“Yes, ma’am. It can occur at the instant of death. The muscles of the hand tighten so that anything the dead person may have been clutching is difficult to extract.”

“The assessment of an accurate time of death is one of the most important responsibilities of a medical examiner, and one of the most difficult. One development is the analysis of the amount of potassium in the fluid of the eye. Here I shall know more precisely when I’ve taken the rectal temperature and done the post-mortem. In the meantime, I can give a preliminary assessment based on the hypostasis—you know what that is, I’m sure.”

“Yes, ma’am. Post-mortem lividity.”

“Which we see here probably at its height. Based on that and the present development of rigor mortis, my preliminary estimate would be that she died between eleven p.m. and twelve-thirty a.m., probably closer to the first. I’m relieved, Sergeant, that you’re not likely to become one of those investigative officers who expect the forensic pathologist to provide an accurate estimate within minutes of viewing the body.”

The words were a dismissal. It was then that the telephone on the bedside table rang. The bell was strident and unexpected, the insistent peal seeming a macabre invasion of the privacy of the dead. For a few seconds no one moved except Dr. Glenister, who went calmly over to her Gladstone bag as if she were stone-deaf.

Dalgliesh picked up the receiver. It was Whetstone’s voice. “The photographer has arrived, and the two SOCOs are on their way, sir. If I could just hand over to one of your team I’ll be on my way.”

Dalgliesh said, “Thank you. I’ll be down.”

He had seen all he needed to at the bedside. He wasn’t sorry to be spared Dr. Glenister’s examination of the body. He said, “The photographer has arrived. I can send him up if that’s convenient for you.”

Dr. Glenister said, “I shan’t need more than another ten minutes. Then, yes, send him up. I’ll phone for the mortuary van as soon as he’s done. No doubt the people here will be glad to see the body leave. And then we can have a word before I go.”