“Yes,” admitted Rathe.
“And you expect me to accept all of that?”
“No,” confessed Rathe.
Graham laughed once more at his candour. “And these murders? Did I commit them?”
Rathe sighed gently. “I don’t know for sure. The same man did, certainly. The method of murder was the same. But I can imagine you having one of your many employees, expendable or otherwise, doing it for you. Part of me feels sure you are unlikely to get your hands dirty.” He paused, shaking his head. “And yet… ”
“And yet, what?”
“Cook’s theory is that the murderer approached Gilchrist as a potential new client. When the private detective’s back was turned, the killer struck. Alice… ” Rathe’s attention wavered for a moment, as his memories came back to squeeze his heart with their fingers of ice. “She was killed beca
