That would not have worked because you did not read how it was described in detail of how Mis. would have been as dead as a doornail.
So I doubt that he could have fooled her.
And it is always so easy to go, "He should have done blah, blah, blah…." without knowing the context or details of why he didn't.
If you were in that situation would you have been so wise to have attempted something like that?
You don't have the foresight in the moment.

Write to Stephen King and tell him what an unintelligent nodend he is.

She wouldn't have believed him.

You're really smart!