He started at the beginning. He told her about his visit to Dr. Harley and about the mysterious scar, and as Keith Webster talked, he watched Eve’s eyes. They were expressionless.
When Keith Webster finished, Eve said, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever it is, you’re wasting my time. As for the scar, I was playing a little joke on my sister. It’s as simple as that. Now, if you’ve quite finished, I have a great deal to do.”
He remained seated. “I’m sorry to have bothered you. I just thought I should talk to you before I went to the police.” He could see that he really had her attention now.
“Why on earth would you go to the police?”
“I’m obliged to report the attack George Mellis made on you. Then there’s that business about you and the scar. I don’t understand it, but I’m sure you can explain it to them.”
Eve felt the first stab of fear. This stupid, dreary little man in front of her had no idea what had really happened, but he knew enough to start the police asking questions.
George Mellis had been a frequent visitor to the apartment. The police could probably find witnesses who had seen him. She had lied about being in Washington the night of George’s murder. She had no real alibi. She had never thought she would need one. If the police learned that George had almost killed her, it would give them a motive. The whole scheme would begin to unravel. She had to silence this man.
“What is it you want? Money?”
“No!”
She saw the indignation on his face. “What, then?”
Dr. Webster looked down at the rug, his face red with embarrassment. “I—I like you so much, Eve. I would hate it if anything bad happened to you.”
She forced a smile. “Nothing bad is going to happen to me, Keith. I haven’t done anything wrong. Believe me, none of this has anything to do with George Mellis’s murder.” She reached out and took his hand. “I would really appreciate it very much if you would forget about this. All right?”
He covered her hand and squeezed it. “I’d like to, Eve. I really would. But they’re holding the coroner’s inquest Saturday. I’m a doctor. I’m afraid it’s my duty to testify at that inquest and tell them everything I know.”
He saw the alarm that appeared in her eyes.
“You don’t have to do that!”
He stroked her hand. “Yes, I do, Eve. It’s my sworn obligation. There’s only one thing that could prevent me from doing it.” He watched her leap to the bait of his words.
“What is that?”
His voice was very gentle. “A husband can’t be forced to testify against his wife.”
35
The wedding took place two days before the coroner’s inquest. They were married by a judge in his private chambers. The mere idea of being married to Keith Webster made Eve’s skin crawl, but she had no choice. The fool thinks I’m going to stay married to him. As soon as the inquest was over, she would get an annulment and that would be the end of it.
Detective Lieutenant Nick Pappas had a problem. He was sure he knew who the murderer of George Mellis was, but he could not prove it. He was confronted by a conspiracy of silence around the Blackwell family that he could not break through. He discussed the problem with his superior, Captain Harold Cohn, a street-wise cop who had worked his way up from the ranks.
Cohn quietly listened to Pappas and said, “It’s all smoke, Nick. You haven’t got a fucking bit of evidence. They’d laugh us out of court.”
“I know,” Lieutenant Pappas sighed. “But I’m right.” He sat there a moment, thinking. “Would you mind if I talked to Kate Blackwell?”
“Jesus! What for?”
“It’ll be a little fishing expedition. She runs that family. She might have some information she doesn’t even know she has.”
“You’ll have to watch your step.”
“I will.”
“And go easy with her, Nick. Remember, she’s an old lady.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” Detective Pappas said.