Three Character Girl
Miss Lemon
Hercule Commissioner Saga returns to Rosebank When he stands in the front garden, the sun is behind him, Mary Delafontaine greets him.
" Commissioner Saga?" his voice showed his surprise.
"You back?"
"Indeed, I'm back." The detective was silent for a moment, then said,
"The first time I came here, Madame, I was reminded of a nursery rhyme: Aunt Mary, good morning, what's in your garden" Shells and weeds, and a line of young women. It's just not shell, is it, Madame, but oyster skin."
Commissioner Saga's finger pointed at the lined oyster skin. Commissioner Saga heard the hostess take a breath, then was glued motionless. His eyes wondered. Commissioner Saga nodded.
"Mais, oui, I know! The waiter prepares dinner - he will swear so and Katrina too - that only these menus are served. Only you and your husband know that you are buying one and a half dozen oysters - a little special dish for la bonne auntie. It's easy to put strychnin into an oyster.
The oysters were swallowed - comme ?a! But, there is still the skin that should not be thrown into the garbage basket. The waiter will know. Therefore you make an oyster skin fence for flower plants. Too bad, the number is not enough - the fence is not finished. As a result it is not good to damage the slick garden lines.
That little oyster skin caught the attention of strangers - an unpleasant sight to my eyes the first time I came here." Mary Delafontaine opens her voice,
"I guess you guessed so far from the letter. I know he wrote a letter - but I don't know how far he's going." While evading Commissioner Saga replied, "I at least know that the case he intended was a family matter. If this matter concerned Katrina, there was no reason to keep it a secret. I know that you or your husband manage Miss Barrowby's securities for your own benefit and she realizes - "Mary Delafontaine nodded. "We've been doing it for years - a little bit. I never realized he was smart enough to know the cheating. Then I knew that he was contacting a detective; and I knew also that he bequeathed his fortune to Katrina - that annoying little girl!" "So that strychnin was put in Katrina's bedroom" I understand. You saved yourself as well as your husband from something I might have dismantled. And you're charging that innocent girl with murder charges. Don't you have any pity, Madame?" Mary Delafontaine shrugged - her eyeballs that were as blue as a forget-me-not flower stared at Commissioner Saga. Commissioner Saga remembered the perfection of the woman's charade before her the first time she had come as well as the carelessness of her husband. A woman who is quite intelligent, but ruthless. "Pity?" mary Delafontaine. "To that little rat that conspired?" Anger exploded. Slowly Commissioner Saga said, "Madame, I guess there are only two things you care about in your life. The first is your husband." Commissioner Saga saw Mary Delafontaine's lips shake. "And the second - your garden." Commissioner Saga looked around him. His eyes are like apologizing to the flowers for what he has done and what he will do
***
I'm very happy then. Maybe this can help you, for example, if I call Katrina's friend."
"Remember me you said he had no friends," Inspector Sims said aghastly.
"I'm mistaken" said Commissioner Saga.
"He has a friend." Before the Inspector could ask further, Commissioner Saga had already put down the phone. With a serious face Commissioner Saga walked into the room where Miss Lemon was sitting facing her typewriter. The secretary raised her hand from the typewriter letters as her employer approached. He looked at Commissioner Saga with a wondering face.
"I need your help" Commissioner Saga explained, saying,
"to imagine a story." Miss Lemon dropped both hands onto her lap resignedly. He loved typing, paying for accounts, filing cards, and making promises. But, imagining himself in a guessing situation was very boring. In any case, he accepted this request as an inexorable part of his duty.
"For example you are a Russian girl" Commissioner Saga began.
"Yes." Yeah." Miss Lemon's voice sounds very English.
"You're alone. No friends in this country. You have reason not to want to go back to Russia. You work as a nurse, accompanying, and doing unpleasant work for an old woman. But you are gentle and never complain."
"Yes," said Miss Lemon with her obedience, though she could not imagine herself being gentle to any old woman on this earth.
"The old lady likes you. He decided to leave his wealth to you and tell you this." Commissioner Saga paused for a moment. Miss Lemon said
"Then the old woman knew something; perhaps a matter of money - perhaps she got thee dishonest to her. Or it could be worse - drugs that taste different, foods that make stomach pain.
In short, he begins to suspect you and writes a letter to a very famous detective - no, the most famous detective - me! I should visit him immediately. Then, as you say, the annoying person will be frightened.
The important thing is to act quickly. And so - before the great detective arrived - the old woman died. And the money is yours... Does this story make sense to you?"
"It makes perfect sense" said Miss Lemon.
"Maybe, it makes perfect sense for a Russian. I would never accept a job as a nurse. I prefer my duties to be clearly spelled out and never dream to kill someone." Commissioner Saga sighed.
"I really miss my friend Rani. His imagination is high. It's so romantic! Indeed, he was always mistaken to suspect something - but the fallacy itself was a clue." Miss Lemon was silent.
He had already heard of Captain Rani, but was not interested. He looked at the typed paper before him with the desire to continue his work.
"So, you think that story makes sense?" Commissioner Saga pondered.
"Is that not so for you?"
"I guess it is yes." Commissioner Saga sighed.
Phone's ringing. Miss Lemon came out to pick her up. He's back again.
"Inspector Sims again." Commissioner Saga rushed out.
Hello... hello... What did you say?" Sims repeated his sentence.
"We found a pack of strychnin in the
the girl - tucked under the bed. The sergeant just came to report the results of this investigation. The case is almost settled, I guess."
"Yes" said Commissioner Saga.
"I agree it's almost over." Sounds change.
Hello... hello... What did you say?" Sims repeated his sentence.
"We found a pack of strychnin in the girl's room - tucked under the mattress. The sergeant just came to report the results of this investigation. The case is almost settled, I guess."
"Yes" said Commissioner Saga.
"I agree it's almost over." Sounds change.
