Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Song of the Broken Mirror

When Dermot went to the scene of the crime, he first visited Miss Marple. "I don't think I need to ask you why you're here," said Miss Marple. "The homicides we have had here have been brought to the attention of Scottish police detectives." "They transferred the case to us," Dermot said, "so when I come I come to 'headquarters' right away." "You mean—" Miss Marple was a little flustered. "Yes," said Dermot, "I mean you." "I'm afraid," said Miss Marple regretfully, "I'm too old to go out now."

"Not only did you go out, you fell down and were picked up by a woman who was murdered ten days later," Dermot said. Miss Marple said "tsk, tsk". "I don't know where you hear these things from," she said. He added, "Did you think when you saw her that she was going to be killed?" "Of course not, of course not," cried Miss Marple. "How do you say that?" "Does the look in her husband's eyes remind you of Hailey Simpson or David Jones or anyone you knew years ago who hurt their wives?" "No, no!" said Miss Marple. "I believe that Baker will not do such an outrageous thing." She thought about it and said again. "I'm almost sure."

"But human nature is so—" Dermot muttered. "Yes," said Miss Marple. "I daresay he won't think of her much after the first grieve. . . . He'll remarry, and maybe soon, possibly with the same kind of woman again." "Have you found it yet?" Dermot asked. "I don't know," said Miss Marple. "I think you should go and see Mrs. Buntry." "Mrs. Buntry? Who is she? From the movie business?" "No," said Miss Marple, "she lives in the east house at Upper Towne. She was at the tea party that day, and Goldstein was for a while owned by her and her husband, Colonel Buntry."

"She was at the tea party and found something, didn't she?" "I think she'll tell you what she saw. Tell her I sent you—oh, you'd better just mention the Chartreuse girls." Dermot tilted his head slightly and stared at her: "Miss Chartres, this is a code, isn't it?" "I don't know, I must do it this way," said Miss Marple, "but she'll know what I mean." Dermot stood up. "I'll be back again." He took his leave and went out, and soon arrived at Mrs. Buntry's house. "Oh, hello!" Mrs. Buntry greeted as Dermot introduced herself, stepping back. "Routine investigation?"

"Almost," said Dermot solemnly. "Did Jane Marple call you?" said Mrs. Buntry. "Yes. You think it was a murder?" "I think it was an accident," said Mrs. Buntry. "There is no evidence of who administered the poison or how." "You think no one wants to murder Hit Bakerk?" "Oh, frankly," said Mrs. Buntry, "I can't imagine anyone trying to murder Hitt Backcock. I find her one of those annoying women who wants to have a hand in everything. It’s fueling and jealousy, and it’s always moving.” "You mean that most people feel pain when they see her, so they really want to avoid her, but they don't have the courage to refuse her directly."

"That's right." Mrs. Buntry nodded in agreement. "She never mentioned money in her life," said Dermot thoughtfully, "so no one got a financial benefit after her death, and no one seemed to hate her enough to hate her. I don't think she's going to blackmail." people?" "I don't believe she could have done such a thing." "Did her husband have any sexual affairs with others?" "I don't think so," said Mrs. Buntry. "I've only seen him at tea parties. He's like a chewed thread, well serviced but wet."

"Don't go too far," Dermot cautioned. "We're assuming she knows something." Mrs. Buntry shook her head. "I doubt it, I think she is the kind of woman who knows who and what is going to tell everything." "Well, let's not talk about that," said Dermot. "First tell me why I came to see you. Miss Marple told me to tell you about the Lady Chartres." "Oh, that!" said Mrs. Buntry. "People don't read much about Tennyson these days." "I hear the echo of some poetry," said Dermot. "She looks out of Kenmet House, doesn't she? Edge of the Broken Mirror: The curse has come upon me; cried the Lady of Chartres."

"Yes, she is," said Mrs. Buntry. "I beg you to forgive me. Who did it? How?" "It looks like that girl," said Mrs. Buntry. "Who is like what?" "Marina Gray." "Oh, Marino Gray. When? Tell me, please," said Dermot. "Oh, it was at the tea party, it was upstairs, and Marina and her husband were there, and they invited some of us in. They invited me because the house was mine for a while, and they invited Hit Bako Ke and her husband because she was in charge of arranging the tea party. We happened to be upstairs and I was standing there, so I saw it."

"what did you see?" "Oh, Mrs. Baecock went on and on like people see famous people, how they want to see them, how she met her years ago, how exciting, etc. I thought to myself how annoying it is, these poor people Celebrities were going to say a lot of polite things, and then I noticed that Marina Gray wasn't talking, she was just watching." "Look—Mrs. Bakerk?" "No—no, it seems that she has forgotten Mrs. Baecock's existence. The expression she is watching is like the expression of the Chartres girl I mentioned, as if she saw something terrible."

"The curse has fallen on her?" Dermot hurriedly reminded. "Yes, that's why I call it the Chartreuse look." "Mrs. Buntry, what the hell is she looking at?" "Oh, I wish I knew," said Mrs. Buntry. "You said she was at the top of the stairs?" "She looked over the top of Mrs. Bakerke's head—no, over the shoulder, I think." "Right in the middle of the stairs?" "Not exactly in the center, but a little bit off." "Someone was going upstairs at that time?" "Oh, yes. I think five or six."

"Did she look at that person in particular?" "I don't know, I was looking at her, with my back to the stairs, and I thought maybe she was looking at a certain picture." "But if she lives in that house she must be well aware of those pictures." "Yes, she must be looking at someone, but I don't know who it is?" "We're going to try to find it," Dermot said. "You can't remember where those people were?" "Oh, I know there's the mayor and the mayor's wife. There's a reporter I think, he's got red hair, Jobs—something. And then there's a tall black person, I don't mean nigga Man—but a very dark, thick-lined one, with a fair-haired star for his company. And an old general from March Bingham, Munster, now a stupid and childish old man, oh! Grace with the farm." "You think one of them was the one who caused Marina Gray's look?" "I didn't think so," said Mrs. Buntry frankly. "I just wonder what made her have that expression. Of course, maybe she has a sudden toothache or abdominal pain. Although you want to hide things like this, your face can't hide it." Dermot smiled. Dermot said goodbye to Mrs. Buntry, and soon met with the assistant who was going on at the same time. "Have you gathered some information locally?" he asked as he took out a cigarette and handed it to Frank Cornish. "Guess right," said Kenneth. "No hostility, no arguments, good relationship with her husband." "There is no relationship between men and women involved?" The other party shook his head. "Nothing like that, no flirting. She's not what you'd call a flamboyant woman. She's on committees or something like that, and probably made some enemies in the area, and whatnot." "Is her husband trying to marry another woman? Is there another woman in his office?" "He works at the 'Peter Russell Land Bonds', and there's a woman from Florie Wester who has a goiter, and another Grundy who's at least fifty years old and looks as dull as hay, which is Doesn't interest men." Dermot looked interested. "One of his neighbors," explained Cornish. "A widow. She was there when I came back with him from the bureau, made him tea, was so tender and considerate to him, he seemed flattered, and if you ask me, she'd decided to marry he." "What kind of woman is she?" "Good-looking, not young anymore, but with gypsy beauty, Mary Bonny, a widow." "What does her husband do?" "I don't know. She lives with a son who works nearby. She seems to be a quiet, respectable woman. I think I've seen her somewhere." He looked at the watch in his hand. "It's eleven fifty. I've arranged an appointment for you at Goldstein at twelve o'clock. We'd better go." After finishing speaking, the two got up and came to Gaoshidingzhuang.After Kenneth had brought him here to meet a young man, Hayley Preston, he slipped away skillfully.As Dermot listened to Preston talk, he guessed that Hayley Preston was, to Jason Luther, a public relations or personal assistant or secretary or something.He was a cheerful young man, and several times he went on and on about how disgraceful it was, how depressed Marina was, and how sad Mr Luther was beyond words.He later talked about it from another angle, saying that there was no one who was not eager to help, and at the same time he was eager to express how far it was from the studio, and Jason Luther, Marina Gray and others who participated Everyone will try their best to help.Dermot took advantage of Haley's stop and said, "Thank you very much." There was something in his tone that meant it was over, and Mr. Hayley Preston got up at once.He said, "How—?" "Can I ask some questions?" "Of course, of course. Just ask." "Is this where she died?" "Yes, this is the place. I can also show you that chair." They stood in the great room, and Hayley Preston walked a short distance down the corridor, pointing to what looked like an oak armchair. "She's just sitting here. She's going to die soon. I don't know if she's seen a doctor lately? If the doctor warned her about a heart problem—" "There's nothing wrong with her heart," Dermot said. "She's always been healthy, and she took six times the dose of that drug. I don't want to spell out its scientific name, but it's commonly called Calmo." "I know," Hayley Stone said. "Sometimes I take it myself." "Wow, that's interesting. You think it works well?" "Great, it makes you feel refreshed and buoyant, and of course you have to take the right dose." "Is there such a thing in this house?" He knew the answer, but pretended not to know.Hayley Preston replied candidly: "A lot, I daresay. There's probably a bottle in the bathroom cupboard. Are you sure it's the drug?" "Oh, yes, that's a very poisonous drug, and Mrs. Backcock wouldn't take it herself." Hayley Preston shook his head and said, "That does give us a big question mark. It does." "Where are Mr. Luther and Miss Gray receiving guests?" "Right here." Hayley Preston went to the landing. Dermot stood next to him and looked at the opposite wall. In the middle of the wall hung a portrait of the Madonna and the Holy Child, which was a reproduction of a famous painting. The Madonna in the blue headband was smiling, and a group of people stood beside him. , with eyes full of admiration, is a picture of a delighted Madonna, flanked by windows, which looks very lovely and charming, and could never have produced the expression of a woman. "Was anyone going upstairs?" he asked. "Yes, a small number. I'll take some up, and Mr. Luther's secretary, Ira Zielinski, will take some. We're all trying to make it nice and pleasant." "Were you there when Mrs. Bakerk went upstairs?" "I'm sorry, I don't remember. I had a list and I went out and invited them in, introduced them, offered them drinks, and went out and brought in another group. At this point I don't know if Mrs. Backcock present." "Is there a Mrs. Buntry?" "Yes, there is. She was the previous owner of this house, and the mayor came up after a while, and he brought a group of people. I didn't pour them drinks, because I had to go downstairs to bring another batch." people." "Who poured it for them?" "I don't know much about it. There were three or four people helping at the time." "Do you remember who else was on the stairs when you were going down?" "Jim Grabs, a news crew, is going to cover this story, and there are three or four other people I don't know. There are two photographers, one is a local, the other is from London. girl, she is very good at taking special angles, and her camera is placed in the corner. So that she can always catch shots of Miss Gray receiving guests. Oh, let me think about it, when Ardavek Finn arrives I'm not going to be happy." "Who is Adavik Finn?" Hayley Preston looked surprised. "He's a big shot, a pillar of the film and television industry. We didn't know he was coming here beforehand." "He came and took everyone by surprise." "That's right," said Preston. "It's great that he's here, and it's beyond everyone's expectations." "Is he an old friend of Miss Gray and Mr. Luther?" "He was a close friend of Marina's when she married her second husband years ago. I don't know how much Jason knew about him." "In short, he will surprise everyone after he arrives." "Of course! We're all very happy." Dermot nodded and moved on to other questions, asking carefully about the drinks, what they were made of, how they were prepared, who was serving them, who was invited or hired to help.While it was possible for any of the thirty guests present to have poisoned Hitt Bakerk's drink, it was possible for any of the same thirty to discover the plot.Dermot thought it was a great opportunity to start from this aspect. "Thank you," he said at last. "I would like to speak to Miss Marino Gray, if I may." Haley Preston shook his head. "I'm sorry, it's really impossible. She's very depressed, very depressed, and she has a doctor to take care of her. Here's a doctor's note, I can show you." Dermot took it over and looked at it, and the young man walked away.Dermot Kleda stood for a moment on the stairs in thought.At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps, and he turned around immediately.Hayley Preston is back, and Dr. Maurice Gilkes is by his side.Dr. Gilkes was unpretentious in appearance and seemed to be a down-to-earth and warm-hearted man.He was dressed in tweed and had brown hair and keen, dark eyes. "Dr. Gilkes? This is Chief Inspector Dermot Kledar." The doctor nodded, opened a door, and invited Dermot in. It was obviously the doctor's own bedroom, a very comfortable room. Dermot said, "Miss Marina Gray says she can't see you, doctor, what's the matter?" Gilkes shrugged slightly: "Neural problems, if you ask her questions, she will definitely fall into hysteria, and she can't participate in the case investigation in the same way." "How long will this situation continue?" Dr. Gilkes looked at him and smiled. "If you want to know my opinion, I can tell you from a human point of view, not a medical point of view. Within forty-eight hours Miss Gray will not only want to see you, but will ask to see you." .She'll be interviewed and answer your questions, and that's it!" "It's really funny," Dermot said. "Extremely interesting." "I'm trying to get you to know Marina Gray," said Dr. Morris Gilkes. "You must have seen her picture." "She's an amazing star," Dermot said. "It's amazing, with personality, beauty, and compassion." "Yes," said Gilkes, "she has them, she's desperate to get better, every nerve is tense, and she's not in good health, and she's always fluctuating between disappointment and excitement. She She has suffered a lot from her inability to control herself. She has never been happy except in her most recent marriage. She is now married to a man who loves her very much and she thinks she has finally found a stable and happy home. Leave With this feeling, she will feel that she has fallen into the abyss of pain, her life's happiness has been destroyed, love and happiness are far away from her, and the world will lose a good actor because of this." He stopped talking, and Dermot was silent too, wondering why Maurice Gilkes said this, and he said slowly: "Is she sorry that this sad thing happened here? " "Yes," said Gilkes, "that's what she looks like." Dermot said, "Can you tell me what you really think?" Dr. Gilkes paused and said, "You know I have a professional ethic. It's a doctor-patient relationship." "She confided something to you?" "I don't think I can say that much." "Does Marina Gray know this woman, Hit Bakerk? Have you seen her before?" "I don't think she knew it from Adam," Dr. Gilkes said. "No, not that question. If you ask me, I dare say it has nothing to do with Hitt Backcock." Dermot said, "That thing, Galmo, did Marina Gray use it herself?" "Live on it," said Dr. Gilkes, "as do the rest of the circle." "That thing really changed everything?" "Oh," Gilkes said, "that does change, and it does what it does to calm or lift your spirits and feel like you can do anything." "I want to know," said Dermot, "what exactly you're going to tell me." "I'm going to decide," said Gilkes, "what my duty is. My duty is twofold, one is the doctor's duty to the patient, to keep whatever the patient says to him confidential; but on the other hand, You have to speculate whether it's dangerous to the patient, and if so, take steps to avoid it." He stopped talking.Dermot watched him and waited. "Listen," said Dr. Gilkes. "If you will listen, I'll tell you some of the things she said to me, which, of course, may mean nothing at all." "What did she say?" Dermot asked. "She had a nervous breakdown after it happened, and she came to see me, and I sedated her and told her to calm down, and before she lost her mind, she said, 'Doctor, that plot was against me.'" Dermot was taken aback. "Did she really say that? Later—the next day?" "She didn't bring it up again. I brought it up once and she avoided it." "You think she really meant that?" "She meant that," said Gilkes, "but that doesn't mean it has to be," he cautioned. "I don't know if there was an attempt to poison her or try to poison Hitt Backcock. You know better than I do. What I'm saying is that Marino Gray really believed that the poison was given to her." Dermot was silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you, I appreciate what you told me, and I understand your motives, and if what Marina Gray says has some truth to it (and maybe it doesn't), then Does the danger still exist for her?" "That's the problem," Gilkes said, "and it's the whole problem." Dermot stood up. "One more question, Doctor. Do you know if she said the same thing to her husband?" Gilkes shook his head slowly. "No," he said. "I know very well that she didn't tell her husband." His eyes met Dermot's, and after a moment he nodded and left. Dermot remained where he was, pursing his lips and whistling in a low voice.