Something stirred in her consciousness – a picture something that Alex had said… something that he had described to her… Constable Dodgett puffing and panting… Panting… Something shifted in her mind came into sudden focus.
‘Why of course!’ said Miss Marple. ‘That must be it…’
CHAPTER 18
‘Oh, Wally, how you startled me!’ Gina, emerging from the shadows by the theatre, jumped back a little, as the figure of Wally Hudd materialized out of the gloom. It was not yet quite dark, but had that eerie half light when objects lose their reality and take on the fantastic shapes of nightmare.
‘What are you doing down here? You never come near the theatre as a rule.’ ‘Maybe I was looking for you, Gina. It’s usually the best place to find you, isn’t it?’ Wally’s soft, faintly drawling voice held no special insinuation, and yet Gina flinched a little.
‘It’s a job and I’m keen on it. I like the atmosphere of paint and canvas, and back stage generally.’ ‘Yes. It means a lot to you. I’ve seen that. Tell me, Gina, how long do you think it will be before this business is all cleared up?’ ‘The inquest’s tomorrow. It will just be adjourned for a fortnight or something like that. At least, that’s what Inspector Curry gave us to understand.’ ‘A fortnight,’ said Wally thoughtfully. ‘I see. Say three weeks, perhaps. And after that – we’re free. I’m going back to the States then.’ ‘Oh! but I can’t rush off like that,’ cried Gina. ‘I couldn’t leave Grandam. And we’ve got these two new productions we’re working on ‘ ‘I didn’t say “we.” I said I was going.’
Gina stopped and looked up at her husband. Some-thing in the effect of the shadows made him seem very big. A big, quiet figure – and in some way, or so it seemed to her, faintly menacing… Standing over her. Threaten-ing – what?
‘Do you mean’ – she hesitated – ‘you don’t want me to come?’
‘Why, no – I didn’t say that.’
‘You don’t care if I come or not? Is that it?’
She was suddenly angry.
‘See here, Gina. This is where we’ve got to have a showdown. We didn’t know much about each other when we got married – not much about each other’s backgrounds, not much about the other one’s folks. We thought it didn’t matter. We thought nothing mattered except having a swell time together. Well, stage one is over. Your folks didn’t – and don’t – think much of me.
Maybe they’re right. I’m not their kind. But if you think I’m staying on here, kicking my heels, and doing odd jobs in what I consider is just a crazy set-up – well, think again! I want to live in my own country, doing the kind of job I want to do, and can do. My idea of a wife is the kind of wife who used to go along with the old pioneers, ready for anything, hardship, unfamiliar country, danger, strange surroundings… Perhaps that’s too much to ask of you, but it’s that or nothing! Maybe I hustled you into marriage. If so, you’d better get free of me and start again.
It’s up to you. If you prefer one of these arty boys – it’s your life and you’ve got to choose. But I’m going home.’
‘I think you’re an absolute pig,’ said Gina. ‘I’m enjoying myself here.’
‘Is that so? Well, I’m not. You even enjoy murder, I suppose?’
Gina drew in her breath sharply.
‘That’s a cruel wicked thing to say. I was very fond of Uncle Christian. And don’t you realize that someone has been quietly poisoning Grandam for months? It’s horrible?
‘I told you I didn’t like it here. I don’t like the kind of things that go on. I’m quitting.’ ‘If you’re allowed to! Don’t you realize you’ll probably be arrested for Uncle Christian’s murder? I hate the way Inspector Curry looks at you. He’s just like a cat watching a mouse with a nasty sharp-clawed paw all ready to pounce. Just because you were out of the Hall fixing those lights, and because you’re not English, I’m sure they’ll go fastening it on you.’ ‘They’ll need some evidence first.’ Gina wailed: ‘I’m frightened for you, Wally. I’ve been frightened all along.’ ‘No good being scared. I tell you they’ve got nothing on me!’ They walked in silence towards the house.