The detective entered the room, along with a subordinate officer who held a pencil and a notepad.
“Common,” muttered Mrs. Hood, who sat beside Flix. “Hasn’t even bothered to take it off. Probably wears it to bed.”
Flix knew that Mrs. Hood was referring to the fact that the officer-in-charge had not removed his fedora, but he said nothing. He was too shocked to see that the investigator was an old war buddy from the trenches.
How small the world is, Flix mused. I knew this man, half-a-world away and a lifetime ago, yet, here he stands in front of me. It is unbelievable.
As if on cue, the policeman, taking a mental inventory of the collection of people in front of him, looked squarely at Flix. No sign of recognition washed over the detective’s face.
He does not recognize me, Flix thought. The war has changed us both. Life has left its mark on us, as it has on everyone else in this room.
“My name is Detective Phalen Archer. I will be conducting this investigation. I want to thank you all for gathering here so promptly.”
“As if we had a choice,” Avery muttered.
“I will be questioning each of you, separately and privately, in this room to our left.
You first, Dr. Quintland, if you don’t mind.
Again, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time. I realize this is an inconvenience, and I assure you all that I will conduct my interviews as quickly as possible.”
The detective and the doctor left the room.
“Inconvenience, my Aunt Betsy’s bottom! He doesn’t know the meaning of the word! This is going to make me late for my massage. Dang it all!” Avery said, moodily.
She glanced over at George who had opened his mouth to speak.
“Shut your trap, Cromble Man. I’m in no mood to spar with you, today.”
For once, George obeyed, rolling himself over to the table. He poured himself a glass of water.
“Oh, god! Flix!” Mrs. Hood said. “The third degree! I hope our little detective is a bumbling country bumpkin. But, I don’t think so. His eyes are too keen.”
“Secrets to hide, Mrs. Hood?”
“Absolutely. And do not assume that I am so naive that I do not know what they say behind my back. Flix, really! Take a good look at me. Do I look like someone who would stoop to murder? I mean, with my money, why would I have to?”
Flix said nothing, but Mrs. Hood’s attention had moved elsewhere.
“Look at them. Staring back at the police with their most innocent doe eyes! What a charade! So smug. I daresay everyone in this room has secrets to hide. Not murderous ones, perhaps. But, all the same.”
“I know what you mean,” Flix said. “If you live long enough, the dirt you gather on your soles is better off left on the rug. We all have things we wouldn’t want our mothers knowing, much less a total stranger.”
“A man of secrets!” Mrs. Hood said. “You? Quite absurd!”
Mrs. Hood squirmed in her seat. She rose to leave the room. The officer that had accompanied Archer blocked the doorway.
“Oh, please. I simply have to use the lady’s room.”
“Very well, but come straight back. Munsford,” the officer called out.
Another uniformed man appeared.
“Please escort this lady to the restroom.”
“I have never,” Mrs. Hood said, indignantly.
“That’s the most deceptive understatement I have ever heard in my life,” George said, devilishly.
Avery could not help but smile.