# XIV: The Crumpled Chrysler explained — The Dain Curse > Chapter companion for The Dain Curse by Dashiell Hammett. ## What happens The Narrator and Deputy Ben Rolly investigate the Collinsons' house, finding evidence of a struggle and Gabrielle's flight. They interview neighbor Debro and then Mary Nunez, the Carters' maid, who claims she was sick and not at the house that morning. The Narrator suspects Mary is lying. They then attempt to trace Gabrielle's Chrysler roadster along the East road. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Illusion Mary Nunez's feigned illness and the Narrator's suspicion that she is hiding her visit to the house highlight the theme of deception. ### Family and Dysfunction The Collinsons' troubled marriage, Gabrielle's threats driven by belief in a curse, and the family's isolation reflect dysfunction. ### Crime and Detection The investigation into Collinson's death, examination of evidence, and interviews with witnesses drive the crime detection plot. ## Character check-ins ### The Narrator Investigates the crime scene with Rolly, questions witnesses, and expresses skepticism about Mary Nunez's story. ### Ben Rolly Deputy sheriff who accompanies the Narrator, examines the house, interviews Debro and Mary Nunez, and believes Gabrielle is guilty. ### Gabrielle Leggett The missing wife, suspected of murder; evidence suggests she fled in the Chrysler roadster early that morning. ### Eric Collinson The victim, found dead from a fall off a cliff; the Narrator recalls he had sent for help due to fear of the curse. ### Mary Nunez The Carters' maid, claims to have been sick and not at the house; the Narrator suspects she is lying about her whereabouts. ### Debro Neighbor who saw Gabrielle driving fast at seven that morning and provides information about the Carters. ## Key lines > I showed Rolly the stained towels, handkerchief, dress, and slippers; the paper that had held morphine; the gun on Collinson’s floor, the hole in the ceiling, and the empty shells on the floor. The Narrator displays the physical evidence to Deputy Rolly, including bloody items, a morphine wrapper, a gun, a bullet hole, and spent shell casings. _The Narrator presents the crime scene evidence to Rolly._ > She’s a dope fiend, ain’t she? They had had trouble, and he sent for you, and— Rolly suggests that Gabrielle's drug addiction and marital troubles make her a likely suspect in her husband's murder. _Rolly voices his suspicion that Gabrielle is guilty._ > I’m telling you what I believe. And while I’m at it I’ll tell you I believe Mary Nunez is lying when she says she didn’t go to the house this morning. The Narrator states his belief that Mary Nunez is not telling the truth about not visiting the house that morning. _The Narrator expresses doubt about Mary Nunez's alibi._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters/xiv-the-crumpled-chrysler - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dain_curse_se/chapters