Inspector said in a considering voice:
‘So in your view – and of course you’ve had ample opportunities of judging – Master Walter Hudd wants the money that will come to his wife when Mrs Serrocold dies. By the way, she’s not very strong, is she, Mrs Strete?’
‘My mother has always been delicate.’
‘Quite so. But delicate people ‘ often live as long or longer than people who have robust health.’
‘Yes, I suppose they do.’
‘You haven’t noticed your mother’s health failing just lately?’
‘She suffers from rheumatism. But then one must have something as one grows older. I’ve no sympathy with people who make a fuss over inevitable aches and pains.’ ‘Does Mrs Serrocold make a fuss?’
Mildred Strete was silent for a moment. She said at last:
‘She does not make a fuss herself, but she is used to being made a fuss of. My stepfather is far too solicitous.
And as for Miss Believer, she makes herself positively ridiculous. In any case, Miss Believer has had a very bad influence in this house. She came here many years ago, and her devotion to my mother, though admirable in itself, has really become somewhat of an infliction. She literally tyrannizes over my mother. She runs the whole house and takes far too much upon herself. I think it annoys Lewis sometimes. I should never be surprised if he told her to go. She has no tact – no tact whatever, and it is trying for a man to fred his wife completely dominated by a bossy woman.’ Inspector Curry nodded his head gently.
‘I see… I see…’ He watched her speculatively.
‘There’s one thing I don’t quite get, Mrs Strete. The position of the two Restarick brothers?’ ‘More foolish sentiment. Their father married my poor mother for her money. Two years afterwards he ran away with a Jugoslavian singer of the lowest morals. He was a very unworthy person. My mother was softhearted enough to be sorry for these two boys. Since it was out of the question for them to spend their holidays with a woman of such notorious morals, she more or less adopted them. They have been hangers-on here ever since. Oh yes, we’ve plenty of spongers in this house, I can tell you that.’ ‘Alex Restarick had an opportunity of killing Christian Gulbrandsen. He was in his car alone – driving from the Lodge to the house – what about Stephen?’ ‘Stephen was in the Hall with us. I don’t approve of Alex Restarick – he is getting to look very coarse, and I imagine he leads an irregular life – but I don’t really see him as a murderer. Besides, why should he kill my brother?’ ‘That’s what we always come back to, isn’t it?’ said Inspector Curry genially. ‘What did Christian Gul- brandsen know – about someone – that made it necessary for that someone to kill him?’ ‘Exactly,’ said Mrs Strete triumphantly. ‘It must be Walter Hudd.’ ‘Unless it’s someone nearer home.’ Mildred said sharply: ‘What did you mean by that?’ Inspector Curry said slowly: ‘Mr Gulbrandsen seemed very concerned about Mrs Serrocold’s health whilst he was here.’ Mrs Strete frowned.
Then always fuss over mother because she looks fragile. I think she likes them to! Or else Christian had been listening to Juliet Believer.’ ‘You’re not worried about your mother’s health yourself, Mrs Strete?’ ‘No. I hope I’m sensible. Naturally mother is not young ‘ ‘And death comes to all of us,’ said Inspector Curry.
‘But not ahead of its appointed time. That’s what we have to prevent.’ He spoke meaningly. Mildred Strete flared into sudden animation.
‘Oh it’s wicked – wicked. No one else here really seems to care. Why should they? I’m the only person who was a blood relation to Christian. To mother, he was only a grown-up stepson. To Gina, he isn’t really any relation at all. But he was my own brother.’ ‘Half-brother,’ suggested Inspector Curry.
‘Half-brother, yes. But we were both Gulbrandsens in spite of the difference in age.’ Curry said gently: ‘Yes – yes, I see your point…’
Tears in her eyes, Mildred Strete marched out. Curry looked at Lake.
‘So she’s quite sure it’s Walter Hudd,’ he said. ‘Won’t entertain for a moment the idea of its being anybody else.’ ‘And she may be right.’