Chapter 8. Kelvin Halliday’s Delusion
They were in the garden on the following morning when Mrs Cocker came out and said: ‘Excuse me, sir. There’s a Doctor Kennedy on the telephone.’
Leaving Gwenda in consultation with old Foster, Giles went into the house and picked up the telephone receiver.
‘Giles Reed here.’
‘This is Dr Kennedy. I’ve been thinking over our conversation yesterday, Mr Reed. There are certain facts which I think perhaps you and your wife ought to know. Will you be at home if I come over this afternoon?’
‘Certainly we shall. What time?’
‘Three o’clock?’
‘Suits us.’
‘I showed the letter to Kelvin. He said very little. He was going ahead with his plans. He wired out to his first wife’s people in New Zealand asking them to take the child. He settled up his affairs and he then entered a very good private mental home and consented to have appropriate treatment. That treatment, however, did nothing to help him. He died there two years later. I can give you the address of the place. It’s in Norfolk. The present Superintendent was a young doctor there at the time, and will probably be able to give you full details of your father’s case.’
Gwenda said: ‘And you got another letter from your sister-after that again?’
‘Oh yes. About six months later. She wrote from Florence-gave an address poste restante as “Miss Kennedy”. She said she realized that perhaps it was unfair to Kelvin not to have a divorce-though she herself did not want one. If he wanted a divorce and I would let her know, she would see that he had the necessary evidence. I took the letter to Kelvin. He said at once that he did not want a divorce. I wrote to her and told her so. Since then I have never heard any more. I don’t know where she is living, or indeed if she is alive or dead. That is why I was attracted by your advertisement and hoped that I should get news of her.’
He added gently: ‘I’m very sorry about this, Gwennie. But you had to know. I only wish you could have left well alone…’
Chapter 9. Unknown Factor?
When Giles came back from seeing Dr Kennedy off, he found Gwenda sitting where he had left her. There was a bright red patch on each of her cheeks, and her eyes looked feverish. When she spoke her voice was harsh and brittle.
‘What’s the old catchphrase? Death or madness either way? That’s what this is-death or madness.’
‘Gwenda-darling.’ Giles went to her-put his arm round her. Her body felt hard and stiff.
‘Why didn’t we leave it all alone? Why didn’t we? It was my own father who strangled her. And it was my own father’s voice I heard saying those words. No wonder it all came back-no wonder I was so frightened. My own father.’
‘Wait, Gwenda-wait. We don’t really know-’
***
Gwenda was afraid that tea might prove a difficult meal-but Miss Marple fortunately seemed not to notice that her hostess talked a little too fast and too feverishly, and that her gaiety was somewhat forced. Miss Marple herself was gently garrulous-she was enjoying her stay in Dillmouth so much and-wasn’t it exciting?-some friends of friends of hers had written to friends of theirs in Dillmouth, and as a result she had received some very pleasant invitations from the local residents.
‘One feels so much less of an outsider, if you know what I mean, my dear, if one gets to know some of the people who have been established here for years. For instance, I am going to tea with Mrs Fane-she is the widow of the senior partner in the best firm of solicitors here. Quite an old-fashioned family firm. Her son is carrying it on now.’
The gentle gossiping voice went on. Her landlady was so kind-and made her so comfortable-‘and really delicious cooking. She was for some years with my old friend Mrs Bantry-although she does not come from this part of the world herself-her aunt lived here for many years and she and her husband used to come here for holidays-so she knows a great deal of the local gossip. Do you find your gardener satisfactory, by the way? I hear that he is considered locally as rather ascrimshanker -more talk than work.’