'No.'
Morse looked around the large lounge. The day was warm already, yet he suspected (rightly) that the two long radiators were turned up to full capacity. Much space on the walls was devoted to pictures: prints of still-life paintings by Braque, Matisse, Picasso; photographs and watercolours THE DAUGHTEI OF CAIN 63 of great buildings and palaces, including Versailles and Blenheim--and Wolsey College, Oxford. But virtually no people were photographed or represented there. It was as if those 'things' so frequently resorted to by Mrs. Rodway in her conversation were now figuring more prominently than people.
'You know Dr. Mc Clure, I think,' said Morse.
'I met him first when Matthew went up to Oxford. He was Matthew's tutor.'
'Didn't he have rooms on the same staircase as Mat-thew?' (Lewis had spent most of the previous evening doing his homework; and Morse's homework.)
'The first year, and the third year, yes. He was out of college his second year.'
'Where was that, do you remember T'
Did Lewis observe a flicker of unease in Mary Rodway's eyes? Did Morse?
'I'm not sure.'
'Oh, it doesn't matter. Sergeant Lewis here can check up on that easily enough.'
But she had her answer now. 'It was in East Oxford somewhere. Cowley Road, was it?'
Morse continued his questioning, poker-faced, as if he had failed to hear the tintinnabulation of a hell: 'What did you think of Dr. Mc Clure?'
'Very nice man. Kindly--genuine sort of person. And, as you say, he took a real interest in Matthew.'
Morse produced a letter, and passed it across to Mrs.
Rodway: a single handwritten sheet, on the pre-printed stationery of 14 Evington Road South, Leicester, dated June 2, the day after the Coroner's verdict on Matthew Rodway's death.
Dear Felix
I was glad to talk to you on the phone however briefly. I was so choked I could hardly speak to you. Please do as we agreed. If you find anything else among M's things which would be upsetting please get rid of them. This includes any of my letters he may have kept. He had two family photos in his room, one a framed one of the two of us. I'd like both of them back. But all clothes and personal ef-fects and papers--get rid of them all for me.
I must thank you for all you tried to do for Mat-thew. He often spoke of your kindness, as you know.
I'm so sorry, I can't go on with this letter any more.
Sincerely yours
Mary
Morse now accepted a second cigarette; and as Mrs.
Rodway read through the letter Lewis turned his head away from the exhalation of smoke. He was not overmuch con-cemed about the health risks supposedly linked with pas-sive smoking, but it must have some effect; had already had its effect on the room here, where a thin patina of nic-otine could be seen on the emulsioned walls. In fact the whole room could surely do with a good wash-down and redecoration? The comers of the high ceiling were deeply stained, and just above one of the radiators an oblong of pristinely bright magnolia served to emphasise a slight ne-glect of household renovation.
'Did you write that?' asked Morse.
'Yes.'
'Is there anything you want to tell us about it?'
'Pretty clear, isn't it?'
'Did Dr. Mc Clure find anything in Matthew's rooms?'
'I don't know.'
'Would he have told you if, let's say, he'd found some drugs?'
'I doubt it.'
'Did he think Matthew was talcing drags?'
It was hard for her to say it. But she said it: 'Yes.'
'Did you ever find out where he got his drags from?'
'No.'
'Did he ever say anything about his friends being or drags?'
THE
DAUGHTERS OF CAIN
'Do you think they may have been?
'I only met one or two of them--on the same staircase 'Do you think drugs were available inside the college' 'I don't know.'
'Would Dr. Mc Clure have known, if they were?'
