Giles frowned. “Yes, it might, I suppose. Matthews found out about Gladys Smith and threatened Lupton with exposure if he didn't jettison her. Is that what you mean? Was he very fond of his sister?”
“He seems to have been fonder of her than of the rest of his family. And from what I've heard of him a ruthless piece of blackmail like that would have been just about his mark.”
“He looked a bit of a brute,” commented Giles. “I take it Lupton now steps into the role of Chief Suspect, as Kenneth would say. I'm sorry about that: I had some news I hoped would please you.”
“What's that?” Hannasyde asked.
Giles smiled. “Oh, only your friend Randall. He rang me up last night to find out what you were up to—or so I gathered. Anyway, he's meeting us at the Poplars today.”
“What for?” demanded Hannasyde.
Giles shrugged. “Well, he has every right to be present when you go through Matthews' papers. He's one of the executors, you know.”
“Oh, I've no objection,” Hannasyde said. “But I'd like to know why he wants to be there.”
“You'd better ask him,” replied Giles. “I didn't.”
“Quite right,” approved Hannasyde, and relapsed into meditative silence.