He moved across the room to her side. “It's all right, Mummy,” he said. “I expect it's only to make inquiries. They can't do anything—I mean, they don't know yet that Aunt Harriet was poisoned.”
“Don't keep on saying that she was poisoned!” Mrs Matthews cried, as though her nerves were snapping. “She wasn't! She couldn't have been!” She turned with an effort to Edward Rumbold. “Please don't go!” she said faintly. “I have no one to advise me—I feel quite shattered!”
“I'll do anything I can to help you,” he answered. “You must be perfectly open with the Superintendent—I'm sure you will be. There's nothing to be afraid of.”
The door opened. “The police are here, madam,” said Beecher, in a voice of doom.
Chapter Twelve
Mrs Matthews saw that both her children were watching her. She straightened in her chair, smiled, and turned her head to speak to the butler. “Very well, Beecher,” she said, her voice once more smooth and controlled. “Show them in here, please.”
A moment later Hannasyde came into the room.
Mrs Matthews bowed slightly. “Good-afternoon, Superintendent. You wish to see me?”
“I wish to ask you some questions, Mrs Matthews, about Miss Harriet Matthews' death.”
She raised her brows. “Surely you are a little premature in assuming that my sister-in-law's death is a case for the police?”