The dark brows were met above the eyes no larger than farthings. The constable intervened:
“Now, Miss Answerth…”
“I tell you…”
What she intended to add was blanketed by the roar of Mike’s engine, and when speech was again possible, Mawson was ready to employ furtherplacation.
“Naturally, sir, Miss Answerth is much upset by last night’s tragedy. She insists that Mrs Answerth be buried tomorrow, and I have explained that the formalities may not be completed to permit that.”
“Now, look here, Inspector,” the woman snarled, for her large square teeth were bared. “They took the body to Edison early this morning, and Doc Lofty’s had it all day. There’s no sense in keeping it after the post mortem.”
“Please accept my assurance that the delay will not be protracted one minute longer than is necessary,” Bony said. “I have yet to examine the known facts governing the lamentable tragedy, receive the post mortem report and confer with the coroner.”
“Leave the coroner to me,” commanded Mary Answerth. Constable Mawson opened his mouth to speak, but was cut out by Bony’s voice, now low and yet metallic. The words were icily distinct.
“I have been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Mrs Answerth. I will leave nothing, or anyone, to you, Miss Answerth. You will be notified by the coroner in due course. The matter is entirely in the hands of the police. I am the police. If you wish to make a statement concerning the death of Mrs Answerth, Constable Mawson will take it down in writing, when you can sign it.”
“I’ve already told Mawson what I know about that. Now look here…”
“Pardon me, Miss Answerth.”
The flat stomach sank inward as the vast bust expanded. The woman’s square chin jutted like a doorstep and her eyes flashed. She stared into the blue eyes of the slight man she confronted, tried to stare him out, slowly realized that in this she would never succeed. Abruptly she turned away and strode to the station wagon. It rocked when she entered it, and silently the two men watched it being driven swiftly away. Sighing with relief, Constable Mawson said: