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Page 100
at murder. He knew of his aunt's weak heart. He knew she must not eat sweets. It wasn't, couldn't be, trueyet there had been the shadow of an arm across the stairwell . . . or had there been?
The best thing to doLinda formulated her thoughts into words deliberatelywas to tell him and see how he acted and what he said. That would clear up everything.
"Oh, no, it won't," Linda whispered into the dark.
If Peter had left the candywhoever had left the candyhe would be prepared for anything. Anyone would look shocked and alarmed. And who could tell whether the emotions were real? Linda did not have that much faith in her ability to judge character or reactions. He could urge her to tell the police. He would be under no greater suspicion than anyone else, and Linda would be firedwhich might be what he wanted. And if he urged her not to tell, it might not mean he was guilty. Like Gertrude, he might wish to spare his aunt the grief and trouble of an investigation. Gertrude said
That name caught Linda's mind. So much depended on what Gertrude said. Gertrude said Mrs. Bates did not want Linda to discuss the matter with her. Gertrude said Mrs. Bates had already destroyed the candy. Gertrude said Mrs. Bates knew the candy was harmful. Gertrude said! And Gertrude had been furious when she saw Gert reaching for a piece of the candy. Why? Did she know what was in it? Gertrude was due

 
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