Free After the Funeral by Agatha Christie Page B

minutes! You'll have to attend to everything for me, Entwhistle. I can't go to the inquest or be bothered by business of any kind connected with Cora's estate. I want to forget the whole thing. What happens, by the way, to Cora's share of Richard's money? Comes to me, I suppose?”
    Murmuring something about clearing away tea, Maude left the room.
    Timothy lay hack in his chair and said:
    “Good thing to get rid of the women. Now we can talk business without any silly interruptions.”
    “The sum left in trust for Cora,” said Mr Entwhistle, “goes equally to you and the nieces and nephew.”
    “But look here,” Timothy's cheeks assumed a purplish hue of indignation. “Surely I'm her next of kin? Only surviving brother.”
    Mr Entwhistle explained with some care the exact provisions of Richard Abernethie's will, reminding Timothy gently that he had had a copy sent him.
    “Don't expect me to understand all that legal jargon, do you?” said Timothy ungratefully. “You lawyers! Matter of fact, I couldn't believe it when Maude came home and told me the gist of it. Thought she'd got it wrong. Women are never clear headed. Best woman in the world, Maude - but women don't understand finance. I don't believe Maude even realises that if Richard hadn't died when he did, we might have had to clear out of here. Fact!”
    “Surely if you had applied to Richard -”
    Timothy gave a short bark of harsh laughter.
    “That's not my style. Our father left us all a perfectly reasonable share of his money - that is, if we didn't want to go into the family concern. I didn't. I've a soul above corn-plasters, Entwhistle! Richard took my attitude a bit hard. Well, what with taxes, depreciation of income, one thing and another - it hasn't been easy to keep things going. I've had to realise a good deal of capital. Best thing to do these days. I did hint once to Richard that this place was getting a bit hard to run. He took the attitude that we'd be much better off in a smaller place altogether. Easier for Maude, he said, more labour saving - labour saving, what a term! Oh no, I wouldn't have asked Richard for help. But I can tell you, Entwhistle, that the worry affected my health most unfavourably. A man in my state of health oughtn't to have to worry. Then Richard died and though of course naturally I was cut up about it - my brother and all that - I couldn't help feeling relieved about future prospects. Yes, it's all plain sailing now - and a great relief. Get the house painted - get a couple of really good men on the garden - you can get them at a price. Restock the rose garden completely. And - where was I -”
    “Detailing your future plans.”
    “Yes, yes - but I mustn't bother you with all that. What did hurt me - and hurt me cruelly - were the terms of Richard's will.”
    “Indeed?” Mr Entwhistle looked inquiring. “They were not - as you expected?”
    “I should say they weren't! Naturally, after Mortimer's death, I assumed that Richard would leave everything to me.”
    “Ah - did he - ever - indicate that to you?”
    “He never said so - not in so many words. Reticent sort of chap, Richard. But he asked himself here - not long after Mortimer's death. Wanted to talk over family affairs generally. We discussed young George - and the girls and their husbands. Wanted to know my views - not that I could tell him much. I'm an invalid and I don't get about, and Maude and I live out of the world. Rotten silly marriages both of those girls made, if you ask me. Well, I ask you, Entwhistle, naturally I thought he was consulting me as the head of the family after he was gone and naturally I thought the control of the money would be mine. Richard could surely trust me to do the right thing by the younger generation. And to look after poor old Cora. Dash it all, Entwhistle, I'm an Abernethie - the last Abernethie. Full control should have been left in my hands.”
    In his excitement Timothy had kicked aside his rug and had sat up in his