Inspector Morse 11 The Daughters of Cain

So Ellie Smith walked over the darkly marbled floor to a small, square waiting-area, carpeted in blue, with matching chairs set against the walls. She sat down and looked around her. Many notices were displayed there, of the "Watch Out,"

"Burglars Beware" variety; and photographs of a police car splashing through floods, and a friendly bobby talking to a farmer's wife in a local village; and just opposite her a large map....

But her observations ceased there.

To her left was a flight of white-marbled stairs, down which the white-haired Morse was coming towards her. "Good to see you. Come along up."

"No, I can't stay. I've got a car waiting."

"But we can take you home. I can take you home."

"No. I'm... I'm sorry."

"Why have you come?" asked Morse quietly, seating himself beside her.

"You've had Mum in. She told me all about it. She's on bail, isn't she? And I just wondered where it all leaves her--and me, for that matter?"

Morse spoke gently. "Your mother has been charged in connection with the murder of your step-father. Please un-derstand that for the present--"

"She told. me you might be bringing me in--is that right?"

"Look! We can't really talk here. Please come up--"

She shook her head. "Not unless you're arresting me.

Anyway, I don't trust myself in that office of yours. Re-member?"

"Look, about your mother. You'll have to face the fact--just like we have to--that... that it seems very likely at the minute that your mother was involved in some way in the murder of your step-father." Morse had chosen his hes-itant words carefully.

"All right. If you're not going to tell me, never mind." She stood up; and Morse stood up beside her. She held out the small parcel she had been carrying in her right hand and offered it to him.

"For you," she said simply.

"What is it?"

"Promise me one thing.'?"

"If I can."

"You won't open it till you get home tonight."

"If you say so."

Morse suddenly felt very moved; felt very lost, very helpless, very upset.

"Well--that's it then. That's all I came for... really."

"I'll ring you when I've opened it, I promise."

"Only when you get home."

"Only when I get home."

"You've got a note of my number, haven't you?"

"I have it by heart."

"I have to go. Hope you'll like it." She managed to speak the words; but only just as she picked up St. Anthony and fondled him between the thumb and forefinger of he left hand. And almost, for a moment or two, as they stood there, it was as if they might embrace; but the Assistan!

Chief Constable suddenly came through Reception, raising his hand to Morse in friendly greeting.

She turned away; and left.

As she stepped out of the building, a red BMW was be-side her immediately; and she got in, casting one lingering look behind her as she locked her safety-belt.

"I was rather hoping you'd bring her up, sir. She's getting a bit of a smasher, that one, don't you think?"

But Morse, reclosing the door quietly behind him, made no reply. Suddenly his life seemed joyless and desolate.

"Coffee, sir? asked Lewis in a low voice, perhaps un derstanding many things.

Morse nodded.

After Lewis was gone, he didn't wait.

He couldn't wait.

Inside the bluebell-patterned wrapping-paper was a small, silver, delicately curving hip-flask.

Oh God!

The letter enclosed with it bore no salutation: My mum rung me up and told me everything, but she never killed him. I know that better than anybody because I killed him.

I'm not much cop at writing but I wish we could have gone out for shampers together again. That was the happiest night of my life, because for some cockeyed reason I loved you with all the love I've got. I hope you like the little present. I wish I could finish this letter in the way I'd like to but I can't quite think of the right words, you know I'm trying though. If only you'd known how much I wanted you to kiss me in the taxi so some few kisses now from me xxxx Ellie xxxx Unmanned with anguish, Morse turned away as Lewis came back with the coffee, folded the letter carefully, and put it in a drawer of his desk.

Neither man spoke.

Then Morse opened the drawer, took out the letter, and passed it over to Lewis.

The silence persisted long after Lewis had read it. Finally Morse got to his feet. "If I ever see her again, Lewis, I shall have to tell her that 'rang' is the more correct form of the past tense of the verb 'to ring,' when used tran-sitively.'

"I don't think she'd mind very much what you told her," said Lewis very quietly.

Morse said nothing.

"Mind if I have a look at the present, sif T'

Morse passed over the hip-flask.

"Remember that crossword clue, Lewis? 'Kick in the pants'?--three-hyphen-five?"

Lewis nodded and smiled sadly. Hip-flask.

Chapter Sixty-nine

Amongst the tribes of Central Australia, every person has, besides a personal name which is in common use, a secret name which was bestowed upon him or her soon after birth, and which is known to none but the fully initiated (Jn! Es FRn ZER, The Golden Bough)