prospective thinking, of looking ahead and asking oneself the right
questions, as well as the wrong questions, about what was likely to happen in
the future; and then of coming up with some answers, be they right or wrong.
So frequently in previous cases had Morse led him along, and by prompting the
right questions evinced the right sort of answers.
'Socradc dialectic', Morse had called it, recounting
how Socrates had managed to elicit from a totally untutored slave-boy the
basic principles of plane geometry -just by asking the right questions.
So.
So, in his office that early evening, Lewis visualized himself seated
opposite Morse opposite Socrates, rather.
You 'we got to find the car, haven't you ? The car that dumped the body?
Where will you find it?
I don't know.
Where would you have driven that car?
I don't know. Anywhere, I suppose.
Isn't there blood everywhere? Blood all over your clothes?
Yes.
Haven't you got to change your clothes then ?
Yes.
So you couldn't just leave the car anywhere, could you? You couldn't walk
too far all covered in blood?
No.
So where would you go ?
I'd go home, like as not.
Before, or after, you'd ditched the car?
Before, probably, although . . .
Go on!
Might be a bit risky. Neighbours would probably notice the strange car.
Might even notice the blood-stained clothes.
What's the alternative for you?
Well, get someone to meet me somewhere and bring me a full change of clothes.
Where would you meet?
Anywhere. How do I know. Except. . .
Go on!
If we met in a lay-by, say, I'd have to leave the car there, wouldn't I? I
couldn't get back in and get the new clothes 139
almost as blood- stained as
the old. And the car would pretty certainly get reported almost immediately.
So . So?
So I'd have somebody to meet me. Friend? Wife, perhaps?
Where do you meet?
I don't know.
You do know. You know the Chesterton story I've often mentioned it.
Remind me.
Where do you hide a leaf?
Ah, yes. In the forest.
Where do you hide a pebble?
On the shore.
Where do you hide a corpse?
On the battle-field.
And where do you hide a car?
In a car park.
Which car park?
I don't know.
The bigger the better?
Yes.
In Oxford?
Probably.
How many car parks are there in Oxford?
Dozens.
If you'd committed a murder near Oxford what would you want to do above all?
Get the hell out of the place.
How?
Drive away.
You haven't got a car now, have you ?
Bus?
Where's the bus station? , Gloucester Green, l Isn't there a car park
opposite?
Yes.
And you could catch a train?
Yes.
Isn't there a station car park opposite?
Yes . As he drove down towards Oxford, Lewis felt pleased with himself, and
just after he'd negotiated the Cutteslowe round- about he was tempted to call
in on Morse. But he put the temptation behind him. He felt fairly certain
that the great man would be asleep.
And on this occasion he was right.
Instead, he decided to continue the Socratic dialogue, though this time
installing himself as Chief Inquisitor, and making the far bolder hypothesis
that if only the blurred outlines of the anonymous murderer could be adjusted
more sharply, it was Harry Repp who would come into focus.
Don't you think it would be easier, sir, for Debbie Richard- son to take a
change of clothes to him? Wouldn't it be dangerous for him to go out to
Lower Swinstead?
/ don't know, Lewis.
I asked you two questions.
/ don't know. I don't know.
What do you think Harry Repp did?
I just don't know.
What about the car? Where's that? Come on! Back your hunch!
The car? Oh, I know where the car is, Lewis. It's parked at the back of
Oxford Railway Station.
141
chapter thirty-one His voice was angry: 'What time do you call thisf She
stood penitently on the doorstep: ' Sorry! '
'Where* we you parked?' (It was the decade's commonest question in Oxford.
) 'Exactly. I just couldn't find a parking space anywhere.'
(Terry Benczik, Still Life with Absinthe) lucky lewis!
He was walking up the steps to the station when the auto- made doors opened
in front of him, and Sergeant Dick Evans of the British Transport Police came
towards him. Old friends, they greeted each other with appropriate
cordiality.
'Know anything about a stolen car R456 LJB?'
'Parked here?'
'Dunno,' Lewis admitted.
'Well, not as far as I know. I've been in Reading all day, though.
Just got back. Bob Mitcheli'd know, perhaps. He's on duty here. '
'I'd better go and wake him up then.'
'He's not in the office. I looked in a couple of minutes ago - door's
