Inside, he must have been quite certain that Marion and/or Franny had something to do with Anita’s death. But the poor bastard just wasn’t equipped to deal with such knowledge, not after the first time. Anyway, we were left with the interesting question, why would anyone want to mess up his cottage?”
“So it turned your attention away from Fallowfield rather than brought it closer on him?” “In a way,’ said Pascoe. He wasn’t going to mention Disney’s part. There was nastiness enough around without helping it to breed.
“It’s incredible,’ she said after a pause.
“Read your newspapers,’ he answered. ‘ incredible’s happening all the time. There’s nothing that human beings haven’t managed to do to one another, however vile. And no motive, however slight, which has not brought someone to murder.”
Another pause.
“What happens now?”
“Like I say, read your newspapers. We just collect facts, solve problems. Then the public prosecutor decides.”
“I mean about us. I take it you’re on your way now.”
“Yes. Shortly.’ He tried the light touch. ”s only thirty miles; I’m not off to shoot big game.”
“No.”
She made a little motion with her hand.
“Do you want to go to bed with me before you go?”
The light touch was a bit heavy now.
“I’d better not. I don’t like to rush. And it’s a bit early for me, really.”
“It’s a bit late. For both of us.” Pascoe said the thing that he had promised himself not to say.
“Why? The field’s clear for you now, isn’t it?”
“Halfdane, you mean? That poor sod. Have you seen him? If the way he’s cut up is anything to go by, I never had a chance there. I certainly haven’t now. There are some rebounds you just don’t try to catch.”
She laughed.
“Who cares? I’m not desperate for a husband. I’ve got all this.’ She jerked her head in a gesture which included the whole college.
“Listen, Ellie,’ said Pascoe urgently. ‘ it’s too late for me, it doesn’t matter. All I’ll do is grow up into a hard, beery, old cop. It doesn’t matter. Besides the country needs hard, beery, old cops. But you’ll end up like Disney. Or Scotby. An academic old maid, which is to womanhood what a Scottish professor is to golf. That’s not for you. Not you. It’s such a waste.”
“Christ Almighty! I’m only thirty-one! I’m not glued to the shelf yet.”
“No, of course not,’ he said, slightly embarrassed by his own fervour.
He wasn’t really sure why he was getting so worked up. Other people’s lives. Policemen couldn’t afford to become involved in other people’s lives.
“As long as you don’t think… I mean… “
She laughed at him again. Quite convincingly.
“You know, sermons are for priests, not cops. You’ll be sorry you said all this when I’m a famous novelist, pursued by all.”
“As long as you don’t forget your friends.’ He glanced at his watch. He could get out now, shake hands and go, leaving things between them much as he had found them. That would be the wise move. But sometimes the wise move just left you standing still.
Time to go?’ she asked, lighting a cigarette.
“No. Not yet. I was just thinking. That offer you made.’ He imitated her small hand motion.
“Is it still open?”
She stubbed out her cigarette.
As they drove slowly along the drive, Dalziel heaved a great sigh of relief.
“That’s that then.”
“Yes.”
“So that’s what I missed when I didn’t get a college education.”
Behind them in the driving mirror, Pascoe could see Landor standing before the Old House, watching them go. By his side, slightly behind him, was Miss. Scotby who had turned up as they left. Would she make some move now or be content with her dreams on horseback? It was none of his business. And Disney, now her archenemies were defeated, what would she do in the future? Probably set about destroying Dunbar! Not a nice woman.
From the highest point of the drive it was possible to catch a glimpse of the sea to the east. Or to look down upon the complex of buildings which made up the college. Work had restarted on the foundations of the new biology lab and the green sward of the garden was now irremediably scarred. But no one seemed to be protesting any more.
In fact with the heat-wave still in full blast, no one seemed energetic enough to protest about anything. Pascoe felt a pang almost of sympathy for Cockshut as he changed gear and the car gathered speed down the hill to the main gates. The cool draught through the open windows was very welcome.
There were students scattered around the grass on either side of the drive. Some sleeping, some in close embrace, one or two even reading books. He could feel Dalziel’s indignation beside him.
“Look at the sods!’ he said finally. ‘ look at them. And this is supposed to be a place of bloody learning.”
Pascoe didn’t answer and Dalziel as though sensing a criticism pressed the point.
“What do you think, Sergeant? What about you? Did you learn anything here? That’s what these places are supposed to be for, isn’t it? To teach the ignorant.”
A group of students walking down the drive hand in hand scattered laughing as the car came towards them. Pascoe felt an odd surge of tenderness for them, for everybody. And with it there came into his mind a line from Fallowfield’s letter. Pain is a risk we take in becoming fond of people, isn’t it?
The car passed through the gates.
“Oh, yes,’ he said. ‘ think I learned something.”