Chapter 6 Chapter Six

"It's very kind of you to come," said Moody gruffly, standing on the platform of Bayham Campton Station to meet Mr Entwhistle. "Both Timothy and I are very grateful to you. Of course Richard's death really hit Timothy very hard." Mr Entwhistle had not seen his friend's death from this particular angle.However, he knew that this was Timothy.The only angle Mrs. Abernether took. They headed for the exit, and Moody continued to develop the theme. "First of all, it was a big shock... Timothy was really dependent on Richard. Then Timothy started thinking about death. As a patient like that, he started worrying about himself, knowing that he was the only one of the brothers. Still alive...he started saying it was his turn to come again...and it wouldn't be long...all very unlucky things, I told him."

They walked out of the station, Moody leading the way to a battered old car. "I'm sorry to put you in this broken car," she said. "We've wanted a new car for a long time, but we really can't afford it. This one has been re-engined twice...these old cars are really durable..." "I hope it works," she added. "Sometimes you have to give the motor a spin." She started it a few times, but she gasped a few times and didn't start. Mr. Entwhistle, who had never driven a car in his life, felt a little worried, but Moody got out of the car calmly, pulled the starter lever, and turned the handle hard a few times. The motor wakes up.Fortunately, Mr. Entwhistle thought, Moody was a big woman.

"That's it," she said. "The old bastard's been bothering me a lot lately. Same on my way home from the last funeral. It took me a mile or two to find a garage. They don't do much...just country hands. I can't Not staying in local hotels. They fumbled and fumbled all day and couldn't fix it, which of course made Timothy very upset. I had to call him long distance to tell him I couldn't get home that day. He worried Dead. I try to keep everything from him as much as possible... But some things can't be helped... For example, Cora was murdered, so I had to find Dr. Barton to prescribe a sedative for him. Murder is such a thing It's too much for someone in Timothy's health. I think Cora really has always been an idiot."

Mr. Entwhistle was silent, referring to an aspect which he did not quite understand. "I don't think I've seen Cora since we got married," Moody said. "I couldn't bear to say to Timothy, 'Your youngest sister is out of her mind,' and she wasn't really like that, but I thought so. She kept saying things like that! Angry or laughable. I think it's because she's living in her own imaginary world...full of all kinds of weird and dramatic thoughts about other people. Alas, poor thing, she's getting her comeuppance now. She has no disciples Bar?"

"Disciple? What do you mean?" "I'm just curious. Some young begging painter, or musician... or something like that. Somebody she might have let him in the other day, who killed her for some cash. Maybe a Adolescent teens...they're pretty weird sometimes at that time...especially the neurotic, pretend artist type. I mean it seems weird to break in the door in broad daylight and murder her. If you want Of course you will choose to break in at night." "If it's at night, as you say, then there will be two women in the house instead of just her." "Oh yes, the sidekick. But I really can't believe anyone would wait that patiently until she's gone before breaking in and attacking Cora. ​​For what? He's never going to think she's rich or something Something worth stealing, and even so, mostly when the two of them go out together when no one is in the house. Wouldn’t it be much safer? Unless it’s absolutely necessary, it wouldn’t be such a foolish crime to commit murder.”

"Then Cora's murder, do you think, was unnecessary?" "Too stupid in my opinion." Does murder have to be justified?Mr Entwhistle doubted it.In theory, the answer is yes.But the record is full of cases that make no sense at all.It depends, Mr. Entwhistle thought, on the murderer's state of mind. What did he know about murderers and their psychological processes?very few.His firm never took on a murder case.He himself had never studied criminology.Murderers, as far as he could tell, seemed to come in all varieties.Some are driven by excessive vanity, some are greedy for power, some, like Sheldon, are greedy and base, others, like Smith and Rosie, have uncanny fantasies about women; some, like Armstrong, He is a friendly person.Edith Thomp lived in a violent fantasy world, and Nurse Waddington happily killed her old patients as if she was doing her job.

Moody's voice interrupted his meditation. "If only I could have hidden the newspaper from Timothy! But he insisted on reading the paper... and then, of course, he saw it, and he was very confused. You know, Mr. Entwhistle, Timothy There's no way Moxie's going to the investigative court, is there? Dr. Barton can issue a certificate or something if necessary." "Don't worry about that." "Thank goodness!" They drove through the gates of Stansfield's farm and down a deserted driveway.It used to be an attractive little property...but now it's devastated.Moody sighed and said:

"We had to let it fall during the war. Both of our gardeners were called up. Now we have only one old man...he doesn't do much. Wages have risen so terribly, I must say thinking we can do it here It's so much better to spend a little money up there for a change. We both love the farm. I'm really worried we'll have to sell it... I didn't mention that to Timothy, it would worry him to death of." They pulled up at the porch of a very old and lovely Georgian house which was in great need of a fresh coat of paint. "No servants," Moody said embarrassedly, leading the way in. "Only a few women who came to help. We had a maid who lived here a month ago... kinda hunchbacked, badly adenoid and not very good in every way, but better than nothing... and Her home-cooked food is pretty good. But believe it or not, she quit her job and went to a silly woman who had six Pekingese dogs in a house (bigger than this and a lot of work) because she 'loves puppies very much', She said. Puppy, wow! These girls are crazy! So we got to where we are today, and if I had to go out, Timothy would just stay home by himself and if anything happened, he How to get help? Although I put the phone next to his chair, if he feels unwell, he can call Dr. Barton immediately."

Moody ushered him into the living room, where the tea was ready by the fireplace, and she asked Mr Entwhistle to sit down, and retreated out of sight, presumably to the inner courtyard.In a few minutes she was back in the drawing-room, with a teapot and silver kettle in hand, and began to solicit Mr. Entwhistle's favor to make tea for him.The tea was good, along with homemade cakes and fresh rolls.Mr Entwhistle said in a low voice: "Where's Timothy?" Moody said briskly that she had prepared a copy for him on a tray and brought it in for him before she set off for the train station.

"Now," Moody said, "he's got his nap, and this is the perfect time for him to see you. Just make sure you don't get him too excited." Mr Entwhistle assured her that he would be very careful. He surveyed her in the flickering firelight, feeling pity rising in his heart.This tall, stocky, ordinary woman, so healthy, so alive, so full of common sense, and yet so strangely vulnerable in one way.Her love for her husband was maternal, and Mr. Entwhistle knew it.Moody Abernether had never fathered a child, and she was a natural mother.Her ailing husband has become her child, to be sheltered and cared for.And maybe because of her strong personality, she unconsciously made her husband more sick and incompetent.

"Poor Mrs. Timothy," thought Mr. Entwhistle. "Well done, Entwhistle." Timothy stood up from his chair and held out his hand. He was a tall man much like his brother Richard.But Richard had strength, and Timothy was frail, with an indecisive mouth, a rather receding jaw, eyes lacking depth, and a violent forehead. A blanket covering his knees and various medicine bottles on a table to his left emphasize his illness. "I can't push too hard," he said. "Doctor forbid. Been telling me not to worry! Worry! If there's a murder in his house he'd be worried to death, I bet! That's too much for a man... first Richard dies... then hears about him His funeral and his will... a good will... and the worst part is that poor little Cora was hacked to death with a hand-axe. Hand-axe! Oh! This country is full of gangsters... murderers... ...a legacy of war! Walking around killing defenseless women. No one has the guts to take out these scum...Take a hard line. What will this country be like? I wonder what the hell this country will be What's it like?" Mr Entwhistle was familiar with the subject.It's a question that his clients have been asking sooner or later for the past two decades, and he has his own set of answers.His nondeterministic responses could be classified as mere comforting voices. "It all started with that damn Labor government," Timothy said. "Take the whole country to hell and the present government is no better than that. Smooth talkers, impotent socialists! Look where we are! No noble gardeners to be found, no servants to be found... Poor Morgan Dee has to be busy in the kitchen... (by the way, dear, I think soft pudding would be good with the main course tonight... and, shall we have a clear soup first?) I have to keep my strength... Dr. Patton said …Let’s see, where did I just say that? Oh yes, Cora, what a shock, I can tell you, for a man, when he hears his sister…his own sister…actually Murdered! I had palpitations for twenty minutes! You have to help me with everything, Entwhistle. I can't attend the investigative court or deal with any of the Cora estate. I'm going to forget about it. By the way, What happened to Cora's share of Richard's estate? To mine, I suppose?" Moody murmured, as if to pack up the tea, and left the room. Timothy leaned back on the chair and said: "It's much better without women. Now we can talk about business without any needless interruptions." "Korna's share of the money in the trust fund," said Mr. Entwhistle, "is divided between you and your nieces and nephews." "But listen to me," Timothy blushed with indignation. "Of course I'm her next of kin? The only living brother." Mr. Entwhistle explained the terms of Richard Abernether's will with considerable care, gently reminding Timothy that he had sent him a copy. "You don't expect me to understand those inexplicable legal terms?" Timothy said, not at all grateful. "You lawyers! Honestly, when Moody came back and told me the point, I couldn't believe it. I thought she must have misheard. Women never have a clear head. Moody is the best woman in the world . . . but a woman Don't know how to manage money after all. I don't even believe that Moody knew that if Richard hadn't died, we might have to move out of here. It's true!" "Of course if you ask Richard for help..." Timothy snickered a few times like a dog barking. "That's not my style. Our father left each of us a very reasonable amount of money...that is, if we don't want to take over the family business. I don't. I don't like the flour business, Entwhistle! Cha's dissatisfied with my attitude. Well, taxes deducted, currency devalued, one after another... not easy to maintain. I had to sell a lot of property for cash, the best workaround at the moment. I've been Hinted to Richard at one point that the place was a little hard to go on. He expressed his attitude that we would be much better off with a smaller place. Moody would be easier, he said, save a lot of labor... save labor, What the heck! Oh no, I would never ask Richard for help. But I can tell you, Entwhistle, that this concern affects my health a lot. A person who is in the same health situation as I am It was nothing to worry about. And then Richard died, of course I was heartbroken...he was my brother...but I couldn't help but feel relieved at the prospect of the future. Yes, it's smooth sailing now...and a big relief .Repaint the house...get a good gardener or two...you can find it for a good price. Completely rebuild the rose garden. And...I was just getting there--" "Detail your future plans." "Yes, yes . . . but I shouldn't bother you with that. I'm hurt . . . seriously hurt . . . by Richard's will." "Really?" Mr. Entwhistle asked with an expression on his face. "Aren't they... as you expected?" "Yes, I will say so! When Mortimer died, I expected Richard to leave everything to me." "Ah... has he... ever expressed it to you?" "He never said that... not so obviously, that Richard was a man of few words. But he asked here... shortly after Mortimer's death. Wanted to tell me all about the family. We talked about George... and the girls and their husbands. Want to know my opinion... I don't have much to tell him. I'm sick, I don't move around, and Moody and I are pretty much cut off from the world. If You ask me, and I'd say those two girls made stupid marriage choices. Well, I ask you, Entwhistle, does he talk to me about this so that I think he's negotiating with me, putting I see myself as the head of the family after he's gone, and naturally I think the control of the property should be in my hands. Of course Richard can trust me to treat the younger generation well. And, take good care of poor old Cora. Damn it, Entwhistle, my name is Abernethir... the last Abernethir. All control should be in my hands." Timothy kicked off the blanket in excitement and sat up straight in the chair.She doesn't look sick at all.He looked, An Huisuo thought, a perfectly healthy man, although he was a little impulsive.The old lawyer knew full well that Timothy had been secretly jealous of his brother Richard.The two of them look alike, and Timothy resents his brother's strong personality and clinging to power.As soon as Richard died, Timothy eagerly wanted to inherit his power to control the fate of other family members in his later years. Richard Abernether had not given him that power.Did he ever think about giving it to him and then decide not to? A sudden meow in the garden made Timothy stand off his chair.He rushed to the window, yelled "Don't make noise!" and grabbed a large book and threw it at the cats. "Dead cat," he growled, walking back to his original position. "Wrecking the flower beds, I can't stand the goddamn noises." He sat down and asked: "Would you like a drink, Entwhistle?" "No, it's early. Moody just made me a nice cup of tea." Timothy says: "A capable woman, Moody. But she's got too much done. Even got to work on our old car—she's pretty good at fixing cars, you know." "I heard her car broke down on the way back from the funeral?" "Yes. There's something wrong with the engine. She remembers calling me, lest I worry about it, but our servant's old stupid ass left an inexplicable note. I'll go out for some fresh air. . . . Suggest getting some exercise if you can...I came back from a walk and found a doggy note: 'Ma'am sorry car crashed and had to stay overnight.' I thought she was still in Enderby when I saw it. Called Moody and found out Left early in the morning. Could have broken down anywhere on the way! What a mess! The stupid servant left me a ball of macaroni and cheese for dinner. I had to cook and heat it myself... and make a cup of tea ...not to mention setting myself on fire. I might have a heart attack...but would a woman of that caliber care? .The low-level people are no longer faithful..." He looked sad. "Wonder how much Moody told you about funerals and relatives," Mr Entwhistle said. "Korna said something a little embarrassing. Said offhand that Richard was murdered, didn't he? Maybe Moody told you." Timothy giggled. "Oh! Yes, I heard. Everyone put their heads down and feigned shock. That's what Cora would have said! You know she's been like that since she was a little girl, Didn't you, Entwhistle? I remember she said something at our wedding that displeased Moody too. Moody never liked her very much. By the way, Moody called the night after the funeral Me, asked me if I was all right, and if Mrs. Jones had come to help me with dinner, and she told me everything was fine there, and I said 'how's the will?' She kind of tried to avoid it, but of course I Still got her to tell the truth. I couldn't believe it, I said she must have heard it wrong, but she said it, it hurt me, Entwhistle...it really hurt me, if you know what I mean .If you ask me, I'd say that Richard is really hateful. I know you shouldn't speak ill of dead people, but, I swear..." Timothy continued on this topic for a while. Then Moody came back into the room and said firmly: "I think, my dear, that Mr. Entwhistle has talked to you long enough. You should really rest. If you've settled everything..." "Oh, we've made a deal. It's up to you, Entwhistle. Let me know when they get that guy...if they can. I have no faith in the police right now...the Chief of Police doesn't No one. You'll be dealing with the... er... burial... huh? We're afraid we can't. But to order a most expensive wreath... and have to put up a decent tombstone... I think, she Local burial? No reason to take her north and I don't know where people in Lansquenet are buried, somewhere in France, I think. I don't know a murdered person on a tombstone What to write... 'Enter the country of rest' is not very good. Have to choose the right words. 'Rest'? No, only Catholics use this." "Oh, Lord, you have seen my wrong. Be my master," murmured Mr. Entwhistle. Timothy's horrified eyes fell on him.He smiled slightly. "From Lamentations," he said. "It's a bit dramatic, but it seems appropriate. Anyway, it's still a while before the gravestone is erected. Uh... the graveyard needs to be arranged first, you know. You don't have to worry about it, we will take care of it, and we will be with you at any time." connection." Mr Entwhistle took the next morning train back to London. After returning home, after hesitating for a while, he called a friend of his.