John Creasey - Stars For The Toff
Terrace—the second was when Bob came to rescue his brother from the flat, and found Stride talking to Jolly.”
Olivia frowned. “What about the attack on you?”
“Once the Webbs had got all the information they could get regarding Madam Melinska, their job was finished. Mrs Abbott had stopped paying them, and they were a bit pushed for cash—so, knowing about the jewellery, they decided to break into her flat and help themselves. Mrs Abbott came back unexpectedly, one of the brothers panicked and strangled her, and they both took to their heels—” Rollison’s voice hardened— “running down Charlie Wray in the process. When they were back at 5 Hill Crescent Road, Bob discovered that he’d dropped his wallet. Afraid he’d left it at the flat, he came back to look for it, but couldn’t find it—panicked still further, and decided to burn the place down.”
“Did he drop it at the flat?” asked Olivia.
“He did indeed. According to Clay, the ambulance men found it on the bed underneath the body. It must have fallen there during the struggle. And lucky it was that it did,” added Rollison, “it was only when the police finally identified this wallet that the brothers broke down and decided to tell the truth.”
“But you,” urged Olivia. “Why did they attack you?”
“Well—” Rollison sipped his wine— “as Bob Webb left Mrs Abbott’s flat for the second time, he saw me arrive—then, half an hour later, the police. Talking it over, the two brothers convinced themselves that, during that half-hour, I must have found the missing wallet. So they paid me a visit, Bob waiting outside in case I’d seen him leaving the flat and might recognise him, Frank waving a gun at me on the stairs. When Frank didn’t come out but I did, Bob trailed me to the Embankment, and it was then that he tried to run me down. After that he went back to Gresham Terrace to rescue his brother. And the rest you know.”
“So it was the Webbs, and they weren’t telling us the truth,” said Olivia slowly. “And to think they had me prisoner,” she shivered. “And yet—” she paused— “the statements they gave us tallied so exactly.”
“Once they knew you were on their trail they guessed there might be trouble,” said Rollison. “So they concocted their story. Half truth, half lies—it sounded more authentic that way. It all seems so obvious now—but if Stride hadn’t talked, and if the police hadn’t found that wallet—”
“Oh well, you’d still have saved Madam Melinska,” cried Olivia happily, “and after all, the rest doesn’t really matter, does it? By the way, what made you think it might have been Mona who had the money?”
“A false clue, actually,” admitted Rollison.
“Or at least, a clue to the murder of Mrs Abbott, and not to the missing money—only I didn’t realise it.”
“What was the clue?” demanded Olivia.
“Mona’s diamond brooch and ear-rings. And bracelet. They cost a good three thousand between them and I couldn’t see Stride, or even Mike Fraser, giving them to her. In point of fact they were presents from her aunt, who had a great deal of jewellery. Had I known about this I’d have realised there was another motive for murder besides the dossier.”
“Well, it’s all sorted out now,” said Olivia. “Has Mona gone back to Rhodesia with Madam Melinska?”
Rollison shook his head. “No, Madam Melinska went on her own. Mona’s staying with Michael Fraser’s secretary Jane—I told you that Mona and Michael used to be engaged, didn’t I?”
Olivia nodded.
“They make a nice-looking couple,” Rollison added genially. “I shouldn’t be surprised—”
“What an old matchmaker you are,” laughed Olivia, interrupting him. “Just like a Virgoan. But it’s no use trying to change you. Anyway—” she lifted her glass to him— “here’s to you, the way you are.”
The End
