course, and Ed certainly didn’t like that.’ Miller looked up at the faces of the detectives and caught doubt there that this could be the source nowadays of any serious enmity. ‘Religion meant more to my generation than yours. Especially to the British: Americans are used to being a mongrel race. Ed was a staunch Anglican of the old school and certainly not ecumenical. He stopped going to church in Oldford when there was a move towards joint services. And he wouldn’t have the vicar in to see him in those last years when he stopped going out much. He became more bigoted, I think, and those of us who might have felt differently from him just kept off the subject of religion. I’m afraid not many of us become more charitable in our views as we get older.’ He stared into the fire, contemplating the increasing bleakness of the years which lay ahead.
Bert Hook thought that he would be protected as long as that trim, bright woman who had shown them in remained at his elbow. No woman who made such excellent ginger-bread could be other than a benign and liberal influence. He said gently, preparing to turn to a new subject in his notes, ‘You know of no other reason why there should be enmity between Michael Harrison and Edmund Craven?’ He was thinking of the second circle of suspects they would have to move to if their first investigation proved fruitless. Perhaps it was no more than a demonstration to his chief of his alertness: he had already half-decided that their task was to find the necessary evidence to convict David Craven of the murder of his father.
‘No. Ed used to do a little painting in the studio he made at the back of the garden of Tall Timbers. He asked Michael Harrison for his opinion and Michael was rather scathing; I think he might have been a little jealous that Ed had facilities as an amateur that were far better than those he enjoyed himself as a professional. Anyway, Ed took the criticism badly. But perhaps I’ve overstressed the enmity between them. They didn’t see each other much in the last few years, and for all I know Michael Harrison may not have borne any resentment—I’m afraid I hardly know him myself. And after all, his family has done well enough out of Ed’s estate for him to be grateful now.’
It was an attempt to defend the memory of his old friend and Lambert liked him for it. He said, ‘What about Mrs Lewis?’
‘Margaret couldn’t do enough for Ed as he got weaker.’ Again he glanced at both of them quickly to see if they caught the unwittingly sinister implication of his words; this time they were both impassive. ‘I’m glad Ed left her the house in Burnham-on-Sea. She deserves to be looked after. She kept house impeccably for Ed after Joan died, and she became more and more of a friend rather than an employee towards the end.’
Lambert was interested in this outsider’s view of Margaret Lewis, as a counter-balance to the hostility David Craven had not troubled to conceal. He said gently, ‘She looked after Mr Craven’s food and medicines?’
The implication of the question was obvious. Miller said calmly, ‘Yes. I’ve thought about that myself. But unless you are telling me that daily access was necessary, any of us had the opportunity to poison Ed. My money certainly wouldn’t be on Margaret Lewis.’
‘Thank you for being so frank with us, Mr Miller.’ Lambert had risen. He was already impatiently anticipating their meeting with Angela Harrison. ‘Needless to say, your views on the other three people who were close to Mr Craven in those last days will be kept strictly confidential.’ He watched the thrush flitting swiftly from sight in the hushes, wondering if it could have caught his movement through the thick glass.
Miller said simply ‘Four.’ For a man dropping a bombshell, he seemed completely unaware of his effect. He reassembled the empty cups and plates carefully on the big tray and said, ‘If you really asked me to put my money on
Bert Hook thought that he would be protected as long as that trim, bright woman who had shown them in remained at his elbow. No woman who made such excellent ginger-bread could be other than a benign and liberal influence. He said gently, preparing to turn to a new subject in his notes, ‘You know of no other reason why there should be enmity between Michael Harrison and Edmund Craven?’ He was thinking of the second circle of suspects they would have to move to if their first investigation proved fruitless. Perhaps it was no more than a demonstration to his chief of his alertness: he had already half-decided that their task was to find the necessary evidence to convict David Craven of the murder of his father.
‘No. Ed used to do a little painting in the studio he made at the back of the garden of Tall Timbers. He asked Michael Harrison for his opinion and Michael was rather scathing; I think he might have been a little jealous that Ed had facilities as an amateur that were far better than those he enjoyed himself as a professional. Anyway, Ed took the criticism badly. But perhaps I’ve overstressed the enmity between them. They didn’t see each other much in the last few years, and for all I know Michael Harrison may not have borne any resentment—I’m afraid I hardly know him myself. And after all, his family has done well enough out of Ed’s estate for him to be grateful now.’
It was an attempt to defend the memory of his old friend and Lambert liked him for it. He said, ‘What about Mrs Lewis?’
‘Margaret couldn’t do enough for Ed as he got weaker.’ Again he glanced at both of them quickly to see if they caught the unwittingly sinister implication of his words; this time they were both impassive. ‘I’m glad Ed left her the house in Burnham-on-Sea. She deserves to be looked after. She kept house impeccably for Ed after Joan died, and she became more and more of a friend rather than an employee towards the end.’
Lambert was interested in this outsider’s view of Margaret Lewis, as a counter-balance to the hostility David Craven had not troubled to conceal. He said gently, ‘She looked after Mr Craven’s food and medicines?’
The implication of the question was obvious. Miller said calmly, ‘Yes. I’ve thought about that myself. But unless you are telling me that daily access was necessary, any of us had the opportunity to poison Ed. My money certainly wouldn’t be on Margaret Lewis.’
‘Thank you for being so frank with us, Mr Miller.’ Lambert had risen. He was already impatiently anticipating their meeting with Angela Harrison. ‘Needless to say, your views on the other three people who were close to Mr Craven in those last days will be kept strictly confidential.’ He watched the thrush flitting swiftly from sight in the hushes, wondering if it could have caught his movement through the thick glass.
Miller said simply ‘Four.’ For a man dropping a bombshell, he seemed completely unaware of his effect. He reassembled the empty cups and plates carefully on the big tray and said, ‘If you really asked me to put my money on
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