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disguising her distaste for a man she considered an opportunist who rushed to premature conclusions. “Miss Jarvis recounted the events she could remember before her collapse.”
    “Yes, with a knife in her hand, right next to the body. She should have thought about her fear of blood before she thrust the knife into her beloved uncle’s neck and chest.”
    “I think beloved hardly describes a relationship hallmarked by such brutal behavior, do you?”
    “But, with respect, Miss Dobbs—”
    Stratton sighed. “All right, that’s enough, Caldwell.” He turned to Maisie. “Let’s see what we get out of this interview, shall we? In the meantime, we are trying to establish whether Harold Upton, the victim, was indeed related to Jarvis. I’ve been in touch with the constabulary in Taunton this morning, and we expect to hear shortly. Her people will be informed in due course.”
    “And due course is how long, Inspector Stratton?”
    Stratton was about to answer when there was a knock at the door.
    “Yes!”
    Maisie noted Stratton’s edgy response, an indication that her question would not be answered and that it was likely that Avril Jarvis’s family would not yet be informed that she was in custody. She was curious to know who would be offering legal counsel to the girl.
    “Sir, she’s in the interview room now.”
    “Very good, Chalmers.”
    The policewoman nodded and closed the door.
    “Now then—”
    “We were talking about her people being notified, Inspector.”
    “Ah, yes.” Stratton looked at his watch. “We’d better get cracking, I’ve an appointment at eleven.” He rose and opened the door for Maisie.
    As they walked along the corridor toward the interview room, Maisie turned to Stratton. “Has Jarvis had the benefit of legal counsel yet, Inspector?”
    Stratton opened a door into an anteroom and indicated for Maisie to enter before himself and Caldwell. “She refuses to speak to anyone but yourself, Miss Dobbs. A duty solicitor has been assigned”—he glanced at his watch—“who should have been here by now.”
    As if on cue, a young man rushed into the room in a flustered manner, clutching a new briefcase. Maisie shook her head, though it was no surprise to her that Avril Jarvis would be assigned a raw recruit to the legal profession. The combination of no money, as far as anyone knew, and a novice solicitor with no reputation or established contacts in chambers could only mean that, during her trial, Avril Jarvis would be represented by a junior barrister rather than counsel of some standing.
    “I hope I haven’t held anyone up here. I’ve been sorting out some very testy relatives fighting over a will. Sorry!” The solicitor was flushed and hurried, giving no reason for confidence. “Charles Little, duty dog assigned to Jarvis.” He held out his hand to Stratton and beamed a boyish smile. Maisie watched Caldwell sneer. Duty dog might have been an attempt at humor, but even Maisie could not avoid thinking that he was more like the duty pup .
    “Right then. Let’s get on with it.” Stratton turned to enter the interview room, but Maisie placed a hand on his arm.
    “Inspector, look, I know this has to be done, but may I see Miss Jarvis alone for a moment, with only Miss Chalmers in attendance? I fear that if we all enter at once, nothing will be gained except another wall of silence.”
    “I must say, this is most—” Little stepped forward, grasping a possible opportunity to exert some influence.
    “Oh, for God’s sake!” Caldwell’s complaint was almost drowned as the young solicitor pressed his position.
    Maisie held up her hand. “This will take only a minute and may make the difference between accomplishment and failure.”
    Stratton turned to the two men. “I believe Miss Dobbs should have this opportunity, and I agree with her conclusion.” Addressing Maisie he added, “Two minutes, Miss Dobbs, double the time requested.”
    Maisie inclined her head and stepped