“I think,” said Violet, in a voice of still anger, “that this is the last straw!”
“Oh, damn you, shut up!” snapped Antonia. “How could he help going?”
Violet spoke with meticulous politeness. “Will you please not swear at me? I am quite aware that he had to go, but I don't in the least understand why he could not take the trouble to say good-bye. It is a piece of rudeness which -”
“If you don't hold your tongue there will be a third murder,” said Leslie, with deadly calm. “You've said more than enough already. In fact, there's only one thing you forgot; why didn't you advise the Superintendent to inquire into my movements last night?”
“I am quite sure that he had done so, dear,” replied Violet sweetly. “Not that I think you did the murder, for, after all, what motive could you have?”
“If it comes to that, what motive could Tony have had? She doesn't inherit.”
“Not while Kenneth is alive,” agreed Violet, with meaning.
Antonia, not in the least indignant at this remark, frowned thoughtfully. “Well, I don't know,” she said. “I should have to be pretty hard-boiled to commit three murders. It would be dam' silly too, because I'd be bound to get caught out.”
“It seems to me that anyone of normal intelligence can get away with murder,” said Violet scornfully. “What have the police done over this case? Absolutely nothing! They've no idea who murdered Arnold Vereker, and the best they can think of to do now is to arrest Kenneth.”
Utterly obvious, and utterly brainless.” She bent and picked up her gloves and handbag from the chair where she had left them, and began to draw on her gloves, working her fingers into them. “There's no point in my staying,” she said. “If Mr Carrington can't help Kenneth, I am sure I can't.”