Chapter 18 18

.18. Miss Lambsburton said: "Wait a minute, the game of singles bridge is coming to an end." She moved the "king" and all kinds of "baggage" into the open space, put the red 7 on top of the black 8, placed the spades 4, 5, and 6 on the base pile, moved a few cards quickly, and then leaned back, satisfied sighed. She said, "Double J's don't appear often." She leaned back contentedly, and looked up at the girl standing by the fireplace. "So you're Lance's wife," she said. Patty was called up to see Miss Lambsburton, who nodded.

"Yes," she said. Miss Lambsburton said: "You are a tall lady, and you look healthy." "I'm perfectly healthy." Miss Lambsburton nodded her approval. She said, "Mrs. Percival is like dough. Too much sweets and not enough exercise. Sit down, boy. Sit down. Where did you know my nephew?" "I met him there when I was living in Kenya with some friends." "I heard you were married before." "Yes, twice." Lambsburton took a deep breath. "I guess it's a divorce." "No," Patty said, her voice trembling a little. "They all—dead. My first husband was an Air Force pilot. He died in battle."

"Where's your second husband? Let's see—I've been told. He shot himself, didn't he?" Patty nodded. "Is it your fault?" Patty said, "No, it's not my fault." "Is he a horse racer?" "yes." Miss Lambsburton said: "I've never been to a racetrack in my life. Bet and cards--all the devil's game!" Patty didn't answer. Miss Lambsburton said: "I don't go to the stage or the movies. Oh, well, it's a wicked world today. There's a lot of bad things going on in this house, but God broke it down."

Patty was still speechless.She wondered if Lance's Aunt Alfie was all right, but the old crone looked at her shrewdly, and she felt uncomfortable. Aunt Effie asked, "How much do you know about your husband's family?" Patty said: "I think it's about the same as what most people know about their husband's family." "Well, it makes sense, it makes sense. Well, I'll tell you. My sister is a fool, my brother-in-law is a villain, Percival is a scumbag, and your husband Lance has always been an unworthy person." "I think it's all bullshit," Patty said firmly.

Unexpectedly, Miss Lambsburton said: "Perhaps you are right. We can't label people indiscriminately. But don't underestimate Percival. People often believe that people who label good people are stupid. Percival is not stupid. .He's sanctimonious and shrewd. I never liked him. I tell you, I don't trust Lance or approve of Lance, but I can't help liking him...he's a bold guy—always. You You have to watch him, don't let him go too far. Boy, tell him not to underestimate Percival. Tell him not to believe what Percival says. The people in this house are all liars." The old woman added again with satisfaction. The previous sentence: "You are destined to go to hell to be tested by fire and brimstone."

Inspector Neil spoke to Scotland Yard. The deputy chief said on the other end of the line: "We send leaflets to private nursing homes and should be able to find information for you. Of course she could be dead too. " "Possibly. It's been so long." Good and evil come to an end, Miss Lambsburton said--meaningly--as if to hint at him. "It's an outlandish theory," said the deputy chief. "I know, sir. But I don't think this lead can be completely dismissed. In many ways it fits—” "Yes—yes—rye—black thrush—names of the dead—" Neil says:

"I'm looking in other directions too - Dubose maybe - or Wright - the maid Gretty might catch a glimpse of them outside the side door - put the tea tray in the hall, go out and see who it is and what it's about - Anyone could have strangled her on the spot, dragged the body to the clothesline, put a clothespin in her nose—” "What a crazy move! And nasty." "Yes, sir, the old lady is offended about it--Miss Marple, I mean. Kind old lady--very shrewd. She has moved up and down the house to get close to old Miss Lambsburton-- —I'm sure she'll hear the news."

"Neil, what's your next step?" "I've got an appointment with the lawyers in London. I'm going to do some more research on Rex Fortescue. The 'Black Thrush Mine' thing is a thing of the past, but I still want to know about it." Mr. Billingsley, of "Billingsley, Heatthorpe & Waters Associates," was a refined man, whose straightforward manner belied a great deal of intellect. Billingsley's concerns were less pronounced this time when Inspector Neal met with him a second time. The triple murder of "Yew House" shattered Mr. Billingsley's professional life.Now he was bent on telling the facts to the police.

He said: "This thing is unusual, extraordinary. I have been in business for many years, and I don't remember anything like this." Inspector Neil said: "Frankly, Mr. Billingsley, we need all the assistance we can." "Sir, you may as well trust me. I will be happy to assist you as much as I can." "First of all, let me ask you if you knew the late Mr. Fortescue well, and how much do you know about his company?" "I know Rex Fortescu well--that is, I've known him for about sixteen years. I'll tell you, he doesn't just employ our law firm."

Inspector Neil nodded.He knew it; "Billingsley, Horsthorpe & Watters Associates" was a decent lawyer for Rex Fortescue.If there are dishonorable deals, he will switch to several less ethical firms. Mr. Billingsley said, "Now what do you want to ask? I told you about the will. Percival Fortescue is the heir to the remainder." Inspector Neil said: "Now I'm interested in his widow's will. She'll inherit a hundred thousand pounds when Mr. Fortescue dies, won't she?" Mr. Billingsley nodded. He said: "It is a considerable amount. Inspector, I will tell you in secret that it will be difficult for the company to pay it."

"Then the company is not doing well." Mr Billingsley said: "Frankly - please don't tell anyone - the company is on the verge of collapse and has been in trouble for a year and a half." "Is there any particular reason?" "Yes, I think it's because of Rex Fortescue himself. Rex Fortescue has been acting like a madman for a year, dumping good stocks, buying specs, talking big and not listening Advice. My son, Percival, came here to beg me to persuade his father. He tried, and his father apparently ignored it. Oh, I tried my best, but Fortescu wouldn't listen. Really, he seems a different man. .” "But I hear he's not depressed," Inspector Neil said. "No, no, on the contrary. It's grotesque and exaggerated." Inspector Neil nodded.The concept that had been formed in his mind before was now stronger.He consciously gradually understood the reason why Percival and his father were at odds. Mr. Billingsley went on. "But don't ask me about Mrs. Fortescue's will. I didn't make one for her." Neil said: "No, I know. I just want to make sure she has property to bequeath. In short, a hundred thousand pounds." Mr. Billingsley shook his head vigorously. "No, no, sir, you are mistaken." "You mean to say that the one hundred thousand pounds is only reserved for her to enjoy during her lifetime?" "No—no—it's all to her. But the testamentary gift has other terms. That is, unless Mrs. Fortescue outlives her husband by a month, she cannot inherit that money.I should note that such clauses are very common today because air travel is unreliable.If two people die in a plane crash, it is difficult to determine who died first and who died last, and many strange problems will occur. " Inspector Neal glared at him. "Then Adele Fortescue has no £100,000 to give away. What happened to the money?" "Back to the company—or rather to the heirs to the remainder of the money." "The heir to the balance is Mr. Percival Fortescue." Billingsley said, "Yeah, that money went to Percival Fortescu." He said unsuspectingly, "With the state of the company, I think he needs it!" Inspector Neil's doctor friend said: "That's what you police want to know." "Come on, Bob, go ahead." "Fortunately it's just the two of us, you can't quote me publicly! But I want to say that your idea is completely correct. It seems to be crazy paralysis. The family members were suspicious and asked him to see a doctor, but he refused. The symptoms and Exactly what you describe: Loss of judgment, grandiose delusions, prone to tantrums - bragging - fantasies of grandeur - fantasies of being financial wizards.A man with this disease can quickly bring down a very powerful company - unless his behavior can be restrained - which is not easy - and even less so if he knows what you want himself.Yes - I think it was a great blessing to your friends that he died. " "They're not my friends," Neil says, before repeating something he's said before: "They're all very unlikable characters..."