“You mustn’t talk like that!” Conrad said sharply. “It was an accident. No one could have got at him. Sergeant O’Brien and I were outside the door the whole time. No one could get in through the window. The water was too hot, he fainted and hit his head on the taps.”
She stared at him, her lips trembling.
“Do you really believe that?”
“That’s how it happened.”
“But it didn’t! He was murdered! You’re not going to let this man get away with it, are you? You can’t let him get away with it!”
“What man are you talking about?” Conrad said, a creepy sensation going up his spine.
“Maurer! Maurer did this! Pete said he was going to do it, and he’s done it!”
“Maurer didn’t kill Werner,” Conrad said patiently. “You’re just guessing. It was an accident.”
“But he did do it!”
“Now look, please go and lie down. You’re upset, and I understand that. You must leave this to us to handle. No one could possibly have got at Weiner. I’m sure of that.”