointingtoWarwick’slefttemple.‘Besides,there’snomarkofscorching.’Heconsideredforafewsecondsandthenadded,‘No,thegunmusthavebeenfiredfromacertaindistanceaway.Suicideiscertainlyout.’Hepausedagainbeforecontinuing.‘Butthere’saccident,ofcourse.Afterall,itcouldhavebeenanaccident.’
Afteralongerpause,hebegantoactoutwhathehadinmind.‘Now,sayforinstancethatIcameherethisevening.JustasIdid,infact.Blunderedinthroughthiswindow.’Hewenttothefrenchwindows,andmimedtheactofstumblingintotheroom.‘RichardthoughtIwasaburglar,andtookapotshotatme.Well,that’squitelikely,fromallyou’vebeentellingmeabouthisexploits.Well,then,Icomeuptohim’–andStarkwedderhastenedtothebodyinthewheelchair–‘Igetthegunawayfromhim–’
Laurainterruptedeagerly.‘Anditwentoffinthestruggle–yes?’
‘Yes,’Starkwedderagreed,butimmediatelycorrectedhimself.‘No,thatwon’tdo.AsIsay,thepolicewouldspotatoncethatthegunwasn’tfiredatsuchclosequarters.’Hetookafewmoremomentstoreconsider,andthencontinued.‘Wellnow,sayIgotthegunrightawayfromhim.’Heshookhishead,andwavedhisarmsinagestureoffrustration.‘No,that’snogood.OnceI’ddonethat,whythehellshouldIshoothim?No,I’mafraidit’stricky.’
Hesighed.‘Allright,’hedecided,‘let’sleaveitatmurder.Murderpureandsimple.Butmurderbysomeonefromoutside.Murderbypersonorpersonsunknown.’Hecrossedtothefrenchwindows,heldbackacurtain,andpeeredoutasthoughseekinginspiration.
‘Arealburglar,perhaps?’Laurasuggestedhelpfully.
Starkwedderthoughtforamoment,andthensaid,‘Well,Isupposeitcouldbeaburglar,butitseemsabitbogus.’Hepaused,thenadded,‘Whataboutanenemy?Thatsoundsmelodramaticperhaps,butfromwhatyou’vetoldmeaboutyourhusbanditseemshewasthesortwhomighthavehadenemies.AmIright?’
‘Well,yes,’Laurareplied,speakingslowlyanduncertainly,‘IsupposeRichardhadenemies,but–’
‘Nevermindthebutsforthetimebeing,’Starkwedderinterruptedher,stubbingouthiscigaretteatthetablebythewheelchair,andmovingtostandoverherasshesatonthesofa.‘TellmeallyoucanaboutRichard’senemies.NumberOne,Isuppose,wouldbeMiss–youknow,Missquiveringbackside–thewomanhetookpotshotsat.ButIdon’tsupposeshe’salikelymurderer.Anyway,IimagineshestilllivesinNorfolk,anditwouldbeabitfar-fetchedtoimaginehertakingacheapdayreturntoWalestobumphimoff.Whoelse?’heurged.‘Whoelseistherewhohadagrudgeagainsthim?’
Lauralookeddoubtful.Shegotup,movedabout,andbegantounbuttonherjacket.‘Well,’shebegancautiously,‘therewasagardener,aboutayearago.Richardsackedhimandwouldn’tgivehimareference.Themanwasveryabusiveaboutitandmadealotofthreats.’
‘Whowashe?’Starkwedderasked.‘Alocalchap?’
‘Yes,’Laurareplied.‘HecamefromLlanfechan,aboutfourmilesaway.’Shetookoffherjacketandlaiditacrossanarmofthesofa.
Starkwedderfrowned.‘Idon’tthinkmuchofyourgardener,’hetoldher.‘Youcanbethe’sgotanice,stay-at-homealibi.Andifhehasn’tgotanalibi,orit’sanalibithatonlyhiswifecanconfirmorsupport,wemightendupgettingthepoorchapconvictedforsomethinghehasn’tdone.No,that’snogood.Whatwewantissomeenemyoutofthepast,whowouldn’tbesoeasytotrackdown.’
Lauramovedslowlyaroundtheroom,tryingtothink,asStarkweddercontinued,‘HowaboutsomeonefromRichard’stiger-andlion-shootingdays?SomeoneinKenya,orSouthAfrica,orIndia?Someplacewherethepolicecan’tcheckuponhimveryeasily.’
‘IfIcouldonlythink,’saidLaura,despairingly.‘IfIcouldonlyremember.IfIcouldremembersomeofthestoriesaboutthosedaysthatRichardtoldusatonetimeoranother.’
‘Itisn’tevenasthoughwe’dgotanynicepropshandy,’Starkweddermuttered.‘Youknow,aSikhturbancarelesslydrapedoverthedecanter,oraMauMauknife,orapoisonedarrow.’Hepressedhishandstohisforeheadinconcentration.‘Damnitall,’hewenton,‘whatwewantissomeonewithagrudge,someonewho’dbeenkickedaroundbyRichard.’ApproachingLaura,heurgedher,‘Think,woman.Think.Think!’
‘I–Ican’tthink,’repliedLaura,hervoicealmostbreakingwithfrustration.
‘You’vetoldmethekindofmanyourhusbandwas.Theremusthavebeenincidents,people.Heavensabove,theremusthavebeensomething,’heexclaimed.
Laurapacedabouttheroom,tryingdesperatelytoremember.
‘Someonewhomadethreats.Justifiablethreats,perhaps,’Starkwedderencouragedher.
Laurastoppedherpacing,andturnedtofacehim.‘Therewas–I’vejustremembered,’shesaid.Shespokeslowly.‘TherewasamanwhosechildRichardranover.’
Chapter4
StarkwedderstaredatLaura.‘Richardranoverachild?’heaskedexcitedly.‘Whenwasthis?’
‘Itwasabouttwoyearsago,’Lauratoldhim.‘WhenwewerelivinginNorfolk.Thechild’sfathercertainlymadethreatsatthetime.’
Starkweddersatdownonthefootstool.‘Now,thatsoundslikeapossibility,’hesaid.‘Anyway,tellmeallyoucanrememberabouthim.’
Laurathoughtforamoment,andthenbegantospeak.‘RichardwasdrivingbackfromCromer,’shesaid.‘He’dhadfartoomuchtodrink,whichwasbynomeansunusual.Hedrovethroughalittlevillageataboutsixtymilesanhour,apparentlyzig-zaggingquiteabit.Thechild–alittleboy–ranoutintotheroadfromtheinnthere–Richardknockedhimdownandhewaskilledinstantly.’
‘Doyoumean,’Starkwedderaskedher,‘thatyourhusbandcoulddriveacar,despitehisdisability?’
‘Yes,hecould.Oh,ithadtobespeciallybuilt,withspecialcontrolsthathecouldmanage,but,yes,hewasabletodrivethatvehicle.’
‘Isee,’saidStarkwedder.‘Whathappenedaboutthechild?SurelythepolicecouldhavegotRichardformanslaughter?’
‘Therewasaninquest,ofcourse,’Lauraexplained.Abitternotecreptintohervoiceassheadded,‘Richardwasexoneratedcompletely.’
‘Werethereanywitnesses?’Starkwedderaskedher.
‘Well,’Laurareplied,‘therewasthechild’sfather.Hesawithappen.Buttherewasalsoahospitalnurse–NurseWarburton–whowasinthecarwithRichard.Shegaveevidence,ofcourse.Andaccordingtoher,thecarwasgoingunderthirtymilesanhourandRichardhadhadonlyoneglassofsherry.Shesaidthattheaccidentwasquiteunavoidable–thelittleboyjustsuddenlyrushedout,straightinfrontofthecar.Theybelievedher,andnotthechild’sfatherwhosaidthatthecarwasbeingdrivenerraticallyandataveryhighspeed.Iunderstandthepoormanwas–ratherover-violentinexpressinghisfeelings.’Lauramovedtothearmchair,adding,‘Yousee,anyonewouldbelieveNurseWarburton.Sheseemedtheveryessenceofhonestyandreliabilityandaccuracyandcarefulunderstatementandallthat.’
‘Youweren’tinthecaryourself?’Starkwedderasked.
‘No,Iwasn’t,’Laurareplied.‘Iwasathome.’
‘ThenhowdoyouknowthatwhatNursewhat’sher-namesaidmightn’thavebeenthetruth?’
‘Oh,thewholethingwasveryfreelydiscussedbyRichard,’shesaidbitterly.‘Aftertheycamebackfromtheinquest,Irememberveryclearly.Hesaid,“Bravo,Warby,jollygoodshow.You’veprobablygotmeoffquiteastiffjailsentence.”Andshesaid,“Youdon’tdeservetohavegotoff,MrWarwick.Youknowyouweredrivingmuchtoofast.It’sashameaboutthatpoorchild.”AndthenRichardsaid,“Oh,forgetit!I’vemadeitworthyourwhile.Anyway,what’sonebratmoreorlessinthisovercrowdedworld?He’sjustaswelloutofitall.It’snotgoingtospoilmysleep,Iassureyou.”’
Starkwedderrosefromthestooland,glancingoverhisshoulderatRichardWarwick’sbody,saidgrimly,‘ThemoreIhearaboutyourhusband,themoreI’mwillingtobelievethatwhathappenedtonightwasjustifiablehomicideratherthanmurder.’ApproachingLaura,hecontinued,‘Nowthen.Thismanwhosechildwasrunover.Theboy’sfather.What’shisname?’
‘AScottishname,Ithink,’Laurareplied.‘Mac–Macsomething–MacLeod?MacCrae?–Ican’tremember.’
‘Butyou’vegottotrytoremember,’Starkwedderinsisted.‘Comeon,youmust.IshestilllivinginNorfolk?’
‘No,no,’saidLaura.‘Hewasonlyoverhereforavisit.Tohiswife’srelations,Ithink.IseemtorememberhecamefromCanada.’
‘Canada–that’sanicelongwayaway,’Starkwedderobserved.‘Itwouldtaketimetochaseup.Yes,’hecontinued,movingtobehindthesofa,‘yes,Ithinktherearepossibilitiesthere.ButforGod’ssaketrytoremembertheman’sname.’Hewentacrosstohisovercoatonthearmchairintherecess,tookhisglovesfromapocket,andputthemon.Then,lookingsearchinglyaroundtheroom,heasked,‘Gotanynewspapersabout?’
‘Newspapers?’Lauraasked,surprised.
‘Nottoday’s,’heexplained.‘Yesterday’sorthedaybeforewoulddobetter.’
Risingfromthesofa,Laurawenttoacupboardbehindthearmchair.‘Therearesomeoldonesinthecupboardhere.Wekeepthemforlightingfires,’shetoldhim.
Starkwedderjoinedher,openedthecupboarddoor,andtookoutanewspaper.Aftercheckingthedate,heannounced,‘Thisisfine.Justwhatwewant.’Heclosedthecupboarddoor,tookthenewspapertothedesk,andfromapigeon-holeonthedeskextractedapairofscissors.
‘Whatareyougoingtodo?’askedLaura.
‘We’regoingtomanufacturesomeevidence.’Heclickedthescissorsasthoughtodemonstrate.
Laurastaredathim,perplexed.‘Butsupposethepolicesucceedinfindingthisman,’sheasked.‘Whathappensthen?’
Starkwedderbeamedather.‘IfhestilllivesinCanada,it’lltakeabitofdoing,’heannouncedwithanairofsmugness.‘Andbythetimetheydofindhim,he’llnodoubthaveanalibifortonight.Beingafewthousandmilesawayoughttobesatisfactoryenough.Andbythenitwillbeabitlateforthemtocheckuponthingshere.Anyway,it’sthebestwecando.It’llgiveusbreathingspaceatallevents.’
Lauralookedworried.‘Idon’tlikeit,’shecomplained.
Starkweddergaveherasomewhatexasperatedlook.‘Mydeargirl,’headmonishedher,‘youcan’taffordtobechoosy.Butyoumusttrytorememberthatman’sname.’
‘Ican’t,Itellyou,Ican’t,’Laurainsisted.
‘WasitMacDougall,perhaps?OrMackintosh?’hesuggestedhelpfully.
Lauratookafewstepsawayfromhim,puttingherhandstoherears.‘Dostop,’shecried.‘You’reonlymakingitworse.I’mnotsurenowthatitwasMacanything.’
‘Well,ifyoucan’tremember,youcan’t,’Starkwedderconceded.‘Weshallhavetomanagewithout.Youdon’trememberthedate,byanychance,oranythingusefullikethat?’
‘Oh,Icantellyouthedate,allright,’saidLaura.‘ItwasMaythefifteenth.’
Surprised,Starkwedderasked,‘Now,howonearthcanyourememberthat?’
TherewasbitternessinLaura’svoiceasshereplied,‘Becauseithappenedonmybirthday.’
‘Ah,Isee–yes–well,thatsolvesonelittleproblem,’observedStarkwedder.‘Andwe’vealsogotonelittlepieceofluck.Thispaperisdatedthefifteenth.’Hecutthedateoutcarefullyfromthenewspaper.
Joininghimatthedeskandlookingoverhisshoulder,LaurapointedoutthatthedateonthenewspaperwasNovemberthefifteenth,notMay.‘Yes,’headmitted,‘butit’sthenumbersthatarethemoreawkward.Now,May.May’sashortword–ah,yes,here’sanM.NowanA,andaY.’
‘Whatinheaven’snameareyoudoing?’Lauraasked.
Starkwedder’sonlyresponse,asheseatedhimselfinthedeskchair,was,‘Gotanypaste?’
Laurawasabouttotakeapotofpastefromapigeon-hole,buthestoppedher.‘No,don’ttouch,’heinstructed.‘Wedon’twantyourfingerprintsonit.’Hetookthepotofpasteinhisglovedhands,andremovedthelid.‘Howtobeacriminalinoneeasylesson,’hecontinued.‘And,yes,here’saplainblockofwritingpaper–thekindsoldallovertheBritishIsles.’Takinganotepadfromthepigeon-hole,heproceededtopastewordsandlettersontoasheetofnotepaper.‘Now,watchthis,one–two–three–abittrickywithgloves.Butthereweare.“Mayfifteen.Paidinfull.”Oh,the“in”hascomeoff.’Hepasteditbackonagain.‘There,now.Howdoyoulikethat?’
Hetorethesheetoffthepadandshowedittoher,thenwentacrosstoRichardWarwick’sbodyinitswheelchair.‘We’lltuckitneatlyintohisjacketpocket,likethat.’Ashedidso,hedislodgedapocketlighter,whichfelltothefloor.‘Hello,what’sthis?’
Lauragaveasharpexclamationandtriedtosnatchthelighterup,butStarkwedderhadalreadydoneso,andwasexaminingit.‘Giveittome,’criedLaurabreathlessly.‘Giveittome!’
Lookingfaintlysurprised,Starkwedderhandedittoher.‘It’s–it’smylighter,’sheexplained,unnecessarily.
‘Allright,soit’syourlighter,’heagreed.‘That’snothingtogetupsetabout.’Helookedathercuriously.‘You’renotlosingyournerve,areyou?’
Shewalkedawayfromhimtothesofa.Asshedidso,sherubbedthelighteronherskirtasthoughtoremovepossiblefingerprints,takingcaretoensurethatStarkwedderdidnotobserveherdoingso.‘No,ofcourseI’mnotlosingmynerve,’sheassuredhim.
Havingmadecertainthatthepasted-upmessagefromthenewspaperinRichardWarwick’sbreastpocketwastuckedsecurelyunderthelapel,Starkwedderwentovertothedesk,replacedthelidofthepaste-pot,removedhisgloves,tookoutahandkerchief,andlookedatLaura.‘Thereweare!’heannounced.‘Allreadyforthenextstep.Where’sthatglassyouweredrinkingoutofjustnow?’
Lauraretrievedtheglassfromthetablewhereshehaddepositedit.Leavingherlighteronthetable,shereturnedwiththeglasstoStarkwedder.Hetookitfromher,andwasabouttowipeoffherfingerprints,butthenstopped.‘No,’hemurmured.‘No,thatwouldbestupid.’
‘Why?’askedLaura.
‘Well,thereoughttobefingerprints,’heexplained,‘bothontheglassandonthedecanter.Thisvaletfellow’s,forone,andprobablyyourhusband’saswell.Nofingerprintsatallwouldlookveryfishytothepolice.’Hetookasipfromtheglasshewasholding.‘NowImustthinkofawaytoexplainmine,’headded.‘Crimeisn’teasy,isit?’
Withsuddenpassion,Lauraexclaimed,‘Oh,don’t!Don’tgetmixedupinthis.Theymightsuspectyou.’
Amused,Starkwedderreplied,‘Oh,I’maveryrespectablechap–quiteabovesuspicion.But,inasenseIammixedupinitalready.Afterall,mycar’soutthere,stuckfastintheditch.Butdon’tworry,justaspotofperjuryandalittletinkeringwiththetimeelement–that’stheworstthey’dbeabletobringagainstme.Andtheywon’t,ifyouplayyourpartproperly.’
Frightened,Laurasatonthefootstool,withherbacktohim.Hecameroundtofaceher.‘Nowthen,’hesaid,‘areyouready?’
‘Ready–forwhat?’askedLaura.
‘Comeon,youmustpullyourselftogether,’heurgedher.
Soundingdazed,shemurmured,‘Ifeel–stupid–I–Ican’tthink.’
‘Youdon’thavetothink,’Starkweddertoldher.‘You’vejustgottoobeyorders.Nowthen,here’stheblueprint.First,haveyougotafurnaceofanykindinthehouse?’
‘Afurnace?’Laurathought,andthenreplied,‘Well,there’sthewaterboiler.’
‘Good.’Hewenttothedesk,tookthenewspaper,androlledupthescrapsofpaperinit.ReturningtoLaura,hehandedherthebundle.‘Nowthen,’heinstructedher,‘thefirstthingyoudoistogointothekitchenandputthisintheboiler.Thenyougoupstairs,getoutofyourclothesandintoadressing-gown–ornegligée,orwhat-have-you.’Hepaused.‘Haveyougotanyaspirin?’
Puzzled,Laurareplied,‘Yes.’
Asthoughthinkingandplanningashespoke,Starkweddercontinued,‘Well–emptythebottledowntheloo.Thengoalongtosomeone–yourmother-in-law,orMiss–whatisit–Bennett?–andsayyou’vegotaheadacheandwantsomeaspirin.Then,whileyou’rewithwhoeveritis–leavethedooropen,bytheway–you’llheartheshot.’
‘Whatshot?’askedLaura,staringathim.
Withoutreplying,Starkweddercrossedtothetablebythewheelchairandpickedupthegun.‘Yes,yes,’hemurmuredabsently,‘I’llattendtothat.’Heexaminedthegun.‘Hm.Looksforeigntome–warsouvenir,isit?’
Laurarosefromthestool.‘Idon’tknow,’shetoldhim.‘Richardhadseveralforeignmakesofpistol.’
‘Iwonderifit’sregistered,’Starkweddersaid,almosttohimself,stillholdingthegun.
Laurasatonthesofa.‘Richardhadalicence–ifthat’swhatyoucallit–apermitforhiscollection,’shesaid.
‘Yes,Isupposehewouldhave.Butthatdoesn’tmeanthattheywouldallberegisteredinhisname.Inpractice,peopleareoftenrathercarelessaboutthatkindofthing.Isthereanyonewho’dbelikelytoknowdefinitely?’
‘Angellmight,’saidLaura.‘Doesitmatter?’
Starkweddermovedabouttheroomashereplied.‘Well,thewaywe’rebuildingthisup,oldMacThing–thefatherofthechildRichardranover–ismorelikelytocomeburstingin,breathingbloodandthunderandrevenge,withhisownweaponattheready.Butonecould,afterall,makeoutquiteaplausiblecasetheotherway.Thisman–whoeverheis–burstsin.Richard,onlyhalfawake,snatchesuphisgun.Theotherfellowwrenchesitawayfromhim,andshoots.Iadmititsoundsabitfar-fetched,butit’llhavetodo.We’vegottotakesomerisks,itjustcan’tbeavoided.’
Heplacedthegunonthetablebythewheelchair,andapproachedher.‘Nowthen,’hecontinued,‘havewethoughtofeverything?Ihopeso.Thefactthathewasshotaquarterofanhourortwentyminutesearlierwon’tbeapparentbythetimethepolicegethere.Drivingalongtheseroadsinthisfogwon’tbeeasyforthem.’Hewentovertothecurtainbythefrenchwindows,liftedit,andlookedatthebulletholesinthewall.‘“RW”.Verynice.I’lltrytoaddafullstop.’
Replacingthecurtain,hecamebacktoher.‘Whenyouheartheshot,’heinstructedLaura,‘whatyoudoisregisteralarm,andbringMissBennett–oranyoneelseyoucancollect–downhere.Yourstoryisthatyoudon’tknowanything.Youwenttobed,youwokeupwithaviolentheadache,youwentalongtolookforaspirin–andthat’sallyouknow.Understand?’
Lauranodded.
‘Good,’saidStarkwedder.‘Alltherestyouleavetome.Areyoufeelingallrightnow?’
‘Yes,Ithinkso,’Laurawhispered.
‘Thengoalonganddoyourstuff,’heorderedher.
Laurahesitated.‘You–yououghtn’ttodothis,’sheurgedhimagain.‘Yououghtn’t.Youshouldn’tgetinvolved.’
‘Now,don’tlet’shaveanymoreofthat,’Starkwedderinsisted.‘Everyonehastheirownformof–whatdidwecallitjustnow?–funandgames.Youhadyourfunandgamesshootingyourhusband.I’mhavingmyfunandgamesnow.Let’sjustsayI’vealwayshadasecretlongingtoseehowIcouldgetonwithadetectivestoryinreallife.’Hegaveheraquick,reassuringsmile.‘Now,canyoudowhatI’vetoldyou?’
Lauranodded.‘Yes.’
‘Right.Oh,Iseeyou’vegotawatch.Good.Whattimedoyoumakeit?’
Laurashowedhimherwristwatch,andhesethisaccordingly.‘Justaftertenminutesto,’heobserved.‘I’llallowyouthree–no,four–minutes.Fourminutestogoalongtothekitchen,popthatpaperintheboiler,goupstairs,getoutofyourthingsandintoadressing-gown,andalongtoMissBennettorwhoever.Doyouthinkyoucandothat,Laura?’Hesmiledatherreassuringly.
Lauranodded.
‘Nowthen,’hecontinued,‘atfiveminutestomidnightexactly,you’llheartheshot.Offyougo.’
Movingtothedoor,sheturnedandlookedathim,uncertainofherself.Starkwedderwentacrosstoopenthedoorforher.‘You’renotgoingtoletmedown,areyou?’heasked.
‘No,’repliedLaurafaintly.
‘Good.’
LaurawasabouttoleavetheroomwhenStarkweddernoticedherjacketlyingonthearmofthesofa.Callingherback,hegaveittoher,smiling.Shewentout,andheclosedthedoorbehindher.
Chapter5
AfterclosingthedoorbehindLaura,Starkwedderpaused,workingoutinhismindwhatwastobedone.Afteramoment,heglancedathiswatch,thentookoutacigarette.HemovedtothetablebythearmchairandwasabouttopickupthelighterwhenhenoticedaphotographofLauraononeofthebookshelves.Hepickeditup,lookedatit,smiled,replacedit,andlitacigarette,leavingthelighteronthetable.Takingouthishandkerchief,herubbedanyfingerprintsoffthearmsofthearmchairandthephotograph,andthenpushedthechairbacktoitsoriginalposition.HetookLaura’scigarettefromtheashtray,thenwenttothetablebythewheelchairandtookhisownstubfromtheashtray.Crossingtothedesk,henextrubbedanyfingerprintsfromit,replacedthescissorsandnotepad,andadjustedtheblotter.Helookedaroundhimonthefloorforanyscrapofpaperthatmighthavebeenmissed,foundonenearthedesk,screweditupandputitinhistrouserspocket.Herubbedfingerprintsoffthelightswitchbythedoorandoffthedeskchair,pickeduphistorchfromthedesk,wentovertothefrenchwindows,drewthecurtainbackslightly,andshonethetorchthroughthewindowontothepathoutside.
‘Toohardforfootprints,’hemurmuredtohimself.Heputthetorchonthetablebythewheelchairandpickedupthegun.Makingsurethatitwassufficientlyloaded,hepolisheditforfingerprints,thenwenttothestoolandputthegundownonit.Afterglancingagainathiswatch,hewenttothearmchairintherecessandputonhishat,scarf
‘Damn!’hemuttered.Quicklytakingthedeskchair,heusedittoholdthecurtainback.Hereturnedtohispositionbythestool,firedthegun,andthenquicklywentbacktothewalltoexaminetheresult.‘Notbad!’hecongratulatedhimself.
Ashereplacedthedeskchairinitsproperposition,Starkweddercouldhearvoicesinthehall.Herushedoffthroughthefrenchwindows,takingthegunwithhim.Amomentlaterhereappeared,snatchedupthetorch,anddashedoutagain.
Fromvariouspartsofthehouse,fourpeoplehurriedtowardsthestudy.RichardWarwick’smother,atall,commandingoldlady,wasinherdressing-gown.Shelookedpallidandwalkedwiththeaidofastick.‘Whatisit,Jan?’sheaskedtheteenageboyinpyjamaswiththestrange,ratherinnocent,faun-likeface,whowasclosebehindheronthelanding.‘Whyiseverybodywanderingaboutinthemiddleofthenight?’sheexclaimedastheywerejoinedbyagrey-haired,middle-agedwoman,wearingasensibleflanneldressing-gown.‘Benny,’sheorderedthewoman,‘tellmewhat’sgoingon.’
Laurawasclosebehind,andMrsWarwickcontinued,‘Haveyoualltakenleaveofyoursenses?Laura,what’shappened?Jan–Jan–willsomeonetellmewhatisgoingoninthishouse?’
‘I’llbetit’sRichard,’saidtheboy,wholookedaboutnineteen,thoughhisvoiceandmannerwerethoseofayoungerchild.‘He’sshootingatthefogagain.’Therewasanoteofpetulanceinhisvoiceasheadded,‘Tellhimhe’snottoshootandwakeusallupoutofourbeautysleep.Iwasdeepasleep,andsowasBenny.Weren’tyou,Benny?Becareful,Laura,Richard’sdangerous.He’sdangerous,Benny,becareful.’
‘There’sthickfogoutside,’saidLaura,lookingthroughthelandingwindow.‘Youcanbarelymakeoutthepath.Ican’timaginewhathecanbeshootingatinthismist.It’sabsurd.Besides,IthoughtIheardacry.’
MissBennett–Benny–analert,briskwomanwholookedliketheex-hospitalnursethatshewas,spokesomewhatofficiously.‘Ireallycan’tseewhyyou’resoupset,Laura.It’sjustRichardamusinghimselfasusual.ButIdidn’thearanyshooting.I’msurethere’snothingwrong.Ithinkyou’reimaginingthings.Buthe’scertainlyveryselfishandIshalltellhimso.Richard,’shecalledassheenteredthestudy,‘really,Richard,it’stoobadatthistimeofnight.Youfrightenedus–Richard!’
Laura,wearingherdressing-gown,followedMissBennettintotheroom.Assheswitchedonthelightsandmovedtothesofa,theboyJanfollowedher.HelookedatMissBennettwhostoodstaringatRichardWarwickinhiswheelchair.‘Whatisit,Benny?’askedJan.‘What’sthematter?’
‘It’sRichard,’saidMissBennett,hervoicestrangelycalm.‘He’skilledhimself.’
‘Look,’criedyoungJanexcitedly,pointingatthetable.‘Richard’srevolver’sgone.’
Avoicefromoutsideinthegardencalled,‘What’sgoingoninthere?Isanythingwrong?’Lookingthroughthesmallwindowintherecess,Janshouted,‘Listen!There’ssomeoneoutside!’
‘Outside?’saidMissBennett.‘Who?’SheturnedtothefrenchwindowsandwasabouttodrawbackthecurtainwhenStarkweddersuddenlyappeared.MissBennettsteppedbackinalarmasStarkweddercameforward,askingurgently,‘What’shappenedhere?What’sthematter?’HisglancefellonRichardWarwickinthewheelchair.‘Thisman’sdead!’heexclaimed.‘Shot.’Helookedaroundtheroomsuspiciously,takingthemallin.
‘Whoareyou?’askedMissBennett.‘Wheredoyoucomefrom?’
‘Justrunmycarintoaditch,’repliedStarkwedder.‘I’vebeenlostforhours.Foundsomegatesandcameuptothehousetotrytogetsomehelpandtelephone.Heardashot,andsomeonecamerushingoutofthewindowsandcollidedwithme.’Holdingoutthegun,Starkwedderadded,‘Hedroppedthis.’
‘Wheredidthismango?’MissBennettaskedhim.
‘HowthehellshouldIknowinthisfog?’Starkwedderreplied.
JanstoodinfrontofRichard’sbody,staringexcitedlyatit.‘Somebody’sshotRichard,’heshouted.
‘Lookslikeit,’Starkwedderagreed.‘You’dbettergetintouchwiththepolice.’Heplacedthegunonthetablebythewheelchair,pickedupthedecanter,andpouredbrandyintoaglass.‘Whoishe?’
‘Myhusband,’saidLaura,expressionlessly,asshewenttositonthesofa.
Withwhatsoundedaslightlyforcedconcern,Starkweddersaidtoher,‘Here–drinkthis.’Lauralookedupathim.‘You’vehadashock,’headdedemphatically.Asshetooktheglass,withhisbackturnedtotheothersStarkweddergaveheraconspiratorialgrin,tocallherattentiontohissolutionofthefingerprintproblem.Turningaway,hethrewhishatonthearmchair,andthen,suddenlynoticingthatMissBennettwasabouttobendoverRichardWarwick’sbody,heswungquicklyround.‘No,don’ttouchanything,madam,’heimploredher.‘Thislookslikemurder,andifitisthennothingmustbetouched.’
Straighteningup,MissBennettbackedawayfromthebodyinthechair,lookingappalled.‘Murder?’sheexclaimed.‘Itcan’tbemurder!’
MrsWarwick,themotherofthedeadman,hadstoppedjustinsidethedoorofthestudy.Shecameforwardnow,asking,‘Whathashappened?’
‘Richard’sbeenshot!Richard’sbeenshot!’Jantoldher.Hesoundedmoreexcitedthanconcerned.
‘Quiet,Jan,’orderedMissBennett.
‘WhatdidIhearyousay?’askedMrsWarwick,quietly.
‘Hesaid–murder,’Bennytoldher,indicatingStarkwedder.
‘Richard,’MrsWarwickwhispered,asJanleanedoverthebody,calling,‘Look–look–there’ssomethingonhischest–apaper–withwritingonit.’Hishandwentouttoit,buthewasstoppedbyStarkwedder’scommand:‘Don’ttouch–whateveryoudo,don’ttouch.’Thenhereadaloud,slowly,‘“May–fifteen–paidinfull”.’
‘GoodLord!MacGregor,’MissBennettexclaimed,movingbehindthesofa.
Laurarose.MrsWarwickfrowned.‘Youmean,’shesaid,‘–thatman–thefather–thechildthatwasrunover–?’
‘Ofcourse,MacGregor,’Lauramurmuredtoherselfasshesatinthearmchair
Janwentuptothebody.‘Look–it’sallnewspaper–cutup,’hesaidinexcitement.Starkwedderagainrestrainedhim.‘No,don’ttouchit,’heordered.‘It’sgottobeleftforthepolice.’Hesteppedtowardsthetelephone.‘ShallI–?’
‘No,’saidMrsWarwickfirmly.‘Iwill.’Takingchargeofthesituation,andsummoninghercourage,shewenttothedeskandstartedtodial.Janmovedexcitedlytothestoolandkneltuponit.‘Themanthatranaway,’heaskedMissBennett.‘Doyouthinkhe–?’
‘Ssh,Jan,’MissBennettsaidtohimfirmly,whileMrsWarwickspokequietlybutinaclear,authoritativevoiceonthetelephone.‘Isthatthepolicestation?ThisisLlangelertHouse.MrRichardWarwick’shouse.MrWarwickhasjustbeenfound–shotdead.’
Shewentonspeakingintothephone.Hervoiceremainedlow,buttheothersintheroomlistenedintently.‘No,hewasfoundbyastranger,’theyheardhersay.‘Amanwhosecarhadbrokendownnearthehouse,Ibelieve…Yes,I’lltellhim.I’llphonetheinn.Willoneofyourcarsbeabletotakehimtherewhenyou’vefinishedhere?…Verywell.’
Turningtofacethecompany,MrsWarwickannounced,‘Thepolicewillbehereassoonastheycaninthisfog.They’llhavetwocars,oneofwhichwillreturnrightawaytotakethisgentleman’–shegesturedatStarkwedder–‘totheinninthevillage.Theywanthimtostayovernightandbeavailabletotalktothemtomorrow.’
‘Well,sinceIcan’tleavewithmycarstillintheditch,that’sfinewithme,’Starkwedderexclaimed.Ashespoke,thedoortothecorridoropened,andadark-hairedmanofmediumheightinhismid-fortiesenteredtheroom,tyingthecordofhisdressing-gown.Hesuddenlystoppedshortjustinsidethedoor.‘Issomethingthematter,madam?’heasked,addressingMrsWarwick.Then,glancingpasther,hesawthebodyofRichardWarwick.‘Oh,myGod,’heexclaimed.
‘I’mafraidthere’sbeenaterribletragedy,Angell,’MrsWarwickreplied.‘MrRichardhasbeenshot,andthepoliceareontheirwayhere.’TurningtoStarkwedder,shesaid,‘ThisisAngell.He’s–hewasRichard’svalet.’
ThevaletacknowledgedStarkwedder’spresencewthaslight,absent-mindedbow.‘Oh,myGod,’herepeated,ashecontinuedtostareatthebodyofhislateemployer.
Chapter6
Ateleventhefollowingmorning,RichardWarwick’sstudylookedsomewhatmoreinvitingthanithadonthepreviousfoggyevening.Foronething,thesunwasshiningonacold,clear,brightday,andthefrenchwindowswerewideopen.Thebodyhadbeenremovedovernight,andthewheelchairhadbeenpushedintotherecess,itsformercentralplaceintheroomnowoccupiedbythearmchair.Thesmalltablehadbeenclearedofeverythingexceptdecanterandashtray.Agood-lookingyoungmaninhistwentieswithshortdarkhair,dressedinatweedsportsjacketandnavy-bluetrousers,wassittinginthewheelchair,readingabookofpoems.Afterafewmoments,hegotup.‘Beautiful,’hesaidtohimself.‘Appositeandbeautiful.’Hisvoicewassoftandmusical,withapronouncedWelshaccent.
Theyoungmanclosedthebookhehadbeenreading,andreplaceditonthebookshelvesintherecess.Then,aftersurveyingtheroomforaminuteortwo,hewalkedacrosstotheopenfrenchwindows,andwentoutontotheterrace.Almostimmediately,amiddle-aged,thick-set,somewhatpoker-facedmancarryingabriefcaseenteredtheroomfromthehallway.Goingtothearmchairwhichfacedoutontotheterrace,heputhisbriefcaseonit,andlookedoutofthewindows.‘SergeantCadwallader!’hecalledsharply.
Theyoungermanturnedbackintotheroom.‘Goodmorning,InspectorThomas,’hesaid,andthencontinued,withaliltinhisvoice,‘“Seasonofmistsandmellowfruitfulness,closebosomfriendofthematuringsun”.’
Theinspector,whohadbeguntounbuttonhisovercoat,stoppedandlookedintentlyattheyoungsergeant.‘Ibegyourpardon?’heasked,withadistinctnoteofsarcasminhisvoice.
‘That’sKeats,’thesergeantinformedhim,soundingquitepleasedwithhimself.Theinspectorrespondedwithabalefullookathim,thenshrugged,tookoffhiscoat,placeditonthewheelchairintherecess,andcamebackforhisbriefcase.
‘You’dhardlycreditthefinedayitis,’SergeantCadwalladerwenton.‘Whenyouthinkoftheterribletimewehadgettingherelastnight.TheworstfogI’veknowninyears.“Theyellowfogthatrubsitsbackuponthewindow-panes”.That’sT.S.Eliot.’Hewaitedforareactiontohisquotationfromtheinspector,butgotnone,socontinued,‘It’snowondertheaccidentspiledupthewaytheydidontheCardiffroad.’
‘Mighthavebeenworse,’washisinspector’suninterestedcomment.
‘Idon’tknowaboutthat,’saidthesergeant,warmingtohissubject.‘AtPorthcawl,thatwasanastysmash.Onekilledandtwochildrenbadlyinjured.Andthemothercryingherheartoutthereontheroad.“Theprettywretchleftcrying”–’
Theinspectorinterruptedhim.‘Havethefingerprintboysfinishedtheirjobyet?’heasked.
Suddenlyrealizingthathehadbettergetbacktothebusinessinhand,SergeantCadwalladerreplied,‘Yes,sir.I’vegotthemallreadyhereforyou.’Hepickedupafolderfromthedeskandopenedit.Theinspectorsatinthedeskchairandstartedtoexaminethefirstsheetoffingerprintsinthefolder.‘Notroublefromthehouseholdabouttakingtheirprints?’heaskedthesergeantcasually.
‘Notroublewhatever,’thesergeanttoldhim.‘Mostobligingtheywere–anxioustohelp,asyoumightsay.Andthatisonlytobeexpected.’
‘Idon’tknowaboutthat,’theinspectorobserved.‘I’veusuallyfoundmostpeoplekickupnoendofafuss.SeemtothinktheirprintsaregoingtobefiledintheRogues’Gallery.’Hetookadeepbreath,stretchinghisarms,andcontinuedtostudytheprints.‘Now,let’ssee.MrWarwick–that’sthedeceased.MrsLauraWarwick,hiswife.MrsWarwicksenior,that’shismother.YoungJanWarwick,MissBennettand–who’sthis?Angle?Oh,Angell.Ahyes,that’shisnurse-attendant,isn’tit?Andtwoothersetsofprints.Let’sseenow–Hm.Onoutsideofwindow,ondecanter,onbrandyglassoverlayingprintsofRichardWarwickandAngellandMrsLauraWarwick,oncigarettelighter–andontherevolver.ThatwillbethatchapMichaelStarkwedder.HegaveMrsWarwickbrandy,andofcourseitwashewhocarriedtheguninfromthegarden.’
SergeantCadwalladernoddedslowly.‘MrStarkwedder,’hegrowled,inavoiceofdeepsuspicion.
Theinspector,soundingamused,asked,‘Youdon’tlikehim?’
‘What’shedoinghere?That’swhatI’dliketoknow,’thesergeantreplied.‘Runninghiscarintoaditchandcominguptoahousewherethere’sbeenamurderdone?’
Theinspectorturnedinhischairtofacehisyoungcolleague.‘Younearlyranourcarintotheditchlastnight,cominguptoahousewherethere’dbeenamurderdone.Andastowhathe’sdoinghere,he’sbeenhere–inthisvicinity–forthelastweek,lookingaroundforasmallhouseorcottage.’
Thesergeantlookedunconvinced,andtheinspectorturnedbacktothedesk,addingwryly,‘ItseemshehadaWelshgrandmotherandheusedtocomehereforholidayswhenhewasaboy.’
Mollified,thesergeantconceded,‘Ah,wellnow,ifhehadaWelshgrandmother,that’sadifferentmatter,isn’tit?’Heraisedhisrightarmanddeclaimed,‘“OneroadleadstoLondon,OneroadleadstoWales.Myroadleadsmeseawards,Tothewhitedippingsails.”Hewasafinepoet,JohnMasefield.Veryunderrated.’
Theinspectoropenedhismouthtocomplain,butthenthoughtbetterofitandgrinnedinstead.‘WeoughttogetthereportonStarkwedderfromAbadananymomentnow,’hetoldtheyoungsergeant.‘Haveyougothisprintsforcomparison?’
‘IsentJonesroundtotheinnwherehestayedlastnight,’Cadwalladerinformedhissuperior,‘buthe’dgoneouttothegaragetoseeaboutgettinghiscarsalvaged.Jonesrangthegarageandspoketohimwhilehewasthere.He’sbeentoldtoreportatthestationassoonaspossible.’
‘Right.Now,aboutthissecondsetofunidentifiedprints.Theprintofaman’shandflatonthetablebythebody,andblurredimpressionsonboththeoutsideandtheinsideofthefrenchwindows.’
‘I’llbetthat’sMacGregor,’thesergeantexclaimed,snappinghisfingers.
‘Ye-es.Couldbe,’theinspectoradmittedreluctantly.‘Buttheyweren’tontherevolver.Andyouwouldthinkanymanusingarevolvertokillsomeonewouldhavethesenseenoughtoweargloves,surely.’
‘Idon’tknow,’thesergeantobserved.‘AnunbalancedfellowlikethisMacGregor,derangedafterthedeathofhischild,hewouldn’tthinkofthat.’
‘Well,weoughttogetadescriptionofMacGregorthroughfromNorwichsoon,’theinspectorsaid.
Thesergeantsettledhimselfonthefootstool.‘It’sasadstory,whicheverwayyoulookatit,’hesuggested.‘Aman,hiswifebutlatelydead,andhisonlychildkilledbyfuriousdriving.’
‘Ifthere’dbeenwhatyoucallfuriousdriving,’theinspectorcorrectedhimimpatiently,‘RichardWarwickwouldhavegotasentenceformanslaughter,oratanyrateforthedrivingoffence.Inpointoffact,hislicencewasn’tevenendorsed.’Hereacheddowntohisbriefcase,andtookoutthemurderweapon.
‘Thereissomefearfullyinggoesonsometimes,’SergeantCadwalladermuttereddarkly.‘“Lord,Lord,howthisworldisgiventolying.”That’sShakespeare.’
Hissuperiorofficermerelyrosefromthedeskandlookedathim.Afteramoment,thesergeantpulledhimselftogetherandrosetohisfeet.‘Aman’shandflatonthetable,’murmuredtheinspectorashewentacrosstothetable,takingthegunwithhim,andlookingdownatthetable-top.‘Iwonder.’
‘Perhapsthatcouldhavebeenaguestinthehouse,’SergeantCadwalladersuggestedhelpfully.
‘Perhaps,’theinspectoragreed.‘ButIunderstandfromMrsWarwickthattherewerenovisitorstothehouseyesterday.Thatmanservant–Angell–mightbeabletotellusmore.Goandfetchhim,wouldyou?’
‘Yes,sir,’saidCadwalladerashewentout.Leftalone,theinspectorspreadouthisownlefthandonthetable,andbentoverthechairasiflookingdownataninvisibleoccupant.Thenhewenttothewindowandsteppedoutside,glancingbothtoleftandright.Heexaminedthelockofthefrenchwindows,andwasturningbackintotheroomwhenthesergeantreturned,bringingwithhimRichardWarwick’svalet-attendant,Angell,whowaswearingagreyalpacajacket,whiteshirt,darktieandstripedtrousers.
‘You’reHenryAngell?’theinspectoraskedhim.
‘Yes,sir,’Angellreplied.
‘Sitdownthere,willyou?’saidtheinspector.
Angellmovedtositonthesofa.‘Nowthen,’theinspectorcontinued,‘you’vebeennurse-attendantandvalettoMrRichardWarwick–forhowlong?’
‘Forthreeandahalfyears,sir,’repliedAngell.Hismannerwascorrect,buttherewasashiftylookinhiseyes.
‘Didyoulikethejob?’
‘Ifounditquitesatisfactory,sir,’wasAngell’sreply.
‘WhatwasMrWarwickliketoworkfor?’theinspectoraskedhim.
‘Well,hewasdifficult.’
‘Buttherewereadvantages,werethere?’
‘Yes,sir,’Angelladmitted.‘Iwasextremelywellpaid.’
‘Andthatmadeupfortheotherdisadvantages,didit?’theinspectorpersisted.
‘Yes,sir.Iamtryingtoaccumulatealittlenest-egg.’
Theinspectorseatedhimselfinthearmchair,placingthegunonthetablebesidehim.‘WhatwereyoudoingbeforeyoucametoMrWarwick?’heaskedAngell.
‘Thesamesortofjob,sir.Icanshowyoumyreferences,’thevaletreplied.‘I’vealwaysgivensatisfaction,Ihope.I’vehadsomeratherdifficultemployers–orpatients,really.SirJamesWalliston,forexample.Heisnowavoluntarypatientinamentalhome.Averydifficultperson,sir.’Heloweredhisvoiceslightlybeforeadding,‘Drugs!’
‘Quite,’saidtheinspector.‘TherewasnoquestionofdrugswithMrWarwick,Isuppose?’
‘No,sir.BrandywaswhatMrWarwicklikedtoresortto.’
‘Drankalotofit,didhe?’theinspectorasked.
‘Yes,sir,’Angellreplied.‘Hewasaheavydrinker,butnotanalcoholic,ifyouunderstandme.Henevershowedanyill-effects.’
Theinspectorpausedbeforeasking,‘Now,what’sallthisaboutgunsandrevolversand–shootingatanimals?’
‘Well,itwashishobby,sir,’Angelltoldhim.‘Whatwecallintheprofessionacompensation.He’dbeenabig-gamehunterinhisday,Iunderstand.Quitealittlearsenalhe’sgotinhisbedroomthere.’Henoddedoverhisshouldertoindicatearoomelsewhereinthehouse.‘Rifles,shotguns,air-guns,pistolsandrevolvers.’
‘Isee,’saidtheinspector.‘Well,now,justtakealookatthisgunhere.’
Angellroseandsteppedtowardsthetable,thenhesitated.‘It’sallright,’theinspectortoldhim,‘youneedn’tmindhandlingit.’
Angellpickedupthegun,gingerly.‘Doyourecognizeit?’theinspectoraskedhim.
‘It’sdifficulttosay,sir,’thevaletreplied.‘ItlookslikeoneofMrWarwick’s,butIdon’treallyknowverymuchaboutfirearms.Ican’tsayforcertainwhichgunhehadonthetablebesidehimlastnight.’
‘Didn’thehavethesameoneeverynight?’askedtheinspector.
‘Oh,no,hehadhisfancies,sir,’saidAngell.‘Hekeptusingdifferentones.’Thevaletofferedthegunbacktotheinspector,whotookit.
‘Whatwasthegoodofhishavingagunlastnightwithallthatfog?’queriedtheinspector.
‘Itwasjustahabit,sir,’Angellreplied.‘Hewasusedtoit,asyoumightsay.’
‘Allright,sitdownagain,wouldyou?’
Angellsatagainatoneendofthesofa.Theinspectorexaminedthebarrelofthegunbeforeasking,‘WhendidyouseeMrWarwicklast?’
‘Aboutaquartertotenlastnight,sir,’Angelltoldhim.‘Hehadabottleofbrandyandaglassbyhisside,andthepistolhe’dchosen.Iarrangedhisrugforhim,andwishedhimgood-night.’
‘Didn’theevergotobed?’theinspectorasked.
‘No,sir,’repliedthevalet.‘Atleast,notintheusualsenseoftheterm.Healwayssleptinhischair.AtsixinthemorningIwouldbringhimtea,thenIwouldwheelhimintohisbedroom,whichhaditsownbathroom,wherehe’dbathandshaveandsoon,andthenhe’dusuallysleepuntillunch-time.Iunderstandthathesufferedfrominsomniaatnight,andsohepreferredtoremaininhischairthen.Hewasratheraneccentricgentleman.’
‘Andthewindowwasshutwhenyoulefthim?’
‘Yes,sir,’Angellreplied.‘Therewasalotoffogaboutlastnight,andhedidn’twantitseepingintothehouse.’
‘Allright.Thewindowwasshut.Wasitlocked?’
‘No,sir.Thatwindowwasneverlocked.’
‘Sohecouldopenitifhewantedto?’
‘Ohyes,sir.Hehadhiswheelchair,yousee.Hecouldwheelhimselfovertothewindowandopenitifthenightshouldclearup.’
‘Isee.’Theinspectorthoughtforamoment,andthenasked,‘Youdidn’thearashotlastnight?’
‘No,sir,’Angellreplied.
TheinspectorwalkedacrosstothesofaandlookeddownatAngell.‘Isn’tthatratherremarkable?’heasked.
‘No,notreally,sir,’wasthereply.‘Yousee,myroomissomedistanceaway.Alongapassageandthroughabaizedoorontheothersideofthehouse.’
‘Wasn’tthatratherawkward,incaseyourmasterwantedtosummonyou?’
‘Ohno,sir,’saidAngell.‘Hehadabellthatranginmyroom.’
‘Buthedidn’tpressthatbelllastnightatall?’
‘Ohno,sir,’Angellrepeated.‘Ifhehaddoneso,Iwouldhavewokenupatonce.Itis,ifImaysayso,averyloudbell,sir.’
InspectorThomasleanedforwardonthearmofthesofatoapproachAngellinanotherway.
‘Didyou–’hebeganinavoiceofcontrolledimpatience,onlytobeinterruptedbytheshrillringofthetelephone.HewaitedforSergeantCadwalladertoanswerit,butthesergeantappearedtobedreamingwithhiseyesopenandhislipsmovingsoundlessly,perhapsimmersedinsomepoeticreflection.Afteramoment,herealizedthattheinspectorwasstaringathim,andthatthephonewasringing.‘Sorry,sir,butapoemisontheway,’heexplainedashewenttothedesktoanswerthephone.‘SergeantCadwalladerspeaking,’hesaid.Therewasapause,andthenheadded,‘Ahyes,indeed.’Afteranotherpause,heturnedtotheinspector.‘It’sthepoliceatNorwich,sir.’
InspectorThomastookthephonefromCadwallader,andsatatthedesk.‘Isthatyou,Edmundson?’heasked.‘Thomashere…Gotit,right…Yes…Calgary,yes…Yes…Yes,theaunt,whendidshedie?…Oh,twomonthsago…Yes,Isee…Eighteen,Thirty-fourthStreet,Calgary.’HelookedupimpatientlyatCadwallader,andgesturedtohimtotakeanoteoftheaddress.‘Yes…Oh,itwas,wasit?…Yes,slowlyplease.’Helookedmeaningfullyagainathissergeant.‘Mediumheight,’herepeated.‘Blueeyes,darkhairandbeard…Yes,asyousay,yourememberthecase…Ah,hedid,didhe?…Violentsortoffellow?…Yes…You’resendingitalong?Yes…Well,thankyou,Edmundson.Tellme,whatdoyouthink,yourself?…Yes,yes,Iknowwhatthefindingswere,butwhatdidyouthinkyourself?…Ah,hehad,hadhe?…Onceortwicebefore…Yes,ofcourse,you’dmakesomeallowances…Allright.Thanks.’
Hereplacedthereceiverandsaidtothesergeant,‘Well,we’vegotsomeofthedopeonMacGregor.Itseemsthat,whenhiswifedied,hetravelledbacktoEnglandfromCanadatoleavethechildwithanauntofhiswife’swholivedinNorthWalsham,becausehehadjustgothimselfajobinAlaskaandcouldn’ttaketheboywithhim.Apparentlyhewasterriblycutupatthechild’sdeath,andwentaboutswearingrevengeonWarwick.That’snotuncommonafteroneoftheseaccidents.Anyway,hewentoffbacktoCanada.They’vegothisaddress,andthey’llsendacableofftoCalgary.Theaunthewasgoingtoleavethechildwithdiedabouttwomonthsago.’HeturnedsuddenlytoAngell.‘Youwerethereatthetime,Isuppose,Angell?MotoraccidentinNorthWalsham,runningoveraboy.’
‘Ohyes,sir,’Angellreplied.‘Irememberitquitewell.’
Theinspectorgotupfromthedeskandwentacrosstothevalet.Seeingthedeskchairempty,SergeantCadwalladerpromptlytooktheopportunitytositdown.‘Whathappened?’theinspectoraskedAngell.‘Tellmeabouttheaccident.’
‘MrWarwickwasdrivingalongthemainstreet,andalittleboyranoutofahousethere,’Angelltoldhim.‘Oritmighthavebeentheinn.Ithinkitwas.Therewasnochanceofstopping.MrWarwickranoverhimbeforehecoulddoathingaboutit.’
‘Hewasspeeding,washe?’askedtheinspector.
‘Ohno,sir.Thatwasbroughtoutveryclearlyattheinquest.MrWarwickwaswellwithinthespeedlimit.’
‘Iknowthat’swhathesaid,’theinspectorcommented.
‘Itwasquitetrue,sir,’Angellinsisted.‘NurseWarburton–anurseMrWarwickemployedatthetime–shewasinthecar,too,andsheagreed.’
Theinspectorwalkedacrosstooneendofthesofa.‘Didshehappentolookatthespeedometeratthetime?’hequeried.
‘IbelieveNurseWarburtondidhappentoseethespeedometer,’Angellrepliedsmoothly.‘Sheestimatedthattheyweregoingatbetweentwentyandtwenty-fivemilesanhour.MrWarwickwascompletelyexonerated.’
‘Buttheboy’sfatherdidn’tagree?’theinspectorasked.
‘Perhapsthat’sonlynatural,sir,’wasAngell’scomment.
‘HadMrWarwickbeendrinking?’
Angell’sreplywasevasive.‘Ibelievehehadhadaglassofsherry,sir.’HeandInspectorThomasexchangedglances.Thentheinspectorcrossedtothefrenchwindows,takingouthishandkerchiefandblowinghisnose.‘Well,Ithinkthat’lldofornow,’hetoldthevalet.
Angellroseandwenttothedoor.Afteramoment’shesitation,heturnedbackintotheroom.‘Excuseme,sir,’hesaid.‘ButwasMrWarwickshotwithhisowngun?’
Theinspectorturnedtohim.‘Thatremainstobeseen,’heobserved.‘WhoeveritwaswhoshothimcollidedwithMrStarkwedder,whowascominguptothehousetotrytogethelpforhisstrandedvehicle.Inthecollision,themandroppedagun.MrStarkwedderpickeditup–thisgun.’Hepointedtothegunonthetable.
‘Isee,sir.Thankyou,sir,’saidAngellasheturnedtothedooragain.
‘Bytheway,’addedtheinspector,‘werethereanyvisitorstothehouseyesterday?Yesterdayeveninginparticular?’
Angellpausedforjustamoment,theneyedtheinspectorshiftily.‘NotthatIcanrecall,sir–atpresent,’hereplied.Helefttheroom,closingthedoorbehindhim.
InspectorThomaswentbacktothedesk.‘Ifyouaskme,’hesaidquietlytothesergeant,‘thatfellow’sanastybitofgoods.Nothingyoucanputyourfingeron,butIdon’tlikehim.’
‘I’mofthesameopinionasyou,regardingthat,’Cadwalladerreplied.‘He’snotamanIwouldtrust,andwhat’smore,I’dsaytheremayhavebeensomethingfishyaboutthataccident.’Suddenlyrealizingthattheinspectorwasstandingoverhim,hegotupquicklyfromhischair.TheinspectortookthenotesCadwalladerhadbeenmaking,andbegantoperusethem.‘NowIwonderifAngellknowssomethinghehasn’ttoldusaboutlastnight,’hebegan,andthenbrokeoff.‘Hello,what’sthis?“’TismistyinNovember,ButseldominDecember.”That’snotKeats,Ihope?’
‘No,’saidSergeantCadwalladerproudly.‘That’sCadwallader.’
Chapter7
TheinspectorthrustCadwallader’snotebookbackathimroughly,asthedooropenedandMissBennettcamein,closingthedoorcarefullybehindher.‘Inspector,’shesaid,‘MrsWarwickisveryanxioustoseeyou.Sheisfussingalittle.’Sheaddedquickly,‘ImeanMrsWarwicksenior,Richard’smother.Shedoesn’tadmitit,butIdon’tthinkshe’sinthebestofhealth,sopleasebegentlewithher.Willyouseehernow?’
‘Oh,certainly,’repliedtheinspector.‘Askhertocomein.’
MissBennettopenedthedoor,beckoning,andMrsWarwickcamein.‘It’sallright,MrsWarwick,’thehousekeeperassuredher,leavingtheroomandshuttingthedoorbehindher.
‘Goodmorning,madam,’theinspectorsaid.MrsWarwickdidnotreturnhisgreeting,butcamedirectlytothepoint.‘Tellme,Inspector,’sheordered,‘whatprogressareyoumaking?’
‘It’sratherearlytosaythat,madam,’hereplied,‘butyoucanrestassuredthatwe’redoingeverythingwecan.’
MrsWarwicksatonthesofa,placingherstickagainstthearm.‘ThismanMacGregor,’sheasked.‘Hashebeenseenhangingaboutlocally?Hasanyonenoticedhim?’
‘Enquirieshavegoneoutaboutthat,’theinspectorinformedher.‘Butsofarthere’sbeennorecordofastrangerbeingseeninthelocality.’
‘Thatpoorlittleboy,’MrsWarwickcontinued.‘TheoneRichardranover,Imean.Isupposeitmusthaveunhingedthefather’sbrain.Iknowtheytoldmehewasveryviolentandabusiveatthetime.Perhapsthatwasonlynatural.Butaftertwoyears!Itseemsincredible.’
‘Yes,’theinspectoragreed,‘itseemsalongtimetowait.’
‘ButhewasaScot,ofcourse,’MrsWarwickrecalled.‘AMacGregor.Apatient,doggedpeople,theScots.’
‘Indeedtheyare,’exclaimedSergeantCadwallader,forgettinghimselfandthinkingoutloud.‘“TherearefewmoreimpressivesightsintheworldthanaScotsmanonthemake,”’hecontinued,buttheinspectorimmediatelygavehimasharplookofdisapproval,whichquietenedhim.
‘Yoursonhadnopreliminarywarning?’InspectorThomasaskedMrsWarwick.‘Nothreateningletter?Anythingofthatkind?’
‘No,I’msurehehadn’t,’sherepliedquitefirmly.‘Richardwouldhavesaidso.Hewouldhavelaughedaboutit.’
‘Hewouldn’thavetakenitseriouslyatall?’theinspectorsuggested.
‘Richardalwayslaughedatdanger,’saidMrsWarwick.Shesoundedproudofherson.
‘Aftertheaccident,’theinspectorcontinued,‘didyoursonofferanycompensationtothechild’sfather?’
‘Naturally,’MrsWarwickreplied.‘Richardwasnotameanman.Butitwasrefused.Indignantlyrefused,Imaysay.’
‘Quiteso,’murmuredtheinspector.
‘IunderstandMacGregor’swifewasdead,’MrsWarwickrecalled.‘Theboywasallhehadintheworld.Itwasatragedy,really.’
‘Butinyouropinionitwasnotyourson’sfault?’theinspectorasked.WhenMrsWarwickdidnotanswer,herepeatedhisquestion.‘Isaid–itwasnotyourson’sfault?’
Sheremainedsilentamomentlongerbeforereplying,‘Iheardyou.’
‘Perhapsyoudon’tagree?’theinspectorpersisted.
MrsWarwickturnedawayonthesofa,embarrassed,fingeringacushion.‘Richarddranktoomuch,’shesaidfinally.‘Andofcoursehe’dbeendrinkingthatday.’
‘Aglassofsherry?’theinspectorpromptedher.
‘Aglassofsherry!’MrsWarwickrepeatedwithabitterlaugh.‘He’dbeendrinkingprettyheavily.Hediddrink–veryheavily.Thatdecanterthere–’Sheindicatedthedecanteronthetablenearthearmchairinthefrenchwindows.‘Thatdecanterwasfilledeveryevening,anditwasalwayspracticallyemptyinthemorning.’
SittingonthestoolandfacingMrsWarwick,theinspectorsaidtoher,quietly,‘Soyouthinkthatyoursonwastoblamefortheaccident?’
‘Ofcoursehewastoblame,’shereplied.‘I’veneverhadtheleastdoubtofit.’
‘Buthewasexonerated,’theinspectorremindedher.
MrsWarwicklaughed.‘Thatnursewhowasinthecarwithhim?ThatWarburtonwoman?’shesnorted.‘Shewasafool,andshewasdevotedtoRichard.Iexpecthepaidherprettyhandsomelyforherevidence,too.’
‘Doyouactuallyknowthat?’theinspectorasked,sharply.
MrsWarwick’stonewasequallysharpasshereplied,‘Idon’tknowanything,butIarriveatmyownconclusions.’
TheinspectorwentacrosstoSergeantCadwalladerandtookhisnotesfromhim,whileMrsWarwickcontinued.‘I’mtellingyouallthisnow,’shesaid,‘becausewhatyouwantisthetruth,isn’tit?Youwanttobesurethere’ssufficientincentiveformurderonthepartofthatlittleboy’sfather.Well,inmyopinion,therewas.Only,Ididn’tthinkthatafterallthistime–’Hervoicetrailedawayintosilence.
Theinspectorlookedupfromthenoteshehadbeenconsulting.‘Youdidn’thearanythinglastnight?’heaskedher
‘I’malittledeaf,youknow,’MrsWarwickrepliedquickly.‘Ididn’tknowanythingwaswronguntilIheardpeopletalkingandpassingmydoor.Icamedown,andyoungJansaid,“Richard’sbeenshot.Richard’sbeenshot.”Ithoughtatfirst–’Shepassedherhandoverhereyes.‘Ithoughtitwasajokeofsomekind.’
‘Janisyouryoungerson?’theinspectoraskedher.
‘He’snotmyson,’MrsWarwickreplied.Theinspectorlookedatherquicklyasshewenton,‘Idivorcedmyhusbandmanyyearsago.Heremarried.Janisthesonofthesecondmarriage.’Shepaused,thencontinued.‘Itsoundsmorecomplicatedthanitis,really.Whenbothhisparentsdied,theboycamehere.RichardandLaurahadjustbeenmarriedthen.LaurahasalwaysbeenverykindtoRichard’shalf-brother.She’sbeenlikeaneldersistertohim,really.’
Shepaused,andtheinspectortooktheopportunitytoleadherbacktotalkingaboutRichardWarwick.‘Yes,Isee,’hesaid,‘butnow,aboutyoursonRichard–’
‘Ilovedmyson,Inspector,’MrsWarwicksaid,‘butIwasnotblindtohisfaults,andtheywereverylargelyduetotheaccidentthatmadehimacripple.Hewasaproudman,anoutdoorman,andtohavetolivethelifeofaninvalidandasemi-cripplewasverygallingtohim.Itdidnot,shallwesay,improvehischaracter.’
‘Yes,Isee,’observedtheinspector.‘Wouldyousayhismarriedlifewashappy?’
‘Ihaven’ttheleastidea.’MrsWarwickclearlyhadnointentionofsayinganymoreonthesubject.‘Isthereanythingelseyouwishtoknow,Inspector?’sheasked.
‘Nothankyou,MrsWarwick,’InspectorThomasreplied.‘ButIshouldliketotalktoMissBennettnow,ifImay.’
MrsWarwickrose,andSergeantCadwalladerwenttoopenthedoorforher.‘Yes,ofcourse,’shesaid.‘MissBennett.Benny,wecallher.She’sthepersonwhocanhelpyoumost.She’ssopracticalandefficient.’
‘She’sbeenwithyouforalongtime?’theinspectorasked.
‘Ohyes,foryearsandyears.ShelookedafterJanwhenhewaslittle,andbeforethatshehelpedwithRichard,too.Oh,yes,she’slookedafterallofus.Averyfaithfulperson,Benny.’Acknowledgingthesergeantatthedoorwithanod,shelefttheroom.
Chapter8
SergeantCadwalladerclosedthedoorandstoodwithhisbackagainstit,lookingattheinspector.‘SoRichardWarwickwasadrinkingman,eh?’hecommented.‘Youknow,I’veheardthatsaidofhimbefore.Andallthosepistolsandair-gunsandrifles.Alittlequeerinthehead,ifyouaskme.’
‘Couldbe,’InspectorThomasrepliedlaconically.
Thetelephonerang.Expectinghissergeanttoanswerit,theinspectorlookedmeaningfullyathim,butCadwalladerhadbecomeimmersedinhisnotesashestrolledacrosstothearmchairandsat,completelyobliviousofthephone.Afterawhile,realizingthatthesergeant’smindwaselsewhere,nodoubtintheprocessofcomposingapoem,theinspectorsighed,crossedtothedesk,andpickedupthereceiver.
‘Hello,’hesaid.‘Yes,speaking…Starkwedder,hecamein?Hegaveyouhisprints?…Good…yes–well,askhimtowait…yes,Ishallbebackinhalfanhourorso…yes,Iwanttoaskhimsomemorequestions…Yes,goodbye.’
Towardstheendofthisconversation,MissBennetthadenteredtheroom,andwasstandingbythedoor.Noticingher,SergeantCadwalladerrosefromhisarmchairandtookupapositionbehindit.‘Yes?’saidMissBennettwithaninterrogativeinflection.Sheaddressedtheinspector.‘Youwanttoaskmesomequestions?I’vegotagooddealtodothismorning.’
‘Yes,MissBennett,’theinspectorreplied.‘IwanttohearyouraccountofthecaraccidentwiththechildinNorfolk.’
‘TheMacGregorchild?’
‘Yes,theMacGregorchild.Yourememberedhisnameveryquicklylastnight,Ihear.’
MissBennettturnedtoclosethedoorbehindher.‘Yes,’sheagreed.‘Ihaveaverygoodmemoryfornames.’
‘Andnodoubt,’theinspectorcontinued,‘theoccurrencemadesomeimpressiononyou.Butyouweren’tinthecaryourself,wereyou?’
MissBennettseatedherselfonthesofa.‘No,no,Iwasn’tinthecar,’shetoldhim.‘ItwasthehospitalnurseMrWarwickhadatthetime.ANurseWarburton.’
‘Didyougototheinquest?’theinspectorasked.
‘No,’shereplied.‘ButRichardtoldusaboutitwhenhecameback.Hesaidtheboy’sfatherhadthreatenedhim,hadsaidhe’dgetevenwithhim.Wedidn’ttakeitseriously,ofcourse.’
InspectorThomascameclosertoher.‘Hadyouformedanyparticularimpressionabouttheaccident?’heasked.
‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.’
TheinspectorregardedMissBennettforamoment,andthensaid,‘ImeandoyouthinkithappenedbecauseMrWarwickhadbeendrinking?’
Shemadeadismissivegesture.‘Oh,Isupposehismothertoldyouthat,’shesnorted.‘Well,youmustn’tgobyallshesays.She’sgotaprejudiceagainstdrink.Herhusband–Richard’sfather–drank.’
‘Youthink,then,’theinspectorsuggestedtoher,‘thatRichardWarwick’saccountwastrue,thathewasdrivingwellwithinthespeedlimit,andthattheaccidentcouldnothavebeenavoided?’
‘Idon’tseewhyitshouldn’thavebeenthetruth,’MissBennettinsisted.‘NurseWarburtoncorroboratedhisevidence.’
‘Andherwordwastobereliedupon?’
Clearlytakingexceptiontowhatsheseemedtoregardasanaspersiononherprofession,MissBennettsaidwithsomeasperity,‘Ishouldhopeso.Afterall,peopledon’tgoaroundtellinglies–notaboutthatsortofthing.Dothey?’
SergeantCadwallader,whohadbeenfollowingthequestioning,nowbrokein.‘Oh,dotheynot,indeed!’heexclaimed.‘Thewaytheytalksometimes,you’dthinkthatnotonlyweretheywithinthespeedlimit,butthatthey’dmanagedtogetintoreverseatthesametime!’
Annoyedatthislatestinterruption,theinspectorturnedslowlyandlookedatthesergeant.MissBennettalsoregardedtheyoungmaninsomesurprise.Embarrassed,SergeantCadwalladerlookeddownathisnotes,andtheinspectorturnedagaintoMissBennett.‘WhatI’mgettingatisthis,’hetoldher.‘Inthegriefandstressofthemoment,amanmighteasilythreatenrevengeforanaccidentthathadkilledhischild.Butonreflection,ifthingswereasstated,hewouldsurelyhaverealizedthattheaccidentwasnotRichardWarwick’sfault.’
‘Oh,’saidMissBennett.‘Yes,Iseewhatyoumean.’
Theinspectorpacedslowlyabouttheroomashecontinued,‘If,ontheotherhand,thecarhadbeendrivenerraticallyandatexcessivespeed–ifthecarhadbeen,shallwesay,outofcontrol–’
‘DidLauratellyouthat?’MissBennettinterruptedhim.
Theinspectorturnedtolookather,surprisedathermentionofthemurderedman’swife.‘Whatmakesyouthinkshetoldme?’heasked.
‘Idon’tknow,’MissBennettreplied.‘Ijustwondered.’Lookingconfused,sheglancedatherwatch.‘Isthatall?’sheasked.‘I’mverybusythismorning.’Shewalkedtothedoor,openedit,andwasabouttoleavewhentheinspectorsaid,‘I’dliketohaveawordwithyoungJannext,ifImay.’
MissBennettturnedinthedoorway.‘Oh,he’sratherexcitedthismorning,’shesaid,soundingsomewhattruculent.‘I’dreallybemuchobligedifyouwouldn’ttalktohim–rakingitallup.I’vejustgothimcalmeddown.’
‘I’msorry,butI’mafraidwemustaskhimafewquestions,’theinspectorinsisted.
MissBennettclosedthedoorfirmlyandcamebackintotheroom.‘Whycan’tyoujustfindthismanMacGregor,andquestionhim?’shesuggested.‘Hecan’thavegotfaraway.’
‘We’llfindhim.Don’tyouworry,’theinspectorassuredher.
‘Ihopeyouwill,’MissBennettretorted.‘Revenge,indeed!Why,it’snotChristian.’
‘Ofcourse,’theinspectoragreed,addingmeaningfully,‘especiallywhentheaccidentwasnotMrWarwick’sfaultandcouldnothavebeenavoided.’
MissBennettgavehimasharplook.Therewasapause,andthentheinspectorrepeated,‘I’dliketospeaktoJan,please.’
‘Idon’tknowifIcanfindhim,’saidMissBennett.‘Hemayhavegoneout.’Shelefttheroomquickly.TheinspectorlookedatSergeantCadwallader,noddinghisheadtowardsthedoor,andthesergeantfollowedherout.Inthecorridor,MissBennettadmonishedCadwallader.‘You’renottoworryhim,’shesaid.Shecamebackintotheroom.‘You’renottoworrytheboy,’sheorderedtheinspector.‘He’sveryeasily–unsettled.Hegetsexcited,temperamental.’
Theinspectorregardedhersilentlyforamoment,andthenasked,‘Isheeverviolent?’
‘No,ofcoursenot.He’saverysweetboy,verygentle.Docile,really.Isimplymeantthatyoumightupsethim.It’snotgoodforchildren,thingslikemurder.Andthat’sallheis,really.Achild.’
Theinspectorsatinthechairatthedesk.‘Youneedn’tworry,MissBennett,Iassureyou,’hetoldher.‘Wequiteunderstandtheposition.’
Chapter9
Justthen,SergeantCadwalladerusheredinJan,whorusheduptotheinspector.‘Doyouwantme?’hecriedexcitedly.‘Haveyoucaughthimyet?Willtherebebloodonhisclothes?’
‘Now,Jan,’MissBennettcautionedhim,‘youmustbehaveyourself.Justansweranyquestionsthegentlemanasksyou.’
JanturnedhappilytoMissBennett,andthenbacktotheinspector.‘Oh,yes,Iwill,’hepromised.‘Butcan’tIaskanyquestions?’
‘Ofcourseyoucanaskquestions,’theinspectorassuredhimkindly.
MissBennettsatonthesofa.‘I’llwaitwhileyou’retalkingtohim,’shesaid.
Theinspectorgotupquickly,wenttothedoorandopeneditinvitingly.‘Nothankyou,MissBennett,’hesaidfirmly.‘Weshan’tneedyou.Anddidn’tyousayyou’reratherbusythismorning?’
‘I’dratherstay,’sheinsisted.
‘I’msorry.’Theinspector’svoicewassharp.‘Wealwaysliketotalktopeopleoneatatime.’
MissBennettlookedattheinspectorandthenatSergeantCadwallader.Realizingthatshewasdefeated,shegaveasnortofannoyanceandsweptoutoftheroom,theinspectorclosingthedoorafterher.Thesergeantmovedtothealcove,preparingtotakemorenotes,whileInspectorThomassatonthesofa.‘Idon’tsuppose,’hesaidamiablytoJan,‘thatyou’veeverbeeninclosecontactwithamurderbefore,haveyou?’
‘No,no,Ihaven’t,’Janrepliedeagerly.‘It’sveryexciting,isn’tit?’Hekneltonthefootstool.‘Haveyougotanyclues–fingerprintsorbloodstainsoranything?’
‘Youseemveryinterestedinblood,’theinspectorobservedwithafriendlysmile.
‘Oh,Iam,’Janreplied,quietlyandseriously.‘Ilikeblood.It’sabeautifulcolour,isn’tit?Thatniceclearred.’Hetoosatdownonthesofa,laughingnervously.‘Richardshotthings,youknow,andthentheyusedtobleed.It’sreallyveryfunny,isn’tit?Imeanit’sfunnythatRichard,whowasalwaysshootingthings,shouldhavebeenshothimself.Don’tyouthinkthat’sfunny?’
Theinspector’svoicewasquiet,hisinflectionratherdry,ashereplied,‘Isupposeithasitshumorousside.’Hepaused.‘Areyouveryupsetthatyourbrother–yourhalf-brother,Imean–isdead?’
‘Upset?’Jansoundedsurprised.‘ThatRichardisdead?No,whyshouldIbe?’
‘Well,Ithoughtperhapsyouwere–veryfondofhim,’theinspectorsuggested.
‘Fondofhim!’exclaimedJaninwhatsoundedlikegenuineastonishment.‘FondofRichard?Oh,no,nobodycouldbefondofRichard.’
‘Isupposehiswifewasfondofhim,though,’theinspectorurged.
AlookofsurprisepassedacrossJan’sface.‘Laura?’heexclaimed.‘No,Idon’tthinkso.Shewasalwaysonmyside.’
‘Onyourside?’theinspectorasked.‘Whatdoesthatmean,exactly?’
Jansuddenlylookedscared.‘Yes.Yes,’healmostshouted,hurriedly.‘WhenRichardwantedtohavemesentaway.’
‘Sentaway?’theinspectorpromptedhimgently.
‘Tooneofthoseplaces,’theyoungsterexplained.‘Youknow,wheretheysendyou,andyou’relockedup,andyoucan’tgetout.HesaidLaurawouldcomeandseeme,perhaps,sometimes.’Janshookalittle,thenrose,backedawayfromtheinspector,andlookedacrossatSergeantCadwallader.‘Iwouldn’tliketobelockedup,’hecontinued,hisvoicenowtremulous.‘I’dhatetobelockedup.’
Hestoodatthefrenchwindows,lookingoutontotheterrace.‘Ilikethingsopen,always,’hecalledouttothem.‘Ilikemywindowopen,andmydoor,sothatIcanbesureIcangetout.’Heturnedbackintotheroom.‘Butnobodycanlockmeupnow,canthey?’
‘No,lad,’theinspectorassuredhim.‘Ishouldn’tthinkso.’
‘NotnowthatRichard’sdead,’Janadded.Momentarily,hesoundedalmostsmug.
Theinspectorgotupandmovedroundthesofa.‘SoRichardwantedyoulockedup?’heasked.
‘Laurasaysheonlysaidittoteaseme,’Jantoldhim.‘Shesaidthatwasallitwas,andshesaiditwasallright,andthataslongasshewashereshe’dmakequitesurethatIwouldneverbelockedup.’Hewenttoperchononearmofthearmchair.‘IloveLaura,’hecontinued,speakingwithanervousexcitement.‘IloveLauraaterriblelot.Wehavewonderfultimestogether,youknow.Welookforbutterfliesandbirds’eggs,andweplaygamestogether.Bezique.Doyouknowthatgame?It’sacleverone.AndBeggar-my-neighbour.Oh,it’sgreatfundoingthingswithLaura.’
Theinspectorwentacrosstoleanontheotherarmofthechair.Hisvoicehadakindlytonetoitasheasked,‘Idon’tsupposeyourememberanythingaboutthisaccidentthathappenedwhenyouwerelivinginNorfolk,doyou?Whenalittleboygotrunover?’
‘Oh,yes,Irememberthat,’Janrepliedquitecheerfully.‘Richardwenttotheinquest.’
‘Yes,that’sright.Whatelsedoyouremember?’theinspectorencouragedhim.
‘Wehadsalmonforlunchthatday,’Jansaidimmediately.‘RichardandWarbycamebacktogether.Warbywasabitflustered,butRichardwaslaughing.’
‘Warby?’theinspectorqueried.‘IsthatNurseWarburton?’
‘Yes,Warby.Ididn’tlikehermuch.ButRichardwassopleasedwithherthatdaythathekeptsaying,“Jollygoodshow,Warby.”’
Thedoorsuddenlyopened,andLauraWarwickappeared.SergeantCadwalladerwentacrosstoher,andJancalledout,‘Hello,Laura.’
‘AmIinterrupting?’Lauraaskedtheinspector.
‘No,ofcoursenot,MrsWarwick,’hereplied.‘Dositdown,won’tyou?’
Lauracamefurtherintotheroom,andthesergeantshutthedoorbehindher.‘Is–isJan–?’Laurabegan.Shepaused.
‘I’mjustaskinghim,’theinspectorexplained,‘ifheremembersanythingaboutthataccidenttotheboyinNorfolk.TheMacGregorboy.’
Laurasatattheendofthesofa.‘Doyouremember,Jan?’sheaskedhim.
‘OfcourseIremember,’theladreplied,eagerly.‘Iremembereverything.’Heturnedtotheinspector.‘I’vetoldyou,haven’tI?’heasked.
Theinspectordidnotreplytohimdirectly.Instead,hemovedslowlytothesofaand,addressingLauraWarwick,asked,‘Whatdoyouknowabouttheaccident,MrsWarwick?Wasitdiscussedatluncheonthatday,whenyourhusbandcamebackfromtheinquest?’
‘Idon’tremember,’Laurarepliedimmediately.
Janrosequicklyandmovedtowardsher.‘Ohyes,youdo,Laura,surely,’heremindedher.‘Don’tyourememberRichardsayingthatonebratmoreorlessintheworlddidn’tmakeanydifference?’
Laurarose.‘Please–’sheimploredtheinspector.
‘It’squiteallright,MrsWarwick,’InspectorThomasassuredhergently.‘It’simportant,youknow,thatwegetatthetruthofthataccident.Afterall,presumablyit’sthemotiveforwhathappenedherelastnight.’
‘Ohyes,’shesighed.‘Iknow.Iknow.’
‘Accordingtoyourmother-in-law,’theinspectorcontinued,‘yourhusbandhadbeendrinkingthatday.’
‘Iexpecthehad,’Lauraadmitted.‘It–itwouldn’tsurpriseme.’
Theinspectormovedtositattheendofthesofa.‘Didyouactuallyseeormeetthisman,MacGregor?’heaskedher.
‘No,’saidLaura.‘No,Ididn’tgototheinquest.’
‘Heseemstohavefeltveryrevengeful,’theinspectorcommented.
Lauragaveasadsmile.‘Itmusthaveaffectedhisbrain,Ithink,’sheagreed.
Jan,whohadgraduallybeengettingveryexcited,cameuptothem.‘IfIhadanenemy,’heexclaimedaggressively,‘that’swhatI’ddo.I’dwaitalongtime,andthenI’dcomecreepingalonginthedarkwithmygun.Then–’Heshotatthearmchairwithanimaginarygun.‘Bang,bang,bang.’
‘Bequiet,Jan,’Lauraorderedhim,sharply.
Jansuddenlylookedupset.‘Areyouangrywithme,Laura?’heaskedher,childishly.
‘No,darling,’Laurareassuredhim,‘I’mnotangry.Buttrynottogettooexcited.’
‘I’mnotexcited,’Janinsisted.
Chapter10
Crossingthefronthall,MissBennettpausedtoadmitStarkwedderandapoliceconstablewhoseemedtohavearrivedonthedoorsteptogether.
‘Goodmorning,MissBennett,’Starkweddergreetedher.‘I’mheretoseeInspectorThomas.’
MissBennettnodded.‘Goodmorning–oh,goodmorning,Constable.They’reinthestudy,bothofthem–Idon’tknowwhat’sgoingon.’
‘Goodmorning,madam,’thepoliceconstablereplied.‘I’vebroughtthesefortheinspector.PerhapsSergeantCadwalladercouldtakethem.’
‘What’sthis?’Lauraasked,overtherumbleofvoicesoutside.
Theinspectorroseandmovedtowardsthedoor.‘ItsoundsasifMrStarkwedderisback.’
AsStarkwedderenteredtheroom,SergeantCadwalladerwentoutintothehalltodealwiththeconstable.Meanwhile,youngJansankintothearmchair,andobservedtheproceedingseagerly.
‘Lookhere,’exclaimedStarkwedderashecameintotheroom.‘Ican’tspendalldaykickingmyheelsatthepolicestation.I’vegivenyoumyfingerprints,andthenIinsistedthattheybringmealonghere.I’vegotthingstodo.I’vegottwoappointmentswithahouseagenttoday.’HesuddenlynoticedLaura.‘Oh–goodmorning,MrsWarwick,’hegreetedher.‘I’mterriblysorryaboutwhathashappened.’
‘Goodmorning,’Laurareplied,distantly.
Theinspectorwentacrosstothetablebythearmchair.‘Lastnight,MrStarkwedder,’heasked,‘didyoubyanychancelayyourhandonthistable,andsubsequentlypushthewindowopen?’
Starkwedderjoinedhimatthetable.‘Idon’tknow,’headmitted.‘Icouldhavedone.Isitimportant?Ican’tremember.’
SergeantCadwalladercamebackintotheroom,carryingafile.Aftershuttingthedoorbehindhim,hewalkedacrosstotheinspector.‘HereareMrStarkwedder’sprints,sir,’hereported.‘Theconstablebroughtthem.Andtheballisticsreport.’
‘Ah,let’ssee,’saidtheinspector.‘ThebulletthatkilledRichardWarwickdefinitelycamefromthisgun.Asforthefingerprints,well,we’llsoonsee.’Hewenttothechairbythedesk,sat,andbegantostudythedocuments,whilethesergeantmovedintothealcove.
Afterapause,Jan,whohadbeenstaringintentlyatStarkwedder,askedhim,‘You’vejustcomebackfromAbadan,haven’tyou?What’sAbadanlike?’
‘It’shot,’wastheonlyresponsehegotfromStarkwedder,whothenturnedtoLaura.‘Howareyoutoday,MrsWarwick?’heasked.‘Areyoufeelingbetter?’
‘Ohyes,thankyou,’Laurareplied.‘I’vegotovertheshocknow.’
‘Good,’saidStarkwedder.
Theinspectorhadrisen,andnowapproachedStarkwedderonthesofa.‘Yourprints,’heannounced,‘areonthewindow,decanter,glassandcigarettelighter.Theprintsonthetablearenotyours.They’reacompletelyunidentifiedsetofprints.’Helookedaroundtheroom.‘Thatsettlesit,then,’hecontinued.‘Sincetherewerenovisitorshere–’hepausedandlookedatLaura–‘lastnight–?’
‘No,’Lauraassuredhim.
‘ThentheymustbeMacGregor’s,’continuedtheinspector.
‘MacGregor’s?’askedStarkwedder,lookingatLaura.
‘Yousoundsurprised,’saidtheinspector.
‘Yes–Iam,rather,’Starkwedderadmitted.‘Imean,Ishouldhaveexpectedhimtohaveworngloves.’
Theinspectornodded.‘You’reright,’heagreed.‘Hehandledtherevolverwithgloves.’
‘Wasthereanyquarrel?’Starkwedderasked,addressinghisquestiontoLauraWarwick.‘Orwasnothingheardbuttheshot?’
ItwaswithaneffortthatLaurareplied,‘I–we–BennyandI,thatis–wejustheardtheshot.Butthen,wewouldn’thaveheardanythingfromupstairs.’
SergeantCadwalladerhadbeengazingoutatthegardenthroughthesmallwindowinthealcove.Now,seeingsomeoneapproachingacrossthelawn,hemovedtoonesideofthefrenchwindows.Inthroughthewindowsthereenteredahandsomemaninhismid-thirties,abovemediumheight,withfairhair,blueeyesandasomewhatmilitaryaspect.Hepausedattheentrance,lookingveryworried.Jan,thefirstoftheothersintheroomtonoticehim,squealedexcitedly,‘Julian!Julian!’
ThenewcomerlookedatJanandthenturnedtoLauraWarwick.‘Laura!’heexclaimed.‘I’vejustheard.I’m–I’mmostterriblysorry.’
‘Goodmorning,MajorFarrar,’InspectorThomasgreetedhim.
JulianFarrarturnedtotheinspector.‘Thisisanextraordinarybusiness.’hesaid.‘PoorRichard.’
‘Hewaslyinghereinhiswheelchair,’JantoldFarrarexcitedly.‘Hewasallcrumpledup.Andtherewasapieceofpaperonhischest.Doyouknowwhatitsaid?Itsaid“Paidinfull”.’
‘Yes.There,there,Jan,’JulianFarrarmurmured,pattingtheboy’sshoulder.
‘Itisexciting,isn’tit?’Jancontinued,lookingeagerlyathim.
Farrarmovedpasthim.‘Yes.Yes,ofcourseit’sexciting,’heassuredJan,lookingenquiringlytowardsStarkwedderashespoke.
Theinspectorintroducedthetwomentoeachother.‘ThisisMrStarkwedder–MajorFarrar,whomaybeournextMemberofParliament.He’scontestingtheby-election.’
StarkwedderandJulianFarrarshookhands,politelymurmuring,‘Howdoyoudo?’Theinspectormovedaway,beckoningtothesergeantwhojoinedhim.Theyconferred,asStarkwedderexplainedtoMajorFarrar,‘I’drunmycarintoaditch,andIwascominguptothehousetoseeifIcouldtelephoneandgetsomehelp.Amandashedoutofthehouse,almostknockingmeover.’
‘Butwhichwaydidthismango?’Farrarasked.
‘Noidea,’Starkwedderreplied.‘Hevanishedintothemistlikeaconjuringtrick.’Heturnedaway,whileJan,kneelinginthearmchairandlookingexpectantlyatFarrar,said,‘YoutoldRichardsomeonewouldshoothimoneday,didn’tyou,Julian?’
Therewasapause.EveryoneintheroomlookedatJulianFarrar.
Farrarthoughtforamoment.Then,‘DidI?Idon’tremember,’hesaidbrusquely.
‘Oh,yes,youdid,’Janinsisted.‘Atdinneronenight.Youknow,youandRichardwerehavingasortofargument,andyousaid,“Oneofthesedays,Richard,somebody’llputabulletthroughyourhead.”’
‘Aremarkableprophecy,’theinspectorcommented.
JulianFarrarmovedtositononeendofthefootstool.‘Ohwell,’hesaid,‘Richardandhisgunswereprettyfairnuisancevalue,youknow.Peopledidn’tlikeit.Why,therewasthatfellow–youremember,Laura?Yourgardener,Griffiths.Youknow–theoneRichardsacked.Griffithscertainlysaidtome–andonmorethanoneoccasion–“Oneofthesedays,lookyou,IshallcomewithmygunandIshallshootMrWarwick.”’
‘Oh,Griffithswouldn’tdoathinglikethat,’Lauraexclaimedquickly.
Farrarlookedcontrite.‘No,no,ofcoursenot,’headmitted.‘I–Ididn’tmeanthat.Imeanthatitwasthesortofthingthat–er–peoplesaidaboutRichard.’
Tocoverhisembarrassment,hetookouthiscigarette-caseandextractedacigarette.
Theinspectorsatinthedeskchair,lookingthoughtful.Starkwedderstoodinacornernearthealcove,closetoJanwhogazedathimwithinterest.
‘IwishI’dcomeoverherelastnight,’JulianFarrarannounced,addressingnooneinparticular.‘Imeantto.’
‘Butthatawfulfog,’Laurasaidquietly.‘Youcouldn’tcomeoutinthat.’
‘No,’Farrarreplied.‘Ihadmycommitteemembersovertodinewithme.Whentheyfoundthefogcomingon,theywenthomeratherearly.Ithoughtthenofcomingalongtoseeyou,butIdecidedagainstit.’Searchinginhispockets,heasked,‘Hasanyonegotamatch?Iseemtohavemislaidmylighter.’
Helookedaround,andsuddenlynoticedthelighteronthetablewhereLaurahadleftitthenightbefore.Rising,hewentacrosstopickitup,observedbyStarkwedder.‘Oh,hereitis,’saidFarrar.‘Couldn’timaginewhereI’dleftit.’
‘Julian–’Laurabegan.
‘Yes?’Farrarofferedheracigarette,andshetookone.‘I’mmostawfullysorryaboutallthis,Laura,’hesaid.‘Ifthere’sanythingIcando–’Hisvoicetrailedoffindecisively.
‘Yes.Yes,Iknow,’Laurareplied,asFarrarlittheircigarettes.
Jansuddenlyspoke,addressingStarkwedder.‘Canyoushoot,MrStarkwedder?’heasked.‘Ican,youknow.Richardusedtoletmetry,sometimes.Ofcourse,Iwasn’tasgoodashewas.’
‘Didhe,indeed?’saidStarkwedder,turningtoJan.‘Whatsortofgundidheletyouuse?’
AsJanengagedStarkwedder’sattention,LauratooktheopportunityofspeakingquicklytoJulianFarrar.
‘Julian,Imusttalktoyou.Imust,’shemurmuredsoftly.
Farrar’svoicewasequallylow.‘Careful,’hewarnedher.
‘Itwasa.22,’JanwastellingStarkwedder.‘I’mquitegoodatshooting,aren’tI,Julian?’HewentacrosstoJulianFarrar.‘Doyourememberthetimeyoutookmetothefair?Iknockedtwoofthebottlesdown,didn’tI?’
‘Youdidindeed,mylad,’Farrarassuredhim.‘You’vegotagoodeye,that’swhatcounts.Goodeyeforacricketball,too.Thatwasquiteasensationalgame,thatmatchwehadlastsummer,’headded.
Jansmiledathimhappily,andthensatonthefootstool,lookingacrossattheinspectorwhowasnowexaminingdocumentsonthedesk.Therewasapause.ThenStarkwedder,ashetookoutacigarette,askedLaura,‘DoyoumindifIsmoke?’
‘Ofcoursenot,’repliedLaura.
StarkwedderturnedtoJulianFarrar.‘MayIborrowyourlighter?’
‘Ofcourse,’saidFarrar.‘Hereitis.’
‘Ah,anicelighter,this,’Starkweddercommented,lightinghiscigarette.
Lauramadeasuddenmovement,andthenstoppedherself.‘Yes,’Farrarsaidcarelessly.‘Itworksbetterthanmost.’
‘Rather–distinctive,’Starkwedderobserved.HegaveaquickglanceatLaura,andthenreturnedthelightertoJulianFarrarwithamurmuredwordofthanks.
Janlefthisfootstool,andstoodbehindtheinspector’schair.‘Richardhaslotsofguns,’heconfided.‘Air-guns,too.Andhe’sgotonegunthatheusedtouseinAfricatoshootelephants.Wouldyouliketoseethem?They’reinRichard’sbedroomthroughthere.’Hepointedtheway.
‘Allright,’saidtheinspector,rising.‘Youshowthemtous.’HesmiledatJan,addinggenially,‘Youknow,you’rebeingveryhelpfultous.Helpingusquitealot.Weoughttotakeyouintothepoliceforce.’
Puttingahandontheboy’sshoulder,hesteeredhimtowardsthedoor,whichthesergeantopenedforthem.‘Wedon’tneedtokeepyou,MrStarkwedder,’theinspectorcalledfromthedoor.‘Youcangoaboutyourbusinessnow.Justkeepintouchwithus,that’sall.’
‘Allright,’repliedStarkwedder,asJan,theinspectorandthesergeantlefttheroom,thesergeantclosingthedoorbehindthem.
Chapter11
TherewasanawkwardpauseafterthepoliceofficershadlefttheroomwithJan.ThenStarkwedderremarked,‘Well,IsupposeI’dbettergoandseewhetherthey’vemanagedtogetmycaroutoftheditchyet.Wedidn’tseemtopassitonthewayhere.’
‘No,’Lauraexplained.‘Thedrivecomesupfromtheotherroad.’
‘Yes,Isee,’Starkwedderanswered,ashewalkedacrosstothefrenchwindows.Heturned.‘Howdifferentthingslookinthedaylight,’heobservedashesteppedoutontotheterrace.
Assoonashehadgone,LauraandJulianFarrarturnedtoeachother.‘Julian!’Lauraexclaimed.‘Thatlighter!Isaiditwasmine.’
‘Yousaiditwasyours?Totheinspector?’Farrarasked.
‘No.Tohim.’
‘To–tothisfellow–’Farrarbegan,andthenstoppedastheybothnoticedStarkwedderwalkingalongtheterraceoutsidethewindows.‘Laura–’hebeganagain.
‘Becareful,’saidLaura,goingacrosstothelittlewindowinthealcoveandlookingout.‘Hemaybelisteningtous.’
‘Whoishe?’askedFarrar.‘Doyouknowhim?’
Lauracamebacktothecentreoftheroom.‘No.No,Idon’tknowhim,’shetoldFarrar.‘He–hehadanaccidentwithhiscar,andhecameherelastnight.Justafter–’
JulianFarrartouchedherhandwhichrestedonthebackofthesofa.‘It’sallright,Laura.YouknowthatI’lldoeverythingIcan.’
‘Julian–fingerprints,’Lauragasped.
‘Whatfingerprints?’
‘Onthattable.Onthattablethere,andonthepaneofglass.Arethey–yours?’
Farrarremovedhishandfromhers,indicatingthatStarkwedderwasagainwalkingalongtheterraceoutside.Withoutturningtothewindow,Lauramovedawayfromhim,sayingloudly,‘It’sverykindofyou,Julian,andI’msuretherewillbealotofbusinessthingsyoucanhelpuswith.’
Starkwedderwaspacingabout,outsideontheterrace.Whenhehadmovedoutofsight,LauraturnedtofaceJulianFarraragain.‘Arethosefingerprintsyours,Julian?Think.’
Farrarconsideredforamoment.Then,‘Onthetable–yes–theymighthavebeen.’
‘OhGod!’Lauracried.‘Whatshallwedo?’
Starkweddercouldnowbeglimpsedagain,walkingbackandforthalongtheterracejustoutsidethewindows.Laurapuffedathercigarette.‘Thepolicethinkit’samancalledMacGregor–’shetoldJulian.Shegavehimadesperatelook,pausingtoallowhimanopportunitytomakesomecomment.
‘Well,that’sallright,then,’hereplied.‘They’llprobablygoonthinkingso.’
‘Butsuppose–’Laurabegan.
Farrarinterruptedher.‘Imustgo,’hesaid.‘I’vegotanappointment.’Herose.‘It’sallright,Laura,’hesaid,pattinghershoulder.‘Don’tworry.I’llseethatyou’reallright.’
ThelookonLaura’sfacewasoneofanincomprehensionvergingondesperation.Apparentlyobliviousofit,Farrarwalkedacrosstothefrenchwindows.Ashepushedawindowopen,Starkwedderwasapproachingwiththeobviousintentionofenteringtheroom.Farrarpolitelymovedaside,toavoidcollidingwithhim.
‘Oh,areyouoffnow?’Starkwedderaskedhim.
‘Yes,’saidFarrar.‘Thingsareratherbusythesedays.Electioncomingon,youknow,inaweek’stime.’
‘Oh,Isee,’Starkwedderreplied.‘Excusemyignorance,butwhatareyou?Tory?’
‘I’maLiberal,’saidFarrar.Hesoundedslightlyindignant.
‘Oh,aretheystillatit?’Starkwedderasked,brightly.
JulianFarrardrewasharpbreath,andlefttheroomwithoutanotherword.Whenhehadgone,notquiteslammingthedoorbehindhim,StarkwedderlookedatLauraalmostfiercely.Then,‘Isee,’hesaid,hisangerrising.‘OratleastI’mbeginningtosee.’
‘Whatdoyoumean?’Lauraaskedhim.
‘That’stheboyfriend,isn’tit?’Hecameclosertoher.‘Well,comeonnow,isit?’
‘Sinceyouask,’Laurareplied,defiantly,‘yes,itis!’
Starkwedderlookedatherforamomentwithoutspeaking.Then,‘Therearequiteafewthingsyoudidn’ttellmelastnight,aren’tthere?’hesaidangrily.‘That’swhyyousnatcheduphislighterinsuchahurryandsaiditwasyours.’Hewalkedawayafewpacesandthenturnedtofaceheragain.‘Andhowlonghasthisbeengoingonbetweenyouandhim?’
‘Forquitesometimenow,’Laurasaidquietly.
‘Butyoudidn’teverdecidetoleaveWarwickandgoawaytogether?’
‘No,’Lauraanswered.‘There’sJulian’scareer,foronething.Itmightruinhimpolitically.’
Starkweddersathimselfdownill-temperedlyatoneendofthesofa.‘Oh,surelynot,thesedays,’hesnapped.‘Don’ttheyalltakeadulteryintheirstride?’
‘Thesewouldhavebeenspecialcircumstances,’Lauratriedtoexplain.‘HewasafriendofRichard’s,andwithRichardbeingacripple–’
‘Ohyes,Isee.Itcertainlywouldn’thavebeengoodpublicity!’Starkwedderretorted.
Lauracameovertothesofaandstoodlookingdownathim.‘IsupposeyouthinkIoughttohavetoldyouthislastnight?’sheobserved,icily.
Starkwedderlookedawayfromher.‘Youwereundernoobligation,’hemuttered.
Lauraseemedtorelent.‘Ididn’tthinkitmattered–’shebegan.‘Imean–allIcouldthinkofwasmyhavingshotRichard.’
Starkwedderseemedtowarmtoheragain,ashemurmured,‘Yes,yes,Isee.’Afterapause,headded,‘Icouldn’tthinkofanythingelse,either.’Hepausedagain,andthenlookedupather.‘Doyouwanttotryalittleexperiment?’heasked.‘WherewereyoustandingwhenyoushotRichard?’
‘WherewasIstanding?’Lauraechoed.Shesoundedperplexed.
‘That’swhatIsaid.’
Afteramoment’sthought,Laurareplied,‘Oh–overthere.’Shenoddedvaguelytowardsthefrenchwindows.
‘Goandstandwhereyouwerestanding,’Starkwedderinstructedher.
Lauraroseandbegantomovenervouslyabouttheroom.‘I–Ican’tremember,’shetoldhim.‘Don’taskmetoremember.’Shesoundedscarednow.‘I–Iwasupset.I–’
Starkwedderinterruptedher.‘Yourhusbandsaidsomethingtoyou,’heremindedher.‘Somethingthatmadeyousnatchupthegun.’
Risingfromthesofa,hewenttothetablebythearmchairandputhiscigaretteout.‘Well,comeon,let’sactitout,’hecontinued.‘There’sthetable,there’sthegun.’HetookLaura’scigarettefromher,andputitintheashtray.‘Nowthen,youwerequarrelling.Youpickedupthegun–pickitup–’
‘Idon’twantto!’Lauracried.
‘Don’tbealittlefool,’Starkweddergrowled.‘It’snotloaded.Comeon,pickitup.Pickitup.’
Laurapickedupthegun,hesitantly.
‘Yousnatcheditup,’heremindedher.‘Youdidn’tpickitupgingerlylikethat.Yousnatcheditup,andyoushothim.Showmehowyoudidit.’
Holdingthegunawkwardly,Laurabackedawayfromhim.‘I–I–’shebegan.
‘Goon.Showme,’Starkweddershoutedather.
Lauratriedtoaimthegun.‘Goon,shoot!’herepeated,stillshouting.‘Itisn’tloaded.’
Whenshestillhesitated,hesnatchedthegunfromherintriumph.‘Ithoughtso,’heexclaimed.‘You’veneverfiredarevolverinyourlife.Youdon’tknowhowtodoit.’Lookingatthegun,hecontinued,‘Youdon’tevenknowenoughtoreleasethesafetycatch.’
Hedroppedthegunonthefootstool,thenwalkedtothebackofthesofa,andturnedtofaceher.Afterapause,hesaidquietly,‘Youdidn’tshootyourhusband.’
‘Idid,’Laurainsisted.
‘Ohno,youdidn’t,’Starkwedderrepeatedwithconviction.
Soundingfrightened,Lauraasked,‘ThenwhyshouldIsayIdid?’
Starkweddertookadeepbreathandthenexhaled.Comingroundthesofa,hethrewhimselfdownonitheavily.‘Theanswertothatseemsprettyobvioustome.BecauseitwasJulianFarrarwhoshothim,’heretorted.
‘No!’Lauraexclaimed,almostshouting.
‘Yes!’
‘No!’sherepeated.
‘Isayyes,’heinsisted.
‘IfitwasJulian,’Lauraaskedhim,‘whyonearthshouldIsayIdidit?’
Starkwedderlookedatherlevelly.‘Because,’hesaid,‘youthought–andthoughtquiterightly–thatI’dcoverupforyou.Ohyes,youwerecertainlyrightaboutthat.’Heloungedbackintothesofabeforecontinuing,‘Yes,youplayedmealongveryprettily.ButI’mthrough,doyouhear?I’mthrough.I’mdamnedifI’mgoingtotellapackofliestosaveMajorJulianFarrar’sskin.’
Therewasapause.ForafewmomentsLaurasaidnothing.Thenshesmiledandcalmlywalkedovertothetablebythearmchairtopickuphercigarette.TurningbacktoStarkwedder,shesaid,‘Ohyes,youare!You’llhaveto!Youcan’tbackoutnow!You’vetoldyourstorytothepolice.Youcan’tchangeit.’
‘What?’Starkweddergasped,takenaback.
Laurasatinthearmchair.‘Whateveryouknow,orthinkyouknow,’shepointedouttohim,‘you’vegottosticktoyourstory.You’reanaccessoryafterthefact–yousaidsoyourself.’Shedrewonhercigarette.
Starkwedderroseandfacedher.Dumbfounded,heexclaimed,‘Well,I’mdamned!Youlittlebitch!’Heglaredatherforafewmomentswithoutsayinganythingfurther,thensuddenlyturnedonhisheel,wentswiftlytothefrenchwindows,andleft.Laurawatchedhimstridingacrossthegarden.Shemadeamovementasthoughtofollowandcallhimback,butthenapparentlythoughtbetterofit.Withatroubledlookonherface,sheslowlyturnedawayfromthewindows.
Chapter12
Laterthatday,towardstheendoftheafternoon,JulianFarrarpacednervouslyupanddowninthestudy.Thefrenchwindowstotheterracewereopen,andthesunwasabouttoset,throwingagoldenlightontothelawnoutside.FarrarhadbeensummonedbyLauraWarwick,whoapparentlyneededtoseehimurgently.Hekeptglancingathiswatchasheawaitedher.
Farrarseemedveryupsetanddistraught.Helookedoutontotheterrace,turnedbackintotheroomagain,andglancedathiswatch.Then,noticinganewspaperonthetablebythearmchair,hepickeditup.Itwasalocalpaper,TheWesternEcho,withanewsstoryonthefrontpagereportingRichardWarwick’sdeath.‘PROMINENTLOCALRESIDENTMURDEREDBYMYSTERIOUSASSAILANT,’theheadlineannounced.Farrarsatinthearmchairandbegannervouslytoreadthereport.Afteramoment,heflungthepaperaside,andstrodeovertothefrenchwindows.Withafinalglancebackintotheroom,hesetoffacrossthelawn.Hewashalfwayacrossthegarden,whenheheardasoundbehindhim.Turning,hecalled,‘Laura,I’msorryI–’andthenstopped,disappointed,ashesawthatthepersoncomingtowardshimwasnotLauraWarwick,butAngell,thelateRichardWarwick’svaletandattendant.
‘MrsWarwickaskedmetosayshewillbedowninamoment,sir,’saidAngellasheapproachedFarrar.‘ButIwonderedifImighthaveabriefwordwithyou?’
‘Yes,yes.Whatisit?’
AngellcameuptoJulianFarrar,andwalkedonforapaceortwofurtherawayfromthehouse,asifanxiousthattheirtalkshouldnotbeoverheard.‘Well?’saidFarrar,followinghim.
‘Iamratherworried,sir,’Angellbegan,‘aboutmyownpositioninthehouse,andIfeltIwouldliketoconsultyouonthematter.’
Hismindfullofhisownaffairs,JulianFarrarwasnotreallyinterested.‘Well,what’sthetrouble?’heasked.
Angellthoughtforamomentbeforereplying.Then,‘MrWarwick’sdeath,sir,’hesaid,‘itputsmeoutofajob.’
‘Yes.Yes,Isupposeitdoes,’Farrarresponded.‘ButIimagineyouwilleasilygetanother,won’tyou?’
‘Ihopeso,sir,’Angellreplied.
‘You’reaqualifiedman,aren’tyou?’Farraraskedhim.
‘Oh,yes,sir.I’mqualified,’Angellreplied,‘andthereisalwayseitherhospitalworkorprivateworktobeobtained.Iknowthat.’
‘Thenwhat’stroublingyou?’
‘Well,sir,’Angelltoldhim,‘thecircumstancesinwhichthisjobcametoanendareverydistastefultome.’
‘InplainEnglish,’Farrarremarked,‘youdon’tlikehavingbeenmixedupwithmurder.Isthatit?’
‘Youcouldputitthatway,sir,’thevaletconfirmed.
‘Well,’saidFarrar,‘I’mafraidthereisnothinganyonecandoaboutthat.Presumablyyou’llgetasatisfactoryreferencefromMrsWarwick.’Hetookouthiscigarette-caseandopenedit.
‘Idon’tthinktherewillbeanydifficultyaboutthat,sir,’Angellresponded.‘MrsWarwickisaverynicelady–averycharminglady,ifImaysayso.’Therewasafaintinsinuationinhistone.
JulianFarrar,havingdecidedtoawaitLauraafterall,wasabouttogobackintothehouse.However,heturned,struckbysomethinginthevalet’smanner.‘Whatdoyoumean?’heaskedquietly
‘Ishouldn’tliketoinconvenienceMrsWarwickinanyway,’Angellreplied,unctuously.
Beforespeaking,Farrartookacigarettefromhiscase,andthenreturnedthecasetohispocket.‘Youmean,’hesaid,‘you’re–stoppingonabittoobligeher?’
‘Thatisquitetrue,sir,’Angellaffirmed.‘Iamhelpingoutinthehouse.ButthatisnotexactlywhatImeant.’Hepaused,andthencontinued,‘It’samatter,really–ofmyconscience,sir.’
‘Whatinhelldoyoumean–yourconscience?’Farraraskedsharply.
Angelllookeduncomfortable,buthisvoicewasquiteconfidentashecontinued,‘Idon’tthinkyouquiteappreciatemydifficulties,sir.Inthematterofgivingmyevidencetothepolice,thatis.Itismydutyasacitizentoassistthepoliceinanymannerpossible.Atthesametime,Iwishtoremainloyaltomyemployers.’
JulianFarrarturnedawaytolighthiscigarette.‘Youspeakasthoughtherewasaconflict,’hesaidquietly.
‘Ifyouthinkaboutit,sir,’Angellremarked,‘youwillrealizethatthereisboundtobeaconflict–aconflictofloyaltiesifImaysoputit.’
Farrarlookeddirectlyatthevalet.‘Justexactlywhatareyougettingat,Angell?’heasked.
‘Thepolice,sir,arenotinapositiontoappreciatethebackground,’Angellreplied.‘Thebackgroundmight–Ijustsaymight–beveryimportantinacaselikethisAlso,oflateIhavebeensufferingratherseverelyfrominsomnia.’
‘Doyourailmentshavetocomeintothis?’Farraraskedhimsharply.
‘Unfortunatelytheydo,sir,’wasthevalet’ssmoothreply.‘Iretiredearlylastnight,butIwasunabletogettosleep.’
‘I’msorryaboutthat,’Farrarcommiserateddrily,‘butreally–’
‘Yousee,sir,’Angellcontinued,ignoringtheinterruption,‘owingtothepositionofmybedroominthishouse,Ihavebecomeawareofcertainmattersofwhichperhapsthepolicearenotfullycognizant.’
‘Justwhatareyoutryingtosay?’Farrarasked,coldly.
‘ThelateMrWarwick,sir,’Angellreplied,‘wasasickmanandacripple.It’sreallyonlytobeexpectedunderthosesadcircumstancesthatanattractiveladylikeMrsWarwickmight–howshallIputit?–formanattachmentelsewhere.’
‘Sothat’sit,isit?’saidFarrar.‘Idon’tthinkIlikeyourtone,Angell.’
‘No,sir,’Angellmurmured.‘Butpleasedon’tbetooprecipitateinyourjudgement.Justthinkitover,sir.Youwillperhapsrealizemydifficulty.HereIam,inpossessionofknowledgewhichIhavenot,sofar,communicatedtothepolice–butknowledgewhich,perhaps,itismydutytocommunicatetothem.’
JulianFarrarstaredatAngellcoldly.‘Ithink,’hesaid,‘thatthisstoryofgoingtothepolicewithyourinformationisallballyhoo.Whatyou’rereallydoingissuggestingthatyou’reinapositiontostirupdirtunless–’hepaused,andthencompletedhissentence:‘–unlesswhat?’
Angellshruggedhisshoulders.‘Iam,ofcourse,asyouhavejustpointedout,’heobserved,‘afullyqualifiednurse-attendant.Buttherearetimes,MajorFarrar,whenIfeelIwouldliketosetuponmyown.Asmall–notanursing-home,exactly–butanestablishmentwhereIcouldtakeonperhapsfiveorsixpatients.Withanassistant,ofcourse.Thepatientswouldprobablyincludegentlemenwhoarealcoholicallydifficulttomanageathome.Thatsortofthing.Unfortunately,althoughIhaveaccumulatedacertainamountofsavings,theyarenotenough.Iwondered–’Hisvoicetrailedoffsuggestively.
JulianFarrarcompletedhisthoughtforhim.‘Youwondered,’hesaid,‘ifI–orIandMrsWarwicktogether–couldcometoyourassistanceinthisproject,nodoubt.’
‘Ijustwondered,sir,’Angellrepliedmeekly.‘Itwouldbeagreatkindnessonyourpart.’
‘Yes,itwould,wouldn’tit?’Farrarobservedsarcastically.
‘Yousuggestedratherharshly,’Angellwenton,‘thatI’mthreateningtostirupdirt.Meaning,Itakeit,scandal.Butit’snotthatatall,sir.Iwouldn’tdreamofdoingsuchathing.’
‘Whatexactlyisityouaredrivingat,Angell?’Farrarsoundedasthoughhewerebeginningtolosehispatience.‘You’recertainlydrivingatsomething.’
Angellgaveaself-deprecatingsmilebeforereplying.Thenhespokequietlybutwithemphasis.‘AsIsay,sir,lastnightIcouldn’tsleepverywell.Iwaslyingawake,listeningtotheboomingofthefoghorn.AnextremelydepressingsoundIalwaysfindit,sir.ThenitseemedtomethatIheardashutterbanging.Averyirritatingnoisewhenyou’retryingtogettosleep.Igotupandleanedoutofmywindow.Itseemedtobetheshutterofthepantrywindow,almostimmediatelybelowme.’
‘Well?’askedFarrar,sharply.
‘Idecided,sir,togodownandattendtotheshutter,’Angellcontinued.‘AsIwasonmywaydownstairs,Iheardashot.’Hepausedbriefly.‘Ididn’tthinkanythingofitatthetime.“MrWarwickatitagain,”Ithought.“Butsurelyhecan’tseewhathe’sshootingatinamistlikethis.”Iwenttothepantry,sir,andfastenedbacktheshuttersecurely.But,asIwasstandingthere,feelingabituneasyforsomereason,Iheardfootstepscomingalongthepathoutsidethewindow–’
‘Youmean,’Farrarinterrupted,‘thepaththat–’Hiseyeswenttowardsit
‘Yes,sir,’Angellagreed.‘Thepaththatleadsfromtheterrace,aroundthecornerofthehouse,thatway–pastthedomesticoffices.Apaththat’snotusedverymuch,exceptofcoursebyyou,sir,whenyoucomeoverhere,seeingasit’sashortcutfromyourhousetothisone.’
Hestoppedspeaking,andlookedintentlyatJulianFarrar,whomerelysaidicily,‘Goon.’
‘Iwasfeeling,asIsaid,abituneasy,’Angellcontinued,‘thinkingtheremightbeaprowlerabout.Ican’ttellyouhowrelievedIwas,sir,toseeyoupassthepantrywindow,walkingquickly–hurryingonyourwaybackhome.’
Afterapause,Farrarsaid,‘Ican’treallyseeanypointinwhatyou’retellingme.Istheresupposedtobeone?’
Withanapologeticcough,Angellansweredhim.‘Ijustwondered,sir,whetheryouhavementionedtothepolicethatyoucameoverherelastnighttoseeMrWarwick.Incaseyouhavenotdoneso,andsupposingthattheyshouldquestionmefurtherastotheeventsoflastnight–’
Farrarinterruptedhim.‘Youdorealize,don’tyou,’heaskedtersely,‘thatthepenaltyforblackmailissevere?’
‘Blackmail,sir?’respondedAngell,soundingshocked.‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.It’sjustaquestion,asIsaid,ofdecidingwheremydutylies.Thepolice–’
‘Thepolice,’Farrarinterruptedhimsharply,‘areperfectlysatisfiedastowhokilledMrWarwick.Thefellowpracticallysignedhisnametothecrime.They’renotlikelytocomeaskingyouanymorequestions.’
‘Iassureyou,sir,’Angellinterjected,withalarminhisvoice,‘Ionlymeant–’
‘Youknowperfectlywell,’Farrarinterruptedagain,‘thatyoucouldn’thaverecognizedanybodyinthatthickfoglastnight.You’vesimplyinventedthisstoryinorderto–’Hebrokeoff,ashesawLauraWarwickemergingfromthehouseintothegarden.
Chapter13
‘I’msorryI’vekeptyouwaiting,Julian,’Lauracalledassheapproachedthem.ShelookedsurprisedtoseeAngellandJulianFarrarapparentlyinconversation.
‘PerhapsImayspeaktoyoulater,sir,aboutthislittlematter,’thevaletmurmuredtoFarrar.Hemovedaway,halfbowingtoLaura,thenwalkedquicklyacrossthegardenandaroundacornerofthehouse.
Laurawatchedhimgo,andthenspokeurgently.‘Julian,’shesaid,‘Imust–’
Farrarinterruptedher.‘Whydidyousendforme,Laura?’heasked,soundingannoyed.
‘I’vebeenexpectingyouallday,’Laurareplied,surprised.
‘Well,I’vebeenuptomyearseversincethismorning,’Farrarexclaimed.‘Committees,andmoremeetingsthisafternoon.Ican’tjustdropanyofthesethingssosoonbeforetheelection.Andinanycase,don’tyousee,Laura,thatit’smuchbetterthatweshouldn’tmeetatpresent?’
‘Buttherearethingswe’vegottodiscuss,’Lauratoldhim.
Takingherarmbriefly,Farrarledherfurtherawayfromthehouse.‘DoyouknowthatAngellissettingouttoblackmailme?’heaskedher.
‘Angell?’criedLaura,incredulously.‘Angellis?’
‘Yes.Heobviouslyknowsaboutus–andhealsoknows,oratanyratepretendstoknow,thatIwasherelastnight.’
Lauragasped.‘Doyoumeanhesawyou?’
‘Hesayshesawme,’Farrarretorted.
‘Buthecouldn’thaveseenyouinthatfog,’Laurainsisted.
‘He’sgotsomestory,’Farrartoldher,‘aboutcomingdowntothepantryanddoingsomethingtotheshutteroutsidethewindow,andseeingmepassonmywayhome.Healsosaysheheardashot,notlongbeforethat,butdidn’tthinkanythingofit.’
‘OhmyGod!’Lauragasped.‘Howawful!Whatarewegoingtodo?’
FarrarmadeaninvoluntarygestureasthoughhewereabouttocomfortLaurawithanembrace,butthen,glancingtowardsthehouse,thoughtbetterofit.Hegazedathersteadily.‘Idon’tknowyetwhatwe’regoingtodo,’hetoldher.‘We’llhavetothink.’
‘You’renotgoingtopayhim,surely?’
‘No,no,’Farrarassuredher.‘Ifonestartsdoingthat,it’sthebeginningoftheend.Andyet,whatisonetodo?’Hepassedahandacrosshisbrow.‘Ididn’tthinkanyoneknewIcameoveryesterdayevening,’hecontinued.‘I’mcertainmyhousekeeperdidn’t.Thepointis,didAngellreallyseeme,orishepretendinghedid?’
‘Supposinghedoesgotothepolice?’Lauraasked,tremulously.
‘Iknow,’murmuredFarrar.Again,heranhishandacrosshisbrow.‘One’sgottothink–thinkcarefully.’Hebegantowalktoandfro.‘Eitherbluffitout–sayhe’slying,thatIneverlefthomeyesterdayevening–’
‘Buttherearethefingerprints,’Lauratoldhim.
‘Whatfingerprints?’askedFarrar,startled.
‘You’veforgotten,’Lauraremindedhim.‘Thefingerprintsonthetable.Thepolicehavebeenthinkingthatthey’reMacGregor’s,butifAngellgoestothemwiththisstory,thenthey’llasktotakeyourfingerprints,andthen–’
Shebrokeoff.JulianFarrarnowlookedveryworried.‘Yes,yes,Isee,’hemuttered.‘Allright,then.I’llhavetoadmitthatIcameoverhereand–tellsomestory.IcameovertoseeRichardaboutsomething,andwetalked–’
‘Youcansayhewasperfectlyallrightwhenyoulefthim,’Laurasuggested,speakingquickly.
TherewaslittletraceofaffectioninFarrar’seyesashelookedather.‘Howeasyyoumakeitsound!’heretorted,hotly.‘CanIreallysaythat?’headdedsarcastically.
‘Onehastosaysomething!’shetoldhim,soundingdefensive.
‘Yes,ImusthaveputmyhandthereasIbentovertosee–’Heswallowed,asthescenecamebacktohim.
‘SolongastheybelievetheprintsareMacGregor’s,’saidLaura,eagerly.
‘MacGregor!MacGregor!’Farrarexclaimedangrily.Hewasalmostshoutingnow.‘WhatonearthmadeyouthinkofcookingupthatmessagefromthenewspaperandputtingitonRichard’sbody?Weren’tyoutakingaterrificchance?’
‘Yes–no–Idon’tknow,’Lauracriedinconfusion.
Farrarlookedatherwithsilentrevulsion.‘Sodamnedcold-blooded,’hemuttered.
‘Wehadtothinkofsomething,’Laurasighed.‘I–Ijustcouldn’tthink.ItwasreallyMichael’sidea.’
‘Michael?’
‘Michael–Starkwedder,’Lauratoldhim.
‘Youmeanhehelpedyou?’Farrarasked.Hesoundedincredulous.
‘Yes,yes,yes!’Lauracriedimpatiently.‘That’swhyIwantedtoseeyou–toexplaintoyou–’
Farrarcameupclosetoher.Histonewasicilyjealousasheasked,firmly,‘What’sMichael’–heemphasizedStarkwedder’sChristiannamewithacoldanger–‘what’sMichaelStarkwedderdoinginallthis?’
‘Hecameinand–andfoundmethere,’Lauratoldhim.‘I’d–I’dgottheguninmyhandand–’
‘GoodGod!’Farrarexclaimedwithdistaste,movingawayfromher.‘Andsomehowyoupersuadedhim–’
‘Ithinkhepersuadedme,’Lauramurmuredsadly.Shemovedclosertohim.‘Oh,Julian–’shebegan.
Herarmswereabouttogoaroundhisneck,buthepushedherawayslightly.‘I’vetoldyou,I’lldoanythingIcan,’heassuredher.‘Don’tthinkIwon’t–but–’
Lauralookedathimsteadily.‘You’vechanged,’shesaidquietly.
‘I’msorry,butIcan’tfeelthesame,’Farraradmitteddesperately.‘Afterwhat’shappened–Ijustcan’tfeelthesame.’
‘Ican,’Lauraassuredhim.‘Atleast,IthinkIcan.Nomatterwhatyou’ddone,Julian,I’dalwaysfeelthesame.’
‘Nevermindourfeelingsforthemoment,’saidFarrar.‘We’vegottogetdowntofacts.’
Lauralookedathim.‘Iknow,’shesaid.‘I–ItoldStarkwedderthatI’d–youknow,thatI’ddoneit.’
Farrarlookedatherincredulously.‘YoutoldStarkwedderthat?’
‘Yes.’
‘Andheagreedtohelpyou?He–astranger?Themanmustbemad!’
Stung,Lauraretorted,‘Ithinkperhapsheisalittlemad.Buthewasverycomforting.’
‘So!Nomancanresistyou,’Farrarexclaimedangrily.‘Isthatit?’Hetookastepawayfromher,andthenturnedtofaceheragain.‘Allthesame,Laura,murder–’Hisvoicediedawayandheshookhishead.
‘Ishalltrynevertothinkofit,’Lauraanswered.‘Anditwasn’tpremeditated,Julian.Itwasjustanimpulse.’Shespokealmostpleadingly.
‘There’snoneedtogobackoveritall,’Farrartoldher.‘We’vegottothinknowwhatwe’regoingtodo.’
‘Iknow,’shereplied.‘Therearethefingerprintsandyourlighter.’
‘Yes,’herecalled.‘ImusthavedroppeditasIleanedoverhisbody.’
‘Starkwedderknowsit’syours,’Lauratoldhim.‘Buthecan’tdoanythingaboutit.He’scommittedhimself.Hecan’tchangehisstorynow.’
JulianFarrarlookedatherforamoment.Whenhespoke,hisvoicehadaslightlyheroictone.‘Ifitcomestoit,Laura,I’lltaketheblame,’heassuredher.
‘No,Idon’twantyouto,’Lauracried.Sheclaspedhisarm,andthenreleasedhimquicklywithanervousglancetowardsthehouse.‘Idon’twantyouto!’sherepeatedurgently.
‘Youmustn’tthinkthatIdon’tunderstand–howithappened,’saidFarrar,speakingwithaneffort.‘Youpickedupthegun,shothimwithoutreallyknowingwhatyouweredoing,and–’
Lauragaveagaspofsurprise.‘What?AreyoutryingtomakemesayIkilledhim?’shecried.
‘Notatall,’Farrarresponded.Hesoundedembarrassed.‘I’vetoldyouI’mperfectlypreparedtotaketheblameifitcomestoit.’
Laurashookherheadinconfusion.‘But–yousaid–’shebegan.‘Yousaidyouknewhowithappened.’
Helookedathersteadily.‘Listen,Laura,’hesaid.‘Idon’tthinkyoudiditdeliberately.Idon’tthinkitwaspremeditated.Iknowitwasn’t.Iknowquitewellthatyouonlyshothimbecause–’
Laurainterruptedquickly.‘Ishothim?’shegasped.‘AreyoureallypretendingtobelievethatIshothim?’
Turninghisbackonher,Farrarexclamedangrily,‘ForGod’ssake,thisisimpossibleifwe’renotgoingtobehonestwitheachother!’
Laurasoundeddesperateas,tryingnottoshout,sheannouncedclearlyandemphatically,‘Ididn’tshoothim,andyouknowit!’
Therewasapause.JulianFarrarslowlyturnedtofaceher.‘Thenwhodid?’heasked.Suddenlyrealizing,headded,‘Laura!AreyoutryingtosaythatIshothim?’
Theystoodfacingeachother,neitherofthemspeakingforamoment.ThenLaurasaid,‘Iheardtheshot,Julian.’Shetookadeepbreathbeforecontinuing.‘Iheardtheshot,andyourfootstepsonthepathgoingaway.Icamedown,andtherehewas–dead.’
AfterapauseFarrarsaidquietly,‘Laura,Ididn’tshoothim.’Hegazedupattheskyasthoughseekinghelporinspiration,andthenlookedatherintently.‘IcameoverheretoseeRichard,’heexplained,‘totellhimthataftertheelectionwe’dgottocometosomearrangementaboutadivorce.IheardashotjustbeforeIgothere.IjustthoughtitwasRicharduptohistricksasusual.Icameinhere,andtherehewas.Dead.Hewasstillwarm.’
Laurawasnowveryperplexed.‘Warm?’sheechoed.
‘Hehadn’tbeendeadmorethanaminuteortwo,’saidFarrar.‘OfcourseIbelievedyou’dshothim.Whoelsecouldhaveshothim?’
‘Idon’tunderstand,’Lauramurmured
‘Isuppose–Isupposeitcouldhavebeensuicide,’Farrarbegan,butLaurainterruptedhim.‘No,itcouldn’t,because–’
Shebrokeoff,astheybothheardJan’svoiceinsidethehouse,shoutingexcitedly.
Chapter14
JulianFarrarandLaurarantowardsthehouse,almostcollidingwithJanasheemergedthroughthefrenchwindows.‘Laura,’Jancriedasshegentlybutfirmlypropelledhimbackintothestudy.‘Laura,nowthatRichard’sdead,allofhispistolsandgunsandthingsbelongtome,don’tthey?Imean,I’mhisbrother,I’mthenextmaninthefamily.’
JulianFarrarfollowedthemintotheroomandwandereddistractedlyacrosstothearmchair,sittingonanarmofitasLauraattemptedtopacifyJanwhowasnowcomplainingpetulantly,‘Bennywon’tletmehavehisguns.She’slockedthemupinthecupboardinthere.’Hewavedvaguelytowardsthedoor.‘Butthey’remine.I’vegotarighttothem.Makehergivemethekey.’
‘Nowlisten,Jandarling,’Laurabegan,butJanwouldnotbeinterrupted.Hewentquicklytothedoor,andthenturnedbacktoher,exclaiming,‘Shetreatsmelikeachild.Benny,Imean.Everyonetreatsmelikeachild.ButI’mnotachild,I’maman.I’mnineteen.I’mnearlyofage.’Hestretchedhisarmsacrossthedoorasthoughprotectinghisguns.‘AllofRichard’ssportingthingsbelongtome.I’mgoingtodowhatRicharddid.I’mgoingtoshootsquirrelsandbirdsandcats.’Helaughedhysterically.‘Imightshootpeople,too,ifIdon’tlikethem.’
‘Youmustn’tgettooexcited,Jan,’Laurawarnedhim.
‘I’mnotexcited,’Jancriedpetulantly.‘ButI’mnotgoingtobe–what’sitcalled?–I’mnotgoingtobevictimized.’Hecamebackintothecentreoftheroom,andfacedLaurasquarely.‘I’mmasterherenow.I’mthemasterofthishouse.Everybody’sgottodoasIsay.’Hepaused,thenturnedandaddressedJulianFarrar.‘IcouldbeaJPifIwantedto,couldn’tI,Julian?’
‘Ithinkyou’realittleyoungforthatyet,’Farrartoldhim.
Janshrugged,andturnedbacktoLaura.‘Youalltreatmelikeachild,’hecomplainedagain.‘Butyoucan’tdoitanylonger–notnowthatRichard’sdead.’Heflunghimselfontothesofa,legssprawling.‘IexpectI’mrich,too,aren’tI?’headded.‘Thishousebelongstome.Nobodycanpushmearoundanylonger.Icanpushthemaround.I’mnotgoingtobedictatedtobysillyoldBenny.IfBennytriesorderingmeabout,Ishall–’Hepaused,thenaddedchildishly,‘IknowwhatIshalldo!’
Lauraapproachedhim.‘Listen,Jandarling,’shemurmuredgently.‘It’saveryworryingtimeforallofus,andRichard’sthingsdon’tbelongtoanybodyuntilthelawyershavecomeandreadhiswillandgrantedwhattheycallprobate.That’swhathappenswhenanyonedies.Untilthen,weallhavetowaitandsee.Doyouunderstand?’
Laura’stonehadacalmingandquieteningeffectonJan.Helookedupather,thenputhisarmsaroundherwaist,nestlingclosetoher.‘Iunderstandwhatyoutellme,Laura,’hesaid.‘Iloveyou,Laura.Iloveyouverymuch.’
‘Yes,darling,’Lauramurmuredsoothingly.‘Iloveyou,too.’
‘You’regladRichard’sdead,aren’tyou?’Janaskedhersuddenly.
Slightlystartled,Laurarepliedhurriedly,‘No,ofcourseI’mnotglad.’
‘Ohyes,youare,’saidJan,slyly.‘NowyoucanmarryJulian.’
LauralookedquicklyatJulianFarrar,whorosetohisfeetasJancontinued,‘You’vewantedtomarryJulianforalongtime,haven’tyou?Iknow.TheythinkIdon’tnoticeorknowthings.ButIdo.Andsoit’sallrightforbothofyounow.It’sbeenmadeallrightforyou,andyou’rebothpleased.You’repleased,because–’
Hebrokeoff,hearingMissBennettoutinthecorridorcalling,‘Jan!’,andlaughed.‘SillyoldBenny!’heshouted,bouncingupanddownonthesofa.
‘Now,dobenicetoBenny,’LauracautionedJan,asshepulledhimtohisfeet.‘She’shavingsuchalotoftroubleandworryoverallthis.’GuidingJantothedoor,Lauracontinuedgently,‘YoumusthelpBenny,Jan,becauseyou’rethemanofthefamilynow.’
Janopenedthedoor,thenlookedfromLauratoJulian.‘Allright,allright,’hepromised,withasmile.‘Iwill.’Helefttheroom,shuttingthedoorbehindhimandcalling‘Benny!’ashewent.
LauraturnedtoJulianFarrarwhohadrisenfromhisarmchairandwalkedovertoher.‘I’dnoideaheknewaboutus,’sheexclaimed.
‘That’sthetroublewithpeoplelikeJan,’Farrarretorted.‘Youneverknowhowmuchorhowlittletheydoknow.He’svery–well,hegetsrathereasilyoutofhand,doesn’the?’
‘Yes,hedoesgeteasilyexcited,’Lauraadmitted.‘ButnowthatRichardisn’theretoteasehim,he’llcalmdown.He’llgettobemorenormal.I’msurehewill.’
JulianFarrarlookeddoubtful.‘Well,Idon’tknowaboutthat,’hebegan,butbrokeoffasStarkweddersuddenlyappearedatthefrenchwindows.
‘Hello–goodevening,’Starkweddercalled,soundingquitehappy.
‘Oh–er–goodevening,’Farrarreplied,hesitantly.
‘How’severything?Brightandcheerful?’Starkwedderenquired,lookingfromonetotheother.Hesuddenlygrinned.‘Isee,’heobserved.‘Two’scompanyandthree’snone.’Hesteppedintotheroom.‘Shouldn’thavecomeinbythewindowthisway.Agentlemanwouldhavegonetothefrontdoorandrungthebell.Isthatit?Butthen,yousee,I’mnogentleman.’
‘Oh,please–’Laurabegan,butStarkwedderinterruptedher.‘Asamatteroffact,’heexplained,‘I’vecomefortworeasons.First,tosaygoodbye.Mycharacter’sbeencleared.High-levelcablesfromAbadansayingwhatafine,uprightfellowIam.SoI’mfreetodepart.’
‘I’msosorryyou’regoing–sosoon,’Lauratoldhim,withgenuinefeelinginhervoice.
‘That’sniceofyou,’Starkwedderrespondedwithatouchofbitterness,‘consideringthewayIbuttedinonyourfamilymurder.’Helookedatherforamoment,thenmovedacrosstothedeskchair.‘ButIcameinbythewindowforanotherreason,’hewenton.‘Thepolicebroughtmeupintheircar.And,althoughthey’rebeingverytight-lippedaboutit,it’smybeliefthere’ssomethingup!’
Dismayed,Lauragasped,‘Thepolicehavecomeback?’
‘Yes,’Starkwedderaffirmed,decisively.
‘ButIthoughtthey’dfinishedthismorning,’saidLaura.
Starkweddergaveherashrewdlook.‘That’swhyIsay–something’sup!’heexclaimed.
Therewerevoicesinthecorridoroutside.LauraandJulianFarrardrewtogetherasthedooropened,andRichardWarwick’smothercamein,lookingveryuprightandself-possessed,thoughstillwalkingwiththeaidofacane.
‘Benny!’MrsWarwickcalledoverhershoulder,andthenaddressedLaura.‘Oh,thereyouare,Laura.We’vebeenlookingforyou.’
JulianFarrarwenttoMrsWarwickandhelpedherintothearmchair.‘Howkindyouaretocomeoveragain,Julian,’theoldladyexclaimed,‘whenweallknowhowbusyyouare.’
‘Iwouldhavecomebefore,MrsWarwick,’Farrartoldher,ashesettledherinthechair,‘butit’sbeenaparticularlyhecticday.AnythingthatIcanpossiblydotohelp–’HestoppedspeakingasMissBennettenteredfollowedbyInspectorThomas.Carryingabriefcase,theinspectormovedtotakeupacentralposition.Starkwedderwenttositinthedeskchair,andlitacigaretteasSergeantCadwalladercameinwithAngell,whoclosedthedoorandstoodwithhisbacktoit.
‘Ican’tfindyoungMrWarwick,sir,’thesergeantreported,crossingtothefrenchwindows.
‘He’soutsomewhere.Goneforawalk,’MissBennettannounced.
‘Itdoesn’tmatter,’saidtheinspector.Therewasamomentarypauseashesurveyedtheoccupantsoftheroom.Hismannerhadchanged,foritnowhadagrimnessitdidnothavebefore.
Afterwaitingamomentforhimtospeak,MrsWarwickaskedcoldly,‘DoIunderstandthatyouhavefurtherquestionstoaskus,InspectorThomas?’
‘Yes,MrsWarwick,’hereplied,‘I’mafraidIhave.’
MrsWarwick’svoicesoundedwearyassheasked,‘YoustillhavenonewsofthismanMacGregor?’
‘Onthecontrary.’
‘He’sbeenfound?’MrsWarwickasked,eagerly.
‘Yes,’wastheinspector’stersereply.
Therewasadefinitereactionofexcitementfromtheassembledcompany.LauraandJulianFarrarlookedincredulous,andStarkwedderturnedinhischairtofacetheinspector.
MissBennett’svoicesuddenlyrangoutsharply.‘You’vearrestedhim,then?’
Theinspectorlookedatherforamomentbeforereplying.Then,‘That,I’mafraid,wouldbeimpossible,MissBennett,’heinformedher.
‘Impossible?’MrsWarwickinterjected.‘Butwhy?’
‘Becausehe’sdead,’theinspectorreplied,quietly.
Chapter15
AshockedsilencegreetedInspectorThomas’sannouncement.Then,hesitantlyand,itseemed,fearfully,Laurawhispered,‘Wh–whatdidyousay?’
‘IsaidthatthismanMacGregorisdead,’theinspectoraffirmed.
Thereweregaspsfromeveryoneintheroom,andtheinspectorexpandeduponhisterseannouncement.‘JohnMacGregor,’hetoldthem,‘diedinAlaskaovertwoyearsago–notverylongafterhereturnedtoCanadafromEngland.’
‘Dead!’Lauraexclaimed,incredulously.
Unnoticedbyanyoneintheroom,youngJanpassedquicklyalongtheterraceoutsidethefrenchwindows,anddisappearedfromview.
‘Thatmakesadifference,doesn’tit?’theinspectorcontinued.‘Itwasn’tJohnMacGregorwhoputthatrevengenoteonthedeadbodyofMrWarwick.Butit’sclear,isn’tit,thatitwasputtherebysomeonewhoknewallaboutMacGregorandtheaccidentinNorfolk.Whichtiesitin,verydefinitely,withsomeoneinthishouse.’
‘No,’MissBennettexclaimedsharply.‘No,itcouldhavebeen–surelyitcouldhavebeen–’Shebrokeoff.
‘Yes,MissBennett?’theinspectorpromptedher.Hewaitedforamoment,butMissBennettcouldnotcontinue.Suddenlylookingcompletelybroken,shemovedawaytowardsthefrenchwindows.
TheinspectorturnedhisattentiontoRichardWarwick’smother.‘You’llunderstand,madam,’hesaid,attemptingtoputanoteofsympathyintohisvoice,‘thatthisaltersthings.’
‘Yes,Iseethat,’MrsWarwickreplied.Sherose.‘Doyouneedmeanyfurther,Inspector?’sheasked.
‘Notforthemoment,MrsWarwick,’theinspectortoldher.
‘Thankyou,’MrsWarwickmurmuredasshewenttothedoor,whichAngellhastenedtoopenforher.JulianFarrarhelpedtheoldladytothedoor.Asshelefttheroom,hereturnedandstoodbehindthearmchair,lookingpensive.Meanwhile,InspectorThomashadbeenopeninghisbriefcase,andwasnowtakingoutagun.
AngellwasabouttofollowMrsWarwickfromtheroomwhentheinspectorcalled,peremptorily,‘Angell!’
Thevaletgaveastart,andturnedbackintotheroom,closingthedoor.‘Yes,sir?’herespondedquietly.
Theinspectorapproachedhim,carryingwhatwasclearlythemurderweapon.‘Aboutthisgun,’heaskedthevalet.‘Youwereuncertainthismorning.Canyou,orcanyounot,saydefinitelythatitbelongedtoMrWarwick?’
‘Iwouldn’tliketobedefinite,Inspector,’Angellreplied.‘Hehadsomany,yousee.’
‘Thisoneisacontinentalweapon,’theinspectorinformedhim,holdingthegunoutinfrontofhim.‘It’sawarsouvenirofsomekind,I’dsay.’
Ashewasspeaking,againapparentlyunnoticedbyanyoneintheroom,Janpassedalongtheterraceoutside,goingintheoppositedirection,andcarryingagunwhichheseemedtobeattemptingtoconceal.
Angelllookedattheweapon.‘MrWarwickdidhavesomeforeignguns,sir,’hestated.‘Buthelookedafterallhisshootingequipmenthimself.Hewouldn’tletmetouchthem.’
TheinspectorwentovertoJulianFarrar.‘MajorFarrar,’hesaid,‘youprobablyhavewarsouvenirs.Doesthisweaponmeananythingtoyou?’
Farrarglancedattheguncasually.‘Notathing,I’mafraid,’heanswered.
Turningawayfromhim,theinspectorwenttoreplacetheguninhisbriefcase.‘SergeantCadwalladerandI,’heannounced,turningtofacetheassembledcompany,‘willwanttogooverMrWarwick’scollectionofweaponsverycarefully.Hehadpermitsformostofthem,Iunderstand.’
‘Ohyes,sir,’Angellassuredhim.‘Thepermitsareinoneofthedrawersinhisbedroom.Andallthegunsandotherweaponsareintheguncupboard.’
SergeantCadwalladerwenttothedoor,butwasstoppedbyMissBennettbeforehecouldleavetheroom.‘Waitaminute,’shecalledtohim.‘You’llwantthekeyoftheguncupboard.’Shetookakeyfromherpocket.
‘Youlockeditup?’theinspectorqueried,turningsharplytoher.‘Whywasthat?’
MissBennett’sretortwasequallysharp.‘Ishouldhardlythinkyou’dneedtoaskthat,’shesnapped.‘Allthoseguns,andammunitionaswell.Highlydangerous.Everyoneknowsthat.’
Concealingagrin,thesergeanttookthekeysheofferedhim,andwenttothedoor,pausinginthedoorwaytoseewhethertheinspectorwishedtoaccompanyhim.SoundingdistinctlyannoyedatMissBennett’suncalled-forcomment,InspectorThomasremarked,‘Ishallneedtotalktoyouagain,Angell,’ashepickeduphisbriefcaseandlefttheroom
However,thevaletdidnotleavetheroomimmediately.Instead,afteranervousglanceatLaurawhonowsatstaringatthefloor,hewentuptoJulianFarrar,andmurmured,‘Aboutthatlittlematter,sir.Iamanxioustogetsomethingsettledsoon.Ifyoucouldseeyourway,sir–’
Speakingwithdifficulty,Farraranswered,‘Ithink–something–couldbemanaged.’
‘Thankyou,sir,’Angellrespondedwithafaintsmileonhisface.‘Thankyouverymuch,sir.’HewenttothedoorandwasabouttoleavetheroomwhenFarrarstoppedhimwithaperemptory‘No!Waitamoment,Angell.’
Asthevaletturnedtofacehim,Farrarcalledloudly,‘InspectorThomas!’
Therewasatensepause.Then,afteramomentortwo,theinspectorappearedinthedoorway,withthesergeantbehindhim.‘Yes,MajorFarrar?’theinspectorasked,quietly.
Resumingapleasant,naturalmanner,JulianFarrarstrolledacrosstothearmchair.‘Beforeyougetbusywithroutine,Inspector,’heremarked,‘thereissomethingIoughttohavetoldyou.Really,Isuppose,Ishouldhavementioneditthismorning.Butwewereallsoupset.MrsWarwickhasjustinformedmethattherearesomefingerprintsthatyouareanxioustoidentify.Onthetablehere,Ithinkyousaid.’Hepaused,thenadded,easily,‘Inallprobability,Inspector,thosearemyfingerprints.’
Therewasapause.TheinspectorslowlyapproachedFarrar,andthenaskedquietly,butwithanaccusingnoteinhisvoice,‘Youwereoverherelastnight,MajorFarrar?’
‘Yes,’Farrarreplied.‘Icameover,asIoftendoafterdinner,tohaveachatwithRichard.’
‘Andyoufoundhim–?’theinspectorprompted.
‘Ifoundhimverymoodyanddepressed.SoIdidn’tstaylong.’
‘Ataboutwhattimewasthis,MajorFarrar?’
Farrarthoughtforamoment,andthenreplied,‘Ireallycan’tremember.Perhapsteno’clock,orten-thirty.Thereabouts.’
Theinspectorregardedhimsteadily.‘Canyougetalittlecloserthanthat?’heasked.
‘I’msorry.I’mafraidIcan’t,’wasFarrar’simmediateanswer.
Afterasomewhattensepause,theinspectorasked,tryingtosoundcasual,‘Idon’tsupposetherewouldhavebeenanyquarrel–orbadwordsofanykind?’
‘No,certainlynot,’Farrarretortedindignantly.Helookedathiswatch.‘I’mlate,’heobserved.‘I’vegottotakethechairatameetingintheTownHall.Ican’tkeepthemwaiting.’Heturnedandwalkedtowardsthefrenchwindows.‘So,ifyoudon’tmind–’Hepausedontheterrace.
‘Mustn’tkeeptheTownHallwaiting,’theinspectoragreed,followinghim.‘ButI’msureyou’llunderstand,MajorFarrar,thatIshouldlikeafullstatementfromyouofyourmovementslastnight.Perhapswecoulddothistomorrowmorning.’Hepaused,andthencontinued,‘Yourealize,ofcourse,thatthereisnoobligationonyoutomakeastatement,thatitispurelyvoluntaryonyourpart–andthatyouarefullyentitledtohaveyoursolicitorpresent,shouldyousowish.’
MrsWarwickhadre-enteredtheroom.Shestoodinthedoorway,leavingthedooropen,andlisteningtotheinspector’slastfewwords.JulianFarrardrewinhisbreathashegraspedthesignificanceofwhattheinspectorhadsaid.‘Iunderstand–perfectly,’hesaid.‘Shallwesayteno’clocktomorrowmorning?Andmysolicitorwillbepresent.’
Farrarmadehisexitalongtheterrace,andtheinspectorturnedtoLauraWarwick.‘DidyouseeMajorFarrarwhenhecameherelastnight?’heaskedher.
‘I–I–,’Laurabeganuncertainly,butwasinterruptedbyStarkwedderwhosuddenlyjumpedupfromhischairandwentacrosstothem,interposinghimselfbetweentheinspectorandLaura.‘Idon’tthinkMrsWarwickfeelslikeansweringanyquestionsjustnow,’hesaid.
Chapter16
StarkwedderandInspectorThomasfacedeachotherinsilenceforamoment.Thentheinspectorspoke.‘Whatdidyousay,MrStarkwedder?’heasked,quietly
‘Isaid,’Starkwedderreplied,‘thatIdon’tthinkMrsWarwickfeelslikeanymorequestionsjustatthemoment.’
‘Indeed?’growledtheinspector.‘Andwhatbusinessisitofyours,mightIask?’
MrsWarwickseniorjoinedintheconfrontation.‘MrStarkwedderisquiteright,’sheannounced.
TheinspectorturnedtoLauraquestioningly.Afterapause,shemurmured,‘No,Idon’twanttoansweranymorequestionsjustnow.’
Lookingrathersmug,Starkweddersmiledattheinspectorwhoturnedawayangrilyandswiftlylefttheroomwiththesergeant.Angellfollowedthem,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.Ashedidso,Lauraburstout,‘ButIshouldspeak.Imust–Imusttellthem–’
‘MrStarkwedderisquiteright,Laura,’MrsWarwickinterjectedforcefully.‘Thelessyousaynow,thebetter.’Shetookafewpacesabouttheroom,leaningheavilyonherstick,andthencontinued.‘WemustgetintouchwithMrAdamsatonce.’TurningtoStarkwedder,sheexplained,‘MrAdamsisoursolicitor.’SheglancedacrossatMissBennett.‘Ringhimupnow,Benny.’
MissBennettnoddedandwenttowardsthetelephone,butMrsWarwickstoppedher.‘No,usetheextensionupstairs,’sheinstructed,adding,‘Laura,gowithher.’
Laurarose,andthenhesitated,lookingconfusedlyathermother-in-law,whomerelyadded,‘IwanttotalktoMrStarkwedder.’
‘But–’Laurabegan,onlytobeimmediatelyinterruptedbyMrsWarwick.‘Nowdon’tworry,mydear,’theoldladyassuredher.‘JustdoasIsay.’
Laurahesitatedforamoment,thenwentoutintothehall,followedbyMissBennettwhoclosedthedoor.MrsWarwickimmediatelywentuptoStarkwedder.‘Idon’tknowhowmuchtimewehave,’shesaid,speakingrapidlyandglancingtowardsthedoor.‘Iwantyoutohelpme.’
Starkwedderlookedsurprised.‘How?’heasked.
Afterapause,MrsWarwickspokeagain.‘You’reanintelligentman–andyou’reastranger.You’vecomeintoourlivesfromoutside.Weknownothingaboutyou.You’venothingtodowithanyofus.’
Starkweddernodded.‘Theunexpectedguest,eh?’hemurmured.Heperchedonanarmofthesofa.‘That’sbeensaidtomealready,’heremarked.
‘Becauseyou’reastranger,’MrsWarwickcontinued,‘thereissomethingI’mgoingtoaskyoutodoforme.’Shemovedacrosstothefrenchwindowsandsteppedoutontotheterrace,lookingalongitinbothdirections.
Afterapause,Starkwedderspoke.‘Yes,MrsWarwick?’
Comingbackintotheroom,MrsWarwickbegantospeakwithsomeurgency.‘Upuntilthisevening,’shetoldhim,‘therewasareasonableexplanationforthistragedy.Amanwhommysonhadinjured–byaccidentallykillinghischild–cametotakehisrevenge.Iknowitsoundsmelodramatic,but,afterall,onedoesreadofsuchthingshappening.’
‘Asyousay,’Starkwedderremarked,wonderingwherethisconversationwasleading.
‘Butnow,I’mafraidthatexplanationhasgone,’MrsWarwickcontinued.‘Anditbringsthemurderofmysonbackintothefamily.’Shetookafewstepstowardsthearmchair.‘Now,therearetwopeoplewhodefinitelycouldnothaveshotmyson.AndtheyarehiswifeandMissBennett.Theywereactuallytogetherwhentheshotwasfired.’
Starkweddergaveaquicklookather,butallhesaidwas,‘Quite.’
‘However,’MrsWarwickcontinued,‘althoughLauracouldnothaveshotherhusband,shecouldhaveknownwhodid.’
‘Thatwouldmakeheranaccessorybeforethefact,’Starkwedderremarked.‘SheandthisJulianFarrarchapinittogether?Isthatwhatyoumean?’
AlookofannoyancecrossedMrsWarwick’sface.‘ThatisnotwhatImean,’shetoldhim.Shecastanotherquickglanceatthedoor,andthencontinued,‘JulianFarrardidnotshootmyson.’
Starkwedderrosefromthearmofthesofa.‘Howcanyoupossiblyknowthat?’heaskedher.
‘Idoknowit,’wasMrsWarwick’sreply.Shelookedsteadilyathim.‘Iamgoingtotellyou,astranger,somethingthatnoneofmyfamilyknow,’shestatedcalmly.‘Itisthis.Iamawomanwhohasnotverylongtolive.’
‘Iamsorry–’Starkwedderbegan,butMrsWarwickraisedherhandtostophim.‘Iamnottellingyouthisforsympathy,’sheremarked.‘Iamtellingyouinordertoexplainwhatotherwisemightbedifficultofexplanation.Therearetimeswhenyoudecideonacourseofactionwhichyouwouldnotdecideuponifyouhadseveralyearsoflifebeforeyou.’
‘Suchas?’askedStarkwedderquietly.
MrsWarwickregardedhimsteadily.‘First,Imusttellyousomethingelse,MrStarkwedder,’shesaid.‘Imusttellyousomethingaboutmyson.’Shewenttothesofaandsat.‘Ilovedmysonverydearly.Asachild,andinhisyoungmanhood,hehadmanyfinequalities.Hewassuccessful,resourceful,brave,sunny-tempered,adelightfulcompanion.’Shepaused,andseemedtoberemembering.Thenshecontinued.‘Therewere,Imustadmit,alwaysthedefectsofthosequalitiesinhim.Hewasimpatientofcontrols,ofrestraints.Hehadacruelstreakinhim,andhehadakindoffatalarrogance.Solongashewassuccessful,allwaswell.Buthedidnothavethekindofnaturethatcoulddealwithadversity,andforsometimenowIhavewatchedhimslowlygodownhill.’
Starkwedderquietlyseatedhimselfonthestool,facingher.
‘IfIsaythathehadbecomeamonster,’RichardWarwick’smothercontinued,‘itwouldsoundexaggerated.Andyet,insomewayshewasamonster–amonsterofegoism,ofpride,ofcruelty.Becausehehadbeenhurthimself,hehadanenormousdesiretohurtothers.’Ahardnotecreptintohervoice.‘Soothersbegantosufferbecauseofhim.Doyouunderstandme?’
‘Ithinkso–yes,’Starkweddermurmuredsoftly.
MrsWarwick’svoicebecamegentleagainasshewenton.‘Now,Iamveryfondofmydaughter-in-law.Shehasspirit,sheiswarm-hearted,andshehasaverybravepowerofendurance.Richardsweptheroffherfeet,butIdon’tknowwhethershewaseverreallyinlovewithhim.However,Iwilltellyouthis–shedideverythingawifecoulddotomakeRichard’sillnessandinactionbearable.’
Shethoughtforamoment,andhervoicewassadasshecontinued,‘Buthewouldhavenoneofherhelp.Herejectedit.Ithinkattimeshehatedher,andperhapsthat’smorenaturalthanonemightsuppose.So,whenItellyouthattheinevitablehappened,IthinkyouwillunderstandwhatImean.Laurafellinlovewithanotherman,andhewithher
StarkwedderregardedMrsWarwickthoughtfully.‘Whyareyoutellingmeallthis?’heasked.
‘Becauseyouareastranger,’shereplied,firmly.‘Theselovesandhatesandtribulationsmeannothingtoyou,soyoucanhearaboutthemunmoved.’
‘Possibly.’
Asthoughshehadnotheardhim,MrsWarwickwentonspeaking.‘Sotherecameatime,’shesaid,‘whenitseemedthatonlyonethingwouldsolveallthedifficulties.Richard’sdeath.’
Starkweddercontinuedtostudyherface.‘Andso,’hemurmured,‘conveniently,Richarddied?’
‘Yes,’MrsWarwickanswered.
Therewasapause.ThenStarkwedderrose,movedaroundthestool,andwenttothetabletostubouthiscigarette.‘Excusemeputtingthisbluntly,MrsWarwick,’hesaid,‘butareyouconfessingtomurder?’
Chapter17
MrsWarwickwassilentforafewmoments.Thenshesaidsharply,‘Iwillaskyouaquestion,MrStarkwedder.Canyouunderstandthatsomeonewhohasgivenlifemightalsofeelthemselvesentitledtotakethatlife?’
Starkwedderpacedaroundtheroomashethoughtaboutthis.Finally,‘Mothershavebeenknowntokilltheirchildren,yes,’headmitted.‘Butit’susuallybeenforasordidreason–insurance–orperhapstheyhavetwoorthreechildrenalreadyanddon’twanttobebotheredwithanotherone.’Turningbacksuddenlytofaceher,heaskedquickly,‘DoesRichard’sdeathbenefityoufinancially?’
‘No,itdoesnot,’MrsWarwickrepliedfirmly.
Starkweddermadeadeprecatorygesture.‘Youmustforgivemyfrankness–’hebegan,onlytobeinterruptedbyMrsWarwick,whoaskedwithmorethanatouchofasperityinhervoice,‘DoyouunderstandwhatIamtryingtotellyou?’
‘Yes,IthinkIdo,’hereplied.‘You’retellingmethatit’spossibleforamothertokillherson.’Hewalkedovertothesofaandleanedacrossitashecontinued.‘Andyou’retellingme–specifically–thatit’spossiblethatyoukilledyourson.’Hepaused,andlookedathersteadily.‘Isthatatheory,’heasked,‘oramItounderstanditasafact?’
‘Iamnotconfessingtoanything,’MrsWarwickanswered.‘Iammerelyputtingbeforeyouacertainpointofview.AnemergencymightariseatatimewhenIwasnolongerheretodealwithit.Andintheeventofsuchathinghappening,Iwantyoutohavethis,andtomakeuseofit.’Shetookanenvelopefromherpocketandhandedittohim.
Starkweddertooktheenvelope,butremarked,‘That’sallverywell.However,Ishan’tbehere.I’mgoingbacktoAbadantocarryonwithmyjob.’
MrsWarwickmadeagestureofdismissal,clearlyregardingtheobjectionasinsignificant.‘Youwon’tbeoutoftouchwithcivilization,’sheremindedhim.‘Therearenewspapers,radioandsooninAbadan,presumably.’
‘Ohyes,’heagreed.‘Wehaveallthecivilizedblessings.’
‘Thenpleasekeepthatenvelope.Youseewhomit’saddressedto?’
Starkwedderglancedattheenvelope.‘TheChiefConstable.Yes.ButI’mnotatallclearwhat’sreallyinyourmind,’hetoldMrsWarwick.‘Forawoman,you’rereallyremarkablygoodatkeepingasecret.Eitheryoucommittedthismurderyourself,oryouknowwhodidcommitit.That’sright,isn’tit?’
Shelookedawayfromhimasshereplied,‘Idon’tproposetodiscussthematter.’
Starkweddersatinthearmchair.‘Andyet,’hepersisted,‘I’dlikeverymuchtoknowexactlywhatisinyourmind.’
‘ThenI’mafraidIshan’ttellyou,’MrsWarwickretorted.‘Asyousay,Iamawomanwhocankeephersecretswell.’
Decidingtotryadifferenttack,Starkweddersaid,‘Thisvaletfellow–thechapwholookedafteryourson–’Hepausedasthoughtryingtorememberthevalet’sname.
‘YoumeanAngell,’MrsWarwicktoldhim.‘Well,whataboutAngell?’
‘Doyoulikehim?’askedStarkwedder.
‘No,Idon’t,asithappens,’shereplied.‘Buthewasefficientathisjob,andRichardwascertainlynoteasytoworkfor.’
‘Iimaginenot,’Starkwedderremarked.‘ButAngellputupwiththesedifficulties,didhe?’
‘Itwasmadeworthhiswhile,’wasMrsWarwick’swryresponse.
Starkwedderagainbegantopaceabouttheroom.ThenheturnedtofaceMrsWarwickand,tryingtodrawherout,asked,‘DidRichardhaveanythingonhim?’
Theoldladylookedpuzzledforamoment.‘Onhim?’sherepeated.‘Whatdoyoumean?Oh,Isee.Youmean,didRichardknowsomethingtoAngell’sdiscredit?’
‘Yes,that’swhatImean,’Starkwedderaffirmed.‘DidhehaveaholdoverAngell?’
MrsWarwickthoughtforamomentbeforereplying.Then,‘No,Idon’tthinkso,’shesaid.
‘Iwasjustwondering–’hebegan.
‘Youmean,’MrsWarwickbrokein,impatiently,‘didAngellshootmyson?Idoubtit.Idoubtthatverymuch.’
‘Isee.You’renotbuyingthatone,’Starkwedderremarked.‘Apity,butthereitis.’
MrsWarwicksuddenlygottoherfeet.‘Thankyou,MrStarkwedder,’shesaid.‘Youhavebeenverykind.’
Shegavehimherhand.Amusedatherabruptness,heshookhandswithher,thenwenttothedoorandopenedit.Afteramomentshelefttheroom.Starkwedderclosedthedoorafterher,smiling.‘Well,I’mdamned!’heexclaimedtohimself,ashelookedagainattheenvelope.‘Whatawoman!’
Hurriedly,heputtheenvelopeintohispocket,asMissBennettcameintotheroomlookingupsetandpreoccupied.‘What’sshebeensayingtoyou?’shedemanded.
Takenaback,Starkwedderplayedfortime.‘Eh?What’sthat?’heresponded.
‘MrsWarwick–what’sshebeensaying?’MissBennettaskedagain.
Avoidingadirectreply,Starkweddermerelyremarked,‘Youseemupset.’
‘OfcourseI’mupset,’shereplied.‘Iknowwhatshe’scapableof.’
Starkwedderlookedatthehousekeepersteadilybeforeasking,‘WhatisMrsWarwickcapableof?Murder?’
MissBennetttookasteptowardshim.‘Isthatwhatshe’sbeentryingtomakeyoubelieve?’sheasked.‘Itisn’ttrue,youknow.You’vegottorealizethat.Itisn’ttrue.’
‘Well,onecan’tbesure.Afterall,itmightbe,’heobservedjudiciously.
‘ButItellyouitisn’t,’sheinsisted.
‘Howcanyoupossiblyknowthat?’Starkwedderasked.
‘Idoknow,’MissBennettreplied.‘Doyouthinkthere’sanythingIdon’tknowaboutthepeopleinthishouse?I’vebeenwiththemforyears.Years,Itellyou.’Shesatinthearmchair.‘Icareforthemverymuch,allofthem.’
‘IncludingthelateRichardWarwick?’Starkwedderasked.
MissBennettseemedlostinthoughtforamoment.Then,‘Iusedtobefondofhim–once,’shereplied.
Therewasapause.Starkweddersatonthestoolandregardedhersteadilybeforemurmuring,‘Goon.’
‘Hechanged,’saidMissBennett.‘Hebecame–warped.Hiswholementalitybecamequitedifferent.Sometimeshecouldbeadevil.’
‘Yes,everybodyseemstoagreeonthat,’Starkwedderobserved.
‘Butifyou’dknownhimasheusedtobe–’shebegan.
Heinterruptedher.‘Idon’tbelievethat,youknow.Idon’tthinkpeoplechange.’
‘Richarddid,’MissBennettinsisted.
‘Oh,no,hedidn’t,’Starkweddercontradictedher.Heresumedhisprowlingabouttheroom.‘You’vegotthingsthewrongwayround,I’llbet.I’dsayhewasalwaysadevilunderneath.I’dsayhewasoneofthosepeoplewhohavetobehappyandsuccessful–orelse!Theyhidetheirrealselvesaslongasitgetsthemwhattheywant.Butunderneath,thebadstreak’salwaysthere.’
HeturnedtofaceMissBennett.‘Hiscruelty,Ibet,wasalwaysthere.Hewasprobablyabullyatschool.Hewasattractivetowomen,ofcourse.Womenarealwaysattractedbybullies.Andhetookalotofhissadismoutinhisbig-gamehunting,Idaresay.’Heindicatedthehuntingtrophiesonthewalls.
‘RichardWarwickmusthavebeenamonstrousegoist,’hecontinued.‘That’showheseemstomefromthewayallyoupeopletalkabouthim.Heenjoyedbuildinghimselfupasagoodfellow,generous,successful,lovableandalltherestofit.’Starkwedderwasstillpacingrestlessly.‘Butthemeanstreakwasthere,allright.Andwhenhisaccidentcame,itwasjustthefa?adethatwastornaway,andyouallsawhimashereallywas.’
MissBennettrose.‘Idon’tseethatyou’vegotanybusinesstotalk,’sheexclaimedindignantly.‘You’reastranger,andyouknownothingaboutit.’
‘Perhapsnot,butI’veheardagreatdealaboutit,’Starkwedderretorted.‘Everyoneseemstotalktomeforsomereason.’
‘Yes,Isupposetheydo.Yes,I’mtalkingtoyounow,aren’tI?’sheadmitted,asshesatdownagain.‘That’sbecausewenoneofusheredaretalktooneanother.’Shelookedupathim,appealingly.‘Iwishyouweren’tgoingaway,’shetoldhim.
Starkweddershookhishead.‘I’vedonenothingtohelpatall,really,’hesaid.‘AllI’vedoneisblunderinanddiscoveradeadbodyforyou.’
‘ButitwasLauraandIwhodiscoveredRichard’sbody,’MissBennettcontradictedhim.Shepausedandthensuddenlyadded,‘OrdidLaura–didyou–?’Hervoicetrailedoffintosilence.
Chapter18
StarkwedderlookedatMissBennettandsmiled.‘You’reprettysharp,aren’tyou?’heobserved.
MissBennettstaredathimfixedly.‘Youhelpedher,didn’tyou?’sheasked,makingitsoundlikeanaccusation.
Hewalkedawayfromher.‘Nowyou’reimaginingthings,’hetoldher.
‘Oh,no,I’mnot,’MissBennettretorted.‘IwantLauratobehappy.Oh,Isoverymuchwanthertobehappy!’
Starkwedderturnedtoher,exclaimingpassionately,‘Damnit,sodoI!’
MissBennettlookedathiminsurprise.Thenshebegantospeak.‘InthatcaseI–I’vegotto–’shebegan,butwasinterrupted.Gesturingtohertobesilent,Starkweddermurmured,‘Justaminute.’Hehastenedtothefrenchwindows,openedawindowandcalled,‘Whatareyoudoing?’
MissBennettnowcaughtsightofJanoutonthelawn,brandishingagun.Risingquickly,shetoowentacrosstothefrenchwindowsandcalledurgently,‘Jan!Jan!Givemethatgun.’
Jan,however,wastooquickforher.Heranofflaughing,andshouting,‘Comeandgetit,’asheran.MissBennettfollowedhim,withurgentcriesof‘Jan!Jan!’
Starkwedderlookedoutacrossthelawn,tryingtoseewhatwashappening.Thenheturnedback,andwasabouttogotothedoor,whenLaurasuddenlyenteredtheroom.
‘Where’stheinspector?’sheaskedhim.
Starkweddermadeanineffectualgesture.Laurashutthedoorbehindher,andcameovertohim.‘Michael,youmustlistentome,’sheimploredhim.‘Juliandidn’tkillRichard.’
‘Indeed?’Starkwedderrepliedcoldly.‘Hetoldyouso,didhe?’
‘Youdon’tbelieveme,butit’strue.’Laurasoundeddesperate.
‘Youmeanyoubelieveit’strue,’Starkwedderpointedouttoher.
‘No,Iknowit’strue,’Laurareplied.‘Yousee,hethoughtI’dkilledRichard.’
Starkweddermovedbackintotheroom,awayfromthefrenchwindows.‘That’snotexactlysurprising,’hesaidwithanacidsmile.‘Ithoughtso,too,didn’tI?’
Laura’svoicesoundedevenmoredesperateassheinsisted,‘HethoughtI’dshotRichard.Buthecouldn’tcopewithit.Itmadehimfeel–’Shestopped,embarrassed,thencontinued,‘Itmadehimfeeldifferentlytowardsme.’
Starkwedderlookedathercoldly.‘Whereas,’hepointedout,‘whenyouthoughthe’dkilledRichard,youtookitinyourstridewithoutturningahair!’Suddenlyrelentingalittle,hesmiled.‘Womenarewonderful!’hemurmured.Heperchedonthesofaarm.‘WhatmadeFarrarcomeoutwiththedamagingfactthathewasherelastnight?Don’ttellmeitwasapureandsimpleregardforthetruth?’
‘ItwasAngell,’Laurareplied.‘Angellsaw–orsayshesaw–Julianhere.’
‘Yes,’Starkwedderremarkedwithasomewhatbitterlaugh.‘IthoughtIgotawhiffofblackmail.Notanicefellow,Angell.’
‘HesayshesawJulianjustafterthe–aftertheshotwasfired,’Lauratoldhim.‘Oh,I’mfrightened.It’sallclosingin.I’msofrightened.’
Starkwedderwentovertoherandtookherbytheshoulders.‘Youneedn’tbe,’hesaid,reassuringly.‘It’sgoingtobeallright.’
Laurashookherhead.‘Itcan’tbe,’shecried.
‘Itwillbeallright,Itellyou,’heinsisted,shakinghergently.
Shelookedathimwonderingly.‘ShallweeverknowwhoshotRichard?’sheaskedhim.
Starkwedderlookedatherforamomentwithoutreplying,andthenwenttothefrenchwindowsandgazedoutintothegarden.‘YourMissBennett,’hesaid,‘seemsverypositivesheknowsalltheanswers.’
‘She’salwayspositive,’Laurareplied.‘Butshe’ssometimeswrong.’
Apparentlyglimpsingsomethingoutside,StarkweddersuddenlybeckonedtoLauratojoinhim.Runningacrosstohim,shetookhisoutstretchedhand.‘Yes,Laura,’heexclaimedexcitedly,stilllookingoutintothegarden.‘Ithoughtso!’
‘Whatisit?’sheasked.
‘Ssh!’hecautioned.Atalmostthesamemoment,MissBennettcameintotheroomfromthehallway.‘MrStarkwedder,’shesaidhurriedly.‘Gointotheroomnextdoor–theinspector’salreadythere.Quickly!’
StarkwedderandLauracrossedthestudyswiftly,andhurriedintothecorridor,closingthedoorbehindthem.Assoonastheyhadgone,MissBennettlookedoutintothegarden,wheredaylightwasbeginningtofade.‘Nowcomein,Jan,’shecalledtohim.‘Don’tteasemeanymore.Comein,comeinside.’
Chapter19
MissBennettbeckonedtoJan,thensteppedbackintotheroomandstoodtoonesideofthefrenchwindows.Jansuddenlyappearedfromtheterrace,lookinghalfmutinousandhalfflushedwithtriumph.Hewascarryingagun.
‘Now,Jan,howonearthdidyougetholdofthat?’MissBennettaskedhim.
Jancameintotheroom.‘Thoughtyouweresoclever,didn’tyou,Benny?’hesaid,quitebelligerently.‘Veryclever,lockingupallRichard’sgunsinthere.’Henoddedinthedirectionofthehallway.‘ButIfoundakeythatfittedtheguncupboard.I’vegotagunnow,justlikeRichard.I’mgoingtohavelotsofgunsandpistols.I’mgoingtoshootthings.’HesuddenlyraisedthegunandpointeditatMissBennett,whoflinched.‘Becareful,Benny,’hewentonwithachuckle,‘Imightshootyou.’
MissBennetttriednottolooktooalarmedasshesaid,inassoothingatoneasshecouldmuster,‘Why,youwouldn’tdoathinglikethat,Jan,Iknowyouwouldn’t.’
JancontinuedtopointthegunatMissBennett,butafterafewmomentsheloweredit.
MissBennettrelaxedslightly,andafterapauseJanexclaimed,sweetlyandrathereagerly,‘No,Iwouldn’t.OfcourseIwouldn’t.’
‘Afterall,it’snotasthoughyouwerejustacarelessboy,’MissBennetttoldhim,reassuringly.‘You’reamannow,aren’tyou?’
Janbeamed.Hewalkedovertothedeskandsatinthechair.‘Yes,I’maman,’heagreed.‘NowthatRichard’sdead,I’mtheonlymaninthehouse.’
‘That’swhyIknowyouwouldn’tshootme,’MissBennettsaid.‘You’donlyshootanenemy.’
‘That’sright,’Janexclaimedwithdelight.
Soundingasthoughshewerechoosingherwordsverycarefully,MissBennettsaid,‘Duringthewar,ifyouwereintheResistance,whenyoukilledanenemyyouputanotchonyourgun.’
‘Isthattrue?’Janresponded,examininghisgun.‘Didtheyreally?’HelookedeagerlyatMissBennett.‘Didsomepeoplehavealotofnotches?’
‘Yes,’shereplied,‘somepeoplehadquitealotofnotches.’
Janchortledwithglee.‘Whatfun!’heexclaimed.
‘Ofcourse,’MissBennettcontinued,‘somepeopledon’tlikekillinganything–butotherpeopledo.’
‘Richarddid,’Janremindedher.
‘Yes,Richardlikedkillingthings,’MissBennettadmitted.Sheturnedawayfromhimcasually,assheadded,‘Youlikekillingthings,too,don’tyou,Jan?’
Unseenbyher,Jantookapenknifefromhispocketandbegantomakeanotchonhisgun.‘It’sexcitingtokillthings,’heobserved,atriflepetulantly
MissBennettturnedbacktofacehim.‘Youdidn’twantRichardtohaveyousentaway,didyou,Jan?’sheaskedhimquietly.
‘Hesaidhewould,’Janretortedwithfeeling.‘Hewasabeast!’
MissBennettwalkedaroundbehindthedeskchairinwhichJanwasstillsitting.‘YousaidtoRichardonce,’sheremindedhim,‘thatyou’dkillhimifhewasgoingtosendyouaway.’
‘DidI?’Janresponded.Hesoundednonchalantlyoffhand.
‘Butyoudidn’tkillhim?’MissBennettasked,herintonationmakingherwordsintoonlyahalf-question.
‘Oh,no,Ididn’tkillhim.’Again,Jansoundedunconcerned.
‘Thatwasratherweakofyou,’MissBennettobserved.
TherewasacraftylookinJan’seyesasheresponded,‘Wasit?’
‘Yes,Ithinkso.Tosayyou’dkillhim,andthennottodoit.’MissBennettmovedaroundthedesk,butlookedtowardsthedoor.‘Ifanyonewasthreateningtoshutmeup,I’dwanttokillhim,andI’ddoit,too.’
‘Whosayssomeoneelsedid?’Janretortedswiftly.‘Perhapsitwasme.’
‘Oh,no,itwouldn’tbeyou,’MissBennettsaid,dismissively.‘Youwereonlyaboy.Youwouldn’thavedared.’
Janjumpedupandbackedawayfromher.‘YouthinkIwouldn’thavedared?’Hisvoicewasalmostasqueal.‘Isthatwhatyouthink?’
‘Ofcourseit’swhatIthink.’Sheseemednowdeliberatelytobetauntinghim.‘Ofcourseyouwouldn’thavedaredtokillRichard.You’dhavetobeverybraveandgrown-uptodothat.’
Janturnedhisbackonher,andwalkedaway.‘Youdon’tknoweverything,Benny,’hesaid,soundinghurt.‘Ohno,oldBenny.Youdon’tknoweverything.’
‘IstheresomethingIdon’tknow?’MissBennettaskedhim.‘Areyoulaughingatme,Jan?’Seizingheropportunity,sheopenedthedooralittleway.Janstoodnearthefrenchwindows,whenceashaftoflightfromthesettingsunshoneacrosstheroom.
‘Yes,yes,I’mlaughing,’Jansuddenlyshoutedather.‘I’mlaughingbecauseI’msomuchclevererthanyouare.’
Heturnedbackintotheroom.MissBennettinvoluntarilygaveastartandclutchedthedoorframe.Jantookasteptowardsher.‘Iknowthingsyoudon’tknow,’Janadded,speakingmoresoberly
‘WhatdoyouknowthatIdon’tknow?’MissBennettasked.Shetriednottosoundtooanxious.
Janmadenoreply,butmerelysmiledmysteriously.MissBennettapproachedhim.‘Aren’tyougoingtotellme?’sheaskedagain,coaxingly.‘Won’tyoutrustmewithyoursecret?’
Jandrewawayfromher.‘Idon’ttrustanybody,’hesaid,bitterly.
MissBennettchangedhertonetooneofpuzzlement.‘Iwonder,now,’shemurmured.‘Iwonderifperhapsyou’vebeenveryclever.’
Jangiggled.‘You’rebeginningtoseehowcleverIcanbe,’hetoldher.
Sheregardedhimspeculatively.‘PerhapstherearealotofthingsIdon’tknowaboutyou,’sheagreed.
‘Oh,lotsandlots,’Janassuredher.‘AndIknowalotofthingsabouteverybodyelse,butIdon’talwaystell.IgetupsometimesinthenightandIcreepaboutthehouse.Iseealotofthings,andIfindoutalotofthings,butIdon’ttell.’
Adoptingaconspiratorialair,MissBennettasked,‘Haveyougotsomebigsecretnow?’
Janswungonelegoverthestool,sittingastrideit.‘Bigsecret!Bigsecret!’hesquealeddelightedly.‘You’dbefrightenedifyouknew,’headded,laughingalmosthysterically.
MissBennettcameclosertohim.‘WouldI?WouldIbefrightened?’sheasked.‘WouldIbefrightenedofyou,Jan?’PlacingherselfsquarelyinfrontofJan,shestaredintentlyathim.
Janlookedupather.Theexpressionofdelightlefthisface,andhisvoicewasveryseriousashereplied,‘Yes,you’dbeveryfrightenedofme.’
Shecontinuedtoregardhimclosely.‘Ihaven’tknownwhatyouwerereallylike,’sheadmitted.‘I’mjustbeginningtounderstandwhatyou’relike,Jan.’
Jan’smoodchangeswerebecomingmorepronounced.Soundingmoreandmorewild,heexclaimed,‘Nobodyknowsanythingaboutmereally,orthethingsIcando.’Heswungroundonthestool,andsatwithhisbacktoher.‘SillyoldRichard,sittingthereandshootingatsillyoldbirds.’HeturnedbacktoMissBennett,addingintensely,‘Hedidn’tthinkanyonewouldshoothim,didhe?’
‘No,’shereplied.‘No,thatwashismistake.’
Janrose.‘Yes,thatwashismistake,’heagreed.‘Hethoughthecouldsendmeaway,didn’the?Ishowedhim.’
‘Didyou?’askedMissBennettquickly.‘Howdidyoushowhim?’
Janlookedathercraftily.Hepaused,thenfinallysaid,‘Shan’ttellyou.’
‘Oh,dotellme,Jan,’shepleaded.
‘No,’heretorted,movingawayfromher.Hewenttothearmchairandclimbedintoit,nestlingthegunagainsthischeek.‘No,Ishan’ttellanyone.’
MissBennettwentacrosstohim.‘Perhapsyou’reright,’shetoldhim.‘PerhapsIcanguesswhatyoudid,butIwon’tsay.Itwillbejustyoursecret,won’tit?’
‘Yes,it’smysecret,’Janreplied.Hebegantomoverestlesslyabouttheroom.‘NobodyknowswhatI’mlike,’heexclaimedexcitedly.‘I’mdangerous.They’dbetterbecareful.Everybodyhadbetterbecareful.I’mdangerous.’
MissBennettlookedathimsadly.‘Richarddidn’tknowhowdangerousyouwere,’shesaid.‘Hemusthavebeensurprised.’
Janwentbacktothearmchair,andlookedintoit.‘Hewas.Hewassurprised,’heagreed.‘Hisfacewentallsilly.Andthen–andthenhisheaddroppeddownwhenitwasdone,andtherewasblood,andhedidn’tmoveanymore.Ishowedhim.Ishowedhim!Richardwon’tsendmeawaynow!’
Heperchedononeendofthesofa,wavingthegunatMissBennettwhowastryingtofightbackhertears.‘Look,’Janorderedher.‘Look.See?I’veputanotchonmygun!’Hetappedthegunwithhisknife.
‘Soyouhave!’MissBennettexclaimed,approachinghim.‘Isn’tthatexciting?’Shetriedtograbthegun,buthewastooquickforher.
‘Oh,no,youdon’t,’hecried,ashedancedawayfromher.‘Nobody’sgoingtotakemygunawayfromme.Ifthepolicecomeandtrytoarrestme,Ishallshootthem.’
‘There’snoneedtodothat,’MissBennettassuredhim.‘Noneedatall.You’reclever.You’resocleverthattheywouldneversuspectyou.’
‘Sillyoldpolice!Sillyoldpolice!’Janshoutedjubilantly.‘AndsillyoldRichard.’HebrandishedthegunatanimaginaryRichard,thencaughtsightofthedooropening.Withacryofalarm,hequicklyranoffintothegarden.MissBennettcollapseduponthesofaintears,asInspectorThomashastenedintotheroomfollowedbySergeantCadwallader.
Chapter20
‘Afterhim!Quickly!’theinspectorshoutedtoCadwalladerastheyranintotheroom.Thesergeantracedoutontotheterracethroughthefrenchwindows,asStarkwedderrushedintotheroomfromthehallway.HewasfollowedbyLaura,whorantothefrenchwindowsandlookedout.Angellwasthenexttoappear.He,too,wentacrosstothefrenchwindows.MrsWarwickstood,anuprightfigure,inthedoorway.
InspectorThomasturnedtoMissBennett.‘There,there,dearlady,’hecomfortedher.‘Youmustn’ttakeonso.Youdidverywell.’
Inabrokenvoice,MissBennettreplied.‘I’veknownallalong,’shetoldtheinspector.‘Yousee,IknowbetterthananyoneelsewhatJanislike.IknewthatRichardwaspushinghimtoofar,andIknew–I’veknownforsometime–thatJanwasgettingdangerous.’
‘Jan!’Lauraexclaimed.Withasighofdeepdistress,shemurmured,‘Ohno,ohno,notJan.’Shesankintothedeskchair.‘Ican’tbelieveit,’shegasped.
MrsWarwickglaredatMissBennett.‘Howcouldyou,Benny?’shesaid,accusingly.‘Howcouldyou?Ithoughtthatatleastyouwouldbeloyal.’
MissBennett’sreplywasdefiant.‘Therearetimes,’shetoldtheoldlady,‘whentruthismoreimportantthanloyalty.Youdidn’tsee–anyofyou–thatJanwasbecomingdangerous.He’sadearboy–asweetboy–but–’Overcomewithgrief,shewasunabletocontinue.
MrsWarwickmovedslowlyandsadlyacrosstothearmchairandsat,staringintospace.
Speakingquietly,theinspectorcompletedMissBennett’sthought.‘Butwhentheygetaboveacertainage,thentheygetdangerous,becausetheydon’tunderstandwhatthey’redoinganymore,’heobserved.‘Theyhaven’tgotaman’sjudgementorcontrol.’HewentacrosstoMrsWarwick.‘Youmustn’tgrieve,madam.IthinkIcantakeituponmyselftosaythathe’llbetreatedwithhumanityandconsideration.There’saclearcasetobemade,Ithink,forhisnotbeingresponsibleforhisactions.It’llmeandetentionincomfortablesurroundings.Andthat,youknow,iswhatitwouldhavecometosoon,inanycase.’Heturnedaway,andwalkedacrosstheroom,closingthehalldoorashepassedit.
‘Yes,yes,Iknowyou’reright,’MrsWarwickadmitted.TurningtoMissBennett,shesaid,‘I’msorry,Benny.Yousaidthatnobodyelseknewhewasdangerous.That’snottrue.Iknew–butIcouldn’tbringmyselftodoanythingaboutit.’
‘Somebodyhadtodosomething!’Bennyrepliedstrongly.Theroomfellsilent,buttensionmountedastheyallwaitedforSergeantCadwallader’sreturnwithJanincustody.
Bythesideoftheroadseveralhundredyardsfromthehouse,withamistbeginningtoclosein,thesergeanthadgotJancorneredwithahighwallbehindhim.Janbrandishedhisgun,shouting,‘Don’tcomeanycloser.Noone’sgoingtoshutmeawayanywhere.I’llshootyou.Imeanit.I’mnotfrightenedofanyone!’
Thesergeantstoppedagoodtwentyfeetaway.‘Nowcomeon,lad,’hecalled,coaxingly.‘Noone’sgoingtohurtyou.Butgunsaredangerousthings.Justgiveittome,andcomebacktothehousewithme.Youcantalktoyourfamily,andthey’llhelpyou.’
HeadvancedafewstepstowardsJan,butstoppedwhentheboycriedhysterically,‘Imeanit.I’llshootyou.Idon’tcareaboutpolicemen.I’mnotfrightenedofyou.’
‘Ofcourseyou’renot,’thesergeantreplied.‘You’venoreasontobefrightenedofme.Iwouldn’thurtyou.Butcomebackintothehousewithme.Comeon,now.’Hesteppedforwardagain,butJanjerkedthegunupandfiredtwoshotsinquicksuccession.Thefirstwentwide,butthesecondstruckCadwalladerinthelefthand.Hegaveacryofpain,butrushedatJan,knockinghimtotheground,andattemptingtogetthegunawayfromhim.Astheystruggled,thegunsuddenlywentoffagain.Jangaveaquickgasp,andlaysilent.
Horrified,thesergeantkneltoverhim,staringathimindisbelief.‘No,ohno,’hemurmured.‘Poor,sillyboy.No!Youcan’tbedead.Oh,pleaseGod–’HecheckedJan’spulse,thenshookhisheadslowly.Risingtohisfeet,hebackedslowlyawayforafewpaces,andonlythennoticedthathishandwasbleedingbadly.Wrappingahandkerchiefaroundit,heranbacktothehouse,holdinghisleftarmintheairandgaspingwithpain.
Bythetimehegotbacktothefrenchwindows,hewasstaggering.‘Sir!’hecalled,astheinspectorandtheothersranoutontotheterrace.
‘Whatonearth’shappened?’theinspectorasked.
Hisbreathcomingwithdifficulty,thesergeantreplied,‘It’sterrible,whatI’vegottotellyou.’Starkwedderhelpedhimintotheroomandthesergeantstaggeredtothestoolandsankontoit.
Theinspectormovedquicklytohisside.‘Yourhand!’heexclaimed.
‘I’llseetoit,’Starkweddermurmured.HoldingSergeantCadwallader’sarm,hediscardedthenowheavilybloodstainedpieceofcloth,tookoutahandkerchieffromhisownpocket,andbegantotieitaroundthesergeant’shand.
‘Themistcomingon,yousee,’Cadwalladerbegantoexplain.‘Itwasdifficulttoseeclearly.Heshotatme.Upthere,alongtheroad,neartheedgeofthespinney.’
Withalookofhorroronherface,Lauraroseandwentacrosstothefrenchwindows.
‘Heshotatmetwice,’thesergeantwassaying,‘andthesecondtimehegotmeinthehand.’
MissBennettsuddenlyrose,andputherhandtohermouth.‘Itriedtogetthegunawayfromhim,’thesergeantwenton,‘butIwashamperedwithmyhand,yousee–’
‘Yes.Whathappened?’theinspectorpromptedhim.
‘Hisfingerwasonthetrigger,’thesergeantgasped,anditwentoff.He’sshotthroughtheheart.He’sdead.’
Chapter21
SergeantCadwallader’sannouncementwasgreetedwithastunnedsilence.Lauraputherhandtohermouthtostifleacry,thenslowlymovedbacktothedeskchairandsat,staringatthefloor.MrsWarwickloweredherheadandleanedonherstick.Starkwedderpacedabouttheroom,lookingdistracted.
‘Areyousurehe’sdead?’theinspectorasked.
‘Iamindeed,’thesergeantreplied.‘Pooryounglad,shoutingdefianceatme,loosingoffhisgunasthoughhelovedthefiringofit.’
Theinspectorwalkedacrosstothefrenchwindows.‘Whereishe?’
‘I’llcomewithyouandshowyou,’thesergeantreplied,strugglingtohisfeet.
‘No,you’dbetterstayhere.’
‘I’mallrightnow,’thesergeantinsisted.‘I’lldoallrightuntilwegetbacktothestation.’Hewalkedoutontotheterrace,swayingslightly.Lookingbackattheothers,hisfacefilledwithmisery,hemurmureddistractedly,‘“Onewouldnot,sure,befrightfulwhenone’sdead.”That’sPope.AlexanderPope.’Heshookhishead,andthenwalkedslowlyaway.
TheinspectorturnedbacktofaceMrsWarwickandtheothers.‘I’mmoresorrythanIcansay,butperhapsit’sthebestwayout,’hesaid,thenfollowedthesergeantoutintothegarden.
MrsWarwickwatchedhimgo.‘Thebestwayout!’sheexclaimed,halfangrily,halfdespairingly.
‘Yes,yes,’MissBennettsighed.‘Itisforthebest.He’soutofitnow,poorboy.’ShewenttohelpMrsWarwickup.‘Come,mydear,come,thishasbeentoomuchforyou.’
Theoldladylookedathervaguely.‘I–I’llgoandliedown,’shemurmured,asMissBennettsupportedhertothedoor.Starkwedderopeneditforthem,andthentookanenvelopeoutofhispocket,holdingitouttoMrsWarwick.‘Ithinkyou’dbetterhavethisback,’hesuggested.
Sheturnedinthedoorwayandtooktheenvelopefromhim.‘Yes,’shereplied.‘Yes,there’snoneedforthatnow.’
MrsWarwickandMissBennettlefttheroom.StarkwedderwasabouttoclosethedoorafterthemwhenherealizedthatAngellwasmovingacrosstoLaurawhowasstillsittingatthedesk.Shedidnotturnathisapproach.
‘MayIsay,madam,’Angelladdressedher,‘howsorryIam.IfthereisanythingIcando,youhaveonly–’
Withoutlookingup,Laurainterruptedhim.‘Weshallneednomorehelpfromyou,Angell,’shetoldhimcoldly.‘Youshallhaveachequeforyourwages,andIshouldlikeyououtofthehousetoday.’
‘Yes,madam.Thankyou,madam,’Angellreplied,apparentlywithoutfeeling,thenturnedawayandlefttheroom.Starkwedderclosedthedoorafterhim.Theroomwasnowgrowingdark,thelastraysofthesunthrowingshadowsonthewalls.
StarkwedderlookedacrossatLaura.‘You’renotgoingtoprosecutehimforblackmail?’heasked.
‘No,’Laurareplied,listlessly.
‘Apity.’Hewalkedovertoher.‘Well,IsupposeI’dbetterbegoing.I’llsaygoodbye.’Hepaused.Laurastillhadnotlookedathim.‘Don’tbetooupset,’headded.
‘Iamupset,’Laurarespondedwithfeeling.
‘Becauseyoulovedtheboy?’Starkwedderasked.
Sheturnedtohim.‘Yes.Andbecauseit’smyfault.Yousee,Richardwasright.PoorJanshouldhavebeensentawaysomewhere.Heshouldhavebeenshutupwherehecouldn’tdoanyharm.ItwasIwhowouldn’thavethat.So,really,itwasmyfaultthatRichardwaskilled.’
‘Comenow,Laura,don’tlet’ssentimentalize,’Starkwedderretortedroughly.Hecameclosertoher.‘Richardwaskilledbecauseheaskedforit.Hecouldhaveshownsomeordinarykindnesstotheboy,couldn’the?Don’tyoufretyourself.Whatyou’vegottodonowistobehappy.Happyeverafter,asthestoriessay.’
‘Happy?WithJulian?’Laurarespondedwithbitternessinhervoice.‘Iwonder!’Shefrowned.‘Yousee,itisn’tthesamenow.’
‘YoumeanbetweenFarrarandyou?’heasked.
‘Yes.Yousee,whenIthoughtJulianhadkilledRichard,itmadenodifferencetome.Ilovedhimjustthesame.’Laurapaused,thencontinued,‘IwasevenwillingtosayI’ddoneitmyself.’
‘Iknowyouwere,’saidStarkwedder.‘Morefoolyou.Howwomenenjoymakingmartyrsofthemselves!’
‘ButwhenJulianthoughtIhaddoneit,’Lauracontinuedpassionately,‘hechanged.Hechangedtowardsmecompletely.Oh,hewaswillingtotrytodothedecentthingandnotincriminateme.Butthatwasall.’Sheleanedherchinonherhand,dispirited.‘Hedidn’tfeelthesameanymore.’
Starkweddershookhishead.‘Lookhere,Laura,’heexclaimed,‘menandwomendon’treactinthesameway.Whatitcomesdowntoisthis.Menarereallythesensitivesex.Womenaretough.Mencan’ttakemurderintheirstride.Womenapparentlycan.Thefactis,ifaman’scommittedamurderforawoman,itprobablyenhanceshisvalueinhereyes.Amanfeelsdifferently.’
Shelookedupathim.‘Youdidn’tfeelthatway,’sheobserved.‘WhenyouthoughtIhadshotRichard,youhelpedme.’
‘Thatwasdifferent,’Starkwedderrepliedquickly.Hesoundedslightlytakenaback.‘Ihadtohelpyou.’
‘Whydidyouhavetohelpme?’Lauraaskedhim.
Starkwedderdidnotreplydirectly.Then,afterapause,hesaidquietly,‘Istillwanttohelpyou.’
‘Don’tyousee,’saidLaura,turningawayfromhim,‘we’rebackwherewestarted.InawayitwasIwhokilledRichardbecause–becauseIwasbeingsoobstinateaboutJan.’
Starkwedderdrewupthestoolandsatdownbesideher.‘That’swhat’seatingyou,really,isn’tit?’hedeclared.‘FindingoutthatitwasJanwhoshotRichard.Butitneedn’tbetrue,youknow.Youneedn’tthinkthatunlessyoulike.’
Laurastaredathimintently.‘Howcanyousaysuchathing?’sheasked.‘Iheard–weallheard–headmittedit–heboastedofit.’
‘Oh,yes,’Starkwedderadmitted.‘Yes,Iknowthat.Buthowmuchdoyouknowaboutthepowerofsuggestion?YourMissBennettplayedJanverycarefully,gothimallworkedup.Andtheboywascertainlysuggestible.Helikedtheidea,asmanyadolescentsdo,ofbeingthoughttohavepower,of–yes,ofbeingakiller,ifyoulike.YourBennydangledthebaitinfrontofhim,andhetookit.He’dshotRichard,andheputanotchonhisgun,andhewasahero!’Hepaused.‘Butyoudon’tknow–noneofusreallyknow–whetherwhathesaidwastrue.’
‘But,forheaven’ssake,heshotatthesergeant!’Lauraexpostulated.
‘Oh,yes,hewasapotentialkillerallright!’Starkwedderadmitted.‘It’squitelikelyheshotRichard.Butyoucan’tsayforsurethathedid.Itmighthavebeen–’Hehesitated.‘Itmighthavebeensomebodyelse.’
Laurastaredathimindisbelief.‘Butwho?’sheasked,incredulously.
Starkwedderthoughtforamoment.Then,‘MissBennett,perhaps,’hesuggested.‘Afterall,she’sveryfondofyouall,andshemighthavethoughtitwasallforthebest.Or,forthatmatter,MrsWarwick.OrevenyourboyfriendJulian–afterwardspretendingthathethoughtyou’ddoneit.Aclevermovewhichtookyouincompletely.’
Lauraturnedaway.‘Youdon’tbelievewhatyou’resaying,’sheaccusedhim.‘You’reonlytryingtoconsoleme.’
Starkwedderlookedabsolutelyexasperated.‘Mydeargirl,’heexpostulated,‘anyonemighthaveshotRichard.EvenMacGregor.’
‘MacGregor?’sheasked,staringathim.‘ButMacGregor’sdead.’
‘Ofcoursehe’sdead,’Starkwedderreplied.‘He’dhavetobe.’Heroseandmovedtothesofa.‘Lookhere,’hecontinued,‘IcanputupaveryprettycaseforMacGregorhavingbeenthekiller.SayhedecidedtokillRichardasrevengefortheaccidentinwhichhislittleboywaskilled.’Hesatonthesofaarm.‘Whatdoeshedo?Well,firstthingishehastogetridofhisownpersonality.Itwouldn’tbedifficulttoarrangeforhimtobereporteddeadinsomeremotepartofAlaska.Itwouldcostalittlemoneyandsomefaketestimony,ofcourse,butthesethingscanbemanaged.Thenhechangeshisname,andhestartsbuildingupanewpersonalityforhimselfinsomeothercountry,someotherjob.’
Laurastaredathimforamoment,thenleftthedeskandwenttositinthearmchair.Closinghereyes,shetookadeepbreath,thenopenedhereyesandlookedathimagain.
Starkweddercontinuedwithhisspeculativenarrative.‘Hekeepstabsonwhat’sgoingonoverhere,andwhenheknowsthatyou’veleftNorfolkandcometothispartoftheworld,hemakeshisplans.Heshaveshisbeard,anddyeshishair,andallthatsortofthing,ofcourse.Then,onamistynight,hecomeshere.Now,let’ssayitgoeslikethis.’Hewentandstoodbythefrenchwindows.‘Let’ssayMacGregorsaystoRichard,“I’vegotagun,andsohaveyou.Icountthree,andwebothfire.I’vecometogetyouforthedeathofmyboy.”’
Laurastaredathim,appalled.
‘Youknow,’Starkwedderwenton,‘Idon’tthinkthatyourhusbandwasquitethefinesportingfellowyouthinkhewas.Ihaveanideahemightn’thavewaitedforacountofthree.Yousayhewasadamngoodshot,butthistimehemissed,andthebulletwentouthere’–hegesturedashewalkedoutontotheterrace–‘intothegardenwherethereareagoodmanyotherbullets.ButMacGregordoesn’tmiss.Heshootsandkills.’Starkweddercamebackintotheroom.‘Hedropshisgunbythebody,takesRichard’sgun,goesoutofthewindow,andpresentlyhecomesback.’
‘Comesback?’Lauraasked.‘Whydoeshecomeback?’
Starkwedderlookedatherforafewsecondswithoutspeaking.Then,takingadeepbreath,heasked,‘Can’tyouguess?’
Lauralookedathimwonderingly.Sheshookherhead.‘No,I’venoidea,’shereplied.
Hecontinuedtoregardhersteadily.Afterapause,hespokeslowlyandwithaneffort.‘Well,’hesaid,‘supposeMacGregorhasanaccidentwithhiscarandcan’tgetawayfromhere.Whatelsecanhedo?Onlyonething–comeuptothehouseanddiscoverthebody!’
‘Youspeak–’Lauragasped,‘youspeakasthoughyouknowjustwhathappened.’
Starkweddercouldnolongerrestrainhimself.‘OfcourseIknow,’heburstoutpassionately.‘Don’tyouunderstand?I’mMacGregor!’Heleanedbackagainstthecurtains,shakinghisheaddesperately
Laurarose,anincredulouslookonherface.Shesteppedtowardshim,halfraisingherarm,unabletograspthefullmeaningofhiswords.‘You–’shemurmured.‘You–’
StarkwedderwalkedslowlytowardsLaura.‘Inevermeantanyofthistohappen,’hetoldher,hisvoicehuskywithemotion.‘Imean–findingyou,andfindingthatIcaredaboutyou,andthat–OhGod,it’shopeless.Hopeless.’Asshestaredathim,dazed,Starkweddertookherhandandkissedthepalm.‘Goodbye,Laura,’hesaid,gruffly.
Hewentquicklyoutthroughthefrenchwindowsanddisappearedintothemist.Lauraranoutontotheterraceandcalledafterhim,‘Wait–wait.Comeback!’
Themistswirled,andtheBristolfogsignalbegantoboom.‘Comeback,Michael,comeback!’Lauracried.Therewasnoreply.‘Comeback,Michael,’shecalledagain.‘Pleasecomeback!Icareaboutyoutoo.’
Shelistenedintently,butheardonlythesoundofacarstartingupandmovingoff.Thefogsignalcontinuedtosoundasshecollapsedagainstthewindowandburstintoafitofuncontrollablesobbing.
Postscript
ThefollowingchapteristakenfromCharlesOsborne’sTheLifeandCrimesofAgathaChristie,abiographicalcompaniontotheworksofthe‘QueenofCrime’.Firstpublishedin1982andfullyrevisedin1999,itexamineschronologicallyeachofAgathaChristie’sbooksandplaysindetail,togetherwiththeeventsinherlifeatthetime,andthischapteroffersafascinatinginsightintotheoriginsofTheUnexpectedGuest
TheUnexpectedGuest
Play(1958)
On12April1958,TheMousetrapreachedits2,239thperformanceattheAmbassadorsTheatre,therebybreakingtherecordforthelongestLondonrunofaplay.Tocommemoratethebreakingoftherecord,AgathaChristiepresentedtotheAmbassadorsTheatreaspeciallydesignedmousetrap.Shewas,ofcourse,delightedthatherMousetraphadbrokenallrecords,andshemusthavehadgreathopesforanewplayshehadwritten,andofwhichshethoughtveryhighly.ThiswasVerdict,whichPeterSaunderspresentedattheStrandTheatreon22May.ButVerdictfailedtoplease,andclosedonemonthlater,on21June.TheresilientMrsChristiemurmured,‘AtleastIamgladTheTimeslikedit,’andsettoworktowriteanotherplay,whichshefinishedwithinfourweeks,andPeterSaundersimmediatelyputitintoproduction.Thenewplay,TheUnexpectedGuest,playedforaweekattheHippodromeinBristol,andthenmovedtotheDuchessTheatreintheWestEndofLondon,whereitopenedon12August.Itplayed604performancesthereoverthefollowingeighteenmonths.
TheUnexpectedGuestcouldperhapsbedescribedasamurdermysterydisguisedasamurdernon-mystery,foritbeginswhenastranger,the‘unexpectedguest’ofthetitle,runshiscarintoaditchindensefoginSouthWales,nearthecoast,andmakeshiswaytoahousewherehefindsawomanstandingwithaguninherhandoverthedeadbodyofherhusband,RichardWarwick,whomsheadmitsshehaskilled.Hedecidestohelpher,andtogethertheyconcoctastoryandaplanofaction.
Themurderedman,acrippleinawheelchair,appearstohavebeenanunpleasantandsadisticcharacter;apartfrommembersofhisownfamily,thereareotherswhomighthavemurderedhimiftheyhadbeengiventheopportunity,amongthemthefatherofachildkilledtwoyearsearlierbyRichardWarwick’scarelessandperhapsdrunkendriving.Astheplayprogresses,thepossibilityarisesthatLauraWarwickmaynothavekilledherhusband,butmaybeshieldingsomeoneelse.RichardWarwick’syounghalf-brother,mentallyretardedandpotentiallydangerous?Laura’slover,JulianFarrar,whoisabouttostandforParliament?Warwick’smother,astrong-mindedoldmatriarchwhoknowsshehasnotlongtolive?Or,ofcourse,thefatherofthelittleboywhowaskilled?
TheinvestigatingpolicemenwhoturnupinActI,Sceneii,areashrewdandsarcasticinspectorandapoeticallyinclinedyoungsergeantwhoquotesKeats.Towardstheendoftheplay’ssecondandfinalact,theyidentifyandapprehendtherealmurderer.Ordothey?ThisbeinganAgathaChristiemystery,thereisafurthersurpriseintheplay’slastlines.CanitbethatMrsChristieallowsakillertoescapepunishment?Ifso,mightthisbebecauseshethinksofthemurderofRichardWarwickasajustretribution?
ThroughthecharacterofMichaelStarkwedder,‘theunexpectedguest’,MrsChristiemakestheinterestingassertionthat:
Menarereallythesensitivesex.Womenaretough.Mencan’ttakemurderintheirstride.Womenapparentlycan
Thecharacterofthemurderedman,asdescribedbyhiswife,wasbased,atleastinpart,onsomeonewhomAgathaChristiehadknownverywell.HereisLauraWarwick,describingoneofherlatehusband’snocturnalhabits:
Thenhe’dhavethiswindowopenandhe’dsitherelookingout,watchingforthegleamofacat’seyes,orastrayrabbit,oradog.Ofcourse,therehaven’tbeensomanyrabbitslately.Butheshotquitealotofcats.Heshottheminthedaytime,too.Andbirds…awomancametocallonedayforsubscriptionsforthevicaragefête.Richardsentshotstorightandleftofherasshewasgoingawaydownthedrive.Sheboltedlikeahare,hesaid.Heroaredwithlaughterwhenhetoldusaboutit.Herfatbacksidewasquiveringlikeajelly,hesaid.However,shewenttothepoliceaboutitandtherewasaterriblerow.
AndhereisAgathaChristie,inherautobiography,describingherbrotherMonty,asaninvalidtowardstheendofhislife:
Monty’shealthwasimproving,andasaresulthewasmuchmoredifficulttocontrol.Hewasbored,andforrelaxationtooktoshootingoutofhiswindowwitharevolver.Tradespeopleandsomeofmother’svisitorscomplained.Montywasunrepentant.‘Somesillyoldspinstergoingdownthedrivewithherbehindwobbling.Couldn’tresistit–Isentashotortworightandleftofher.Myword,howsheran’…Someonecomplainedandwehadavisitfromthepolice.
TheUnexpectedGuestwasanoriginalChristie,notonlyinthesensethatitwaswrittenbytheauthorherselfandnotdramatizedbysomeoneelsefromaChristienovelorstory,butalsoinbeing,likeSpider’sWebbutunlikeTheMousetraporWitnessfortheProsecution,completelynewandnotanadaptationbytheauthorofanearlierworkofhers.Itis,infact,oneofthebestofherplays,itsdialoguetautandeffectiveanditsplotfullofsurprisesdespitebeingeconomicalandnotover-complex.Itdemonstrates,incidentally,theprofoundtruththatseeingisnotbelieving.Theleadingrolesin1958wereplayedbyReneeAsherson(LauraWarwick),NigelStock(MichaelStarkwedder)andVioletFarebrother(MrsWarwick,senior),withChristopherSandford(JanWarwick),PaulCurran(HenryAngell),RoyPurcell(JulianFarrar),WinifredOughton(MissBennett),MichaelGolden(InspectorThomas),TennielEvans(SergeantCadwallader)andPhilipNewman(thecorpse).TheplaywasdirectedbyHubertGregg.
Reviewswereuniformlyenthusiastic,manyofthemcontrastingthesuccessofthenewplaywiththerecentfailureofVerdict.‘Afterthefailureofherlastplay,Verdict,’wrotetheDailyTelegraphcritic,‘itwassuggestedinsomequartersthatScotlandYardoughttobecalledintodiscoverwhokilledAgathaChristie.ButTheUnexpectedGuest,turninguplastnightattheDuchessbeforeeventhereverberationsofherlastfailurehavediedaway,indicatesthatthecorpseisstillverymuchalive.Burialofherthrillerreputationiscertainlypremature.’TheGuardiancombinedreportageandcriticism:‘OnlysevenweeksafterAgathaChristie’slastplaywasbooedoffthestage,theoldladyof66[sic]stumpeddefiantlybackintoaLondontheatrelastnight.Shehadanewwhodunitready.Shewatchedfromthebackofthecircle,white-facedandapprehensive…Butnobooscamethistime.Norudeinterruptions.AttheendsheheardthekindofapplausethathasgivenherMousetraparecordsix-yearrun.’
ALSOAVAILABLEBYCHARLESOSBORNE
TheLifeandCrimesofAgathaChristie
AgathaChristiewastheauthorofover100plays,shortstorycollectionsandnovelswhichhavebeentranslatedinto103languages;sheisoutsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.Manyhavetriedtocopyherbutnonehassucceeded.Attemptstocaptureherpersonalityonpaper,todiscoverhermotivationsorthereasonsforherpopularity,haveusuallyfailed.CharlesOsborne,alifelongstudentofAgathaChristie,hasapproachedthismostprivateofpeopleaboveallthroughherbooks,andtheresultisafascinatingcompaniontoherlifeandwork.
This‘professionallife’ofAgathaChristieprovidesauthoritativeinformationoneachbook’sprovenance,ontheworkitselfandonitscontemporarycriticalreceptionsetagainstthebackgroundofthemajoreventsintheauthor’slife.Illustratedwithmanyrarephotographs,thiscomprehensiveguidetotheworldofAgathaChristiehasbeenfullyupdatedtoincludedetailsofallthepublications,filmsandTVadaptationsinthe25yearssinceherdeath.
ISBN:0002570335Hardback
ISBN:0006530974Paperback
ALSOBYAGATHACHRISTIE
TheMousetrapandSelectedPlays
Thefirst-everpublicationinbookformofTheMousetrap,thelongest-runningplayinthehistoryofLondon’sWestEnd,plusthreeotherChristiethrillers
TheMousetrap
Ahomicidalmaniacterrorizesagroupofsnowboundgueststotherefrainof‘ThreeBlindMice’…
AndThenThereWereNone
Tenguiltypeople,broughttogetheronanislandinmysteriouscircumstances,awaittheirsentence…
AppointmentWithDeath
ThesuffocatingheatofanexoticMiddle-Easternsettingprovidesabackdropformurder…
TheHollow
Asetoffriendsconveneatacountryhomewheretheirconvolutedrelationshipsmeanthatanyoneofthemcouldbeamurderer…
Christie’splaysareascompulsiveashernovels.Theircolourfulcharactersandingeniousplotsprovideyetmoreevidenceofhermasteryofthedetectivethriller.
ISBN:0006496180
ALSOBYAGATHACHRISTIE
WitnessfortheProsecutionandSelectedPlays
Thefirst-everpublicationinbookformofWitnessfortheProsecution,Christie’shighlysuccessfulstagethrillerwhichwontheNewYorkDramaCriticsCircleAwardforbestforeignplay,plusthreeofherclassicmysteries.
WitnessfortheProsecution
Astunningcourtroomdramainwhichaschemingwifetestifiesagainstherhusbandinashockingmurdertrial…
TowardsZero
Apsychopathicmurdererhomesinonunsuspectingvictimsinaseasidehouse,perchedhighonacliff…
GoBackForMurder
WhentheyoungfeityCarla,orphanedatthetenderageoffive,discovers16yearslaterthathermotherwasimprisonedformurderingherfather,shedeterminestoproveherdeadmother’sinnocence…
Verdict
Passion,murderandlovearethedeadlyingredientswhichcombinetomakethisoneofChristie’smoreunusualthrillers,whichshedescribedas‘thebestplayIhavewrittenwiththeexceptionofWitnessfortheProsecution.’
ISBN:000649045X
ALSOBYAGATHACHRISTIE
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
AgathaChristiewasalreadywellknownasacrimewriterwhensheaccompaniedherhusband,MaxMallowan,toSyriaandIraqinthe1930s.Shetookenormousinterestinallhisexcavations,andwhenfriendsaskedwhatherstrangelifewaslike,shedecidedtoanswertheirquestionsinthisdelightfulbook.
Firstpublishedin1946,Come,TellMeHowYouLivegivesacharmingpictureofAgathaChristieherself,whilealsogivinginsightintosomeofhermostpopularnovels,includingMurderinMesopotamiaandAppointmentwithDeath.Itis,asJacquettaHawkesconcludesinherintroduction,‘apurepleasuretoread’.
‘Perfectlydelightful…colourful,livelyandoccasionallytouchingandthought-provoking.’
CHARLESOSBORNE,Books&Bookmen
‘Goodandenjoyable…shehasadelightfullylighttouch.’
MARGHANITALASKI,CountryLife
ISBN:0006531148
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisknownthroughouttheworldastheQueenofCrime.HerbookshavesoldoverabillioncopiesinEnglishwithanotherbillionin100foreigncountries.Sheisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.Sheistheauthorof80crimenovelsandshortstorycollections,19plays,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameofMaryWestmacott.
AgathaChristie’sfirstnovel,TheMysteriousAffairatStyles,waswrittentowardstheendoftheFirstWorldWar,inwhichsheservedasaVAD.InitshecreatedHerculePoirot,thelittleBelgiandetectivewhowasdestinedtobecomethemostpopulardetectiveincrimefictionsinceSherlockHolmes.ItwaseventuallypublishedbyTheBodleyHeadin1920.
In1926,afteraveragingabookayear,AgathaChristiewrotehermasterpiece.TheMurderofRogerAckroydwasthefirstofherbookstobepublishedbyCollinsandmarkedthebeginningofanauthor-publisherrelationshipwhichlastedfor50yearsandwellover70books.TheMurderofRogerAckroydwasalsothefirstofAgathaChristie’sbookstobedramatised–underthenameAlibi–andtohaveasuccessfulruninLondon’sWestEnd.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.
AgathaChristiewasmadeaDamein1971.Shediedin1976,sincewhenanumberofbookshavebeenpublishedposthumously:thebestsellingnovelSleepingMurderappearedlaterthatyear,followedbyherautobiographyandtheshortstorycollectionsMissMarple’sFinalCases,ProblematPollensaBayandWhiletheLightLasts.In1998BlackCoffeewasthefirstofherplaystobenovelisedbyanotherauthor,CharlesOsborne.
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthor.
TheAgathaChristieCollection
TheManInTheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMrQuin
TheSittafordMystery
TheHoundofDeath
TheListerdaleMystery
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
ParkerPyneInvestigates
MurderIsEasy
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
CrookedHouse
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
Spider’sWeb*
TheUnexpectedGuest*
OrdealbyInnocence
ThePaleHorse
EndlessNight
PassengerToFrankfurt
ProblematPollensaBay
WhiletheLightLasts
Poirot
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
BlackCoffee*
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
Three-ActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheABCMurders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentWithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaboursofHercules
TakenattheFlood
MrsMcGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheAdventureoftheChristmasPudding
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Poirot’sEarlyCases
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Marple
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheThirteenProblems
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderisAnnounced
TheyDoItWithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
The4.50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple’sFinalCases
Tommy&Tuppence
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
PublishedasMaryWestmacott
Giant’sBread
UnfinishedPortrait
AbsentintheSpring
TheRoseandtheYewTree
ADaughter’saDaughter
TheBurden
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
PlayCollections
TheMousetrapandSelectedPlays
WitnessfortheProsecutionandSelectedPlays
Copyright
THEUNEXPECTEDGUEST.Copyright?1999AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,non-transferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.
EPubEdition?January2010ISBN:978-0-06-200677-6
10987654321
AboutthePublisher
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*novelisedbyCharlesOsborne
*novelisedbyCharlesOsborne
*novelisedbyCharlesOsborne
TableofContents
TitlePage
Contents
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Postscript
TheUnexpectedGuest
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher