by Bruce, Leo
‘What Trudge and Grace did nothing to simulate was their anger and dismay when they found that, purely to spite them it would seem, Imogen had left her fortune to her husband. That was genuine enough and will probably continue to the end of their lives. They have been punished certainly, but I do not think either of them will ever stand trial for murder. Unless…’
‘Unless?’ asked John Moore, breaking his long silence.
‘Unless, by chance, the case is re-opened and an exhumation order is made and some trace of the sticking-plaster is found round Imogen’s mouth or nose. All very unlikely. Or unless the two women fall out and are guilty of some wild indiscretion. Or Miss Trudge, less balanced than her co-conspirator, does something mad about it. Even then there couldn’t be much proof. It was quite a clever murder and needed a good deal of patience and determination.’
‘Are you seriously asking us to believe,’ said Mr Gorringer, glancing towards Moore in the hope of support, ‘that the death of Imogen Marvell was in no way connected with these blackmailing villains whom we have now laid by the heels?’
‘Only very indirectly. They gave her an emetic in order to force Rolland to pay protection money. It was through the effects of that emetic that Imogen Marvell got herself into a condition to make an injection advisable and give Trudge and Grace the opportunity they wanted. That was the only connection. I can find no evidence at all that Imogen herself was being blackmailed or, as Mrs de Mornay more credibly suggested, was working with the blackmailers. She was a victim of the hatred she inspired in her followers and their greed for her money.’
‘Remarkable!’ said Mr Gorringer. ‘One might say astounding.’
‘Not really,’ said Carolus. ‘Is human nature ever really astounding? There are plenty of precedents, I am sure, even for Imogen herself. But I hope I may never see blue ribbon again.’
