Free Coffin Knows the Answer by Gwendoline Butler Page A

that success brought enemies. And Mimsie, as she pointed out, ought to know, being herself a local success story, reputed to own a Rolls (actually a Bentley, much classier, anyone could have a Rolls) and a handsome house down by the river.
    Stella spent the morning reading scripts, then she had arranged to lunch with Tony Amato, a well known actor, whom she wanted to persuade to sign up for a new play. He was at the same time plain of feature and immensely attractive.
To both sexes. In fact, he was practically a third sex in himself. But he never made an advance to Stella because as an employer he found it wiser to regard her as a sexual neutral. Go to bed with someone who is employing you and you can be in trouble. Besides, he feared the Chief Commander.
    Stella knew all this and did not resent his behaviour.
    They ate in the large dining room, at Stella’s usual table in the window.
    â€˜I like what you are offering me.’ Tony said as they ate.
    â€˜Oh good, I thought you would.’ What was on offer was the part of a sharp-tongued but charming detective who always got his man. There was a certain humour there which all parties recognised. It would run for six weeks, not long, but the productions in St Luke’s Theatre were well thought of and carefully reviewed in all the right places. In addition, a job there often led to a prestigious part elsewhere.
    â€˜I’ll have to talk to Freddy, of course.’
    â€˜Of course,’ Freddy Braun was his agent. ‘I can’t pay a lot.’ Tony grinned. ‘Oh that reminds me … although I don’t know why it should.’ He reached in his pocket. ‘As I was parking the car, a chap asked me if I knew you, when I said I did … didn’t saying I was lunching with you, sounded like boasting … he asked would I give you this.’ He handed over a crumpled envelope.
    â€˜Who was this man? What did he look like?’
    â€˜I didn’t take much in, I was in a hurry to get to you, Stella. He had dark specs on.’
    â€˜Are you sure it’s for me?’ asked Stella. The envelope was crumpled but with no name on it.
    â€˜He said so. Sorry it looks like that, but I put it in my pocket and forgot it.’
    â€˜I’ll open it later.’
    Â 
    She did open the letter when she was alone. She read:

    YOU’VE GOT AWAY TWICE NOW. DON’T THINK YOU’LL GET AWAY AGAIN.

    â€˜Yes, I will,’ said Stella defiantly. ‘Again and again.’

Chapter 8
    â€˜What does he mean, you got away twice ?’ demanded Coffin.’ Once, yes, last night, but the other time?’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ said Stella.
    â€˜You must think. Try to remember.’
    Stella walked to the window to look out. They were in St Luke’s Tower, in the sitting room up the winding staircase. It was a room in which Stella always felt safe and happy. Gus the dog, and the cat were with them. She put out a hand to stroke the cat. ‘My comfort object.’ Gus pushed up to her. ‘You too, dear boy.’
    â€˜She turned to her husband. ‘I debated showing you the letter. I almost didn’t.’
    â€˜Oh Stella, why not?’
    She reached out and took his hand. ‘I think I was frightened what you would do.’
    â€˜I’d always protect you, Stella.’
    Sensing her distress, Gus climbed up on to her lap, the cat thought about it for a minute then followed. Stella started to laugh.
    â€˜I know.’
    â€˜I never saw the man who delivered this note, but had a sort of feeling that I knew one of the people in the car. Not the driver, I couldn’t see his face, but the one that tried to get into the car. The one I pushed.’
    â€˜I wish you had told me this at once.’
    â€˜I was thinking about it, wondering if it was so and, if so, how and where.’
    There was a double ring at the doorbell. Stella looked at her husband in alarm.
    â€˜It’s just our dinner