Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

I went into my dad's office at Scotland Yard, where Taverner was finishing his story, which was clearly distressing him. "That's it," he was saying, "I've tried my best to get them out--and I've got nothing--nothing! No motive has been found. No one is short of money. Her young lad's unfavorable testimony is that she made eye contact when she poured him coffee!" "Come on, Taverner," I said. "I can report a little better for you." "Can you, can you? Well, Mr. Charlie, what have you found?" I sat down, lit a cigarette, reclined in a chair, and said it.

"Roger Leonides and his wife are planning to go abroad next Tuesday. Roger had a stormy conference with his father on the day he died. Old Leonides found out the mistake, and Roger admitted he own fault." Taverner turned purple. "Where the hell do you know this?" he asked. "If you asked from a servant—" "I didn't get it from the servant," I said. "I got it from a private investigator." "what do you mean?" "And I must say, by the norm of the best detective stories, he, or she—or maybe I'd better say 'it'—blew the cops to pieces!"

"At the same time I think," I went on, "that this private eye of mine has a little something to hide." Taverner opened his mouth and closed it again.He had so many questions to ask that he didn't know where to start. "Roger!" he said. "So there's something wrong with Roger?" I answered a little reluctantly.I like Roger Leonides.Thinking of his comfortable and pleasant room, his friendly and charming manner, I don't like to have justice directed at him.Of course, Josephine's intelligence could be unreliable, but I don't really think so.

"So that kid told you?" Taverner said. "She seemed to know everything about that room." "Kids are usually like that," my father said dryly. This information, if correct, changed the entire situation.If Roger, as Josephine suggested, had "misappropriated" United Catering's money, and if the old man found out, then he would have to shut up old Leonides and get out of England before it exploded. .Perhaps Roger should accept legal sanctions. We have agreed to take immediate action to investigate United Catering. "If that's the case, it must be something serious," my father said. "Millions of pounds are at stake."

"If the company is really in trouble, then we've got the right people," Taverner said. "His father sent Roger. Roger broke down and confessed. Brenda Leonides went out to see a movie. Roger just left his father's room, went into the bathroom, dumped a bottle of insulin and replaced it with strong Eserin potion did. Or maybe his wife did it. She went there when she got home that day - said she went there to get back a pipe that Roger left there. But she might have been in Brenda Swapped the medicine before going home to give him the injection. She's pretty cool enough to do that."

I nod. "Yeah, I guess she's the one who actually did it. She's cool enough to do anything! And I don't think Roger Leonides would have thought of poisoning - substituting the insulin. There's something feminine about the trick." "It's mostly male poisoners," my father said dryly. "Oh, I know, sir," said Taverner. "How could I not know!" He added with deep feeling. "I still don't think Roger is that kind of guy, though." "Pritchard was like him," my old man reminded him, "but a clean poisoner."

"Let's just think that they did it together." "Quite like Lady Macbeth," my father said after Taverner had gone. "Is that how she strikes you, Charlie?" The somewhat elegant figure standing at the window of the simple room appeared in front of my eyes. "It doesn't look like much," I said. "Lady Macbeth is basically a greedy woman. I don't think Clemency Leonides is. I don't think she wants or cares about money." "But she may be very concerned about her husband's safety?" "That, yes. And of course she could be—oh, ruthless."

I looked up to see Dad watching me. "What are you thinking, Charlie?" I didn't tell him then. I was called the next day and found Taverner with my father. Taverner looked cheerful, a little excited. "United Catering is in crisis," my father said. "It could go bankrupt at any moment," Taverner said. "I saw their stock drop last night," I said. "However, it seems to have recovered again this morning." "We have to proceed very carefully," Taverner said. "Don't strike straight, don't cause panic--or frighten our gentleman who's going to run away with the money. But we've got some private information, and it's pretty solid, that United Catering is on the verge of bankruptcy, Impossible to keep bills and debts payable. The fact is it looks like it has been mismanaged for years."

"Roger Leonides is not doing well?" "Yes. He has top management, you know." "And he embezzled public funds—" "No," said Taverner. "We don't think he embezzles public funds. To put it bluntly, we think he may be a murderer, but he's not a liar. Frankly, he's just a—fool, he doesn't seem to be able to judge, and when it's time to guard he But rushed out──When it was time to rush out boldly, he hesitated and flinched. He is the kind of person who should not be given the power of management. He is a guy who trusts others, but he trusts the wrong people. They're all doing wrong."

"There are such people," my father said. "And they're not really that stupid. They just can't read people, and that's it. And they're warm when they shouldn't be." "People like that shouldn't be in business at all," said Taverner. "Perhaps he doesn't want to be in business," my father said, "but he's the son of Aristide Leonides, so he can't help himself." "The company was booming when the old man handed it over to him. It should be a big gold mine! It makes people feel that as long as he sits comfortably on the chairman's throne, the money will come naturally."

"No," my father shook his head. "There's no such thing as comfort. There's always decisions to be made--fire someone--hire someone--little issues of business policy and so on. And for Roger Leonides, his Decisions always seem to be wrong." "That's right," said Taverner. "Number one, he's a loyal guy. He keeps some dudes who don't work--just because he has feelings for them--or because they've been with the company a long time. Very unrealistic ideas, and insisting on spending huge sums of money to try these ideas." "But, you won't be sentenced for it, will you?" my father said. "Will not be prosecuted and sentenced for this." "Then why murder?" I asked. "He's probably more of a fool than a villain," said Taverner. "But it's still the same--or nearly the same. The only thing that's going to save United Catering from bankruptcy is a huge amount of money" (he looks at his notebook) "and it's got to be raised by next Wednesday at the latest." "As much as he will inherit, or think he will inherit from his father?" "Exactly." "However, he has no way of inheriting that amount of cash." "Not bad. But he can take out a loan, and it's still the same as getting that amount of cash." Dad nodded. "Wouldn't it be easier to just go to the old man and ask him for help?" he suggested. "I think he did," Taverner said. "I think that's what the kid overheard. I think the old boy probably just refused to waste any more money on a business that's gone. He'll do it, you know." I think Taverner was right.Aristide Leonides had once refused to sponsor Magda's play -- he said it wouldn't sell.Facts proved that his judgment was correct.He's generous with his family, but he's not one to waste money on unprofitable causes.The United Catering Company is short of tens of thousands of pounds, or even hundreds of thousands of pounds in working capital.He flatly refused, and the only way for Roger to stay out of bankruptcy was to have his father dead. Well, of course there is a motive. My father looked at his watch. "I've asked him to come here," he said. "He'll be here any minute now." "Roger?" "yes." "Tell him to throw himself into the net?" I murmured. Taverner looked at me in a little astonishment. "Of course we'll give him proper warning," he said gravely. The stage is set, the stenographer is in place, and the show is waiting.Soon, the intercom rang.A few minutes later Roger Leonides entered. He came eagerly -- a little clumsily -- and tripped over a chair.As always, I thought of him as a big, friendly dog.At the same time I'm pretty sure he wasn't the one who actually switched from insulin to eserin.He'd break the vial, knock the potion over, or something, mess up the whole operation.No, it wasn't him, it was Clemency, I concluded, who did it, although Roger was secretly involved in the operation. He said hastily: "You want to see me? What have you found out? Hey, Charlie, I didn't see you just now, it's good you're here, but please tell me, Sir Arthur—" Such a good man -- really good man.But more is that the murderer is also a good person──Afterwards, their friends who were stunned said so, and their hearts are deep in their hearts.I felt a little betrayed by him and greeted him with a smile. My father was deliberate, calm and serious.The true nature of being able to speak well is evident.Confessions...take it down...no coercion...lawyer... Roger Leonides, eager and impatient as ever, dismissed his high-sounding words with a wave of his hand. I saw a mocking smile on Chief Inspector Taverner's face, and at the same time I read his thoughts from his smile. "Always be sure of yourself, these guys. There's no way they can make a mistake. They're too smart!" I humbly sat in the corner and listened quietly. "I want you to come here, Mr. Leonides," said my father, "not to give you any new information, but to ask some information from you--some information you have previously kept." Roger Leonides looked bewildered. "Reserve? But I've told you all—all of it!" "I don't think so. You talked to him the afternoon he died?" "Yes, yes, I had tea with him. I told you." "You did tell us, yes, but you didn't tell us what you were talking about." "We're -- just -- talking." "About what?" "Daily business, family business, Sophia—" "What about United Catering? Was that mentioned?" I think I've hoped up until now that Josephine had made up the story -- but my hopes were quickly dashed. Roger's face changed, from eagerness to almost despair. Taverner smiled like a triumphant cat. "You admit, Mr. Leonides, that you have confessed to us?" "How did you know that? I thought no one knew—I don't see how anyone could." "We have means of finding out such things, Mr. Leonides." There was a solemn pause. "I think you understand now that it's better to tell us the truth." "Yes, yes, of course. I'll tell you what you want to know?" "Is it true that United Catering is on the brink of bankruptcy?" "It's true. It's irretrievable now, the bankruptcy is inevitable, and if only my father died without knowing about it. I feel so ashamed--so disgraced--" "Is there any possibility of being sentenced for this?" Roger sat upright abruptly. "No, really. Bankruptcy--but above all. Creditors will be fully compensated, as I would if I took out all my personal assets. No, I'm ashamed It was me who let my father down. He trusted me, he gave this to me, his greatest cause—his dearest cause. He never interfered, he never asked me what I was doing. He just— Trust me... and I let him down." My father said coldly: "You said that there is no possibility of being prosecuted and sentenced? Then, why did you and your wife plan to go abroad without telling anyone about your intention?" "You also know this?" "Yes, Mr. Leonides." "But don't you understand?" He leaned forward eagerly. "I couldn't face him and be honest with him. It would look like I was asking him for money, you know, like I was asking him to help me get back on my feet again. He -- he liked me so much, he would Wanted to help. But I can't - I can't go on - it's going to mess things up again - I'm useless, I don't have that ability, I'm not my father, I always knew that. I'm tired Yes. But it's no use. I've been so miserable--God! You don't know how miserable I am! Trying to get out of the mud, hoping I'll even my books, and my dear old father never having to know where I'm at crisis. Then came the thing—there was no longer any hope of avoiding bankruptcy. Clemency—my wife—she understood, she agreed with me. We came up with the plan. Not with anyone Mention, walk away, and let the storm come. I leave a letter to my father and tell him all--tell him how ashamed I am, and beg him to forgive me. He's always been so kind to me-- --You don't know! But by the time he reads the letter, it's too late for him to do anything more. That's exactly what I want. Don't ask him--or even offer to ask him for help. I myself made a comeback somewhere and lived a simple, humble life. Plant something, coffee—fruit, just enough to live on—tough Clemency, but she swears she doesn't care about being miserable. She It's great--it's great." "I see." My father said coldly. "So what made you change your mind?" "Change my mind?" "Yes. What made you decide to go to your father for financial support in the end?" Roger stared at him with wide eyes. "But, I didn't!" "Come on, Mr Leonides." "You've got it all wrong. I didn't go to him, he sent for me. He heard about it somehow in town, I think it was a rumour. But he always knew everything, and someone told him , he spied on me. And then, of course, I broke down...I told him everything. I said it wasn't about the money—it was about how I felt in my heart, and he trusted me so much." Roger swallowed convulsively. "My dear old man," he said. "You can't imagine how good he was to me, never scolding, just loving. I told him I didn't want his help, I'd rather not—I'd rather leave as I planned, but he wouldn't listen to me, he insisted To save me from the crisis - insist on getting United Catering back on its feet." Taverner said suddenly: "Are you asking us to believe that your father intends to give you financial support?" "Of course he would. He wrote to his stockbrokers on the spot and gave them some instructions." I think he probably saw the disbelief on the faces of the two men, and he blushed. "Listen here," he said, "I still have the letter, and he told me to post it. But of course later - because of - because of that shocking confusion, I forgot to send it, and maybe it's in my pocket now." inside." He pulled out his wallet and started rummaging.At last he found what he was looking for, a crumpled envelope with a stamp on it.I leaned forward and saw that it was addressed to Gray Torrex Hanbury & Co. "See for yourselves," he said. "If you don't believe me." My father tore open the envelope, and Taverner walked around behind him. I didn't see the contents of the letter at the time, but I did later.The letter directed the company to liquidate some of its stock, and at the same time asked the company to send a person to him the next day to receive some instructions on the affairs of the joint catering company.There was something in the letter that I couldn't understand, but the gist was clear enough that Aristotele Leonides was going to get United Catering on its feet again. Taverner said: "We will keep this letter and we will issue you a receipt, Mr. Leonides." Roger took the receipt.He stood up and said: "It's all right? You all know what's going on, right?" Taverner said: "Mr. Leonides gave you this letter, and you left him? What do you do next?" "I hurried back to my part of the house, and my wife just came home, and I told her what my father was going to do. He was so kind! I—really, I hardly knew what I was doing .” "And then your father suddenly fell ill—how long after?" "Let's see--in half an hour, maybe an hour, Brenda came rushing in, and she was terrified. She said he looked weird, and I--I ran after her. But these I've already told you." "When you went to see your father, did you ever go into the bathroom connected to this room?" "I don't think so. No—no, I'm sure I haven't. Why, you can't possibly think I—" My father calmed down his sudden indignation in good time.He stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Leonides," he said. "You have been very helpful, but you should have told us all this earlier." The door closed behind Roger.I got up and went to look at the letter that was on my father's desk. "It may be a forgery," Taverner said hopefully. "Possibly," said my father, "but I don't think so. I think we'll have to take his word that old Leonides was going to save his son, and that he'd do it better than Roger himself would do it after he's dead--" ──Especially now that the will cannot be found, Roger's actual inheritance has become a problem. This means that he will be delayed in using the inheritance to save the emergency──and encounter difficulties. No, Taverner, Roger and others Mistress had no motive to kill the old man. On the contrary—" He paused, and repeated as if suddenly thinking of something, "On the contrary—" "What are you thinking, sir?" Taverner asked. Dad said slowly: "If Aristide Leonides could only have lived four more hours, Roger would have set things up. But instead of four hours, he suddenly and dramatically internal death." "Well," said Taverner. "You think someone in the room wants Roger out of business? Somebody with opposing financial interests? Seems impossible." "What's the current situation with regard to wills?" my father asked. "Who actually gets old Leonides' property?" "You know how lawyers are. There's no way to get straight answers out of them. There's an original will, made when he married the second Mrs. Leonides. That one left her For the same amount of money, Miss de Haviland will get less, and the rest will be divided equally between Philip and Roger. I think if the current will is not signed, the old one will take effect, but it seems that things It's not that simple. First of all, the new will annulls the original one, and there are witnesses to witness the signing of the new will, and there are legal effects such as "testator's intention". It seems that if he does not make Once the will dies, it's hard to tell. Obviously the widow gets all the inheritance - or at least enjoys the benefits for life." "So Brenda Leonides is in the best position if that will goes missing?" "Yes. If there's a trick in it, it looks like she might have done it. And obviously there's a trick in it, but if I knew how it was done, I'd kill myself with a headshot." I don't know, I think we're all probably just too stupid to believe.But, of course, we were looking at it from the wrong angle.