“It seems to me utterly impossible and absurd that your husband should have been murdered in my study,” I said bitterly. “But he was.”
“I know.” She laid her hand on my arm. “It’s dreadful for you. I do realize that, though I haven’t said very much about it.”
I took the blue lapis lazuli earring from my pocket and held it out to her.
“This is yours, I think?”
“Oh, yes!” She held out her hand for it with a pleased smile. “Where did you find it?”
But I did not put the jewel into her outstretched hand.
“Would you mind,” I said, “if I kept it a little longer?”
“Why, certainly.” She looked puzzled and a little inquiring. I did not satisfy her curiosity.
Instead I asked her how she was situated financially.
“It is an impertinent question,” I said, “but I really do not mean it as such.”
“I don’t think it’s impertinent at all. You and Griselda are the best friends I have here. And I like that funny old Miss Marple. Lucius was very well off, you know. He left things pretty equally divided between me and Lettice. Old Hall goes to me, but Lettice is to be allowed to choose enough furniture to furnish a small house, and she is left a separate sum for the purpose of buying one, so as to even things up.”
“What are her plans, do you know?”
Anne made a comical grimace.