“The thing about Articulate is, he’s dead,” Iles replied.
“My God,” Ralph said. The shock was real.
“Which is why what he talked about with you might be to the point,” Harpur said.
“Generalities,” Ralph said.
“Shot,” Harpur replied.
“My God,” Ralph said.
“Our impression is that he meant to bop Luke Apsley Beynon, but got bopped himself,” Harpur said.
“As most of us would have forecast,” Iles said. “I mean, was Articulate Max anywhere near capable as executioner?”
“The whisper’s around, isn’t it, that he was in on the I.C.D.S. robbery with some sort of stooge function?” Harpur said. “Did that make him feel suddenly big and mature and competent — and free up his voice box?”
“Poor deluded prat,” Iles said. “He gave himself a mission on your behalf? Luke Apsley Beynon’s been breathing untender words to you, hasn’t he, Ralph? This is our information.”
“Luke Beynon?” Ember replied.
“Did Articulate, with his new gloss, offer to knock him over for you?” Iles said. “Suddenly he thinks he’s one of Nature’s hit men? Were you and he talking some kind of deal? You’ll see why we’re concerned about his appearances here, especially the second one, without his minders, the women. Did he need to say something they shouldn’t hear?”
“Deal?” Ember said.
“Quid pro quoism of some sort,” Iles said.
“Generalities,” Ralph replied.
“We’re charging Luke,” Harpur said. “He’ll go down. His firm will break up without him.”
“So you don’t come out of this at all too badly, Ralph, do you?” Iles said. “You won’t have to cower behind the collage anymore.”
Ember replenished their drinks and took more armagnac himself. “I think about his mother and great-aunt Edna,” he said.
“Those two are provided for, we believe,” Iles said.
“I mean their grief,” Ralph said.
“You were always one for tenderness to prized Monty members, Ralphy,” Iles replied.
Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 129, Nos. 3 & 4. Whole Nos. 787 & 788, March/April 2007 Page 34