Chapter 10 10

.10. About five minutes after the plane left the Paris airport, Lance Fortescu opened the mainland edition of "Daily Mail" in his hand.After a minute or two, he let out an exclamation, and Patty, who was seated next to him, turned his head curiously. Lance said, "It's the old man. He's dead." "Dead! Your father?" "Yes, he appeared to have had a sudden seizure in the office and was taken to St Yode's Hospital where he died shortly thereafter." "My dear, I'm sorry. What's wrong, a stroke?" "I suppose so. It seems so."

"Has he ever had a stroke before?" "No, not as far as I know." "I don't think people die the first time they have a stroke." Lance said, "Poor old man, I thought I didn't like him very much, but now he's dead..." "Of course you like him." "Petty, our natures are not as good as yours. Oh, never mind, my luck seems to be over, doesn't it?" "Yes. It's strange that this is happening now. Just when you're going home." He looked back sharply at her. "Strange? Patty, what do you mean 'strange'?"

She looked at him slightly surprised. "Oh, a coincidence." "Are you saying that everything I try to do will go wrong?" "No, darling, that's not what I meant. But there's bad luck in the world." "Yes, I think there are." Patty said again, "I'm so sorry." They arrived at Hadro Airport and were waiting to disembark when an airline official called out in a clear voice: "Is Mr. Lance Fortescue on the plane?" "Yes," Lance said. "This way, please, Mr. Fortescue." Lance and Patty followed the man off the plane, ahead of the other passengers.They passed a couple in the back seat and heard the man say to his wife:

"I think a famous smuggler. Arrested on the spot." "It's incredible, it's incredible," Lance said, looking across the table at Detective Inspector Neil. Neal nodded sympathetically. "The Tacien--yew-nuts--this thing is like a thrilling melodrama. Inspector, I bet you think this sort of thing is commonplace.It's all routine.But the poisoning incident seemed far-fetched in our family. " Inspector Neil asked, "Then you can't think of anyone who would poison your father?" "Jesus, can't figure it out. I guess the old man has a lot of feuds in the business, and a lot of people would love to flay him and beat him financially or something.

As for poisoning?I have no way of knowing anyway.I have been abroad for many years, so I don't know much about family affairs. " "Mr. Fortescue, that's what I wanted to ask you. I heard from your brother that you and your father have been seeing each other for many years. Will you explain why you came home at this time?" "Yes, Inspector. I had a letter from my father, and I'll see how long ago it was--oh, six months ago, not long after my marriage. My father wrote to imply that he wished the past to be In the past. He suggested that I go home and work in the company.

He was slurring his words, and I wasn't sure whether to follow his lead.It turned out that I came to England in August—that is, three months ago.I went to see him in Yew Shan Xiaozhu, and the terms he proposed were quite favorable.I said I would consider it and discuss it with my wife. He is very understanding.I flew back to East Africa, discussed it with Patty, and finally decided to take the old man's advice.I have to get things over there, but I agreed to finish it by the end of last month.I told my father that I would telegraph my date of return to England. " Inspector Neil coughed.

"Your brother seems surprised when you come back." Lance suddenly grinned.There was a mischievous gaiety on his charming face. He said: "Don't think Percy knew about it. He happened to be on holiday in Norway. Let me tell you, the old man chose that time on purpose.He did things behind Percy's back.In fact I suspect my father had a fight with Percy—or Val—to give me a chance.I think Val wants to control the old man more or less, hey, the old man can't stand this kind of thing.I don't know what they were arguing about, but he was very angry.He probably thought that letting me in would frustrate Val's spirit.He has always disliked Val's wife, a bit snobby to say, and he is very satisfied with my marriage.He probably wanted to tell me to go home and make Percy face the facts and make a big joke. "

"How long did you stay in Yew Shan Xiaozhu last time?" "Oh, an hour or two at most. He didn't keep me overnight, and I believe he was going to do it behind Percy's back. He didn't even want the servants to know about it. I said it, and I'll go back and think about it when it's finally done. Talk to Patty and write to him of my decision, which I did. The letter mentioned an approximate date for my return to England, and I sent him a telegram from Paris yesterday." Inspector Neil nodded. "This telegram has taken your brother by surprise."

"I bet I would. Percy won again, as usual, though. I'm a little late." Inspector Neil said thoughtfully: "Yes, you are a step late." Then he said energetically: "Back in August, have you met anyone else in the family?" "My stepmother is drinking tea over there." "You haven't seen her before?" He suddenly grinned. "No. The old man really knows how to choose a woman. She is at least thirty years younger than him." "Excuse me for asking. Is your father angry at marrying you again? Where is your brother?" Lance looked surprised.

"Of course I wouldn't, and I don't think Percy would. Our mother died when we were—oh, ten or twelve. I'm surprised the old man didn't remarry sooner." Inspector Neil muttered: "It's a risk to marry a woman so much younger than me." "Did my brother tell you that? That's what he is. Percy is the best at suggesting art. Inspector, is this the case? Is my stepmother suspected of poisoning my father?" Inspector Neil was expressionless. He said cheerfully: "Mr. Fortescue, there is nothing to be sure of. Now, may I ask you what are your plans?"

Lance thought, "Plan? I think I'll have to make a new plan. Where are the family members? Are they all in Yew House?" "yes." "I'd better go right away." He turned to his wife, "Petty, you'd better find a hotel to stay in." She quickly protested: "No, no, Lance, I want to go with you." "No, dear." "I'm going." "Really, I think you'd better not go. You might as well stay - oh, I haven't been in London for a long time - Barneys Hotel. It used to be a nice and quiet place at Barneys Hotel. I think it's still open." ?” "Oh, yes, Mr. Fortescue." "Yes, Patty, if there is a room over there, I will put you there, and then I will go to Yew House." "Why can't I go with you, Lance?" Lance's face suddenly looked dark. "Frankly, Patty, I'm not sure if I'm welcome or not. Daddy asked me to come back, but Daddy's dead. I don't know who the place belongs to now. Percy, I think, or Adele. In short, I want to see how people receive me before I take you there. Besides—” "Not to mention what?" "I don't want to take you to a house where poisoners get away with it." "Oh, bullshit." Lance said firmly: "Petty, your safety is at stake, and I don't want to take any risks."