Stella had been Reggie Silverwood’s secretary for ten years or more. She was a stalwart of the health centre; an older woman who combined secretarial efficiency with a kindly disposition toward the patients. Christopher listened as she explained how sad they all were, then he asked, ‘Reggie wasn’t a diabetic, was he?’

‘No, certainly not. Why do you ask?’

‘Oh, it’s just that he’d donated his organs and I knew that if he were a diabetic that wouldn’t be the case. Then I thought that the condition might have developed more recently. I was just wondering if it could have caused him to have had a blackout while he was driving.’

‘No. Dr Silverwood was very healthy, for his age. A bit worried about the flu epidemic that’s going round at the moment.’

‘Yes, aren’t we all.’

‘But he took precautions. He had the flu injection the day he died.’

‘Did he?’

‘Yes,’ said Stella. ‘He said he thought he’d better. So that he could stay well enough to keep treating his patients.’ Her voice tailed off, overwhelmed by emotion. Then she recovered herself and continued, ‘I’m so sorry, Dr Devon, only, as I said, it’s been a bit of a shock.’

‘Yes. Of course. I’m sorry to ask questions, Stella. There’s just one more. Can you tell me who gave him the flu injection?’

‘I saw him just before he went in. It was Dr Cummings.’

Chapter 22

Men’s souls are naturally inclined to covetousness; but if ye be kind towards women and fear to wrong them, God is well acquainted with what ye do.

Koran

So there it was. All neatly laid out in front of him. The things he had not wanted to believe. The things he could hardly believe. But there was now no doubt in his mind. Christopher picked up the telephone to make his final call.

‘Dr Silverwood’s surgery. Can I help you?’

‘Stella, it’s Christopher Devon. I’m sorry to bother you again, but I wonder if you could put me through to Dr Cummings.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry, Dr Devon, but he’s finished surgery and gone.’

‘Is he out on his rounds?’ Christopher asked, hoping he could intercept him.

‘No, he’s not. He’s gone off for a couple of days. Said that he would not be contactable. Can I give him a message when he gets back?’

‘No. Don’t worry, Stella. I’m obviously too late.’

And then the front doorbell rang. He got up from his desk and went downstairs. In a week of unexpected callers, this one was the most surprising. Standing in front of him on the doorstep, her hands plunged into the pockets of her long red coat, was Kate.