Albert repeated the phrase he had used to Elsie earlier in the day. “He said that we were a bunch of murderers and that if he could get away with it, he would kill us one by one.”

Connibear was discreetly taking notes, watching the protagonists. There was a sudden flash of surprise and fear on Laurence Todd’s face, which he hid immediately behind his blinking eyes and blank expression. It occurred to Connibear that Laurence had not known before what Mardle had said to his father.

Savage made no comment on Albert’s words and changed the subject. “Charlie left the island to the Observatory Trust and everything else was to be split between Pamela Marshall and Jonathan Todd.” He looked briefly at Laurence. “ That’s your son?” Laurence nodded, but Savage’s next question was directed once more towards Albert.

“Did that surprise you?”

“Yes it did. I wouldn’t have thought that he would have bothered much with the family.”

“Mr. Todd?” Laurence was asked, but it was obvious that Savage did not expect much from his answer.

“I didn’t know what was in Charlie’s will. Not until…” He hesitated. “ No. I didn’t know what was in Charlie’s will.”

Elsie came in then with a tea tray. She was concerned with the policemen’s comfort, pointed them towards the easy chairs, poured out the tea for them.

Savage smiled at her, thanked her warmly. “ We’re just discussing Charlie’s will,” he said. “I expect it will come in useful for the boy. Expensive business now, being a student.”

“Yes,” she replied. “Wasn’t it nice of Charlie to remember Jon? Not that it will mean much to him now. He says that he’s not into materialism. We offer him money of course, but he won’t take any more than he needs to make up the grant, so he never has more than the other boys. He’s so independent. I sometimes think that he doesn’t eat properly. But we’re very proud of him, aren’t we Laurence?”

“Yes,” Laurence said softly. “Very proud.”

“What about Mrs. Marshall?” Savage asked. “Is she into materialism?”

“She’s into materialism all right, that one,” Albert said sharply. “I’ve never known anyone spend money the way that she does.”

“Got money problems has she?” Savage asked conversationally. No one was deceived by his tone.

“No,” said Elsie, shocked. “ No, of course not.”

“She’s got no debts if that’s what you mean,” Albert said. “Nothing substantial anyway. She always seems to have the problem of never having enough money, but I daresay she’s not the only one.”

Elsie offered another cup of tea. Savage refused it, watched impatiently while Connibear drained the dregs from his cup, then stood up with a jerk. Before leaving the room he looked directly at Albert.

“Thanks for your help, sir,” he said. “ If you think of anything else you know where to contact me.”

He took Elsie’s hand in both of his, briefly acknowledged Laurence’s presence, then walked out. Connibear followed.