Detective Godfrey On The Case

by Mario V. Farina

to the bathroom and found that the cold water was running as hard as it could, and that the sink was overflowing. Did you know about the problem as soon as he did?"

  "No I didn't. I was more interested in what had caused Mrs. Trumble to become so alarmed."

  "I guess that explains why you didn't go to the bathroom at the same time that he did. Was there a lot of confusion when she stood up as she did?"

  "Yes, everyone was wondering what was the problem and they were asking each other questions and looking on the floor and under the table, things like that."

  "Did you know what had caused the problem?"

  "No, not until Sir Anthony came back and told all of us."

  "Did you, by any chance, notice anyone tampering with Mrs. Trumble's soup?"

  "No, I was as confused as everyone else, and didn't have any time for observing that."

  "You said you were worried about her. It would seem that you would be spending a good deal of the time looking in her direction."

  "Yes I was! But I didn't see nothing."

  "You are sitting very close to her were you not?"

  "Yes, and so was my wife. She was at the end of the table. My wife and I were at her left and right. I didn't see nothin'. Maybe my wife saw something."

  "I'll be talking to her soon. But I need to ask you, during all of that confusion, did you put something in her soup?"

  "No! I resent you asking me that! Why would you think I did anything? There were a lot of other people at the table that could've done that!"

  "Even your wife?"

  "Of course! You have no right to suggest I did it. I would never do anything like that. Just ask anybody!"

  "Are you saying that there is no reason why I should suspect you?"

  "That's right," Mr. Grant responded angrily!

  "Do you have access to poison in any way, Mr. Grant?"

  "Of course not! Why do you think I would?"

  "It's part of my job. I have to ask everyone these questions."

  "Well, I don't like being accused of something I didn't do!"

  "I didn't say you had done anything, Mr. Grant. I think I have asked you everything I need to. I'd like to talk to your wife now."

  "Well, I'll be here in case you need to know anything more."

  Mrs. Grant was standing at the other end of the table. Detective Godfrey walked to where she was and said, "your husband was very cooperative. I'd like to ask you some questions. Do you mind?"

  "Not at all. What can I tell you?"

  "During the time there was confusion at the table, what were you doing?"

  "I was confused like everyone else. I was wondering why Mrs. Trumble had cried out like she did. I could feel the wetness on the carpet and I was looking to see what could have caused it."

  "What was your husband doing?"

  "I don't remember he was doing much of anything. He was sort of glancing around the room, I think. But I wasn't thinking of him so much as I was wondering what was going on."

  "Do you or your husband have access to poisonous materials?"

  "Of course not!"

  "Do you and your husband have jobs?"

  "Yes, we're both nurses at the same hospital where Helen was taken."

  "In your jobs, do you have access to dangerous chemicals?"

  "Yes we do, but we don't ordinarily use them in our work."

  "How long have you and your husband known the Trumbles?"

  "Oh, at least half a dozen years. We've often met for dinner at each other's homes."

  "Were you always are couple when you went to see them, or when they came to see you?"

  "Of course, at least, so far as I know."

  "So far as you know? Why do you put it that way?"

  "Well, I know that my answer is correct so far as I'm concerned, but if the answer weren't the same for my husband, I would know about it, would I?"

  "Women have a way of knowing what they're not supposed to know at times. Don't you agree, Mrs. Grant?"

  "Well, yes, but not this time, Detective Godfrey. My answer stands as I said it!"

  "Did you have anything to do with putting poison in Helen Trumble's soup? I'm sorry but I have to ask you that."

  "No I didn't."

  "Do you know of anybody that did?"

  "No!"

  "Thank you, Mrs. Grant. If I need more information, I'll get back to you. I've talked to everyone except the caterer. I don't think he had anything to do with any of this, but I do have to interrogate him."

  She began walking toward the kitchen.

  "Wait!" It was Mrs. Grant's voice. Detective Godfrey turned and walked back. "You have something you'd like to add," she asked?

  "Yes, my husband was seeing Helen on the side. I was having it out with him about this when you came to interview us."

  The two were suddenly joined by Mr. Grant. "Don't believe anything she says," he yelled, as he arrived. "If you have anything to ask, Detective, ask me!"

  "Why is that, Mr. Grant," asked Detective Godfrey? "Would your wife be lying to me?"

  "No, she wouldn't be lying. She simply don't know nothin' about what happened!"

  "We'll see," responded Detective Godfrey. "Mrs. Grant, tell me what you know. Mr. Grant, don't interrupt!"

  "When David and I arrived here about an hour before dinner," Janet Grant began, "Helen, that is, Mrs. Trumble, took me aside and told me that she and my husband had been seeing each other secretly for a number of years. She said he kept promising that he would divorce me and marry her, but was taking no steps in that direction. It seemed to me that he wanted the cow as well as the milk!"

  "Some weeks back," she continued, "Helen informed him that if he didn't hurry up and bring this to a head, she would tell me about their affair herself. He still didn't take any action, so she decided she was going to do that tonight. And she did!"

  "Apparently, David, my husband, did not know that she had done this. Coincidentally, he had planned to poison Helen at the dinner tonight so that she would never be able to tell. He had gotten the things he needed at the hospital. He is the one that turned on the water full blast in the bathroom knowing it would overflow. He believed that, because of the confusion caused by this, he would have an opportunity to drop some stuff into her soup. Which is what he did! I saw him do it!"

  "I didn't tell you the truth when I said I had not seen him putting something in the soup. I actually did! I didn't know what it was and was thinking of warning her before she took any of it. I was too late. I don't know whether she'll be all right, but I just couldn't let this go without saying something."

  "Lies, all lies, shouted Mr. Grant."

  Detective Godfrey's eyes bore into his like drill bits. "It appears we'll need to have a court decide that," she commented. "I'm afraid I'll have to take you to the station to decide what charges would be appropriate in this matter. And I'm sure there will be some!"