Chapter 17 17

.17. Inspector Neil found Mr. Anser to be the sort of lawyer who was easily intimidated but not good at intimidating others.His firm was small and his business was not doing well. He was not in a hurry to defend his rights, but to assist the police as much as possible. He said: Yes, he made a will for the late Mrs. Adele Fortescue.She had come to his office about five weeks ago; he thought it was odd, but of course he didn't say anything.It is inevitable for a lawyer to encounter strange things, and the inspector must understand his concerns...etc.The Inspector nodded understandingly.He had discovered that Mr. Ancer had never done legal work for Mrs. Fortescue or any of the Fortescue family before.

"She was naturally reluctant to go to her husband's law firm for this matter," said Mr. Anser. The cumbersome words and sentences have been removed, and the content is very simple.Adele Fortescu made a will, leaving all the property she owned at the time of her death to Vivian Dubos. Mr. Anser looked at Neil with a questioning expression and said, "But I heard that she doesn't have much to bequeath to others." Inspector Neil nodded.It was true when Adele Fortescu made her will.But then Rex Fortescue died, and Adele Fortescue inherited a hundred thousand pounds, and now that hundred thousand pounds (minus inheritance tax) probably belongs to Vivian Edward Dubose .

At the Golf Hotel, Inspector Neil found Vivian Dubose nervously waiting for him.Du Bosi originally wanted to leave, even packed his luggage.Suddenly received a polite call from Inspector Neil.Inspector Neal's tone was pleasant and apologetic; but beyond the politeness, it was actually an order to him.Vivian Dubos defended a little, but she was not firm. Now he says: "Inspector Neil, I hope you understand that it is inconvenient for me to stay any longer. I really have urgent business to attend to." Inspector Neil said pleasantly, "I didn't know you had a career, Mr. Dubose."

"I am afraid that no one in modern times can be as laid-back as they appear." "Mr. Dubose, the news of Mrs. Fortescue's death must be a shock to you. You are good friends, right? " "Yes, she's an attractive woman, and we play golf together a lot," DuBose said. "I expect you to miss her very much." Dubose sighed. "Yes, yes, this thing is really scary." "I believe you called her the afternoon she died?" "Is there? I can't remember now." "I heard it was around four o'clock." "Yes, I believe I made that call."

"Mr. Dubose, don't you remember the conversation?" "Not very important. I was probably asking her how she was feeling, and if there was any further news about her husband's murder—just a polite inquiry." Inspector Neil said, "I see." Then, "And you go out for a walk?" "Er - yes - yes, I probably - went. At least not for a walk, I played a few rounds of golf." Inspector Neil said softly: "I don't think so, Mr. Dubose . . . It wasn't that day . . . The porter here saw you walking down the road to Yew Cottage."

Dubose met his eyes, then looked away nervously. "Inspector, I'm afraid I don't remember." "Perhaps you went to see Mrs. Fortescue?" Du Boss said abruptly: "No, no, I didn't. I didn't go near the house at all." "Then where are you going?" "Oh, I—walked down the road to 'Three Pigeon Park', and turned back, and came back by the golf course." "You really didn't go to Yew Shan Xiaozhu?" "Not really, Inspector." The inspector shook his head. He said, "Come on, Mr. Dubose, you might as well tell me the truth. You might have several innocent reasons for going there."

"I told you I didn't see Mrs. Fortescue that day." The inspector stood up. He said in a cheerful tone: "Mr. Dubose, you know, we may ask you to give a statement, and you have the right to have a lawyer present when you make a statement, so that you can get better advice." Dubose's face was pale and sickly blue. "You're threatening me, you're threatening me," he said. Inspector Neil said bitterly, "No, no, there's no such thing. We can't do it. On the contrary, I'm pointing out to you that you have certain rights." "Tell you, I'm not involved in these things! Not involved."

"Come on, Mr. Dubose, you were at Yew House around four-thirty that day. Someone was looking out the window and happened to see you. " "I only went to the garden, not to the house." Inspector Neil said: "You didn't? You sure as hell? You didn't go in by the side door, up the stairs to Mrs. Fortescue's sitting room? You were looking for something at the desk?" Dubose said sullenly, "I guess you took it. Adele that stupid paw kept the letter, and then—she swears she burned it—but she didn't mean what she said." "Mr. Dubose, you don't deny that you are a close friend of Mrs. Fortescue?"

"No, of course I don't deny it. You've got those letters, how can I deny it? All I want to say is that you don't need to find evil meanings in them. Don't think that we—she—had set out to get rid of Ray. Max Fortescu. God, I'm not that kind of man!" "Maybe she's that kind of woman?" Vivian Dubose yelled, "Nonsense, wasn't she killed too?" "Oh, yes, yes." "Isn't it reasonable for us to believe that the man who killed her husband also killed her?" "Possibly, possibly. But there are other answers. For example—this is purely hypothetical, Mr. Dubose. Mrs. Fortescue may have killed her husband, and after he died, another thought she would bring This person may not have helped commit the crime, but at least encouraged her, or provided a motive for her crime. You know, she may be dangerous to the person."

Dubose stammered: "You don't—no—can't make a crime against me. You can't." Inspector Neal said: "She made a will, you know. She left you all the money, and you inherited everything." "I don't want money. I don't want a penny." Inspector Neal said, "Not much, of course. Jewelry, furs, but not much cash, I suppose." Dubose stared at him, jaw drooping. "But I thought her husband—" He stopped abruptly. Inspector Neal said, "You think, Mr. Dubose?" His voice was steel now. "Interesting, I wonder if you know the contents of Rex Fortescu's will—"

The second person Inspector Neil interviewed at the Golf Hotel was Mr. Gerald Wright.Mr. Gerald Wright is a thin, well-educated, and quite outstanding young man.Inspector Neil noticed that he was a bit like Vivian Dubose in build. "What can I do for you, Inspector Neil?" he asked. "Mr. Wright, I think you can probably provide us with a little information." "Information? Really? Seems unlikely." "It's related to the recent incident of Zishan Xiaozhu. Of course you've heard of it, right?" There was a touch of irony in Inspector Neil's questioning.Mr. Wright smiled triumphantly. He said: "The word 'I heard' is not used properly. The newspapers are full of this news and almost nothing else. Our newspapers are unbelievably cruel! What era is it now! On the other hand, the newspapers like to report brutal murders! But you said you had something to ask me. Really, I can't think of what to say. I don't know anything about Yew Xiaozhu's murder. Rex Fortes I was on Isle of Men when Ku was killed." "You've been here not long after it happened, Mr. Wright? I thought you had a telegram from Ellen Fortescue." "Our police know everything, don't they? Yes, Ellen wired me, and of course I'll come right away." "I heard that you are getting married soon?" "Yes, Inspector Neil, I hope you have no objection." "This is entirely Miss Fortescue's private matter. I hear you have been dating for a while? About six or seven months?" "good." "You are engaged to Miss Fortescue. Mr. Fortescue disagrees, and informs you that he does not intend to give money to his daughter if she marries against her father's orders. As far as I know, you immediately annull the engagement and leave. " Gilad Wright smiled pityingly. "Inspector Neil, that's a blunt statement. In fact, I sacrificed my political views. Rex Fortescu is the worst capitalist. Of course I can't give up my political beliefs for money." "But you have no objection to marrying a wife who has just inherited fifty thousand pounds?" Gilad Wright showed a satisfied smile. "No, Inspector Neil. The money is going to be used for the benefit of the community. But you're not here to discuss your financial situation--or your political beliefs, are you?" "No, Mr. Wright, I want to talk to you about a simple practical matter. You know, Mrs. Adele Fortescue died of cyanide poisoning on the afternoon of November 5th." "Since you were near Yew Cottage that afternoon, I think you may have seen or heard facts relevant to the case." "Why do you believe that I was near Yew Shan Xiaozhu?" "Mr. Wright, you left the hotel that afternoon at a quarter past four. When you got out of the hotel, you walked along the road in the direction of Yew House. I naturally guessed that you were going there." Gerald Wright said: "I'd like to go, but I don't think there's much point in it. I've made an appointment to meet Miss Fortescue, Ellen, at the hotel at six o'clock. I wandered along an alley that branched off from the main road, and returned to the Golf Hotel by six o'clock.Ailan did not come as promised.It's natural in that situation. " "Mr. Wright, did anyone see you while you were walking?" "I think there are a few cars passing me on the main road. I don't see anyone I know. You probably mean that. The alley is not much better than the cart path. It is muddy and not suitable for driving." "Then, from the time when you left the hotel at a quarter past four to when you came back at six, is your whereabouts only based on your own words?" Gerald Wright continued to show a superior smile. "Inspector, it's annoying to both of us, but that's the way it is." Inspector Neil said softly: "If anyone says they looked out of the landing window and saw you in the garden at Yew Cottage about four-thirty-five—" He paused, not finishing. Gerald Wright raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "The visibility was poor at that time. I don't think anyone could see clearly," he said. "Do you know Mr. Vivian Dubose? He lives here, too." "Dubose, Dubose? No, I don't think so. Is that the tall, thin guy with the suede shoes?" "Yes, he went for a walk that afternoon, too, and walked out of the hotel, past the Yew House. You didn't catch a glimpse of him on the way?" "No, no, I don't think so." For the first time Gerald Ryder looked a little worried.Inspector Neil thought about it: "It was not a good day for a walk that afternoon, let alone a muddy alley after dark. It's strange how much energy there is." When Inspector Neil returned to Xiaozhu, Inspector Haiyi greeted him proudly. He said, "Sir, I found out about the black thrush for you." "real?" "Yes, sir, found it in a pie--a cold pie left for Sunday supper. Someone finds that pie in the pantry or something, takes the crust off, takes out the veal inside, What do you think they put in there? A couple of dead thrushes from the gardener's mat. A nasty trick, isn't it?" Inspector Neal said: "Isn't that a luxurious dish for a king?" He let Sergeant Haiyi stare wide-eyed behind him.