A Lesson in Secrets_ A Maisie Dobbs Novel - Jacqueline Winspear [83]
“Was he in favor of Robson Headley taking part?”
Burnham shook his head. “He wouldn’t have known. That was Matthias. Dunstan Headley said his son wanted to join the college team, and given his connections to the college—Robson is charged with continuing Dunstan Headley’s philanthropy when his father is gone—his standing matters to our future. Matthias does not want to rock the boat, especially with the new building work starting soon.”
“I see, so—”
“And Robson is a harmless enough chap. He has a fine sense of his own intellectual ability—which is wanting, if you care for my opinion—but as I said, a harmless young man, if a bit full of himself.”
Maisie saw members of the faculty begin to move towards the door. “We’d better go down; the meeting is about to start.”
Matthias Roth waited to take the podium until students and staff were seated. Maisie looked for MacFarlane and Stratton, and noticed that they were standing at the back of the room. Maisie caught Stratton’s eye and waved; he waved in return and, pointing to his watch and the door, signaled that they would talk to her after Roth had spoken. She nodded.
“I have brought the entire college together to announce that we will be closing for the rest of the week, though you are reminded that a memorial service for Dr. Greville Liddicote will be held at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon. I am sure you will all wish to attend.” He cleared his throat. “I have made the decision to suspend teaching not—as many of you might have hoped—to give our students and staff a well-earned holiday . . . ” There was some muffled laughter, and Roth smiled before continuing. “The days off will allow the police to bring their work to a close regarding any outstanding information in connection with Dr. Liddicote’s death. With everyone on their own personal timetable, it’s been rather difficult for inquiries to be completed; and I know that I, for one, would like to do all that I can to assist in the execution of police work so that we can get on with the job of being a college again, and our students continue with their studies. We have the legacy of Greville Liddicote to honor when we come back next week with the slate clean.” He paused. “Are there any questions?”
When no one spoke up, Roth invited MacFarlane to join him to go through the schedule of interviews that would take place over the next several days. Maisie turned again; Stratton nodded towards the door. She left her place and made her way into the corridor.
“What’s going on?” Maisie let the door close behind her.
“Robbie was about to flip his lid, so it had to come to this—he insisted upon it. Roth hadn’t wanted classes to be disturbed, so he asked us to work around the student timetables—and they’re all on some sort of individual curriculum, so it was hard to keep up with who had been interviewed and who hadn’t.” Stratton shook his head. “It’s not that we think a student here was Liddicote’s murderer, but we certainly want to know if anyone saw anything.”
“You’re still interviewing staff as well?”
“Yes, but your name has a big red tick alongside it—you’re off the hook.”
“Shame, I might have had a thing or two to talk about.”
“Do you?”
Maisie sighed. “Probably nothing you don’t already know about.” She looked at Stratton. “Do you know about the Ortsgruppe?”
Stratton nodded. “All reports have come back that it’s really nothing to worry about.”
“Miss Delphine Lang is a member, and she has taken her amour—Robson Headley—along to meetings.”
“Didn’t know that. I’ll tell MacFarlane, just in case he thinks it has a bearing on the case. Probably more in line with your investigation—not that I am completely privy to your remit.”
Maisie smiled. “Tell Robbie I asked after him. I’ll be in touch.”
“Where will you be over the next few