The Floating Admiral - Agatha Christie [47]
Mr. Edwin Dakers was on the line. He was indeed grieved and horrified to hear of the Admiral’s death. He thought he had better come down to Rundel Croft at once. As Miss Fitzgerald’s trustee and representative, it would be necessary for him to see her without delay. Doubtless she was greatly upset by this melancholy occurrence.
“I haven’t noticed it,” replied Rudge, with a sort of grim satisfaction. “In fact, no sooner did Miss Fitzgerald hear of her uncle’s death than she went up to town and got married to a Mr. Holland. I should be glad, sir—”
“What!” said Mr. Dakers, in a tone so aghast that it seemed to shake the instrument.
Rudge repeated his information.
“God bless my soul!” said Mr. Dakers, and paused for such a long time that Rudge began to think he had fallen dead with horror. Then he said:
“This is very unfortunate indeed, Inspector. I am more than shocked. I am horrified.”
“It certainly looks a bit unfeeling,” said Rudge.
“Unfeeling?” said Mr. Dakers. “It may be most gravely prejudicial to her monetary interests. Can you tell me where to find her?”
“They were staying at the Carlton, she said,” replied Rudge. “Miss Fitzgerald—that is, Mrs. Holland—” (Mr. Dakers groaned faintly) “mentioned that they were going to a dance this evening. I should be glad, sir—”
“A dance at the Carlton?” interrupted the lawyer. “She must be out of her senses. T’chk, t’chk, t’chk. Most distressing. I am not quite clear upon the point of law involved, but if I remember rightly, the Master of the Rolls held in the case of—dear me! I think I shall have to take Counsel’s opinion. In the meanwhile I thank you very much for apprising me of these events. I shall go and see my client immediately, and—”
“I hope you will, sir, and I should be very glad if you could persuade her to come back at once. Mr. and Mrs. Holland will be subpnaed, of course, but in the meantime it would be desirable—”
“Of course, of course,” replied Mr. Dakers, “most unfortunate and unbecoming. I shall make a point of advising her to return home without delay.”
“Thank you, sir, and I should be very glad, sir, if I might have a word with you at some time myself. There are one or two little matters which I should like to have cleared up, in connection with a document we have here.”
“Oh!” said Mr. Dakers. “Yes?”
“In connection,” pursued Rudge, “with a copy of a will, sir, made by John Martin Fitzgerald in 1915.”
“Ah!” said Mr. Dakers. His voice sounded cautious. “Yes. Yes, I see. In what way, precisely, are you interested in that will?”
Rudge coughed.
“Well, sir, in a general way, as you might say. There’s a brother mentioned in it, for example, and one or two other points that might be of interest.”
“Yes, I see. Well, Inspector, I think the best way will be for me to see you myself. I will endeavour to bring Miss Fitz—that is, Mrs. Holland, down with me, but in any case, I shall arrive at Lingham to-night. Where shall I find you?”
“I shall be at Rundel Croft, sir.”
“Very well. I will telephone you when to expect me. When are you holding the inquest?”
“I should think the day after to-morrow, sir.”
“Yes. I shall be there, of course, to represent Mrs. Holland. I think I should have been notified of this matter earlier. How is it that you did not ring me up till one o’clock?”
The Inspector would have liked to say that it was not his business to notify the solicitors of suspected or suspicious persons, but he replied meekly that he had been busy and had only just had time to digest the contents of the will.
“It is unfortunate,” he added, “that Mrs. Holland did not herself acquaint you with the state of affairs.”
“It is; very,” replied the lawyer, dryly. “Very well, Inspector, we will leave it like that.”
He rang off.
“And that’s that,” thought Rudge, discontentedly. “Nothing for it I suppose but to wait for the old blighter. Still, if he brings the Hollands