The False Inspector Dew

'I'm afraid that won't be possible,' said the nurse. 'You're to remain in bed for the rest of the day. You heard the doctor's orders, sir.'

'The doctor told me this is only a flesh wound.'

'He gave you something to suppress the pain. You wouldn't be very steady on your feet.'

'I'll see Gordon here, then.'

'He's under arrest,' repeated Mr Saxon.

'Good,' said Walter. 'You must know where to find him.'

17

Alma spent a long time looking for Johnny. He was not in his deckchair, or taking his usual turn round the promenade deck or his usual double scotch in the smoking room. She found him at last on the fantail, the aftermost stretch of deck on the ship. He was leaning on the rail studying the smooth centre of the wake. He turned and took her hand.

He said, 'New York tomorrow.'

'Don't look so glum,' said Alma. 'You'll make me sad, too.'

'What will you do in America — something in the theatre?'

'No. That's finished. I'm not certain what will happen.'

'There's someone going to meet you 1 expect,' said Johnny.

'Well, not exactly.'

'But you won't be alone in America?'

'I hope not.'

'There is someone else,' said Johnny, 'isn't there?'

Alma stared at the foam churning from the turbines, i think you know the answer to that already. Johnny, when you left me after the fancy dress parade last night, you said you were going to get changed.'

'Why, yes, my dear. That's exactly what I did.'

'You didn't go up on deck?'

Johnny frowned. 'No. Why should I have done? You don't think I had something to do with Inspector Dew getting shot? Why on earth should I?' His eyes widened. 'Good Lord — he's not your friend, is he?'

'Please don't ask me any more,' said Alma. 'I was only thinking of you.'

'That does rather put the damper on my plans. I was leading up to asking you to make a decent man of me, so to speak. I'm not quite so old as I appear.'

Alma felt the blood rising in her cheeks. 'I don't think you're old.'

'It's the sort of life I've led,' said Johnny. 'Never taken care of myself.' He laughed. 'Bit of a nerve, wanting to take care of you. And I know that selling motor cars isn't exactly like the Civil Service or the Stock Exchange, but it is a job with prospects.'

Alma returned a smile, is this a proposal of marriage?'

Johnny kissed her softly on the cheek. 'Lydia, it is.'

At the mention of that name, she closed her eyes. How could she marry Johnny when he did not even know her proper name?

'What's the matter?' Johnny asked.

'I can't…' She felt her mouth go dry. 'I can't give you an answer yet. I want to say yes, but… but I must speak to somebody else. Oh, Johnny.' She rested her head against his shoulder. She was starting to cry.

18

Walter was sitting up in bed when Mr Saxon returned with Jack Gordon. The nurse had left. Jack fairly bristled with resentment as the master-at-arms pointed towards a chair.

'There's no need for you to stay, Mr Saxon,' Walter generously suggested. 'The room-search for the gun must be under way by now.'

'It's imperative that I remain,' said Mr Saxon with the air of a man who knew far more than he cared to say.

'Mr Gordon isn't going to attack me,' said Walter.

The master-at-arms drew in a long, eloquent breath.

'If you insist,' said Walter, 'you can take notes of what we say.' He took his notebook from under his pillow and held it out for Mr Saxon.

'I have my own,' said Mr Saxon haughtily.

'Just as you prefer.' Walter turned to Jack. 'Mr Gordon, I want to thank you for taking care of me last night. From what I hear, you haven't been treated with much gratitude. Did you get that, Mr Saxon, or am I going too fast?'

Mr Saxon did not look up from his notebook.

Walter continued, i was hoping for some help and it seems to me that you're the man most likely to give it.'

Jack looked dubious. 'I've told you everything I can.'

'Everything I asked you,' said Walter. 'Questions and answers don't always produce the information one requires. You and I both want to find the murderer of your wife. Time is getting short. After we dock tomorrow, the chance of catching him is practically nil. So I thought if the two of us could put our heads together, we might get some fresh ideas. Suppose we start by looking at the facts we have. You and your wife booked a passage on the Mauretania with the intention of making a lot of money playing cards with the American, Paul Westerfield.'

'I told you that already.'

'Of course,' Walter went on as if Jack's impatience had passed him by. 'You know, the thing that interests me is why you should have chosen this particular crossing and that particular passenger. I wonder whether it has any bearing on the mystery.'

'I shouldn't think so,' answered Jack. 'We chose the Mauretania because we hadn't worked on her before. We weren't known to the captain or the purser.'

'Your first trip on the Mauretania. I understand,' said Walter.

'And Westerfield was the obvious mark. A millionaire's son, sociable, a graduate in maths. I don't know what you're thinking, Inspector, but I can tell you for sure that Paul Westerfield didn't suspect us. He and the girl were perfect pigeons.'

On the other side of the room, Mr Saxon was grinding his teeth.

Jack continued, 'I suppose you're going to ask me if I can think of anyone else with a grudge against us.'

'It was on the tip of my tongue,' said Walter.

'Inspector, I've been through the ship since Sunday

'Inspector, I've been through the ship since Sunday looking at people's faces, searching for anyone I know. I'm convinced that there isn't a man or woman on board who has played cards with me before. If you want my opinion, Kate was killed by some maniac who might as well have strangled any other woman.'

'The same maniac who shot me?'

It was a simple question, but Jack took it as a criticism of his theory. 'That's a point I hadn't thought of. Is it usual for a strangler of women to take up shooting as well?' He got no answer from Walter, so he went on, 'And how can I possibly describe last night as a similar crime? Whoever fired that shot picked his victim, didn't he? The question is why did he do it.'

'I've been thinking about that,' said Walter, i can only presume that he thought I was getting too close to the truth.'

Jack screwed up his face in disbelief, i beg your pardon.'