Peggy answered the question: “Before we can confirm, we need Mr. Nelson to finish those details, but it can only be Mrs. Bushnell’s fingerprints. You see, we’ve already confirmed that a woman killed Stella. We know that Bill Everett, through Francis’s arrangement, attempted to inform the insurance company, and his only contact was Francis, whose contact was Stella. Francis was the only one who dared not take that butterfly; if she did, Bill would know she was jealous of Stella and used this opportunity to kill Stella rather than selling those jewels to the insurance company. She wrote an anonymous letter to tell me that Kimberley and Stella would meet at the Royal Grouse Club, and then she put poison in his darkroom to frame him.”
“How did she know I would suggest meeting at the Royal Grouse Club?” Kimberley asked.
“She knew it was the most natural place. Stella had told her she had a date, and Francis must have guessed you’d suggest the Royal Grouse Club. If you suggested somewhere else, Francis would have tipped me off, but you didn’t.” Sheriff Favel stood up. “Alright,” he said, “those news reporters outside are making a racket, wanting to come in and take some photos. I’m not concerned about the details, so—” he paused, looking at Peggy, then at Don Kimberley: “So, this case has been brilliantly resolved, and credit goes to the police department.” Sheriff Favel continued, “I’m sorry, Kimberley, because of this case, we wrongly detained you.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Kimberley said. Sheriff Favel left the room. Peggy stood up.
“Oh,” she said, “Mr. Nelson, we don’t want to stay here while you talk to those reporters. You can handle it; I’ll give you that broken whiskey bottle with the fingerprints on it. Of course, you know, Mr. Halsey, the company president, is very eager for the insurance company to receive good press.”
“Of course, of course, I understand,” Nelson said, “We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.”
“I guess I can leave now?” Kimberley asked.
Nelson nodded, “Hell, of course, or should I roll out the red carpet for you?” Don Kimberley looked at Peggy Castle as if seeing her for the first time.
“Come on, beauty,” he said, “let’s go, let Nelson do his thing. You’re too beautiful to get mixed up in such a dirty affair.”
“Oh, my goodness!” Peggy exclaimed. “Wait, I’ll go tell my Uncle Benedick what you just said!”
(–End–)
