Free Strike Out Where Not Applicable by Nicolas Freeling

something in it. They were saying that Doctor Maartens …’
    â€˜That Doctor Maartens?’
    â€˜Was not satisfied it was a natural death,’ in a rush – she was rid of it!
    â€˜That is perfectly true. And very properly he did not wish to commit himself to so grave an allegation, and that was why he requested an autopsy. And that leads me to ask myself questions.’
    â€˜What questions?’
    â€˜I haven’t said I wanted to question you, Miss Groenveld.’
    She was saved from embarrassment by the squeak of a handbrake being put on and the mutter of a car engine dying at the same moment.
    â€˜Oh, there’s Mevrouw Fischer now – I’ll just go and tell her you’re here.’
    â€˜The girl will tell her, I’ve no doubt,’ peacefully. She looked at him quite angrily, being used to getting her own way, but composed herself by straightening ornaments that didn’t need setting straight. The door opened and a woman came in in a bustle. She would always be in a bustle.
    She was as Arlette had sketched her, solidly built with a square and almost heavy face that was goodlooking because full of warmth and animation. She was neatly dressed in a black suit, a frilly batiste blouse, high-heeled shoes and black suède gloves. Seeing him she assumed an alert wide-awake expression as though hewere a bank manager who would certainly regard her as a good prospect for a mortgage.
    â€˜That’s arranged, darling – but introduce me. I am Marguerite Fischer.’
    â€˜This is Commissaris – Van der Valk you said, didn’t you? – from the town – in charge of the criminal brigade, darling,’ with faint emphasis on the words, but no more.
    â€˜Delighted to meet you,’ with a firm handshake almost like a man’s. ‘Do you know anything about what’s holding up the funeral?’ She sat with something of a thud and her knees apart, as though accustomed to wearing trousers, saw him glance, and crossed her knees at once, pointing her ankle to make her legs slimmer, arranging the tight skirt with little tugs.
    â€˜Now that you’re here, Mevrouw, I will say what I came to say. I had got as far as telling Miss Groenveld that there are no further legal formalities and that you are at liberty to go ahead with the funeral as soon as you like.’
    â€˜Oh that’s good – I was beginning to think it might take simply days.’
    â€˜More to it than that I’m afraid, darling,’ softly.
    â€˜I prefer to explain myself, Miss Groenveld. We had not got so far in our conversation together. I speak bluntly, Mevrouw, since I see that you are a well-balanced and intelligent person. Doctor Maartens was not happy about the sudden death of your husband – that much you already know. Forgetting all scraps of rumour, his opinions were confirmed by the post-mortem, which was conducted by most experienced authorities. As a result of this confirmation, the Palace of Justice has decided to issue what is termed a commission of enquiry, of which I have been placed in charge. I dislike upsetting people with clumsy questioning and I will try to keep this to a minimum. If there is anything particular I wish to know I will come and ask. I am here to satisfy myself about this death.’
    The two women looked at each other with narrowed eyes.
    â€˜Have I understood?’ she began. ‘You are convinced, are you – as far as your knowledge goes – that Bernhard’s death was not an accident?’
    â€˜I did not say that. Not natural. It could have been an accident, though this at present seems improbable.’
    â€˜You don’t think he killed himself?’ shocked.
    â€˜I don’t think anything at all.’
    â€˜Yes you do – you think it was a semi-accident – that somebody perhaps quarrelled with him, pushed him or hit him, so that he fell under the horse, and that anybody who did that