Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen Human Nature Is the Same Everywhere

The next day Miss Marple was visited by the tired and depressed Inspector. "I don't like to throw in the towel," said the Inspector. "Two murders in one day. Oh, I'm worse than I think I am. Aunt Jane, give me a cup of tea, and tell me about Mary Mead's early memories." .” "I suggest some whiskey and soda," she said. "Aunt Zhen, if you really say that, it's inconvenient for me to refuse." She went to the kitchen cabinet, opened it, and took out a glass, a bottle of soda, and a bottle. She poured him a drink and said, "Come on, tell me all, as much as you can."

"I thought you might know as much as I do, and probably hide some." "Not at all," said Miss Marple briskly. "As I have said several times, my dear Dermot, I think it is the case of an acquaintance, usually the wife or the husband." "You mean Jason Luther?" He shook his head, "No, this person loves Marina Gray." "Roughly speaking," said Miss Marple proudly, "first of all we must realize that Mrs. Bakerk has been murdered. Who could have done such a thing? The answer is of course her husband, so we must filter out this Possibility. Then we look at the real target is Marina Gray, and then we look at who is closest to her, her husband, of course. There is no doubt that husbands usually want to get rid of wives, although sometimes they just want to That's all. My dear boy, I agree with you that Jason Luther loves Marina Gray with all his heart, so no one can see that he has any motive to get rid of her, which is the smartest thing to do, although I don't Believe it. If he wanted to marry another man, it would be the easiest. Divorce is commonplace for movie stars, and besides, getting rid of her will not have any disputes of interest. He is not a poor boy, he has his It's a business, and it's big. So we can't judge that, but it's difficult, very difficult."

"Yeah," Dermot said, "it's especially difficult for you because you're so new to the film industry. You don't know the feuds and scandals and stuff that's going on locally." "I know more than you think," said Miss Marple. "I read a lot of movie magazines carefully." Clementine couldn't help laughing. "I found the articles very interesting," said Miss Marple. "It was all gossip and scandal, and it was always about who was in love with whom. It was no different from Mary Meade, I mean human nature is the same everywhere. We Let's talk about who tried to murder Marina Gray and kept sending threatening letters. Maybe this person is a little—" She patted her forehead lightly.

"Yeah," Dermot said, "it seemed like a sign, it just wasn't showing." "The Italian servant," continued Miss Marple, "was killed. He died on the day he left for London, as far as I know. Does anyone know what he was doing there? Can you tell me?" she said frankly. Said. "He arrived in London at half-past eleven," said Dermot. "No one knew what he was doing in London until he was at the bank a minute or twenty later, when he got five thousand pounds. He said he was going to visit a man in London." A relative's illness, but there is no evidence to prove it. No one among his relatives saw him."

Miss Marple nodded in agreement. "Five thousand pounds," he said. "Yes, five thousand pounds is an interesting figure, isn't it? I suppose that's the first payment, isn't it?" "It seems so," said Cleder. "It may be that the person he threatens offers, he may pretend to be satisfied or accept, and the victim promises more money in the near future. It seems that Marina Gray's killer may come from lowly background , and has a personal feud with Mary, and may be an assistant on the set, or a henchman, or a servant, or a gardener. Unless, " Miss Marple, " this person is an active agent whose company is not nearby, so a visit must be made. London."

"That's true. In London there were Adavek Fein, Laura Brest and Margaret Benz. These three were at a party that day, and they probably had arranged to be there at fifteen fifteen." Meet Ghisper somewhere in London at 11:30. Adavik Fay is out of the office during this time, Lola Brest is out of the hotel to go shopping, and Marguerite Binto is not on the set .But--" "Well?" asked Miss Marple. "What are you going to tell me?" "You ask me," Dermot said, "about the kids that Marina Gray adopted before she knew she had kids." "Yes, I did."

Cleder told her what he had heard. "Margaret Binto," said Miss Marple softly. "I think it has something to do with children..." "I can't believe after all these years—" "I know, I know, no one can believe it, my dear Dermot, do you really know those little kids? Think about your own childhood, whether there were accidents or sad things or unforgettable things .All the fear, excitement, fear is related to this accident." "It's strange that you say such things," Cleder said thoughtfully. Just as they were talking, the door opened and Miss Kennet came in with tea.

"Why!" she cried, "we have company, don't we? That's great, how are you, Inspector. I'll get another cup of tea." "Don't bother," said Dermot behind her back, "I've had it." Miss Kennet turned her head as she came to the door. "I wonder if you could come, sir?" Dermot followed her into the hall, and she closed the door after entering the dining room, "You have to be careful." "Careful? Which way, Miss Kennett?" "Our old lady's there. She's interested in everything, you know, but it's not a good thing that she's excited about murders and criminal things like that."

Dermot looked at her a little amused. "I don't think," he said softly, "that what you have said to me about the murder will not frighten or irritate Miss Marple." He went back into the drawing-room, Miss Kennet following him, clucking immodestly, and Miss Marple let out a breath when she took the tea tray away and closed the door. "We're quiet," she said, "and I hope I won't kill this woman someday, Dermot, listen to me, there's something I'd like to know." "Yes, what is it?" "I want to know exactly what happened on the day of the banquet. After Mrs. Buntry arrived, the priest came shortly after, and then the Bakers, and at the time on the stairs were the mayor and his wife, Adavek. Fein, Laura Brest and a journalist and the girl who took the picture, Margaret Benz. You said Margaret Benz took the camera up to the stairs and took the picture of the welcome Come down. Did you see those pictures?"

"I just happened to bring one to show you." He took an unframed photograph from his pocket.Miss Marple stared in amazement.Jason Luther was obliquely behind Marina Gray. Arthur Bakerk touched his face with one hand, looking a little embarrassed. He stood behind his wife, watching her shake hands and chat with Marina Gray, Marina's eyes are not looking at Mrs. Baecock, but behind her, as if looking directly at the camera, or perhaps slightly to the left. "It's funny," Marple whispered, "I've described the expression on her face, it was a stiff expression, that's a good description, and it's like the future. Don't you think so? I don't think it's real fear, it's frightening. Dermot, my dear boy, I want you to tell me what Hit Bakerk said to Marina Gray then, if you knew .I know only a general idea, and I think you have heard a lot from various sources."

Demer nodded. "Yes, let me think about it. First your friend Mrs. Buntry, then Jason Luther, then Arthur Bakerk. As you say, there are some discrepancies between their accounts, but Not too far apart." "I know. It's the differences that I want to know, and I think it might help us." "I don't see any help," said Dermot. "Maybe you can. Your friend Mrs. Buntry is probably the most specific. Wait a minute. I remember I brought some summaries of the conversation." He took a blotter from his pocket and looked at it again. "I don't know what it was really about," he said, "but I know the gist. Mrs. Bakerk was obviously very happy and funny, and she said things like, 'I can't tell you how good this is. I I can't forget a few years ago in Bermuda - I got measles and I woke up to see you and you took a picture of me, I'll never forget that day.'” "I know," said Miss Marple. "She mentioned the place but not the date, did she?" "yes." "What did Luther say?" "Jason Luther? He said Mrs. Bakerk told his wife that she got out of bed to see Marina and got her picture even though she had a cold. He was more succinct than your friend, but The gist is the same." "Did he mention a time and a place?" "No, I don't think he mentioned it, but probably said it was ten or twelve years ago." "I see. What did Mr. Bacock say?" "He said Heater was anxious to see Marina Gray, and she told him that when she was a little girl she was sick once and she tried to get up to see Miss Gray and asked her for a picture, he didn't specifically mention What, he gave me the impression that he didn't think it was a big deal about the accident." "I see!" said Miss Marple. "Yes, I see--" "What do you understand?" Cleder asked. "Not as far as I'd like to know," said Miss Marple frankly, "but I have a feeling that if I knew why she soiled her new dress—" "Who? Mrs. Baecock?" "Yes, it seems to me such a strange, complicated thing, unless—of course—my dear, I think I must be a fool!" Miss Kennet opened the door, went in and turned on the light. "I think it would be nice to have a little light," she said cheerfully. "Yes," said Miss Marple, "you're quite right, Miss Kennett. That's exactly what we need, a little light. I think we'll get it in the end." This heart-to-heart talk is over.Dermot stood up. "And one more thing," he said, "you told me you were so emotional remembering it." "Everybody teases me about it," said Miss Marple, "but for a while I thought of the Lustons' maid." "The Lustons' maid?" Cleder was puzzled. "She used to answer the phone," said Miss Marple, "but she didn't do it very well. The message was so vague that I didn't know what it meant." "The maids you're talking about," said Miss Kennet with a low laugh, "was years ago. I haven't heard from them for years." "That was years ago," said Miss Marple, "but human nature is the same all the time. The reasons for making mistakes are the same. Oh, my God," she added, "I'm so thankful that the girl is at Bonhammons now." .” "The girl? Which girl?" Dermot asked. "The girl who made clothes and went to see Gisper that day. Her name seems to be Grey." "Is that Gray Dixon?" "Yes, that's the name." "You say she's at Bonamons now? How do you know that?" "Of course I know," said Miss Marple, "because I paid for her to go." "What?" Detroit looked at her. "You? Why?" "I'll go and see her," said Miss Marple, "and I'll give her some money to go on vacation and not write home." "Why are you doing this?" "Because I don't want to see her killed," said Miss Marple with a gentle wink at him.