[MaC] "Now we know..."

[Mel Mason]

>> Lucinda moved over to look.  "Yes, that's right," she said.  She looked
>> thoughtfully at her husband.  "Should we put them all back?"
>>
>> "We don't know when he'll have the opportunity to get more," Oswald 
>> pointed out.
>>
>> Lucinda nodded and began to put the pills back in the jar.
>>
>
> "I think you might do well to hold on to them, Mr. Skeffington-Nottle, and 
> give them directly to the constabulary; they *are* narcotics, are they 
> not?" said Pamela quietly. "Give Officer Powell a dose if he needs it, but 
> I should not leave him with the whole bottle."
>

"Good thinking," said Oswald.  He took the bottle from his wife, and hurried 
out of the door.

The sound of the lift they had heard earlier did indeed prove to be the 
police - two detectives in plain dark trenchcooats, and two special 
constables.

"I believe there has been some trouble here, Sir," said one of the 
detectives.  "Murder most foul, I am given to understand.  Inspector Gideon, 
and my colleague is Inspector Alleyn."

The irony of his tone suggested that he was not taking the matter seriously, 
but his expression changed when Oswald introduce himself and, in a few 
brief, well-chosen words, explained the situation.

"I'll accompany you down, Sir."  Gideon looked at his colleague, and the two 
constables.  "Fox, you go with Alleyn.  Start to collect the details of what 
happened.  Christie, you come with me."

They headed down the stairs towards where Philip, accompanied by James and 
Michael, was still descending the stairs.  They had reached the front door 
by the time that the detectives and Oswald caught up with them (anyone else 
going downstairs?).

"Officer Powell," said Oswald, moving towards the group.  "I have you pills. 
I'm sure you'll inderstand that I can't give you the whole bottle, but I 
shall see it's available.  What's your normal dosage?"

He started to unscrew the bottle.