Passenger to Frankfurt - Agatha Christie [93]
He nodded encouragingly at her as she looked doubtfully at him.
‘I think, Dr McCulloch,’ said Colonel Munro, ‘that we owe you a few explanations of what happened this evening, even though, as you surmise, the powers-that-be will demand a hush-hush policy. Lord Altamount’s death–’ He hesitated.
‘The bullet didn’t actually kill him,’ said the doctor, ‘death was due to shock. That hypodermic would have done the trick–strychnine. The young man–’
‘I only just got it away from him in time,’ said Horsham.
‘Been the fly in the ointment all along?’ asked the doctor.
‘Yes–regarded with trust and affection for over seven years. The son of one of Lord Altamount’s oldest friends–’
‘It happens. And the lady–in it together, do I understand?’
‘Yes. She got the post here by false credentials. She is also wanted by the police for murder.’
‘Murder?’
‘Yes. Murder of her husband, Sam Cortman, the American Ambassador. She shot him on the steps of the Embassy–and told a fine tale of young men, masked, attacking him.’
‘Why did she have it in for him? Political or personal?’
‘He found out about some of her activities, we think.’
‘I’d say he suspected infidelity,’ said Horsham. ‘instead he discovered a hornets’ nest of espionage and conspiracy, and his wife running the show. He didn’t know quite how to deal with it. Nice chap, but slow-thinking–and she had the sense to act quickly. Wonderful how she registered grief at the Memorial Service.’
‘Memorial–’ said Professor Shoreham.
Everyone, slightly startled, turned round to look at him.
‘Difficult word to say, memorial–but I mean it. Lisa, you and I are going to have to start work again.’
‘But, Robert–’
‘I’m alive again. Ask the doctor if I ought to take things easy.’
Lisa turned her eyes inquiringly on McCulloch.
‘If you do, you’ll shorten your life and sink back into apathy–’
‘There you are,’ said Shoreham. ‘Fash-fashion–medical fashion today. Make everyone, even if they’re–at–death’s door–go on working–’
Dr McCulloch laughed and got up.
‘Not far wrong. I’ll send you some pills along to help.’
‘I shan’t take them.’
‘You’ll do.’
At the door the doctor paused. ‘Just want to know–how did you get the police along so quickly?’
‘Squadron Leader Andrews,’ said Munro, ‘had it all in hand. Arrived on the dot. We knew the woman was around somewhere, but had no idea she was in the house already.’
‘Well–I’ll be off. Is all you’ve told me true? Feel I shall wake up any minute, having dropped off to sleep half way through the latest thriller. Spies, murders, traitors, espionage, scientists–’
He went out.
There was a silence.
Professor Shoreham said slowly and carefully:
‘Back to work–’
Lisa said as women have always said:
‘You must be careful, Robert–’
‘Not–not careful. Time might be short.’
He said again:
‘Memorial–’
‘What do you mean? You said it before.’
‘Memorial? Yes. To Edward. His Memorial! Always used to think he had the face of a martyr.’
Shoreham seemed lost in thought.
‘I’d like to get hold of Gottlieb. May be dead. Good man to work with. With him and with you, Lisa–get the stuff out of the bank–’
‘Professor Gottlieb is alive–in the Baker Foundation, Austin, Texas,’ said Mr Robinson.
‘What are you talking of doing?’ said Lisa.
‘Benvo, of course! Memorial to Edward Altamount. He died for it, didn’t he? Nobody should die in vain.’
Epilogue
Sir Stafford Nye wrote out a telegraph message for the third time.
ZP 354XB 91 DEP S.Y.
HAVE ARRANGED FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY TO BE PERFORMED ON THURSDAY OF NEXT WEEK AT ST CHRISTOPHERS IN THE VALE LOWER STAUNTON 2.30 PM STOP ORDINARY CHURCH OF ENGLAND SERVICE IF R.C. OR GREEK ORTHODOX DESIRED PLEASE WIRE INSTRUCTIONS STOP WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT NAME DO YOU WISH TO USE FOR MARRIAGE CEREMONY STOP NAUGHTY NIECE OF MINE FIVE YEARS OLD