Cards on the Table - Agatha Christie [21]
‘Well, Dr Roberts, strictly speaking, they’re not going. They’re standing still.’
‘There’s been nothing much in the papers, I’ve been glad to see.’
‘Sudden death of the well-known Mr Shaitana at an evening party in his own home. It’s left at that for the moment. We’ve had the autopsy—I brought a report of the findings along—thought it might interest you—’
‘That’s very kind of you—it would—h’m—h’m. Yes, very interesting.’
He handed it back.
‘And we’ve interviewed Mr Shaitana’s solicitor. We know the terms of his will. Nothing of interest there. He has relatives in Syria, it seems. And then, of course, we’ve been through all his private papers.’
Was it fancy or did that broad, clean-shaven countenance look a little strained—a little wooden?
‘And?’ said Dr Roberts.
‘Nothing,’ said Superintendent Battle, watching him. There wasn’t a sigh of relief. Nothing so blatant as that. But the doctor’s figure seemed to relax just a shade more comfortably in his chair.
‘And so you’ve come to me?’
‘And so, as you say, I’ve come to you.’
The doctor’s eyebrows rose a little and his shrewd eyes looked into Battle’s.
‘Want to go through my private papers—eh?’
‘That was my idea.’
‘Got a search warrant?’
‘No.’
‘Well; you could get one easily enough, I suppose. I’m not going to make difficulties. It’s not very pleasant being suspected of murder but I suppose I can’t blame you for what’s obviously your duty.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ said Superintendent Battle with real gratitude. ‘I appreciate your attitude, if I may say so, very much. I hope all the others will be as reasonable, I’m sure.’
‘What can’t be cured must be endured,’ said the doctor good-humouredly.
He went on:
‘I’ve finished seeing my patients here. I’m just off on my rounds. I’ll leave you my keys and just say a word to my secretary and you can rootle to your heart’s content.’
‘That’s all very nice and pleasant, I’m sure,’ said Battle. ‘I’d like to ask you a few more questions before you go.’
‘About the other night? Really, I told you all I know.’
‘No, not about the other night. About yourself.’
‘Well, man, ask away, what do you want to know?’
‘I’d just like a rough sketch of your career, Dr Roberts. Birt, marriage, and so on.’
‘It will get me into practice for Who’s Who,’ said the doctor dryly. ‘My career’s a perfectly straight forward one. I’m a Shropshire man, born at Ludlow. My father was in practice there. He died when I was fifteen. I was educated at Shrewsbury and went in for medicine like my father before me. I’m a St Christopher’s man—but you’ll have all the medical details already, I expect.’
‘I looked you up, yes, sir. You an only child or have you any brothers or sisters?’
‘I’m an only child. Both my parents are dead and I’m unmarried. Will that do to get on with? I came into partnership here with Dr Emery. He retired about fifteen years ago. Lives in Ireland. I’ll give you his address if you like. I live here with a cook, a parlourmaid and a housemaid. My secretary comes in daily. I make a good income and I only kill a reasonable number of my patients. How’s that?’
Superintendent Battle grinned.
‘That’s fairly comprehensive, Dr Roberts. I’m glad you’ve got a sense of humour. Now I’m going to ask you one more thing.’
‘I’m a strictly moral man, superintendent.’
‘Oh, that wasn’t my meaning. No, I was going to ask you if you’d give me the names of four friends—people who’ve known you intimately for a number of years. Kind of references, if you know what I mean.’
‘Yes, I think so. Let me see now. You’d prefer people who are actually in London now?’
‘It would make it a bit easier, but it doesn’t really matter.’
The doctor thought for a minute or two, then with his fountain pen he scribbled four names and addresses on a sheet of paper and pushed it across the desk to Battle.
‘Will those do? They’re the best I can think of on the spur of the moment.’
Battle read carefully, nodded his head in satisfaction and put the sheet of paper away in an inner pocket.
‘It’s just