Last Bus To Woodstock

'You've got a definite time — what else do you want, man?'

'Anything else, sir?' said Lewis in a subdued voice.

'Yes. Stay and make a few more notes. I won't be long.'

The kitchen door opened and Mrs. Jarman reappeared. 'I was just wondering whether you gentlemen would like a little drop of whisky, instead of tea. I've had a bottle since Christmas — I don't usually drink myself.'

'Now, now,' said Morse, 'you are a very resourceful woman, Mrs. Jarman.' Lewis smiled wanly. He knew what was coming. Deja vu.

'I think a little drop of Scotch would do me the power of good. Perhaps you'll have a drop yourself?'

'Oh no, sir, I'll have a cuppa, if you don't mind.' She opened a drawer in the cupboard and brought out two glass tumblers.

'Just the one glass then, Mrs. Jarman,' said Morse. 'It's a pity, I know, but Sergeant Lewis here is on duty and you will appreciate that a policeman is not allowed to consume any alcoholic drink whilst on duty. You wouldn't want him to break the law, would you?'

Lewis muttered to himself.

Morse smiled into his liberal dose of whisky whilst his assistant soberly stirred a diminutive cup of wickedly dark brown tea.

'Mrs. Jarman I just want to ask you one or two more questions about what you've said to Sergeant Lewis. I hope you don't feel too tired?'

'Oh no.'

'Do you remember how this 'other girl' seemed? Was she a bit cross? A bit nervous?'

'I don't think she was — well, I don't know. Perhaps she was a bit nervous.'

'A bit frightened?'

'Oh no. Not that. A bit sort of, er, excited. Yes, that's it, a bit excited.'

'Excited and impatient?'

'I think so.'

'Now, I want you to think back. Just close your eyes if you like, and picture yourself at the bus stop again. Can you recall anything, anything at all, that she said. She asked you if the next bus went to Woodstock. You've told us that. Anything else?'

'I can't remember. I just can't seem to remember.'

'Now, Mrs. Jarman, don't rush yourself. Just relax and picture it all again. Take your time.'

Mrs. Jarman closed her eyes and Morse watched her with keen anticipation. She said nothing. Morse at last broke the embarrassing silence. 'What about the girl who was murdered? Did she say anything else? She wanted to hitch-hike, you said.'

'Yes, she kept saying something like 'Come on'.'

' 'It'll be all right'?' added Morse.

'Yes. It'll be all right. We'll have a giggle about it in the morning.'

Morse's blood froze. He remained utterly motionless. But Mrs. Jarman's memory had dredged its last.

Morse relaxed. 'We've kept you up late, but you've been wonderful. And this must he a real priority brand of Scotch?'

'Oh, would you like a little drop more, sir?'

'Well, I think I wouldn't perhaps say no, Mrs. Jarman. Yes, a drop of the finest Scotch I've tasted in years.'

As Mrs. Jarman turned her back to refill his glass, Morse sternly motioned Lewis to stay where he was, and for the next half hour he tried with every subtlety he knew to jog the good lady's recollection of her chance encounter with the murdered girl and her companion. But to no avail.

'Just one more thing, Mrs. Jarman. When you come to see us in the morning, we shall be holding an identity parade. It won't take more than a minute or two.'

'You mean you want me to. . Oh dear!'

At 11.45 p.m. Morse and Lewis took their leave of Mrs. Jarman. They were standing by their cars when the door of the house suddenly opened again and Mrs. Jarman came hurriedly towards Morse.

'There's just one more thing, sir. I've just remembered. When you said close your eyes and just picture things. I've thought of something. That other girl, sir. When she ran, she ran with a sort of splay-footed run — do you know what I mean, sir?'

'Yes I do,' said Morse.

The two men returned to HQ. After enquiring whether any further calls had come through and learning there were none, Morse called Lewis to his office.

'Well, my friend?' Morse looked pleased with himself.

'You told her we're going to have an identity parade?' asked a puzzled Lewis.

'We are. Now tell me this. What would you say was the most vital fact we learned from Mrs. Jarman?'

'We learned quite a few pieces of valuable information.'