A Lesson in Secrets_ A Maisie Dobbs Novel - Jacqueline Winspear [31]
They replied “No” in unison, though Maisie noticed that as the pathologist made ready to leave the room, Stratton stepped towards him. “Oh, just a minute, Tom—got a question for you.” She did not hear the question Stratton put to the pathologist, as MacFarlane chose that moment to ask her if she wouldn’t mind bringing Miss Linden in for a few moments.
According to Rosemary Linden, she had been working for Greville Liddicote as college secretary for almost two years, during which time she was responsible for matters of college administration, although a bookkeeper, Miss Hawthorne, came in weekly to work on the accounts.
“I know Dr. Liddicote saw Dr. Roth and Dr. Thomas earlier today—and of course I had a short meeting with him—but who else came to see him?” Maisie took care to appear relaxed, not least to set a certain tone for the interview, so MacFarlane did not trample ahead and intimidate the young woman.
“Several students, and Miss Lang.”
“Delphine Lang?” asked MacFarlane, casting his eyes down a list of names.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“When did these meetings take place?”
“I generally go to the post office just after lunch, which is when he has student meetings, and Miss Lang went in to see him—but she had wanted to see him in the morning, and when I came back from the post office, I saw her in the corridor and asked if she’d managed to pop in and see him, and she said that everything was all right, so I assume she went in after the students.” Linden looked from Maisie to MacFarlane. “If you’re trying to work out when he had the heart attack, it must have been about three-ish. I come back from doing the post at about a quarter past three, and by the time I went along to see him, it must have been, oh, half past three. I didn’t stay long, and just came out of the office straightaway to look for Miss Dobbs in the staff room.”
Maisie nodded. It had been roughly a quarter to four when Linden had arrived in the staff room.
“In these cases,” said MacFarlane, his voice grave, “we try to ascertain the reason for a heart attack, if some level of anguish or worry had caused the heart to spasm.” He did not look at Maisie, who wondered if Miss Linden would fall for his explanation. “Do you know of any concerns that might have brought on the heart attack? Or had Dr. Liddicote had any arguments with members of staff or the students here?”
Linden shook her head. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Which is to say—what? That he often had arguments or times of worry? Or there was nothing in his demeanor to suggest that he had any untoward concerns?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary.” Linden looked from Maisie to MacFarlane, and again directed her response to Maisie. “He and Dr. Roth were often rowing about something or another, but that was just the way they were with each other. Dr. Roth is Dr. Liddicote’s right-hand man, and he’s also deputy principal. He has lots of new ideas and wants the college to be a bigger, more important, concern.”
“And Dr. Liddicote didn’t?”
“He did—and he didn’t. Dr. Roth once said the ship was no bigger than the captain at the helm—and he was ready for a bigger vessel.”
A few more questions were put to Linden, who, when asked, grudgingly agreed to bring the personal files for both teaching and nonacademic staff.
“They’re private and confidential, you know,” said Linden.
“We’re the police, lass, so di’nae worry y’self. And I’ll have one of my men accompany you home.”
“Please don’t, I am quite able—”
“It’s settled.” He turned in his chair to the plainclothes policeman standing at the door. “See this young lady gets home in one piece, Harris.”
Linden left the room and returned with Roth’s file. “When will the staff and students be told that Dr. Liddicote has passed away?”
“I daresay there will be an announcement tomorrow,” offered Maisie. “Mr. MacFarlane here will be informing Dr. Roth as soon as possible.”
As Linden left the room, MacFarlane looked at Maisie. “Stripping