# Phase VI: Jane Brown explained — Call Mr. Fortune

> Chapter companion for Call Mr. Fortune by H. C. Bailey.

## What happens

Reginald Fortune and Lomas investigate the Kimball case, uncovering the backstory of Horace Kimball's obsessive jealousy over his sister Ellen's marriage to Sandford. Jane Brown, revealed to be actress Joan Amber, provides crucial information about the Kimball family history, including Sandford's disgrace and Ellen's fearful retreat to North Wales. The chapter deepens the mystery of Kimball's motives and his vendetta against Sandford.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Betrayal

Horace Kimball's obsessive jealousy over his sister's marriage and his subsequent vendetta against Sandford highlight familial betrayal and control.

### Crime and Morality

The chapter explores the moral dimensions of Kimball's actions, including his use of financial schemes and murder to ruin Sandford.

### The Rational vs. the Irrational

Fortune and Lomas debate the rationality of Kimball's hate-driven actions, contrasting logical deduction with obsessive emotion.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Reginald Fortune

Investigates the Kimball case, interviews Jane Brown, and theorizes about Kimball's motives.

### Mr. Lomas

Dines with Fortune and discusses the Kimball case, later meets Jane Brown.

### Jane Brown

Revealed to be actress Joan Amber; provides key background on the Kimball family and Sandford's disgrace.

### Horace Kimball

Deceased; his obsessive jealousy and vendetta against Sandford are explored through Jane Brown's account.

### Mrs. Sandford

Ellen Kimball, sister of Horace; married Sandford secretly and fled to North Wales after her husband's disgrace.

## Key lines

> I haven't brought my godfathers and godmothers, Mr. Fortune,” she smiled. “But I am Jane Brown really. I always felt I couldn't live up to it. I see you know me.” “If seeing were knowing, I should know Miss Joan Amber very well.

Jane Brown admits her stage name is Joan Amber, and Fortune recognizes her as the actress.

_Reveals Jane Brown's dual identity as an actress._

> My father was a doctor in Liverpool. He is worth twenty thousand of me, and he never made enough to live on. A poor middle-class practice, the work wore him out by the time he was fifty, and now he's an invalid in Devonshire.

Jane Brown explains her father's background as a struggling doctor in Liverpool, now an invalid.

_Provides context for her connection to the Kimball family._

> Horace Kimball did the absurd thing, said she mustn't marry, abused Sandford, and so on, and of course that made her marry. Unfortunately—this really seems to be the only thing against her—unfortunately she was married in a sly, secret sort of way.

Jane Brown describes how Horace Kimball's opposition drove his sister Ellen to marry Sandford in secret.

_Highlights the familial conflict and secrecy._

> I think jealousy is simply loathsome,” said Miss Amber, with a quiver of her admirable nose.

Jane Brown expresses her disgust at jealousy.

_Reflects her moral stance on the Kimball family drama._

> Over the past the gods themselves have no power,” Reggie said. “We can't help her, poor soul. I dare say it's something to her to know that her son is safe and making good—in spite of all the devilry.

Fortune remarks that the past cannot be changed, but Ellen Sandford might find comfort in her son's success.

_Shows Fortune's philosophical view on the case._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters/phase-vi-jane-brown
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters