Towards Zero - Agatha Christie [59]
“Just tired, that’s all. I was tired myself. Yawning. I went up and went right off to sleep.”
That was Barrett’s story, and it seemed impossible to doubt her genuine grief and horror at the news of her mistress’s death.
They went back to Lazenby’s house and it was then that Battle announced that he had a question to ask.
“Ask away,” said Lazenby.
“What time do you think Lady Tressilian died?”
“I’ve told you. Between ten o’clock and midnight.”
“I know that’s what you said. But it wasn’t my question. I asked you what you, personally, thought.”
“Off the record, eh?”
“Yes.”
“All right. My guess would be in the neighbourhood of eleven o’clock.”
“That’s what I wanted you to say,” said Battle.
“Glad to oblige. Why?”
“Never did like the idea of her being killed before ten twenty. Take Barrett’s sleeping draught—it wouldn’t have got to work by then. That sleeping draught shows that the murder was meant to be committed a good deal later—during the night. I prefer midnight, myself.”
“Could be. Eleven is only a guess.”
“But it definitely couldn’t be later than midnight?”
“No.”
“It couldn’t be after two thirty?”
“Good heavens, no.”
“Well, that seems to let Strange out all right. I’ll just have to check up on his movements after he left the house. If he’s telling the truth he’s washed out and we can go on to our other suspects.”
“The other people who inherit money?” suggested Leach.
“Maybe,” said Battle. “But somehow, I don’t think so. Someone with a kink, I’m looking for.”
“A kink?”
“A nasty kink.”
When they left the doctor’s house they went on to the ferry. The ferry consisted of a rowing boat operated by two brothers, Will and George Barnes. The Barnes brothers knew everybody in Saltcreek by sight and most of the people who came over from Easterhead Bay. George said at once that Mr. Strange from Gull’s Point had gone across at ten thirty on the preceding night. No, he had not brought Mr. Strange back again. Last ferry had gone at one thirty from the Easterhead side and Mr. Strange wasn’t on it.
Battle asked him if he knew Mr. Latimer.
“Latimer? Latimer? Tall handsome young gentleman? Comes over from the Hotel up to Gull’s Point? Yes, I know him. Didn’t see him at all last night, though. He’s been over this morning. Went back last trip.”
They crossed on the ferry and went up to the Easterhead Bay Hotel.
Here they found Mr. Latimer newly returned from the other side. He had crossed on the ferry before theirs.
Mr. Latimer was very anxious to do all he could to help.
“Yes, old Nevile came over last night. Looked very blue over something. Told me he’d had a row with the old lady. I hear he’d fallen out with Kay too, but he didn’t tell me that, of course. Anyway, he was a bit down in the mouth. Seemed quite glad of my company for once in a way.”
“He wasn’t able to find you at once, I understand?”
Latimer said sharply:
“Don’t know why. I was sitting in the lounge. Strange said he looked in and didn’t see me, but he wasn’t in a state to concentrate. Or I may have strolled out into the gardens for five minutes or so. Always get out when I can. Beastly smell in this Hotel. Noticed it last night in the Bar. Drains, I think! Strange mentioned it too! We both smelt it. Nasty decayed smell. Might be a dead rat under the billiard room floor.”
“You played billiards, and after your game?”
“Oh we talked a bit, had another drink or two. Then Nevile said ‘Hullo, I’ve missed the ferry,’ so I said I’d get out my car and drive him back, which I did. We got there about two thirty.”
“And Mr. Strange was with you all the evening?”
“Oh yes. Ask anybody. They’ll tell you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Latimer. We have to be so careful.”
Leach said as they left the smiling, self-possessed young man: “What’s the idea of checking up so carefully on Nevile Strange?”
Battle smiled. Leach got it suddenly.
“Good lord, it’s the other one you’re checking up on. So that’s your idea.”
“It’s too soon to have ideas,” said Battle. “I’ve just got to know exactly where Mr. Ted Latimer was last night. We know that