The Judas Kiss by Herbert Adams

Author:Herbert Adams [Adams, Herbert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Crime
Publisher: Project Gutenberg Australia
Published: 2011-02-22T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14: Roger's Theory

"This, my dear, is Chief Inspector Grimsby from London. He wants to discuss that trouble next door."

Ruth glanced reproachfully at her husband and pleasantly at their visitor at the same time and in a way only a woman can.

"I am sure Roger will be pleased to help you," she said acid-sweetly.

"We think a lot of him at the Yard," the burly detective assured her.

"If you are to talk I expect some beer would be acceptable."

"Well, m'm, I do think better with a glass at my elbow. Inquests are dry affairs."

"I will send it in."

She vanished and a few minutes later Ben Orgles appeared with a tray bearing bottles and glasses. Roger introduced him. "He was once in the Force," he added.

"A long time since Grimmie and Orgles pounded the pavements in 'Olloway," Ben grinned.

"Some of us have moved on since then," the Chief Inspector replied, not too pleased at being greeted in such a manner by a companion of his humbler days.

"We moved others on then, didn't we?" smiled the ex-constable.

"All right, Ben," Roger said. "I will see to the drinks." He knew his man would get in a sly dig if he could, and he did not wish it.

"I suppose you have no idea who did the dirty work?" Grimsby began, when they were alone and had lighted their pipes and sampled the liquor.

"Not the least," Roger said. "I do not even know for certain that there has been any dirty work."

"Not much doubt of that," Grimsby replied gloomily, taking his notebook from his pocket. "A few points I would like to go through with you. It is like a sum that adds up differently every time you try it and none of the answers may be right."

Roger did not reply. The detective turned a few leaves and continued.

"First, what do we know? The woman died from cyanide poisoning. That's sure enough. There's a bottle in Teague's potting shed with sufficient cyanide crystals in it to poison half the village. Did it come from there? Apparently all the parties in the case, including the woman herself, could have had access to it."

"I did not know that. What did Teague want it for?"

"Usual thing. Said there was a plague of wasps last summer and it was the best way of getting rid of 'em."

"I thought the liquid soaked in rag and put in the nest was more general."

"I asked him that. He said the crystals kept better and he never knew when he would want it again."

"That then does not preclude the possibility of suicide?"

"It does not," Grimsby agreed. "It would be a dam' sight simpler if we could say it was suicide and leave it at that. But I don't believe it. Why should she kill herself? Why pack up and leave home to do it? Why change for dinner?"

Again Roger did not reply.

"Of course she was alone in the locked room. No way in. Windows fastened, and all the front visible from the street. No getting in or out.

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