Dead Man's Bluff Read online

  Pretty soon, thought Clayton, he ought to take some notice of the judges’ rules and caution her.

  *

  Riger often became caught up in, and entranced by, his own rhetoric: it happened in his closing speech and he was in the middle of an involved mixed metaphor — which left the jury bewildered — when his instructing solicitor tugged the back of his gown. Angrily, he turned and was about to express his feelings when his instructing solicitor spoke in a low voice.

  After a minute, the judge said: ‘Mr Riger, are you intending to continue?’

  He turned. ‘My Lord, something of the utmost importance has come to hand. I am informed that the police have uncovered fresh evidence that is quite vital to this case.’

  There was a rising murmur of voices which a call from the usher silenced. ‘It is very late in the day to hear new evidence, Mr Riger.’

  ‘Quite so, my Lord, but with respect it is essential that this evidence be heard.’

  The judge leaned back in his chair. ‘Very well.’

  ‘Detective-Superintendent Akers,’ said Riger.

  Akers, clearly for once in a state of bewilderment, slowly rose to his feet.

  ‘Come along,’ snapped Riger.

  Akers made his way into the witness-box. ‘I’m very much afraid … ’ he began.

  Riger interrupted him. ‘You’ve been sworn, Superintendent, so you’re still on oath. Please tell the court what this new evidence is.’

  ‘But … but I’ve no idea.’

  ‘What’s that?’ asked the judge severely.

  Akers spoke almost wildly. ‘My Lord, I … I just don’t know … ’

  ‘This is quite monstrous. We are told the police have uncovered fresh evidence that is vital, yet the senior police witness confesses he knows nothing of it. Mr Riger, how do you explain this?’

  Riger, gesticulating a great deal, once more spoke to his instructing solicitor. He turned back. ‘My Lord, I understand that the evidence has only just come to hand and there’s been no time to inform Mr Akers of it. Detective Inspector Clayton is only this moment back from France »

  ‘Does he know anything about what’s going on?’

  ‘Yes, my Lord.’

  ‘Perhaps we should be thankful that one of the policemen investigating the case does. Put him in the box, then. Let’s waste no more time on recalling witnesses who know nothing.’

  Clayton took Akers’s place in the witness-box.

  Riger spoke angrily. ‘What new evidence is to hand, Inspector?’

  ‘May I start, sir, by explaining that from the beginning there’ve been several odd factors that worried me, breaks in the rhythm of the crime …’

  *

  ‘Well, love?’ asked Margery, as Clayton stepped into the hall.

  ‘Akers called me a lot of very rude names,’ he replied.

  She kissed him. ‘Poor devil. He really shouldn’t have stepped outside his class.’

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