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Chapters (67)
  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Author’s Note
  4. BOOK ONE
  5. Chapter 1
  6. Chapter 2
  7. Chapter 3
  8. Chapter 4
  9. Chapter 5
  10. Chapter 6
  11. Chapter 7
  12. Chapter 8
  13. Chapter 9
  14. Chapter 10
  15. Chapter 11
  16. Chapter 12
  17. Chapter 13
  18. Chapter 14
  19. Chapter 15
  20. Chapter 16
  21. BOOK TWO
  22. Chapter 1
  23. Chapter 2
  24. Chapter 3
  25. Chapter 4
  26. Chapter 5
  27. Chapter 6
  28. Chapter 7
  29. Chapter 8
  30. Chapter 9
  31. Chapter 10
  32. Chapter 11
  33. Chapter 12
  34. Chapter 13
  35. Chapter 14
  36. Chapter 15
  37. BOOK THREE
  38. Chapter 1
  39. Chapter 2
  40. Chapter 3
  41. Chapter 4
  42. Chapter 5
  43. Chapter 6
  44. Chapter 7
  45. Chapter 8
  46. Chapter 9
  47. Chapter 10
  48. Chapter 11
  49. Chapter 12
  50. Chapter 13
  51. BOOK FOUR
  52. Chapter 1
  53. Chapter 2
  54. Chapter 3
  55. Chapter 4
  56. Chapter 5
  57. Chapter 6
  58. Chapter 7
  59. Chapter 8
  60. Chapter 9
  61. BOOK FIVE
  62. Chapter 1
  63. Chapter 2
  64. Chapter 3
  65. A Note About the Author
  66. Also by P. D. James
  67. Copyright

“Not much, Sarge. Not bright, is he? And spiteful with it. But I can’t see him as a killer. If he’d wanted to murder Miss Gradwyn, why follow her down here? He’d have more opportunity in London. But I don’t see how he could have done it without an accomplice.”

Benton said, “Perhaps Gradwyn herself, letting him in for what she thought would be a confidential chat. But on the day of her operation? Unusual, surely. He’s frightened, that’s obvious, but he’s also excited. And why is he staying on? I have a feeling he was lying about the important matter that he wanted to discuss with Rhoda Gradwyn. I agree it’s hard to see him as a murderer, but then that goes for everyone here. And I think he was lying about the will.”

They walked on in silence. Benton wondered whether he had confided too much. It must, he thought, be difficult for DC Warren, part of the team and yet a member of another force. Only members of the special unit took part in the evening discussions, but DC Warren would probably feel more relieved than aggrieved at being excluded. He had told Benton that by seven, unless specifically needed, he drove back to Wareham to his wife and four children. Altogether he was proving his worth, and Benton liked him and felt at ease with the six-foot-two of solid muscle pacing by his side. Benton had a strong interest in helping to ensure that Warren’s home life wasn’t greatly disturbed: his wife was Cornish, and that morning Warren had arrived with six Cornish pasties of remarkable flavour and succulence.

Chapter 3

3

Dalgliesh spoke little on the journey north. This wasn’t unusual, and Kate didn’t find his taciturnity uncomfortable; to journey with Dalgliesh in companionable silence had always been a rare and private pleasure. As they approached the outskirts of Droughton Cross, she concentrated on giving precise instructions well in advance of a turning, and on contemplating the interview ahead. Dalgliesh hadn’t phoned to give the Reverend Curtis warning of their arrival. It was hardly necessary as clergymen could usually be found on a Sunday, if not in their vicarages or churches, then somewhere in the parish. And there was also advantage in a surprise visit.