Part 12 (1/2)

Poirot perceived that, according to Miss Williams, the last word had been said. He abandoned the subject of art.

He said: 'You were with Mrs Crale when she found the body?'

'Yes. She and I went down from the house together after lunch. Angela had left her pullover on the beach after bathing, or else in the boat. She was always very careless about her things. I parted from Mrs Crale at the door of the Battery garden, but she called me back almost at once. I believe Mr Crale had been dead over an hour. He was sprawled on the bench near his easel.'

'Was she terribly upset at the discovery?'

'What exactly do you mean by that, M. Poirot?'

'I am asking you what your impressions were at the time.'

'Oh, I see. Yes, she seemed to me quite dazed. She sent me off to telephone for the doctor. After all, we couldn't be absolutely sure he was dead-it might have been a cataleptic seizure.'

'Did she suggest such a possibility?'

'I don't remember.'

'And you went and telephoned?'

Miss William's tone was dry and brusque.

'I had gone half up the path when I met Mr Meredith Blake. I entrusted my errand to him and returned to Mrs Crale. I thought, you see, she might have collapsed-and men are no good in a matter of that kind.'

'And had she collapsed?'

Miss Williams said drily: 'Mrs Crale was quite in command of herself. She was quite different from Miss Greer, who made a hysterical and very unpleasant scene.'

'What kind of a scene?'

'She tried to attack Mrs Crale.'

'You mean she realized that Mrs Crale was responsible for Mr Crale's death?'

Miss Williams considered for a moment or two.

'No, she could hardly be sure of that. That-er-terrible suspicion had not yet arisen. Miss Greer just screamed out: ”It's all your doing, Caroline. You killed him. It's all your fault.” She did not actually say ”You've poisoned him,” but I think there is no doubt that she thought so.'

'And Mrs Crale?'

Miss Williams moved restlessly.

'Must we be hypocritical, M. Poirot? I cannot tell you what Mrs Crale really felt or thought at that moment. Whether it was horror at what she had done-'

'Did it seem like that?'

'N-no, n-no, I can't say it did. Stunned, yes-and, I think, frightened. Yes, I am sure, frightened. But that is natural enough.'

Hercule Poirot said in a dissatisfied tone: 'Yes, perhaps that is natural enough...What view did she adopt officially as to her husband's death?'

'Suicide. She said, very definitely from the first, that it must be suicide.'

'Did she say the same when she was talking to you privately, or did she put forward any other theory.'

'No. She-she-took pains to impress upon me that it must be suicide.'

Miss Williams sounded embarra.s.sed.

'And what did you say to that?'

'Really, M. Poirot, does it matter what what I said?' I said?'

'Yes, I think it does.'

'I don't see why-'

But as though his expectant silence hypnotized her, she said reluctantly: 'I think I said: ”Certainly, Mrs Crale. It must have been suicide.” '

'Did you believe your own words?'

Miss Williams raised her head. She said firmly: 'No, I did not. But please understand, M. Poirot, that I was entirely on Mrs Crale's side, if you like to put it that way. My sympathies were with her, not with the police.'

'You would have liked to have seen her acquitted?'

Miss Williams said defiantly: 'Yes, I would.'

Poirot said: 'Then you are in sympathy with her daughter's feelings?'

'I have every sympathy with Carla.'

'Would you have any objection to writing out for me a detailed account of the tragedy?'

'You mean for her to read?'

'Yes.'

Miss Williams said slowly: 'No, I have no objection. She is quite determined to go into the matter, is she?'

'Yes. I dare say it would have been preferable if the truth had been kept from her-'

Miss Williams interrupted him: 'No. It is always better to face the truth. It is no use evading unhappiness by tampering with facts. Carla has had a shock learning the truth-now she wants to know exactly how the tragedy came about. That seems to me the right att.i.tude for a brave young woman to take. Once she knows all about it she will be able to forget it again and go on with the business of living her own life.'

'Perhaps you are right,' said Poirot.

'I'm quite sure I'm right.'

'But you see, there is more to it than that. She not only wants to know-she wants to prove her mother innocent.'