M. Don, he was no longer quiet?
Its like all those quiet people, when they do lose their tempers they lose them with a vengeance[151]. Don was so violent that Betty was frightened.
When was this?
There was one row nearly a year ago and anothera worse onejust over a month ago. I was home for the weekendand I got them to patch it up again, and it was then I tried to knock a little sense into Bettytold her she was a little fool. All she would say was that there hadnt been any harm in it. Well, that was true enough, but all the same she was riding for a fall[152]. You see, after the row a year ago, shed got into the habit of telling a few useful lies on the principle that what the mind doesnt know the heart doesnt grieve over. This last flare-up came because shed told Don she was going to Hastings to see a girl paland he found out that shed really been over to Eastbourne with some man. He was a married man, as it happened, and hed been a bit secretive about the business anywayand so that made it worse. They had an awful sceneBetty saying that she wasnt married to him yet and she had a right to go about with whom she pleased and Don all white and shaking and saying that one dayone day
Yes?
Hed commit murder said Megan in a lowered voice.
She stopped and stared at Poirot.
He nodded his head gravely several times.
And so, naturally, you were afraid
I didnt think hed actually done itnot for a minute! But I was afraid it might be brought upthe quarrel and all that hed saidseveral people knew about it.
Again Poirot nodded his head gravely.
Just so. And I may say, mademoiselle, that but for the egoistical vanity of a killer, that is just what would have happened. If Donald Fraser escapes suspicion, it will be thanks to A В Cs maniacal boasting.
He was silent for a minute or two, then he said:
Do you know if your sister met this married man, or any other man, lately?
Megan shook her head.
I dont know. Ive been away, you see.
But what do you think?
She maynt have met that particular man again. Hed probably sheer off if he thought there was a chance of a row, but it wouldnt surprise me if Betty hadwell, been telling Don a few lies again. You see, she did so enjoy dancing and the pictures, and of course, Don couldnt afford to take her all the time.
If so, is she likely to have confided in anyone? The girl at the café, for instance?
I dont think thats likely. Betty couldnt bear the Higley girl. She thought her common. And the others would be new. Betty wasnt the confiding sort anyway.
An electric bell trilled sharply above the girls head.
She went to the window and leaned out. She drew back her head sharply.
Its Don
Bring him in here, said Poirot quickly. I would like a word with him before our good inspector takes him in hand.
Like a flash Megan Barnard was out of the kitchen, and a couple of seconds later she was back again leading Donald Fraser by the hand.
Chapter 12
Donald Fraser
I felt sorry at once for the young man. His white haggard face and bewildered eyes showed how great a shock he had had.
He was a well-made, fine-looking young fellow, standing close on six foot[153], not good-looking, but with a pleasant, freckled face, high cheek-bones and flaming red hair.
Whats this, Megan? he said. Why in here? For Gods sake, tell meIve only just heardBetty
His voice trailed away.
Poirot pushed forward a chair and he sank down on it. My friend then extracted a small flask from his pocket, poured some of its contents into a convenient cup which was hanging on the dresser and said:
Drink some of this, Mr Fraser. It will do you good.
The young man obeyed. The brandy brought a little colour back into his face. He sat up straighter and turned once more to the girl. His manner was quite quiet and self-controlled.
Its true, I suppose? he said. Betty isdeadkilled?
Its true, Don.
He said as though mechanically:
Have you just come down from London?
Yes. Dad phoned me.
By the 9.30, I suppose? said Donald Fraser.
His mind, shrinking from reality, ran for safety along these unimportant details.
Yes.
There was silence for a minute or two, then Fraser said:
The police? Are they doing anything?
Theyre upstairs now. Looking through Bettys things, I suppose.
Theyve no idea who ? They dont know ?
He stopped.
He had all a sensitive, shy persons dislike of putting violent facts into words.
Poirot moved forward a little and asked a question. He spoke in a businesslike, matter-of-fact voice as though what he asked was an unimportant detail.
Did Miss Barnard tell you where she was going last night?
Fraser replied to the question. He seemed to be speaking mechanically:
She told me she was going with a girl friend to St Leonards.
Did you believe her?
I Suddenly the automaton came to life. What the devil do you mean?
His face then, menacing, convulsed by sudden passion, made me understand that a girl might well be afraid of rousing his anger.
Poirot said crisply:
Betty Barnard was killed by a homicidal murderer. Only by speaking the exact truth can you help us to get on his track.
His glance for a minute turned to Megan.