Death on the Last Train by George Bellairs

Bellis. Scum … Swine. Not fit to live. Better dead …”
    The voice rose to a shrill treble and Claypott beat the air with his hands and arms like a man driving off a swarm of bees. The day was getting on and he was feeling the frantic need of his usual remedy to give him strength to carry on.
    Constance entered and Leah peeped round the door. Harold grew quiet and sullen.
    â€œYou were friendly with Mrs. Bellis in the past, your sister says …”
    Claypott glared at Constance who returned his stare without flinching.
    â€œWhat has that to do with it?”
    â€œI wonder if you could suggest anyone who might have taken revenge on Bellis for the way he treated his second wife. She had many devoted friends …”
    That got Harold on a raw spot and Littlejohn felt bad about rubbing salt in an old wound.
    â€œWell, I didn’t kill the swine, even if she was my friend once. No business of mine. Wouldn’t have thanked me for meddling. Why don’t you go to Dr. Cooper or some of the others. Cooper was mad about her and wanted to marry her once. Go to him. Why pick on me?”
    â€œSo you think Dr. Cooper …?”
    â€œWho said I thought Dr. Cooper …? For God’s sake leave me alone. What’s it got to do with me? I didn’t stop the train and kill him …”
    â€œHow did you know the train stopped? I heard you were asleep in the guard’s van …”
    â€œSo some kind friend’s told you that, have they? No doubt they told you I got up with the guard there andstopped the train without him knowing. And then I got out, killed Bellis and got back without the guard seeing me. I’m not the invisible man!”
    â€œNow, Harold. Don’t be annoyed with the Inspector. He only wants to know if you saw anything that night. He’s not accusing you, are you, Mr. Littlejohn?”
    â€œNo, I’m not, Miss Claypott. . .”
    Outside, Leah could be heard whimpering as though the lot of them were being arrested.
    â€œWell, what’s he badgering me for? I know nothing about it.”
    â€œYou’d been making merry that night and your friends saw you to the train?”
    â€œYou seem to know it all.”
    â€œDo you recollect anything that might be helpful to me?”
    â€œNo. I’ve told you I don’t. The fresh air took hold of me when I got out of the club and my friends helped me … I must have fallen asleep … I don’t remember anything till the guard woke me at Salton and then I went home.”
    That was putting it mildly! Littlejohn didn’t press the point.
    â€œSo you can’t suggest who might have killed Bellis?”
    â€œHow should I know? Scores of people hated him. He swindled ’em out of their savings. Thank God we’d nothing in his blasted building society …”
    â€œDon’t swear, Harold dear …”
    Constance stroked the lapel of his raincoat gently, like calming an unruly boy.
    â€œI’ll swear if I like … And don’t you keep butting in. I can’t help at all. I don’t want pestering any more. … I’ve to go out to-night and I want my tea . .”
    â€œYou shall have it, dear. It’s all ready for you. Some nice cowheel pie … the sort you like.”
    â€œWhat again! I don’t want cowheel pie again. Boil me an egg!”
    Littlejohn was embarrassed. The sooner Harold drankhimself to death and put his sister out of her misery the better, it seemed. Although probably it would break her heart.
    â€œWell? What more do you want? Haven’t I said enough? I can’t give you any idea who did it. I didn’t like Bellis, I hope he rots in hell and that’s all there is to it…”
    â€œHarold!”
    â€œLeave me alone … Nag, nag, nag. Can’t I carry on my own business without being treated like a child? And now, Inspector, I’m going to have my tea, and unless you want to stay and