Вбивство на поле для гольфу
3. At the Villa Geneviève
”
“Youaresureofthat?”
“Iswearitbytheblessedsaints,monsieur.”
“Whattimewouldthatbe?”
“Thesametimeasusual,half-pastten,monsieur.”
“Whatabouttherestofthehousehold,hadtheygoneuptobed?”
“Madamehadretiredsometimebefore.DeniseandLéoniewentupwithme.Monsieurwasstillinhisstudy.”
“Then,ifanyoneunfastenedthedoorafterwards,itmusthavebeenM.Renauldhimself?”
Françoiseshruggedherbroadshoulders.
“Whatshouldhedothatfor?Withrobbersandassassinspassingeveryminute!Aniceidea!Monsieurwasnotanimbecile.Itisnotasthoughhehadhadtoletcettedameout—”
Themagistrateinterruptedsharply:
“Cettedame?Whatladydoyoumean?”
“Why,theladywhocametoseehim.”
“Hadaladybeentoseehimthatevening?”
“Butyes,monsieur—andmanyothereveningsaswell.”
“Whowasshe?Didyouknowher?”
Arathercunninglookspreadoverthewoman’sface.“HowshouldIknowwhoitwas?”shegrumbled.“Ididnotletherinlastnight.”
“Aha!”roaredtheexaminingmagistrate,bringinghishanddownwithabangonthetable.“Youwouldtriflewiththepolice,wouldyou?IdemandthatyoutellmeatoncethenameofthiswomanwhocametovisitM.Renauldintheevenings.”
“Thepolice—thepolice,”grumbledFrançoise.“NeverdidIthinkthatIshouldbemixedupwiththepolice.ButIknowwellenoughwhoshewas.ItwasMadameDaubreuil.”
Thecommissaryutteredanexclamation,andleanedforwardasthoughinutterastonishment.
