Activity was always to Inspector Slack’s taste. To rush in a car, to silence rudely those people who were anxious to tell him things, to cut short conversations on the plea of urgent necessity all this was the breath of life to Inspector Slack. In an incredibly short time, therefore, he had arrived at Danemouth, reported at police headquarters, had a brief interview with a distracted and apprehensive hotel manager, and, leaving the latter with the doubtful comfort of “Got to make sure it is the girl first, before we start raising the wind,” was driving back to Much Benham in company with Ruby Keene’s nearest relative. He had put through a short call to Much Benham before leaving Danemouth, so the chief constable was prepared for his arrival, though not perhaps for the brief introduction of “This is Josie, sir.” Colonel Melchett stared at his subordinate coldly. His feeling was that Slack had taken leave of his senses. The young woman who had just got out of the car came to the rescue. “That’s what I’m known as professionally,” she explained with a momentary flash of large, handsome white teeth. “Raymond and Josie, my partner and I call ourselves, and of course all the hotel know me as Josie. Josephine Turner’s my real name.” Colonel Melchett adjusted himself to the situation and invited Miss Turner to sit down, meanwhile casting a swift professional glance over her. She was a good-looking young woman of perhaps nearer thirty than twenty; her looks depending more on skillful grooming than actual features. She looked competent and good-tempered, with plenty of common sense. She was not the type that would ever be described as glamorous, but she had, nevertheless, plenty of attraction. She was discreetly made up and wore a dark tailor-made suit. She looked anxious and upset, but not, the colonel decided, particularly grief-stricken. As she sat down she said, “It all seems too awful to be true. Do you really think it’s Ruby?” “That, I’m afraid, is what we’ve got to ask you to tell us. I’m afraid it may be rather unpleasant for you.” Miss Turner said apprehensively, “Does she… does she look very terrible?” “Well, I’m afraid it may be rather a shock to you.” “Do do you want me to look at her right away?” “It would be best, I think, Miss Turner. You see, it’s not much good asking you questions until we’re sure. Best get it over, don’t you think?” “All right.” They drove down to the mortuary. When Josie came in after a brief visit she looked rather sick. “It’s Ruby, right,” she said shakily. “Poor girl! [unclear] Goodness, I do There isn’t” she looked round wistfully [unclear]
[unclear] ‘ySSa was not available, but brandy was and, after CT ping a little down. [unclear] Miss Turner regained her composure. She said frankly, “It gives you a turn, doesn’t it, seeing anything like that? Poor little Ruby! What swine men are, aren’t they?”
“You believe it was a man?”
Josie looked slightly taken aback. “Wasn’t it? Well, I mean I naturally thought-”
“Any special man you were thinking of?”
She shook her head vigorously. “No, not me. I haven’t the least idea. Naturally, Ruby wouldn’t have let on to me if-”
“If what?”
Josie hesitated. “Well, if she’d been going about with anyone.”
Melchett shot her a keen glance. He said no more until they were back at his office. Then he began, “Now, Miss Turner, I want all the information you can give me.”
“Yes, of course. Where shall I begin?”
“I’d like the girl’s full name and address, her relationship to you and all that you know about her.”
Josephine Turner nodded. Melchett was confirmed in his opinion that she felt no particular grief. She was shocked and distressed, but no more. She spoke readily enough. “Her name was Ruby Keene her professional name, that is. Her real name was Rosy Legge. Her mother was my mother’s cousin. I’ve known her all my life, but not particularly well, if you know what I mean. I’ve got a lot of cousins; some in business, some on the stage. Ruby was more or less training for a dancer. She had some good engagements last year in pantomime and that sort of thing. Not really classy, but good provincial companies. Since then she’s been engaged as one of the dancing partners at the Palais de Danse in Brixwell, South London. It’s a nice, respectable place and they look after the girls well, but there isn’t a great deal of money in it.” She paused. Colonel Melchett nodded.