In the Best Families

“Well-my best one first. Have you noticed her eyes-the deep light in them? I think she's trying to take over for you. She liked Mrs Rackham, and when she got left that two hundred grand it went to her head. She thought Rackham had killed her-I don't know whether it was a hunch or what-and when time passed and it looked as if he wasn't going to get tagged for it, she decided it was her duty or mission, or whatever word she uses for it, to step in. Having the two hundred grand, she could afford a hobby for a while. That was when she started to put the eyes on Rackham. I expect she thought she could get him into a state where he would dump it all out for her, and then she would not only know she was right but would also be able to complete her mission. But the months went by and he never dumped, and it probably got a little embarrassing, and she got fanatic about it, and she must even have got desperate, judging by the performance she finally ended up with. She decided Rackham was guilty, that part was all right, and the only thing lacking was evidence, so it was up to her to furnish it.

I leaned forward at her. “It's not enough to want to do a good deed, you damn' fool. Wanting is fine, but you also need some slight idea of how to go about it.

It didn't bother you that one by-product was making me out a cheap crook, did it? Many thanks sincerely yours.

She dropped her head into her hands to cover her face, and convulsions began.

They sat and looked at her. I looked at them. Archer was pulling jerkily at his lower lip. Dykes was shaking his head, his lips compressed.

“I suggest, I said modestly, raising my voice to carry over the noise Lina

Darrow was making, “that when she quiets down it might pay to find out if

Rackham has told her anything that might help. That item about his getting dough from gambling or rackets could be true, if they actually got intimate enough for him to tell her the story of his life.

They kept their eyes on her. She was crying away what had looked like a swell chance to wrap up a tough one, and I wouldn't have been surprised if they had burst into tears too. I pushed back my chair and stood up.

“If you get anything that I can be of any help on, give me a ring. I'll have a crowded afternoon, but word will reach me.

I walked out.

Chapter Nineteen