Chapter 10 chapter Ten

Susan drove the car into the village from the quarry.She saw a gas shop but no garage, and was told to stop at the Golden Samurai, where they had a garage.She was parked next to a giant Dan Le limousine that was about to drive out.The driver was a private driver, and in the car sat an old foreign gentleman with a beard who was almost completely covered in clothes. Susan... the mechanic who was talking to him about the car looked at her intently, as if he couldn't follow what she was saying. Finally he said in a solemn voice: "You're her niece, aren't you?" "what?"

"You are the niece of the deceased," repeated the waiter. "Oh...yes...yes, I am." "Ah! I seem to have seen you somewhere before." "Baffling," thought Susan, as she stepped on the doorstep of the villa. Miss Gilchrist greeted her and said: "Oh, you're back safe and sound," the relieved tone further upset her.Miss Gilchrist continued anxiously: "Would you like macaroni? I want to have it tonight..." "Oh yes, anything. I don't really want to eat." "I'm not bragging, my mac and cheese was delicious."

She really wasn't covered.Miss Gilchrist is really a good cook, Susan thought.Susan offered to help with the dishes, but Miss Gilchrist, though grateful for the offer, told Susan that there was nothing to do. Later she returned to the living room with coffee.The coffee was a little weak, not strong enough.Miss Gilchrist offered Susan a piece of the wedding cake, which she refused. "It's really a very nice cake," said Miss Gilchrist, tasting it.She was already satisfied that the box of cakes was a wedding cake for the daughter of "Dear Irene," "I know she's been engaged before and is getting married, but I can't remember her name."

Susan let Miss Gilchrist babble until she calmed down before she started her own.This moment, after dinner, sitting in front of the fire, is an easy moment.At last she spoke: "My Uncle Richard was here before he died, didn't he?" "Yes, he has been here." "What day did he come?" "Let's see... it must have been one, two... about three weeks before the announcement of his passing." "Does he look... sick?" "Oh no, I don't think he's ill in any way. He looks very energetic. Mrs. Lansquenet was very surprised to see him. She said, 'Well, really, Richard, it's been so many years! ' And he said, 'I'll see how you are myself.' And Mrs. Lansquenet said, 'I'm all right,'. I think you know, she was kind of upset that he came so casually... After a long estrangement. 'Anyway,' said Mr. Abernethir, 'it's no use holding grudges. You and I and Timothy are the last three alive...and no one can talk to Timothy. unless it's about your own health.' And he said, 'Pearry seems to make you happy, so it seems like I'm wrong. Well, you're satisfied with that, right?' he said Very nice. A handsome man, though a little older, of course."

"How long has he been here?" "He stayed for lunch. I made olive beef. Luckily it happened to be the day the butcher came." Miss Gilchrist's recollections seemed to revolve around matters connected with the kitchen. "They seem to get along quite well together?" "Oh yes." Susan paused and said: "Did Aunt Kona get a shock... when he died?" "Oh, yes, quite suddenly, wasn't it?" "Yes, suddenly...I mean...she was taken aback. He didn't tell her how sick he was?" "Oh... I see what you mean." Miss Gilchrist paused for a moment. "No, no, I think maybe you're right. She said he was getting very old... I think she meant aging..."

"But you don't think he's old?" "Oh, it doesn't look like it. I didn't say a word to him, though. Of course, I left them alone." Susan looked at Miss Gilchrist thoughtfully.Was Miss Gilchrist the sort of woman to eavesdrop?She was honest, and Susan felt sure that she would never cheat or steal from the house, or steal a letter.But the curious may put on the cloak of a gentleman.Miss Gilchrist may find it necessary to do some gardening near an open window, or to dust the hall...that is within permissible distance.And then, of course, she couldn't help hearing something...

"You didn't hear anything they said?" asked Susan. It's too reckless to ask.Miss Gilchrist blushed. "No, really, Mrs. Bankes. I've never been in the habit of overhearing people's conversations!" That means she has, Susan thought, or she'd just say, "No." She raised her voice and said aloud, "I'm sorry, Miss Gilchrist. I didn't mean it that way. But sometimes, in such a flimsy cottage, you just can't help hearing what people are saying, and Now that they've both passed away, it's really important for the family to know what exactly they talked about when they met."

The villa was not at all flimsy as she said it was... It was built in a time of serious construction, but Miss Gilchrist took the bait and responded to her hints. "Of course you're quite right in what you say, Mrs. Bankes . . . it's a small place, and I do understand that you want to know what's going on between them, but I'm really afraid I can't be of much help. I suppose They're talking about Mr. Abernether's health... and some... er, his hallucinations. He doesn't look like it, but he must be sick and it's a common case, and he blames his illness on outsiders. One A common symptom, I believe. My aunt . . . "

Miss Gilchrist described her aunt. Susan, like Mr. Entwhistle, distracted her from the subject. "Yes," she said. "That's what we think. My uncle's servants are loyal to him, and of course they're not happy with what he thinks..." She paused. "Oh, of course! Servants are very sensitive about such things. I remember my aunt..." Susan interrupted her again. "He suspects the servants, I suppose? I mean, suspects them of poisoning?" "I don't know...I...really..." Susan noticed her confusion. "Not a servant. Is it someone?"

"I don't know, Mrs Bankes. I really don't know--" But she avoided Susan's eyes.Miss Gilchrist knew more than she was willing to admit, Susan thought. It's possible that Miss Gilchrist knows a lot... Susan decided not to pursue further questions for the time being, she said: "What are your own plans for the future, Miss Gilchrist?" "Well, really, I was going to mention it to you, Mrs. Bankes. I told Mr. Entwhistle that I would stay until all was settled." "I know. I'm very grateful." "I wanted to ask you how long this might take because, well, I have to start looking for another job."

Susan thought about it. "There's really nothing to clean up here. I can tidy it up in a day or two and notify the auctioneer." "So you decide to sell everything?" "Yes. I suppose there is no difficulty in renting out the villa?" "Oh no... There's a long line of people wanting to rent, I'm sure. There are so few villas available. You always have to buy." "It's easy to do that way, you know." Susan hesitated before saying, "I want to tell you... I want you to accept three months' salary." "You're very generous, Mrs. Banks. I really appreciate you. And you're going to... I mean can I ask you... if necessary... to help me with a letter of recommendation? Say I'll help One of your relatives did... satisfactory work?" "Oh, of course." "I don't know if I should make the request," said Miss Gilchrist, her hands beginning to tremble, and she tried to steady her voice. "But can you not...don't mention the situation here...not even by name?" Susan stared at her with wide eyes. "I do not understand what you mean." "That's because you haven't thought about it, Mrs Bankes. It's a murder. It's been in the papers, and everybody's seen it. Don't you understand? People might think: 'Two women living together , one of them was killed...maybe the other did it.' Don't you understand, Mrs. Banks? I believe if I were to hire someone, I would... oh, I'd think a little bit more beforehand... if You know what I mean. Because it's hard to tell! It means I'll never find another job...no job like that. What else can I do but this kind of job?" There is an underlying pathos to this question.Susan suddenly felt distressed.She understood the desperation of this ordinary woman who lived on the whims of her employer and was a pleasant talker.And what Miss Gilchrist said was probably true.You wouldn't hire a woman who's been involved in a murder, no matter how innocent, to do your housework if you didn't have to. Susan said, "But if they catch the killer..." "Oh, of course it's all right. But will they catch it? I personally don't think the police have any idea. And if the murderer doesn't catch...well, it's not very likely, but it's still possible. .” Susan nodded thoughtfully.It is true that Cora Lansquenet's death did Miss Gilchrist no good... but who knows?And there are so many stories beyond that... ugly ones... a hatred developed between two women living together... sudden acts of violence for strange morbid motives.Those who do not know them may imagine that this was the case between Cora Lansquenet and Miss Gilchrist... Susan said decisively as usual: "Don't worry, Miss Gilchrist," she said briskly. "I'm sure I can help you find a job with my friend. It's not difficult." "I'm afraid," said Miss Gilchrist, resuming some of her usual manner, "that I can't do any real heavy work other than cooking and housekeeping..." The telephone rang and Miss Gilchrist jumped to her feet. "My God, who could it be?" "I think it's my husband," said Susan, jumping up. "He said he was calling me tonight." She went over to answer the phone. "Hello? . . . Yes, I'm Mrs. Bankes . . . " There was a pause, and then her tone changed, becoming soft and warm. "Hey, dear... yes, I... oh, pretty good... murdered by some unknown person... nothing special... just Mr. Entwhistle... what?... hard to say, but I think so..yes, as we thought..everything went according to plan..I will sell. Nothing we wanted..for a day or two..it's really scary..don't All the fuss. I know what I'm doing...Greg, you don't...you've been careful...No, nothing. Nothing. Good night, honey." She hangs up.The presence of Miss Gilchrist somewhat hindered her.Although she retreated deliberately into the kitchen, it was possible to hear her words.She wanted to ask Greg something, but she didn't. She stood by the phone, frowning in a daze.Then suddenly an idea occurred to me. "Of course," she murmured. "Just do it." She picked up the phone and dialed the long-distance switchboard. Ten minutes later, an impatient voice came from the switchboard: "I'm afraid no one picked up." "Please keep trying." Susan said domineeringly.She heard the distant phone ringing "beep... beep...".Then, suddenly the voice was interrupted, and a violent and slightly angry man's voice came: "Hey, hello, who is it?" "Uncle Timothy?" "What? I can't hear you." "Uncle Timothy? I'm Susan Banks." "Susan what?" "Banksy. Formerly Abernethir. Your niece Susan." "Oh, you're Susan, aren't you? What's the matter? Why are you calling so late?" "It's still pretty early." "It's getting late. I'm in bed already." "You must be in bed early. How's Aunt Moody?" "You're calling to ask this? Your aunt is in so much pain that she can't do anything. Can't do anything. She's helpless. I can tell you we're in a mess here. That stupid doctor doesn't even have a special The nurse can't be found either. He wants to take Moody to the hospital. I'm against it. He's trying to find someone for us. I can't do anything...not even try. Tonight in the village There's a dork coming here overnight to help...but she's babbling about getting back to her husband. Don't know what we're going to do." "That's why I called you. Do you like Miss Gilchrist?" "Who is she? Never heard of it." "Aunt Cora's companion. Very nice and very competent." "Can she cook?" "Yes, she's doing very well, and she can take care of Aunt Moody." "That would be great, but when will she come? Here I am, all by myself, with some country bumpkins who come in from time to time to help, and it's not good for me. My heart is against me." "I'll arrange for her to pass as soon as possible. Maybe the day after tomorrow, how?" "Oh, thank you very much," the voice said reluctantly. "You're a good girl, Susan...uh...thank you." Susan hung up the phone and went into the kitchen. "Would you like to go up north to Yorkshire to take care of my aunt? She fell and broke her ankle and my uncle is pretty useless. He's a bit of a pain, but Aunt Moody is very nice. They have come from the village Helping people who go here, but you can do the cooking and take care of Aunt Moody." Miss Gilchrist dropped the coffee pot in excitement. "Oh thank you, thank you... you're so kind. I think I can say I'm really good at taking care of the sick, and I'm sure I can handle your uncle and help him cook some delicious side dishes. You're really very nice, I can't thank you enough, Mrs Bankes."