# Crossroads explained — Unnatural Death > Chapter companion for Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers. ## What happens Wimsey and Parker discuss the possibility of a missing heir as a motive for murder, and Wimsey receives a letter from Miss Climpson about Mary Whittaker's suspicious behavior. They decide to travel to Crofton to investigate a mysterious solicitor who visited Agatha Dawson two years prior. Along the way, they get lost due to repainted signposts and encounter a stranded motorcyclist. ## Themes in this chapter ### Inheritance and Motive The missing heir theory is central to the chapter, as Wimsey and Parker explore the possibility that Mary Whittaker killed Agatha Dawson to prevent a new heir from inheriting. ### Psychological Manipulation Mary Whittaker's attempt to trick Agatha Dawson into signing a will by mixing it with income-tax papers demonstrates manipulation and deceit. ### The Ambiguity of Evidence The chapter highlights the difficulty of interpreting evidence, such as Mrs. Cropper's sighting and the missing heir theory, which could be mistaken or misleading. ## Character check-ins ### Lord Peter Wimsey Discusses the missing heir theory with Parker, reads Miss Climpson's letter, and decides to drive to Crofton to investigate. ### Detective Inspector Parker Engages in conversation with Wimsey about the case, expresses skepticism about the murder theory, and accompanies Wimsey to Crofton. ### Miss Alexandra Climpson Sends a letter to Wimsey reporting that Mary Whittaker was seen changing hats in a cloakroom, indicating she has something to conceal. ### Mary Whittaker Suspected of trying to stop Mrs. Cropper from talking, and of attempting to get Agatha Dawson to sign a will without her knowledge. ### Bunter Assists by climbing signposts to read them with a torch during the journey to Crofton. ### Mrs. Cropper Reported seeing Mary Whittaker changing hats in a cloakroom, providing evidence of suspicious behavior. ## Key lines > The old, old story, beloved of novelists—the missing heir! The classic plot device of a previously unknown relative appearing to claim an inheritance. _Wimsey and Parker realize that a missing heir could explain Mary Whittaker's motive for murder._ > Miss Whittaker was trying to get the old lady to sign a will without knowing it. She gave it to her all mixed up with the income-tax papers, hoping she'd put her name to it without reading it. Mary Whittaker attempted to trick Agatha Dawson into signing a will by hiding it among other documents. _This reveals Mary's manipulative behavior and her desire to secure the inheritance._ > We know now that this Miss Whittaker has something to conceal, since she takes such precautions to avoid being followed. Mary Whittaker's efforts to avoid surveillance indicate she is hiding something. _Wimsey concludes that Mary's suspicious actions point to her guilt._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters/xi-crossroads - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unnatural_death_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unnatural_death_se/chapters