They sat on opposite sides of the fireplace. Lindsay offered her a cigarette and they both lit up. “Thank you,” sighed Cordelia. “Not just for the cigarettes and whisky. Thanks for making me pull myself together earlier on. You were right; it was foolish even to think of any other course of action. I was in a state of shock, I suppose. I couldn’t believe I was off the hook about the libel suit, and I simply didn’t want to involve myself in Lorna’s death at all. I panicked.

“I felt sure I’d be the prime suspect—you know, one sees and reads so much that makes the police look both bent and stupid that one comes to believe that every encounter with them will inevitably end in disaster.

“But it wasn’t too bad at all. I mean, they were actually quite reasonable, when you consider that I must be one of their suspects. The detective sergeant took my statement and asked me not to leave the school premises until the Inspector has had the chance to interview me in the morning.” She smiled wanly. “He also told me, very politely, that there will be a police guard on the main gate. ‘To keep out undesirables,’ he said, though I suspect it’s more to keep us in.”

Lindsay was about to question Cordelia more closely when Paddy came in. She greeted them with a brief, “Hi,” and headed for the drinks cupboard.

“Three minds with but a single cliché,” said Lindsay. “If you’re going to expose us to murder on a regular basis, Paddy, you’ll have to give us a spare key to the booze cupboard.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry,” groaned Paddy. “Have one now?”

“We’re all right, thanks,” said Cordelia, “Lindsay has come to the rescue for the second time this evening. She does a good impersonation of the US Cavalry. I’ll have to make her a permanent feature at this rate.”

“Drinks, fags, and a shoulder to cry on. All part of the service,” Lindsay replied, trying to cover her blushes.

Paddy sprawled out on the couch, clutching a large brandy. “What a bloody day,” she complained and then fell silent.

“How did you get on with the local constabulary?” Cordelia asked, “I found them remarkably pleasant, in spite of my having to confess to being on the spot during what seems to be the crucial period.”

“Were you? Well, if you were there after I left her, they’ve probably crossed you off their list already. I seem to be the odds-on favorite at the moment. If they knew I had the shred of a motive, I’d probably be under arrest by now,” Paddy replied, bitterness in her voice.

“Why is that?” asked Lindsay.