They didn’t, but the forty-five minutes or so which passed before they reappeared seemed long to Kate. Sharon, who was no longer truculent, said goodbye to Mrs. Rayner and meekly enough returned to the Manor with Benton. As the gates were unlocked by the security guard, Benton said, “Mrs. Rayner seemed a very nice person.”

“Oh, she’s all right. I’d have been in touch with her earlier if you lot hadn’t been watching me like a cat with a mouse. She’s going to find a place for me, so I’ll be out of here soon. In the meantime, you lay off Stephen. I wish I’d never called him to this bloody place.”

In the interview room, Mrs. Rayner put on her jacket and took up her bag. She said, “It’s unfortunate that this is happening. She was doing very well at the geriatric unit, but it was reasonable for her to want a job with younger people. The old patients liked her, though. They spoilt her a bit, I imagine. But it’s time she got some proper training and settled into something with a future. I hope to find a place for her fairly soon where I think she’ll be happy to spend a few weeks until we can settle the next move. And she may need psychiatric help. Obviously she’s in denial about Stephen Collinsby. But if you’re asking me whether she killed Rhoda Gradwyn—which of course you aren’t—I’d say it’s extremely unlikely. I would say impossible, except that one can never use that word about anyone.”

Dalgliesh said, “The fact that she’s here, and with her record, is a complication.”

“I can see that. Unless you get a confession, it will be difficult to justify arresting anyone else. But, like most murderers, hers was that one act.”

Kate said, “She’s managed to do some appalling harm in her short life. A child murdered and a good man’s job and future at risk. It’s hard to look at her without seeing an image of that smashed face superimposed on hers.”

Mrs. Rayner said, “The anger of a child can be terrible. If an out-of-control four-year-old had a gun and the strength to use it, how many families would be left standing?”

Dalgliesh said, “Lucy was apparently a lovely endearing little girl.”

“Possibly to other people. Not perhaps to Sharon.”

Within minutes she was ready to leave and Kate drove her to Wareham Station. On the way they spoke from time to time about Dorset and the countryside through which they were passing. But Mrs. Rayner didn’t mention Sharon’s name, nor did Kate. Kate had decided that it would be both polite and sensible to wait with Mrs. Rayner until the train had arrived and she was safely on her way. It wasn’t until it was approaching the platform that her companion spoke.