A Lesson in Secrets_ A Maisie Dobbs Novel - Jacqueline Winspear [54]
She recounted the items of interest that she had uncovered during her visit to Ipswich, adding, “I’m interested in Rosemary Linden because of her position—she knew more about what was going on at the college than anyone else there, despite a role that some people looked down upon. I know some members of staff saw her as little more than the maid in the office, even though she was privy to most of the college’s official correspondence, and to the records of all staff and students. And no sooner does Liddicote die than she leaves.”
“It would be hard for a woman to wring a man’s neck, Maisie,” said MacFarlane.
“I’m not saying she murdered him, but I would like to speak to her all the same. I think there was a connection, somewhere, between Rosemary Linden and Greville Liddicote. I am not at all sure what it was, but I intend to find out. And before you ask—yes, I do think there’s an outside chance that it might be connected to our national interests, especially considering the information she might have to hand; information that others might not dream she has. And if they do, we might not be the only ones looking for her.” Maisie paused. “Have you discovered anything earth-shattering, gentlemen?”
MacFarlane rolled his eyes again. “Bloody boring, these education types.”
“Careful, Detective Chief Superintendent MacFarlane, you’re talking to one of them.”
“Staid, but never boring, Maisie.”
“Staid?”
Chapter Nine
MacFarlane and Stratton were returning to London later in the day, but escorted Maisie back to Cambridge, so she had plenty of time for some last-minute preparation before her first class. When they arrived, MacFarlane stopped to speak to the driver, while Maisie and Stratton walked on towards the main entrance.
“Richard, I wonder if I might ask you a quick question.”
Stratton turned to face her. “Fire away—though I might not answer.”
“We’re all in the same boat here, aren’t we?”
“No, we’re not. But if I can help you, I will.”
Maisie ignored the “no, we’re not” and went on. “When Tom Sarron had completed his initial examination of Greville Liddicote’s body, you called after him as he was leaving. I was just curious to know what you might have seen—if you can tell me.”
Stratton looked towards the Invicta, where MacFarlane was still conversing with the driver, then turned back to Maisie. “Robbie said that when you initially telephoned him about Liddicote’s death, you thought he might have been killed by a professional, someone who knew exactly how to sever the spinal cord with one snap of the neck—instant death. I just wanted to ask him about it. Two things occurred to me. First, given the fact that Liddicote was a man—not a physically strong man, admittedly—I wondered if a woman could have done it. Second, I wanted to know in which direction the neck had been twisted, and whether a reflex—you’re killing a person and you want it done quickly—would lead you to twist to the right or left, dependent upon which hand is your dominant hand. So, for example, would a right-handed person twist to the right, and a left-handed person twist to the left?”
“That sounds like a reasonable question.”
“But it’s awfully muddy.” He sighed. “Most people write with their right hands; even those who began writing with their left hands have been taught at school that they should write with the right hand—if you’ll excuse the pun, it’s what’s considered right. However, in the heat of the moment, even if a person who has been forced to use their right hand as the dominant hand, would they turn the head to the left if they were acting under a certain pressure? And even a trained killer is under pressure. By they way, I believe you were correct in your assumption, as it does seem as if the murderer in question was versed in this sort of attack.”
“But the ‘muddying’ hardly helps us, does it?”
“And, of course, we could have a completely ambidextrous killer,” added Stratton.
Maisie nodded. “Have you seen Liddicote’s family yet? I know he lived alone, but didn’t he have a couple of children?”
“Yes, and we’re interviewing them