An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Cordelia finds Sophie and Hugo Trilling with Isabelle de Lasterie and Davie Stevens. They are startled when she explains why she is there, and Cordelia immediately becomes suspicious that they are hiding something. Hugo plays off their shock by saying they’re surprised that Sir Ronald would hire a private investigator, as he “took no particular interest in his son when he was alive” (93). Cordelia learns that Mark’s old nanny, Nanny Pilbeam, visited him at school on his 21st birthday, about six weeks ago.

Cordelia asks the friends to describe Mark. They are uncomfortable, and finally Hugo says abruptly, “He was sweet and he is dead. There you have it. […] He was…a very private person. I suggest that you leave him his privacy” (96).

The four friends give Cordelia their alibi for the night of Mark’s death, saying they were all at a play together, and urge Cordelia to leave the case alone. Cordelia tests Isabelle’s knowledge of the play and Isabelle fails, not realizing that Cordelia has asked her opinion of a scene that does not exist in that text. Hugo defends Isabelle by saying she doesn’t speak English well enough to understand the question. As they are leaving, Sophie invites Cordelia to her home, saying she would be glad to talk more about Mark.