“Six years. Ever since he graduated from college and started to work in his uncle’s business.”
“You’ve known him intimately?”
“Yes and no. I was an intimate friend of Paul Nieder, the partner of Bernard’s uncle.”
“Please give me a considered answer to this: has he always had to think things over? Have you noticed any change in him in that respect, at any time?”
Demarest smiled. “I don’t have to consider it. He was always a very decisive young man, even aggressive, until he became the active head of the business after his uncle’s death some six weeks ago. But that was only natural, wasn’t it? A man of his age suddenly taking on so great a responsibility?”
“Perhaps. Miss Zarella, do you agree with what Mr. Demarest has said?”
“Oh, yes!” Polly was emphatic as usual. “Bernard has been so different!”
“And do you, Miss Nieder?”
Cynthia was frowning. “Well, I suppose people might have got that impression—”
“Nonsense,” Wolfe bit her off. “You’re hedging. Mr. Daumery was ardent in resenting a suspicion that you had committed a murder, but you don’t have to reciprocate for him. His alibi is impregnable. Was there a change in Mr. Daumery, as stated, about six weeks ago?”