Helena glanced at Chandler-Powell. It was obvious his patience was wearing thin. She said, “Of course not. Sharon knows the time of the meals. If she’s hungry she’ll appear. It will only be for a day or two. If there’s any trouble, tell me and I’ll speak to Commander Dalgliesh. Meanwhile, we carry on as normally as possible.”

Candace spoke for the first time. “As I was one of those who interviewed her I suppose I ought to take some responsibility for Sharon. It might be a help if she moved into Stone Cottage with Marcus and me, if Commander Dalgliesh is happy about it. We have the room. And she can give me a hand with Father’s books. It’s not good for her to have nothing to do. And it’s time someone tried to discourage her obsession with Mary Keyte. Last summer she took to laying wild flowers on the centre stone. It’s morbid and unhealthy. I’ll go up to her now and see if she’s calmed down.”

Chandler-Powell said, “By all means have a try. As a teacher you’re probably more experienced than the rest of us in dealing with the recalcitrant young. Commander Dalgliesh has assured me that Sharon doesn’t require supervision. If she does, it’s for the police or the probation service to provide it, not us. I’ve cancelled my American trip. I have to be back in London by Thursday, and I’ll need Marcus with me. I’m sorry if that sounds like desertion, but I have to catch up on some of the NHS patients I should have operated on this week. Obviously I had to cancel all those operations. The security team will be here, and I shall arrange for two of them to sleep in.”

Marcus asked, “And the police? Did Dalgliesh say when they expect to leave?”

“No, and I hadn’t the temerity to ask. They’ve only been here three days, so unless they make an arrest I imagine we’ll have to tolerate some police presence for quite a time.”

Flavia said, “You mean we’ll have to tolerate it. You’ll be safely out of it in London. Are the police happy about your leaving?”

Chandler-Powell looked at her coldly. “What legal power do you suppose Commander Dalgliesh has to detain me?”