Murder Killing
19. Lady Clarke I
”Of course we can not expect much progress, but the existence of new ways of treatment can relieve his suffering. Doctor Logan is quite satisfied with his circumstances.”
”But is it true that he can never be cured?”
”Oh, we can't say that,” Sister Capstick said, somewhat surprised by this blatant talk.
”I think the death of her husband has made her very shocked.”
”Yah, Mr. Poirot, if you understand the situation, for Lady Clarke everything feels blurred, so even though she feels shock, it must be very different from those who are healthy and have the ability to think well.”
”Pardon my question, but is the relationship with her husband very close?”
”Oh yes, they are a very harmonious couple. Her husband was very worried about her, the man's pity. For a doctor, it is even more pronounced. They cannot deceive themselves with empty expectations. I think this situation was at first very torturous to his mind.”
”In the beginning? Lately no longer?”
”For a long time people will definitely get used to it, right? Then Sir Carmichael was busy with his collection. A hobby is a great entertainment for a man. Sometimes he attends auctions, then he and Miss Grey will be busy creating new catalogues and reorganizing the museum with a new system.”
”Oh, yes Miss Grey. He's gone, isn't he?” ”Yes a pity but women do like to imagine that it is not when they are sick. And there's no point in arguing with him. Better to give up. Miss Grey has done a wise thing-there in this regard.”
”Did Lady Clarke not like her for a long time?”
”Not that's not really a dislike. I think Lady Clarke liked it at first.
Sorry, I can't stay with you for too long. My patients will wonder where we are.” Sister Capstick drove us upstairs, to a room on the second floor. The space that was once used as a bedroom, has been changed to function as a bright-looking sitting room.
Lady Clarke was sitting in a large chair with armrests, by the window. His body was thin dry, and his face looked sunken gray due to the pain he was suffering from. His vision was far-flung, like daydreaming, and I looked at his non-luminous, lifeless pupils.
”This Mr. Poirot you want to meet,” said Sister Capstick with her high and carefree voice.
”Oh, yes, Mr. Poirot.” Lady Clarke's words sounded hazy.
He extended a hand.
”My friend Captain Hastings, Lady Clarke.”
”How are you? I'm glad you both have come.”
We sat down to follow his vague signal.
A few moments quiet. Lady Clarke is apparently carried away into the realm of dreams.
But with a bit of strength, the woman regained consciousness.
”About Car, right? About Car's death. Yes, yes.”
He sighed, but still in a dreamy, dreamy attitude, then shook his head.
”We never thought the opposite would happen... I was so sure I was the one who would die first.” He pondered for a moment. ”Car is incredibly strong and healthy for a person his age. He never got sick. He was almost sixty but he looked like he was still fifty... Yes, very strong.”.
He returned to his dreamland. Poirot understands the various influences of drugs and how they keep the drinker in a seemingly limitless realm. So Poirot remained silent.
Lady Clarke said, ”Yes I'm glad you came. I told Franklin. He said he won't forget to tell you. I hope Franklin won't act stupid...
He was so gullible, despite having explored almost the entire world. Men are so...
They stay like children... Especially Franklin.”
”His actions are always impulsive,” Poirot said.
”Ya, yes... And very kind. Men are
Lady Clarke shook her head with mounting impatience.
”Everything is so blurry... Life is hard, Mr. Poirot, especially when you're in a rage. People forget the land no matter if the disaster can be postponed or not others no artinva at all.”
”I understand, Lady Clarke. That's one of the tragedies of this life.”
”Why am I being this stupid? I can't even remember what I wanted to say to you.”
”What about the death of your husband?”
”Death Car?
Maybe so... Crazy, poor creature, I mean the killer. All the commotion and fast motion in this age made people unable to bear it. I'm always so sorry to crazy people maybe their heads feel weird. Then it would be no fun to be held captive. But what can we do?
When they kill people...
”He shook his head slowly and carefully".
”You haven't caught it?”
”But.”
”Surely he wandered around this place on that day.”
”There are many strangers pacing around, Lady Clarke. Isn't that holiday season?”
”Betul I forgot... But they just stay on the beach, they do not go all the way to near home.”
”No stranger came to the house on that day.”
”Who said?” beat Lady Clarke with sudden excitement.
Poirot looked rather aghast.
”The servants,” said my friend. ”Miss Grey.”
Lady Clarke said very clearly, ”The girl is a liar!”
I was shocked to jump out of my chair. Poirot threw a glance at me. Lady Clarke continued, now her speech was rather fiery.
”I don't like it. I never liked him. Car thinks that girl's everything in this world. Car likes to say that the girl is just an orphan and lives a kara. What's wrong with being an orphan?
Sometimes it is a blessing in disguise. Sometimes there are people who have drunken fathers and mothers and thus have a reason to complain. Car said the girl was very stoic and was able to work well! It is true that his work is always satisfying! But I am not sure based on what he can be called steadfast!”
”Don't be too emotional, Mistress,” said Sister Capstick interrupted the conversation. ”We must not make you tired.”
”I immediately told him to clean up! Franklin was disrespectful to me by saying that the girl could comfort me. Entertaining me?!
The sooner I don't see it the better that's what I'm saying!
Franklin is a fool!
I don't want to see him hanging out with that girl. Franklin is still childish!
It has no sense!
’I will give him a severance three months salary, if you want,’ I said. ’But he has to go. I don't want to see him in this house in a day.’ That's lucky the sick man won't be able to argue with you. Franklin followed what I said and the girl left the house. Go like a martyr, I guess with a sweet and stoic attitude!”
