An Air of Murder by Roderic Jeffries

Author:Roderic Jeffries [Jeffries, Roderic]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 072786050X
Published: 2019-02-11T13:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

THE PHONE AWOKE ALVAREZ. HE DRAGGED HIMSELF UPRIGHT, reached across the desk, and lifted the receiver.

‘Were you fast asleep?’ Salas demanded.

‘At this time of the day, Señor?’

‘Then why did it take you all afternoon to answer?’

‘I was downstairs, checking some evidence, and had just stared to climb the stairs when I heard the phone in my room ring. I came up as quickly as I could.’

‘Then you should start taking exercise . . . Have you established whether the Englishwoman drowned accidentally or was murdered?’

‘Not yet, Señor. It is a confusing case.’

‘Which it was bound to become in your hands. Have you made any progress at all?’

‘In a negative way, yes.’

‘Do I have to point out that progress should be made in a positive way?’

‘I have raised certain questions which have to be answered.’

‘It has not yet occurred to you to answer them?’

‘I judged it best to continue the investigation in reverse.’

‘A decision that you no doubt found quite logical.’

‘That was because of something you said. Rather, that you didn’t say.’

‘Alvarez, have you a family history of mental deficiency?’

‘Not as far as I know.’

‘Then your knowledge probably does not extend far enough since you believe a case should be conducted in a negative, reverse manner because of something your superior chief did not say.’

‘I have been told there was an Irishman who held that when one wants to hear the truth one should listen to what is not said.’

‘Then we may take it there is Irish blood in you. Have you conducted any inquiries which can be considered even faintly constructive?’

‘As you said, Señor, motive is very often the key to the case. So identify a strong motive for the señorita’s death and it becomes much more likely she was murdered rather than that she drowned accidentally.’

‘Have you established a motive?’

‘Señor Gerrard is Lady Gerrard’s brother-in-law. While she is clearly a very wealthy woman, he is equally obviously very far from wealthy since he and his wife live in a caseta. I don’t know of any other foreigners who are in such reduced circumstances as they . . .’

‘I should prefer not to listen to all you don’t know since I want to return home before midnight.’

‘Lady Gerrard owns the caseta and until now, Señor Gerrard has paid no rent, but she is demanding he starts to do so. Again, the trust – which manages the estate belonging to Lady Gerrard; at least, as far as I can understand the position, that is . . .’

‘Do not try to explain and confuse matters inextricably.’

‘Dale, Señor Gerrard’s son, is at public school in England. The fees are very considerable and although the trust has been paying them, Lady Gerrard has said it will no longer do so. Señor Gefrard cannot afford to pay these, so . . .’

‘Why is the financial situation of these foreigners of the slightest consequence?’

‘I was coming to that.’

‘Then do so more succinctly.’

‘Dora Coates possessed a bungalow which is valued at a hundred and twenty thousand pounds and she had over eighty thousand pounds in two banks .

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