The Secret of Old Barty

Crouch's expression stiffened, and his face darkened in an instant. "How can you blame me for that? She was your employee!"

"Are you telling me you had nothing to do with it?" Bagman pursed his lips in a shameless pout. "You asked her to get your signature that day, and when she came back, she was in this state. If you ask me, you must have done something to her."

Crouch was left speechless. After thinking for a moment, he came up with an excuse and added, "When Bertha left my house, she accidentally bumped into the eucalyptus tree in the garden. I'd say that must have damaged her brain, just like this time!"

Anduin couldn't help frowning at that. Was Director Crouch overreacting a little?

Besides, saying she'd damaged her brain by falling sounded wildly implausible.

Anduin knew better than anyone that Bertha fainting after a fall was something he'd completely made up. He'd never expected Director Crouch to use that same excuse to defend himself. It sounded completely improvised.

But Bagman hadn't really meant to pin Bertha's situation on Crouch. He'd mostly been venting his frustration, so he didn't press the matter any further.

Seeing that, Crouch actually looked relieved. That only made Anduin more suspicious. Could Bertha's situation really have something to do with Director Crouch?

Crouch seemed to notice Anduin watching him. After making a couple of casual excuses, he left in a guilty hurry. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought he was running away.

"Don't mind that old Crouch. Ever since his wife and son died, Old Barty's been getting stranger and stranger. He always flies into a rage over the most inexplicable things."

Bagman watched Crouch's retreating back and shrugged. Then he smiled and moved closer to Anduin.

"Let's talk about something