Free The Mirror Crack's From Side to Side by Agatha Christie

No. 3 Arlington Close. Arthur Badcock led the way and the inspector followed him. He drew out his latch-key but before he had inserted it into the door, it was opened from inside. The woman who opened it stood back looking slightly embarrassed. Arthur Badcock looked startled.
    'Mary,' he said.
    'I was just getting you ready some tea, Arthur. I thought you'd need it when you came back from the inquest.'
    'That's very kind of you, I'm sure,' said Arthur Badcock gratefully. Er -' he hesitated. 'This is Inspector Cornish, Mrs Bain, She's a neighbour of mine.'
    'I see,' said Inspector Cornish.
    'I'll get another cup,' said Mrs Bain.
    She disappeared and rather doubtfully Arthur Badcock showed the inspector into the bright cretonne-covered sitting-room to the right of the hall.
    'She's very kind,' said Arthur Badcock. 'Very kind always.'
    'You've known her a long time?'
    'Oh, no. Only since we came here.'
    'You've been here two years, I believe, or is it three?'
    'Just about three now,' said Arthur. 'Mrs Bain only got here six months ago,' he explained. 'Her son works near here and so, after her husband's death, she came down to live here and he boards with her.'
    Mrs Bain appeared at this point bringing the tray from the kitchen. She was a dark, rather intense-looking woman of about forty years of age. She had gipsy colouring that went with her dark hair and eyes. There was something a little odd about her eyes. They had a watchful look. She put down the tray on the table and Inspector Cornish said something pleasant and non-committal. Something in him, some professional instinct, was on the alert. The watchful look in the woman's eyes, the slight start she had given when Arthur introduced him had not passed unnoticed. He was familiar with that slight uneasiness in the presence of the police. There were two kinds of uneasiness. One was the kind of natural alarm and distrust as of those who might have offended unwittingly against the majesty of the law, but there was a second kind. And it was the second kind that he felt sure was present here. Mrs Bain, he thought, had had at some time some connection with the police, something that had left her wary and ill at ease. He made a mental note to find out a little more about Mary Bain. Having set down the tea tray, and refused to partake herself saying she had to get home, she departed.
    'Seems a nice woman,' said Inspector Cornish.
    'Yes, indeed. She's very kind, a very good neighbour, a very sympathetic woman,' said Arthur Badcock.
    'Was she a great friend of your wife?'
    'No. No, I wouldn't say that. They were neighbourly and on pleasant terms. Nothing special about it though.'
    'I see. Now, Mr Badcock, we want as much information as we can from you. The findings of the inquest have been a shock to you, I expect?'
    'Oh, they have, Inspector. Of course I realized that you must think something was wrong and I almost thought so myself because Heather has always been such a healthy woman. Practically never a day's illness. I said to myself, “There must be something wrong.” But it seems so incredible, if you understand what I mean, Inspector. Really quite incredible. What is this stuff - this Bi-ethyl-hex -' he came to a stop.
    'There is an easier name for it,' said the inspector. 'It's sold under a trade name, the trade name of Calmo. Ever come across it?'
    Arthur Badcock shook his head, perplexed.
    'It's more used in America than here,' said the inspector.
    'They prescribe it very freely over there, I understand.'
    'What's it for?'
    'It induces, or so I understand, a happy and tranquil state of mind,' said Cornish. 'It's prescribed for those under strain; suffering anxiety, depression, melancholy, sleeplessness and a good many other things. The properly prescribed dose is not dangerous, but overdoses are not to be advised. It would seem that your wife took something like six times the ordinary dose.'
    Badcock stared. 'Heather never took anything like that in her life,' he said. 'I'm