Free Murder on Show by Marian Babson Page A

and knocking back our last double before ‘Time’ was called), ‘it seems to me that the police ought to be at the hospital, waiting for that Guard to come round. It stands to reason that he must have seen something. Probably that was why he was hit over the head – so that the thief could get away with the Whittington Cat.’
    Gerry and I met each other’s eyes and turned to regard Dave without enthusiasm. ‘That’s an interesting theory,’ I said. ‘Uh ... you haven’t mentioned it to the police yet, have you?’
    â€˜They hardly talked to me,’ he said regretfully. ‘They were only interested in the people who stayed all night. That’s when it must have been stolen, you know.’
    â€˜So it would appear,’ Gerry said. He looked at me pleadingly. ‘Didn’t you notice anything at all ? If we could only –’
    â€˜Not a thing,’ I said firmly. ‘Too bad you can’t question the cats. Pandora might be able to tell you something – if she could. She was pretty restless last night.’
    â€˜You see,’ Dave said excitedly, ‘you see! The cats were restless! That proves something was wrong. Do you think I should talk to the police about it? Maybe I ought to go back right now and –’
    â€˜They’re trying to get some lunch, too,’ Gerry said. ‘I know it’s all fairly urgent to us, but it’s only another case of theft to them. It’s not like a murder, or some nut hijacking an airliner. I think the police can consider themselves fully justified in having a good lunch and worrying about the case again afterwards.’
    â€˜Well, the Guard might have died,’ Dave was reluctant to say goodbye to his theory. He brightened. ‘He still might.’
    â€˜In that case,’ I said, ‘maybe the police will go on 24-hour duty. But –’ I remembered the saturnine official who had questioned me, and who had clearly felt there were more burning issues at stake in the world than a lot of pampered pets, their idiot owners, and the fate of a statue some imbecile of a sculptor had seen fit to cast in gold. ‘I wouldn’t really bother them outside office hours unless he does die. Even then, I wouldn’t push myself too far into it.’
    â€˜I don’t mean to be pushy. ’ I had chosen the wrong word, and Dave was instantly aggrieved. ‘I just thought one had a certain duty as a citizen. After all, they’ve had signs up on every hoarding saying you should call the police if you think you see anything suspicious.’
    They had, indeed. And I wondered how many local stations had cursed the PR boys who had thought of that one.
    â€˜Sorry, Dave,’ I said. ‘You’re right, of course. But the most suspicious thing I’ve seen all day has been that camera crew – especially the director. My bets are riding on one of them. They could have whipped the statue into one of their cases – it’s only the size of a real-life cat, after all – and transferred it to their van outside without anyone noticing. There were too many of them creating constant distractions for us to have been able to watch them.’
    â€˜Yes, but the Security Guard –’
    â€˜Might have had a genuine accident,’ I said firmly. Or he might have tangled with one of the camera crew this morning. Last night probably had nothing to do with it. Now, have another drink, and let the police solve it. That’s what we pay rates for.’
    â€˜But, listen –’ Dave leaned forward, he seemed to have thought of another point.
    â€˜Time, gentlemen, please,’ the barmaid carolled, turning out a couple more lights.
    â€˜I’ll take Dave on,’ Gerry said, grasping Dave’s arm firmly and urging him out of his chair, ‘and make good on that drink you promised him. Come on, Dave, there’s a nice little club – so new I