“Why couldn’t you leave me alone?” snarled Trixie.
“Because you caused the deaths of two women,” said Toni, while inside her head her mind raced. To have survived a brutal childhood, to have come out of it all into the sunshine of a glorious life and to have it threatened by this madwoman. Toni felt herself beginning to burn up with white-hot rage. She grasped the back of her wheeled typing chair and ran with it, slamming it into Trixie and sending her flying just as the door opened and a policewoman and policeman rushed in. Trixie was making a dive for the knife, which had fallen out of her hand, when the policewoman fired her Taser gun into her back.
The policeman handcuffed Trixie while the policewoman said, “She’ll come round any minute now. What happened here?”
Toni told her about Agatha’s warning. The police called for forensics and told headquarters to tell Wilkes of the latest development.
More police arrived. Toni repeated her story over and over again while a recovered Trixie was taken away, swearing horribly.
By the time Toni arrived at police headquarters to make an official statement, the press were gathered outside.
Inside, she was relieved to find that she was to be questioned by Bill and Wilkes. She had dreaded being interviewed by the bullying Collins.
When the interview was over, Bill said, “Do you want us to call your mother?”
“No, it’s all right,” said Toni. “She’s living in Southampton now. I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll find Agatha waiting for you.”
Still suffering from shock, Toni went out into reception to find Agatha sitting there. She eyed her uneasily. What if Agatha was a lesbian and that was the reason for all her generosity?
“Why are you looking at me like that?” demanded Agatha. “Have I got a smut on my nose?”
“Trixie said you were a lesbian,” Ton blurted out.
Agatha began to laugh. When she had finished laughing, she said, “Sometimes I wish I were. It would make life a lot easier. Men! I phoned Charles for support and he answered his phone for once and said he couldn’t make it because he had some female staying with him. Now, tell me what went on.”
Toni sat down next to her and wearily described again what had happened.
“Well, if the forensics turn up trumps, they’ve got her for two counts of attempted murder,” said Agatha, “so that’s good enough to be going on with. I’ve still to make an official statement, so I’ll be here for a while. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I’ve told the others to do the same. Forensics will be working in the office for most of the day.”
Toni emerged and blinked as a battery of flashes went off in her face. The chief constable, George Robinson, was addressing the press. He put an arm around Toni’s slim shoulders. “All I can tell you,” he said, “is that this brave private detective tackled someone who was attempting to murder her. I will make a further statement later.”
Agatha heard the commotion and opened the door. “This way, Toni!” the photographers were shouting.
I’m the boss, thought Agatha jealously. It should be
But as she was about to push forward, Wilkes tapped her on the shoulder. “We’re ready for you now, Mrs. Raisin.”
Agatha sat gloomily over the newspapers the next morning, reflecting sourly that Toni photographed like a dream with the sunlight glinting on her fair hair and her wide blue eyes and slim figure.
She switched on the television. There was a late bulletin to say that Trixie Chance, wife of the vicar of Saint Odo The Severe, had been charged with two counts of manslaughter and two counts of attempted murder and with possession of an illegal substance.
Agatha began to resent Toni. That girl kept getting all the glory. She wondered whether it might be an idea to set Toni up in her own agency. Then let’s see how she fared without the genius of Agatha Raisin to help her. Her own agency was doing well. She could certainly afford to fund Toni until the girl got on her feet, and if she didn’t, she could write it off as a tax loss.
Fired up with this new idea, Agatha phoned Toni and told her to make herself free for a business lunch at one o’clock in the George, a pub opposite police headquarters
Toni expected Agatha to be sour over the press coverage and was relieved to see a beaming Agatha waiting for her in the restaurant. Agatha had not been in the office that morning.
“Sit down,” said Agatha. “We’ll order our food and drinks first. The steak and kidney pudding here is very good and I feel like some comfort food.”
“I’m sorry about taking the limelight in the press coverage,” said Toni.
Agatha waved a dismissive hand. “It’s all good for the agency. I have a plan for you.”
“Like what?” asked Toni nervously.
“Wait till we get our food. What are you drinking?”
“Mineral water will do fine,” said Toni, “and the steak and kidney pudding.”
When Agatha returned from the bar after placing their order, Toni said, “Why did she do it?”
“Who? What?”
“Trixie. I mean, she had a respectable life. Why did she put acid in the jam?”
“Because she’s mad.”
