“That’s just the beginning, but now, I feel there’s an added significance.”
“What significance?”
“You think Stella was in danger because she was going to tell you about the Garrison jewels. Well, let’s assume you’re right, she was killed by those jewel thieves, they wouldn’t have left that jewel butterfly on her feet. All those rubies, emeralds, and diamonds! It would have fetched quite a sum.”
He pondered for a moment.
“And,” Paige continued, “if she was killed by a burglar or a thief, he would have taken the butterfly ornament. So, this indicates the fact: her death must be unrelated to the Garrison robbery, it must have been someone intent on killing her, and the opportunity to steal the jewels was meaningless.”
He looked at her, suddenly filled with respect: “Wow, you’re quite logical, aren’t you?”
“That’s not the kind of compliment a woman wants,” she said. “When a man praises a woman for having a brain, it’s almost as bad as a harsh critique. Women prefer to be pretty rather than smart. Let’s go over our statements again. Did you suggest going to the Royal Pheasant Club this morning when Stella called you?”
“Yes. You surely wouldn’t doubt my statement.”
“I don’t doubt your statement, but I doubt your conclusion.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you tell me 2 plus 5 equals 10,” she said, “I wouldn’t doubt your statement, only your conclusion. In fact, you might have the answer as 10 in mind, with the numbers 2 and 5 in your head, but their sum isn’t 10.”
“Clearly, you’re pointing out that I’ve overlooked some factor, I’m unaware of another 5.”
“Exactly,” she said. “Why do you think there’s another 5? What have I overlooked?”
“The postmark on the anonymous letter I received this afternoon was from yesterday at 5:30 PM. If you suggested going to the Royal Pheasant Club, how did someone know about it yesterday?”
“Let’s go,” he said to her, “the caretaker might not have cleared your office yet. We need to find that letter, piece together the torn fragments, and check the postmark on the envelope. It’s also possible that all your assumptions are wrong, and the postmark is just a clever deception. Why did you notice the postmark?”
