We don’t
get to know the bigger picture in an enquiry until the big chiefs
decide to tell us about it.’
‘Oh.’ Helen looked a bit disappointed.
‘Of course, at this rate, it will be the other way round,’ said
Fry. ‘We’ll all be waiting like a lot of Dr Watsons for Ben here
J o
to condescend to tell us the answers.’
Helen frowned, puzzled by the tone of the comment. ‘Perhaps I’d better let you get on. I can see you’re busy.’
‘No, wait,’ said Cooper. ‘How’s Mr Dickinson?’
She thought Ben looked different today. Less formal, a bit
& ^ ‘
more relaxed, now that they had renewed their acquaintance. Yesterday he had seemed to see her as a stranger, to be treated like any other member of the public. But perhaps relaxed wasn’t the right word. He looked less tightly focused, more readily distracted. His hair was tousled in a way that reminded Helen powerfully of the younger Ben she had known so well. And Gwen was right — his eyes were deep brown. She had almost forgotten.
‘Granddad’s fine. A bit, well …”
‘Yes? Is he upset? It’s understandable.’
‘A bit quiet, that’s all I was going to say.’
The. ‘ O O J
‘And your grandmother?’ ‘It’s all a bit much for her to take in.’
‘She’s taken it worse than your grandfather, I suppose. People of that generation —’
O
‘Don’t let Granddad hear you say that.’
‘Miss Milner, did you know Laura Vernon?’ interrupted Fry.
‘Oh, well, I did meet her once.’
114
‘When was that?’
A couple of months ago. It was at a party that the Vernons wave. A Midsummer Party, they called it. Yes, it was in June.’
‘What do you know about Laura?’
‘Oh, absolutely nothing. I don’t really know her parents either .’
‘But you were invited to their party. How was that?’
‘My father works for Graham Vernon. I suppose they invited me out of politeness.’
‘Oh, of course. But you met Laura at this party.’
‘Yes.’
‘What did you make of her?’
‘Laura? She was a very pretty girl. Big, dark eyes. Very mature for her age.’
o
shee waited. ‘And?’
j
‘I don’t know what else to say really.’
‘Her looks don’t tell us much about her personality, Miss Milncr.’
‘As I say, I didn’t really know her.’
‘But I’m sure you’re a good observer. What do you do for a living?’
o
‘I’m a teacher.’
‘Of course. So you’re used to assessing children. What did
^ o
you think of Laura Vernon?’
Helen lowered her eyes to avoid the policewoman’s direct stare. ‘I suppose I thought she was rather too precocious. She was a bit brash, a bit pushy. Arrogant, even.’
‘Arrogant?’
