The Paw in the Bottle

‘But no taxis were allowed through after Gleb was in the flat.’

‘Perhaps she walked. I don’t know. I’m just making suggestions.’

Dawson stared at him.

‘Oh, yes, I understand that. I didn’t know about the garage. I’d better find out if anyone saw her in there. Well, we’ve got the man who did it. He won’t get away with it.’

Wesley seemed to turn a shade paler.

‘If there’s nothing more, Inspector, perhaps you wouldn’t mind leaving me? This has been a bit of a shock.’

‘Of course,’ Dawson returned, suddenly feeling sorry for him. ‘We’ll try not to bother you. Is there anything I can do for you?’

‘If you see Gerridge — he’s my secretary — tell him to come to me,’ Wesley said. ‘He should be in in a little while.’

‘I’ll do that,’ Dawson said, turned to the door.

‘Oh, Inspector, is Miss Holland all right?’ Wesley asked guardedly.

‘Yes... a bit shocked, but she’s all right. I’m going to see her now.’

‘Did she see anything?’

‘That’s what I’m going to find out.’

‘I see. Thank you.’

Dawson went quietly from the room, closed the door. He stood for a moment or so thinking, then went into the lounge where Garson was waiting.

‘Go down to the garage and find out if anyone saw Mrs. Wesley come in that way,’ he said. ‘The garage is in the basement and was the one place we didn’t guard. Wesley says he thinks that was how she got in.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Garson said, made to move off but Dawson stopped him.

‘Where’s the Holland girl?’

‘In her room; end of the passage, sir.’

Dawson nodded and went with a heavy tread down the passage. He rapped on the door, pushed it open and went in.

Julie was lying on the bed. Her tear-stained face blanched when she saw who it was.

‘Where were you when the shooting took place?’ Dawson demanded. He had no intention of wasting any time with Julie.

‘In Mrs. Wesley’s room.’

‘What happened?’

‘I... I don’t know. I... I didn’t see any of it.’

Dawson surveyed her; his mouth tightening.

‘Now look here, young woman, you’ve been on the fringe of trouble for some time. Now you’re mixed up in a murder case. You and Gleb were the only two in the flat. You’d better be a bit more helpful or you’ll be getting into trouble.’

‘But I don’t know,’ Julie cried, struggling up on the bed. ‘I didn’t see anything.’

‘You heard something, didn’t you?’

‘I heard Mrs. Wesley scream. Then there was a shot. I ran out. Harry was bending over Mrs. Wesley. He’d just come from the kitchen.’

‘That’s all you saw? You didn’t see him shoot her?’

‘But he didn’t shoot her. He was in the kitchen!’ Julie cried, wringing her hands. ‘He didn’t do it. He hadn’t a gun. Harry wouldn’t do a thing like that.’

‘It’s no use trying to get him out of his trouble. I know you’ve been in love with him, but it won’t do,’ Dawson said harshly. ‘If he didn’t do it, who did? Did you do it? Only you and Gleb were in the flat.’

‘Oh, no!’ Julie exclaimed, terrified at once. ‘I... I didn’t do it.’

Dawson smiled grimly.

‘I didn’t think you did,’ he said. ‘But I wanted to show you lying might make things difficult for you.’

‘But... but I’m sure Harry didn’t do it,’ Julie said, clenching her fists. ‘The front door was open. Someone could have shot her through the front door.’

‘The invisible man? I had a man at either end of the passage. No one could have come up or down the stairs without being seen. As soon as the shot was fired both my men came into the passage. There was no one in sight.’

Julie stared at him, going cold.

‘Did Gleb have the gun in his hand?’ Dawson asked.

‘No. It was lying on the floor by Mrs. Wesley; just by the door.’

‘All right. Well, this let’s you out. Theo’s dead. Gleb’s nabbed and we’re roping the Frenches in now. You’d better watch your step from now on.’ He turned to the door, looked over his shoulder. ‘You’ll be a witness, remember,’ he reminded her. ‘This trial is going to cause a lot of noise. Be careful what you do between now and the trial, won’t you?’

He ran into Garson as he left Julie’s room.

‘No one in the garage, sir,’ Garson reported. ‘The staff leave at seven.’

‘You’d better try and trace the taxi that brought her here,’ Dawson said, frowning. ‘There’s something very odd about the way she sneaked back here. I’ve got a feeling it’ll pay us to put some work in on this angle.’

Garson looked a little startled.

‘But Gleb shot her, didn’t he? There’s no doubt about that, is there?’

‘There’s always a doubt until the trial’s over,’ Dawson said acidly. ‘I’m not going to have my case shot from under me for the lack of a little hard work. I’ve wanted to lay my hands on Gleb for a long time. Now I’ve got him, I don’t intend to let him slip through my fingers. Find out what Mrs. Wesley did from the time she left Wesley to the time she was shot.’