Chapter 7 7

7. Inspector Neil, still clutching the telegram, heard a car approaching the front door, brakes screeching, and the car stopped. Mary Douf said, "Now Mrs. Fortescue is back." Inspector Neal walked towards the front door, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Mary Douf receding modestly into the background, out of sight.She was clearly not interested in the coming scene--so tactful, so cautious--but also too lacking in curiosity.Inspector Neil concluded that most of the women would remain on site... He went to the front door to find Crump, the butler, coming up from the back of the hall.

It turned out that he heard the sound of the car. The car is a Ross Bentley Roadster.The two got out of the car and walked towards the building. As soon as they got outside, the door opened.Adele Fortescu startled and stared at Inspector Neal. He immediately saw that she was a very beautiful woman. He was shocked by Mary Douf's comment just now, and now he realized the truth of it.Adele? Fortescue is indeed a sexy stunner.She was similar in stature and features to the fair-haired Miss Grosvenor, but Miss Grosvenor was charming in appearance and dignified in heart; Adele Fortescu was magical from within.Her charm is obvious, not subtle, saying to every man: "Here I am. I am a woman." There is sensuality in her every movement, every breath - but there is something in her eyes. Shrewd means.He thought to himself: Adele Fortescue likes men—but she always loves money more.

He then looked at the figure behind her who was carrying her bat.He had seen this kind of person before.They cater exclusively to the young wives of rich old men.He was probably Vivienne Dubose, with a rather unnatural majesty, and probably not fortitude in fact.He's the kind of man who "knows" women. "Mrs. Fortescue?" "Yes." Her blue eyes widened. "I have no idea--" "I'm Inspector Neil. I'm afraid I have some bad news for you." "You mean—burglary or something?" "No, it's not that kind of thing. It's about your husband. He was very ill this morning."

"Rex? Sick?" "We've been trying to get in touch with you since half past eleven in the morning." "Where is he? Here? Or the hospital?" "He was taken to St. Yode's. You probably have to be prepared for a shock." "Didn't you say--he wasn't--dead?" She leaned forward slightly and grabbed his arm.Inspector Neal felt like a stage performer, and hurried her into the hall.Crump hung around eagerly. "She needs brandy," he said. Mr. Dubose said in a low voice: "Yes, Crump. Go get the brandy," and to the Inspector, "Come in."

He opened a door on the left, and they all entered in procession.First the Inspector and Adele Fortescue, then Vivienne Dubose, with Crump at the rear carrying a round decanter and two glasses. Adele Fortescu slumped into an easy chair and covered her eyes with one hand. The inspector offered her the glass, and she took a sip before pushing it away. She said, "I won't drink. I'm fine. Tell me what's going on? I guess it's a stroke? Poor Rex." "Not a stroke, Mrs. Fortescue." "You said you were an inspector?" It was Mr. Dubose who asked. Neal turned to him and said happily, "Yes. Inspector Neil of the Criminal Investigation Department."

He noticed a warning light in the other's dark eyes.Mr. Dubose didn't like the appearance of an inspector from the Criminal Investigation Department.He didn't like it at all. He said, "What's the matter? What's wrong--eh?" He unconsciously took a step or two back towards the door.Inspector Neil noticed the movement. He said to Mrs. Fortescue; "I'm afraid there will be an investigation." "Investigation? You mean—what do you mean?" He spoke in a smooth tone. "Mrs. Fortescue, I'm afraid you are distressed. We need to find out as soon as possible what Mr. Fortescue ate or drank before going to work this morning."

"You mean he might have been poisoned?" "Yes, it seems so." "I don't believe it. Oh—you mean food poisoning." Her voice dropped a semitone at the last words.Inspector Neal had no expression on his face, but his voice was still pleasant, and he said: "Ma'am, what do you think I mean?" She ignored the question and hurried on: "But we're all right—all of us." "Can you speak for everyone in the family?" "Oh—no—of course—I'm not sure." Dubos looked at his watch deliberately and said: "I have to go back, Adele. I'm so sorry. You'll be fine, I suppose?

I mean, there's a maid and Miss Douf in the house, and—" "Oh, Vivian, don't go. Don't go." The crying tone in his voice had the opposite effect on Zhuang Bosi, and he stepped back quickly. "Sorry, sweet girl, important appointment. By the way, Inspector, I'm staying at the Golf Hotel. If you—need me..." Inspector Neil nodded.He had no intention of detaining Mr. Dubose.But he knew the meaning of Mr. Dubose's farewell.Dubose wanted to stay out of trouble. Adele Fortescu tried to be as brave as possible and said: "It was a shock to come back and find the police in the house."

"I believe so. But you know, we must act immediately to obtain the necessary samples of food, coffee, tea, etc." "Tea and coffee? It's not poisonous, is it? We sometimes have bacon that's not quite right. Sometimes it's just inedible." "We'll find out, Mrs. Fortescue. Don't worry. Some things are surprising. We had a case of agaric poisoning. Turns out they picked the leaves of the agaric by mistake and thought it was radish." "You think it's possible for this to happen here?" "Mrs. Fortescue, we won't know until the autopsy."

"I—oh, I see." She shuddered. The Inspector went on: "Ma'am, there are a lot of yew trees around your house, aren't there? I thought, maybe the yew berries or leaves got mixed in with something? " He watched her closely.She stared at him. "Yew fruit? Is it poisonous?" Her eyes seemed a little too wide open, and her question was too naive. "There have been cases of children eating it by mistake, with unfortunate results." Adele put her head in her hands. "I can't bear to talk any more. Must I talk? I'm going to lie down.

I can't take it anymore.Mr. Percival Fortescue will arrange everything—I can't—I can't—don't ask me. " "We are trying to get in touch with Mr. Percival Fortescue as soon as possible. He happened to be in the North of England." "Oh yes, I forgot." "Just one thing, Mrs. Fortescue. Your husband has some grain in his pocket. Can you explain a little?" She shook her head, seeming confused. "Will someone sneak it in as a joke?" "I don't see what's the fun in that?" Inspector Neil couldn't see it either.He said: "I'll leave you alone for the moment, Mrs. Fortescue. Shall I send a maid to accompany you? Or Miss Doufe?" "What?" She spoke absent-mindedly, and he wondered what she was thinking. She reached for her purse and took out a handkerchief, her voice trembling. She trembled, "It's terrible. I'm only getting it now. My senses have been dull. Poor Rex, poor Rex dear." The way she cried was almost believable. Inspector Neil looked at her respectfully for a moment. He said, "It's sudden, I know. I'll send someone to accompany you." He walked to the door of the room, opened the door and went out, paused for a while before turning back to look inside. Adele Fortescu also covered her eyes with her handkerchief.The ends of the handkerchief hung down, but did not cover the corners of her mouth.There was a smile on her lips.