‘We don’t want to outstay our welcome.’
‘You’ll obey orders and do as you’re told. To begin with, the pair of you can offer an abject apology to the bishop.’
‘Why should we do that, sir?’ asked Colbeck, finishing the letter. ‘He has a colourful turn of phrase, I grant you, but I see nothing here that would make me behave any differently towards him. He’s been rude, high-handed and extremely unhelpful. The sergeant will bear me out on that score.’
‘I will,’ said Leeming. ‘What does the letter say?’
Colbeck handed it to him. ‘I think you should read it, Victor.’
‘Yes,’ added Tallis, lowering himself into an empty chair. ‘And while you’re doing so, remind yourself of the position that the bishop occupies here. He has far more power than the mayor and more influence than anyone in the county. Crucially, Bishop Phillpotts has the ear of Archbishop Sumner. Do you want to bring the wrath of Lambeth Palace down upon us? Is that the intention — to provoke the Archbishop of Canterbury?’
‘The only provocation of which I’m aware is in that letter, sir.’
Leeming was shocked by what he’d read. ‘I never knew that a man of the cloth could be so harsh,’ he said, returning the letter to Tallis. ‘I’m surprised he didn’t write that in blood rather than ink. Did you see what he called you, Inspector?’
Colbeck smiled. ‘Yes, I did. Apparently, I’m a boorish disrespectful oaf.’ He looked at Tallis. ‘You’ve called me far worse than that in the past, sir.’
‘This situation has got to be retrieved,’ asserted Tallis.
‘Yes,’ agreed Leeming. ‘We make our apology and go home.’
‘Be silent, man! We need no inane interjections.’
‘Nobody wants us here, sir.’
‘Especially the killer,’ said Colbeck, ‘but I’m not going to oblige him by quitting the field. As for the bishop’s letter, sir, I’m sorry that it aroused your ire so much that you came all the way to Devon. Had you met Bishop Phillpotts, you might not have been quite so eager to enter his fiefdom. I advise you to reserve judgement until you’ve come eye to eye with the right reverend gentleman.’
Tallis eyed him malevolently. ‘Do I detect a note of sarcasm?’
‘Nothing could be further from the truth, sir.’
‘You must consider how to make amends for your behaviour.’
‘The best way to do that is to solve the crime,’ argued Colbeck, ‘and we’ve more chance of doing that if Bishop Phillpotts is kept on a leash.’
‘Kept on a leash?’ howled Tallis, close to apoplexy. ‘We’re talking about a senior figure in the Anglican Church. He’s entitled to deference. You can’t operate freely in Exeter without his blessing.’
Colbeck indicated the letter. ‘He seems more inclined to curse than bless.’
‘We’ll make an appointment to see him tomorrow — both of us.’
‘I’ll be happy to accompany you to the bishop’s palace. While we’re doing that, the sergeant can take the train to Dawlish.’
‘Why should I do that, sir?’ asked Leeming.
‘I want you to interview Michael Heygate and his wife. He’s the brother of the deceased,’ he explained to Tallis, ‘and he may turn out to be a suspect as well.’
‘Then why not arrest him so that he can be interrogated?’
‘We lack the evidence to do that, sir. If he knows that we harbour suspicions about him, he’ll become defensive and uncooperative. Victor will sound him out.’
‘Do you have any other suspects?’
‘We have two at the moment,’ said Colbeck, ‘but Superintendent Steel favours one over the other. He’s a local villain named Browne and he’s made threats about killing the stationmaster in the past.’
‘Is the fellow in custody?’
‘He’s managed to evade us so far. But he’s still in Exeter.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘We were at the police station earlier when a prison warder staggered in, covered in blood. He recognised Browne as having served sentences in prison and sought to apprehend him. He got a broken nose and a lot of bruises for his pains. Bagsy Browne is still here somewhere,’ said Colbeck, ‘and he won’t be taken easily.’
‘Hasn’t a search for this individual been launched?’
‘Of course, sir, but the police force has limited numbers.’
‘What manner of man is their superintendent?’
‘He’s a fine policeman, hampered by lack of resources. He objected to our presence at first, but I think he’s come to accept that we could be useful.’
‘Yes,’ muttered Leeming, ‘even if all we do is to serve tea in the station refreshment room.’ He raised his voice. ‘Superintendent Steel ought to see that letter, sir. I gather that he’s had a lot of difficulty with the bishop over the years.’
‘Yet he’s held his own,’ said Colbeck. ‘I admire him for doing that.’
‘Where exactly was the murder committed?’ asked Tallis.
‘We’re not entirely certain, sir, but a missing diary may give us a clue.’
‘To whose diary are you referring?’
‘The stationmaster’s, sir,’ replied Colbeck. ‘It transpires that Joel Heygate had a passion for birds.’
Peter had brought some welcome pleasure into the household. He not only cheered Maud Hope up, he acted as a distraction. There were times when she was able to forget that she was in pain. The canary was a tuneful companion but she didn’t mind that. He filled the room with sweetness and song. However, not even Peter was able to divert her now. As she sat beside his cage in the armchair, she didn’t even notice that he was there. Dorcas was late coming home. That disturbed her. Her daughter was a sensitive young woman who’d been profoundly rocked by the death of her one real friend at the railway station. Maud had told her to stay away from work until she felt better but Dorcas was driven by a keen sense of loyalty. Against her parent’s wishes, therefore, she’d gone to the refreshment room that morning and should have returned an hour ago. Since her husband was also late, Maud was left alone to fear for her daughter’s safety.
When she finally heard the front door being unlocked, she almost swooned with relief. If it was Nathaniel Hope, at least he’d be able to comfort her and go out in search of Dorcas. Maud would not have to suffer alone. She made an effort to get to her feet but the arthritis bit sharply into her hip and forced her to sit back down again. The pain made her head swim. Her hip was still throbbing when Dorcas came into the room. Maud let out a cry of gratitude.
‘Thank heavens!’ she exclaimed.
‘Are you all right, Mother?’ asked Dorcas, going to her.
‘I was frightened that something had happened to you.’
‘Mr Woodford made me work late because I was in charge of the refreshment room. I had to count up all the money and put it away in the safe.’
Maud was impressed. ‘You were in
‘Yes, I never thought I’d cope but I did somehow.’
‘What about Mrs Rossiter?’
Dorcas sighed. ‘She had to go home, Mother. She was … unwell.’
She told Maud about the way in which the manageress had dressed and behaved that morning and how Woodford had refused to let her continue serving refreshments. Dorcas also explained that Inspector Colbeck had questioned both her and Mrs Rossiter.
‘Why did he want to talk to you?’ asked Maud, anxiously.
‘He thought that I might be able to help.’
‘But you know nothing whatsoever about the murder.’
‘I knew Mr Heygate. In fact, I think I knew him better than anybody at the station. That’s why he trusted Peter with me. How is he?’ she went on, crouching down to peer into the cage. ‘Hello, Peter, have you missed me?’ The bird chirped a reply. ‘There you are — he understands what I said.’
‘He’s been good company for me all day.’
