Убийство на поле для гольфа
28. Journey’s End
“AllalongIwasstronglyundertheimpressionthatweweredealingwithacold-bloodedandpremeditatedcrimecommittedbysomeonewhohadbeencontented(verycleverly)withusingM.Renauld’sownplansforthrowingthepoliceoffthetrack.Thegreatcriminal(asyoumayremembermyremarkingtoyouonce)isalwayssupremelysimple.”
Inodded.
“Now,tosupportthistheory,thecriminalmusthavebeenfullycognizantofMr.Renauld’splans.ThatleadsustoMadameRenauld.Butfactsfailtosupportanytheoryofherguilt.Isthereanyoneelsewhomighthaveknownofthem?Yes.FromMartheDaubreuil’sownlipswehavetheadmissionthatsheoverheardM.Renauld’squarrelwiththetramp.Ifshecouldoverhearthat,thereisnoreasonwhysheshouldnothaveheardeverythingelse,especiallyifM.andMadameRenauldwereimprudentenoughtodiscusstheirplanssittingonthebench.RememberhoweasilyyouoverheardMarthe’sconversationwithJackRenauldfromthatspot.”
“ButwhatpossiblemotivecouldMarthehaveformurderingMr.Renauld?”Iargued.
“Whatmotive?Money!M.Renauldwasamillionaireseveraltimesover,andathisdeath(orsosheandJackbelieved)halfthatvastfortunewouldpasstohisson.LetusreconstructthescenefromthestandpointofMartheDaubreuil.
“MartheDaubreuiloverhearswhatpassesbetweenRenauldandhiswife.SofarhehasbeenanicelittlesourceofincometotheDaubreuilmotheranddaughter,butnowheproposestoescapefromtheirtoils.Atfirst,possibly,herideaistopreventthatescape.