Read The Mysterious Case of Betty Blue for Free Online Page A

quick review of the
situation.
    Mrs. Jarvis snored safely in her
armchair and other people moved about in their units. There was
nothing else happening. All she had to do was leave
quietly.
    Betty made sure to turn off the light
and lock the door behind her.
    Picking up the suitcases, she made her
way down the stairs, the only sound of her passing the creak of
oaken steps and the click of the latch in the vestibule.
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    Olympia Cartier reminded herself that
frowning gave one age lines.
    “ Darryl.”
    The servant inclined its
head.
    “ Yes, Madame?”
    “ Get that policeman on the
phone.”
    “ Inspector
MacBride?”
    She nodded.
    “ That’s the
one.”
    “ One moment
please.”
    Olympia stood uncertainly in front of
the panoramic view, the entire floor ringed by glass. It was one of
the better views of downtown Union City, New Jersey, part of the
Metropolitan New York area.
    “ Hello. Gene MacBride
here.”
    “ Inspector.”
    “ Yes, Mrs. Cartier?” The
fellow was desperately trying not to sound impatient.
    She understood that.
    She was desperately trying not to
appear impatient with him and the police in general.
    If only someone could tell her, for
sure, what had happened. She was a bit surprised to get through so
fast. People always complained about the service. Of course, those
people weren’t the Cartiers.
    “ I was just wondering if
we had any new information. On Betty.”
    “ Ah, no, not really,
Missus Cartier. These things have a way of resolving themselves,
one way or another.” He paused. “If the thing fell in the river or
something like that, it would float. It has a transponder and
emergency beacons. But the opinions we’re getting from the company
and other experts is that it looks like some kind of
malfunction.”
    They had told her, and her husband, the
same thing. This was all based on her statements. What she knew—all
she knew, really, was that Betty had been there a few minutes
before, and then when next she thought of her, Betty was
gone.
    But why?
    And how?
    The hallway cameras showed her opening
up the door and walking out as if it was the most natural thing in
the world. Which it was, as all of their servants came and went on
a routine basis. 
    The only problem was that Betty didn't
come back.
    “ The insurance company is
going to be a problem.”
    “ Ah, yes. Why do you say
that?” The Inspector was sympathetic.
    The Cartiers were important
people.
    “ All you can do is to file
the report, I mean the claim, and if necessary, get a lawyer. But
they’re just looking to cover their—ah, you know, backsides,
Ma’am.”
    It struck him just what the problem
really was.
    “ It’s okay, Olympia. I
understand. You’re worried about her, of course. They're very human
in appearance. It’s no wonder people take a shine to them. Am I
right?” The caller was very quiet, and her eyes were on the virtual
floor between them. “You’re sort of worrying rather needlessly
about Betty, don’t you think? And of course there’s all this
pressure, right?”
    Pressure to settle with the insurance
company, pressure to prove a warranty issue with the manufacturer,
pressure to sue, pressure to make a complaint, provide information,
talk it over with the husband, pick out the new model, maybe with a
few upgrades or a new colour or hair-do or something. He understood
the situation well enough.
    She felt violated. There was something
in this world beyond her immediate control and it could be very
humbling, an unfamiliar mental state to one of her
class.
    She didn't know what to do about it,
but time healed all wounds.
    Put a little spit on there and walk it
off, lady.
    Inspector MacBride had seen a few
little old ladies and their lost-doggy issues, she
realized.
    There was the hint of humour in her
voice when she responded.
    “ Well, Inspector. It
really is kind of a mystery.” Olympia took a deep breath
and then made up her mind as to whether to say it or
not.
    He