all, and simply took time off for a few days by the sea?”
Chromik shook his head so forcefully that the black curls quivered. “Emma wouldn’t do that. She valued her profiling work too much to put it at risk with a stupid deception.”
It was said in a way that made Diamond sound stupid for asking. Well, he didn’t have a degree in psychology, but he wasn’t intimidated by this academic.
“I’m trying to throw you a lifeline, professor. Your handling of this tragic episode is going to be questioned, not just by me, but by your superiors, I wouldn’t wonder, and certainly by the press. It sounds as if you let this member of your staff run rings around you.”
“I resent that.”
“It’s not my own opinion,” Diamond said, dredging deep for a word that would make an impact on this egghead. “It’s the perception. Do you know anything about her life outside the university?”
“In what way?”
“Relationships?”
“No idea.”
“Did you appoint her to the job?”
“I was on the appointments committee, yes. We were fortunate to get her. A first class brain, without question one of the most brilliant psychologists of her generation.”
“So where did she come from?”
“She did her first degree in the north. Then she was at one of the London colleges for her Ph.D.”
“I meant her home town, not her college career.”
“I can’t recall.”
“Any family?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“You don’t even know where she was brought up?”
“I said I can’t remember. We’ll have details of her secondary education on file somewhere.”
“Is there anyone on the staff who knew her? Anyone she might have confided in?”
“You could speak to one of the women. Before you do I’d better break the news to them all.”
“I think they’ve heard by now.”
“That may be so, but something needs to be said. I’ll make a brief announcement in there.”
“And I’ll add my piece.”
Both men knew the object of this exercise was not really to break the news. By now, the entire room had heard it. Some formula had to be found to allow everyone to remain at the party without feeling guilty.
Back in the room, Chromik called his staff to order and said he had just been given some distressing news. One or two gasps of horror were provided as he imparted it. Without much subtlety, he went straight on to say he believed Emma would have wished the party to continue. There were general murmurs of assent.
Diamond stepped forward and introduced himself, admitting Dr Tysoe’s death was a mystery and inviting anyone with information to speak to him. He said he wasn’t only interested in the circumstances leading up to her murder, but wanted to find out more about her as a person.
As soon as he’d finished, a woman lecturer touched his arm. He was pleased. If one person comes forward, others generally follow.
“I can help with the background stuff. I’m Helen Sparks, and we shared an office.” She spoke with a South London accent. She was black, slim and tall and probably about the same age as Emma had been. Her eyes were lined in green.
He took her to a large leather sofa at the far end. “Thanks. I appreciate this.”
“Like you said, I can talk about Emma as a person. I liked her a lot. She had style.”
“Are we talking fashion here?”
“Absolutely. For an academic, she was a neat dresser. She knew what was out there and made sure she wore it.”
“The latest, you mean?”
“No. The best. The top designer labels.”
“That must have used up most of her salary.”
“Emma wasn’t short of money. I think her parents died a few years ago and left her comfortably off.”
“Did she have a lifestyle to go with it?”
“Depends what you mean. She was living at a good address in Great Pulteney Street. Drove a dream of a sports car that must have cost a bomb. But she wasn’t one for partying or clubbing. I think she just loved the feeling that she was class. Shoes, hair, make-up,
Chromik shook his head so forcefully that the black curls quivered. “Emma wouldn’t do that. She valued her profiling work too much to put it at risk with a stupid deception.”
It was said in a way that made Diamond sound stupid for asking. Well, he didn’t have a degree in psychology, but he wasn’t intimidated by this academic.
“I’m trying to throw you a lifeline, professor. Your handling of this tragic episode is going to be questioned, not just by me, but by your superiors, I wouldn’t wonder, and certainly by the press. It sounds as if you let this member of your staff run rings around you.”
“I resent that.”
“It’s not my own opinion,” Diamond said, dredging deep for a word that would make an impact on this egghead. “It’s the perception. Do you know anything about her life outside the university?”
“In what way?”
“Relationships?”
“No idea.”
“Did you appoint her to the job?”
“I was on the appointments committee, yes. We were fortunate to get her. A first class brain, without question one of the most brilliant psychologists of her generation.”
“So where did she come from?”
“She did her first degree in the north. Then she was at one of the London colleges for her Ph.D.”
“I meant her home town, not her college career.”
“I can’t recall.”
“Any family?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“You don’t even know where she was brought up?”
“I said I can’t remember. We’ll have details of her secondary education on file somewhere.”
“Is there anyone on the staff who knew her? Anyone she might have confided in?”
“You could speak to one of the women. Before you do I’d better break the news to them all.”
“I think they’ve heard by now.”
“That may be so, but something needs to be said. I’ll make a brief announcement in there.”
“And I’ll add my piece.”
Both men knew the object of this exercise was not really to break the news. By now, the entire room had heard it. Some formula had to be found to allow everyone to remain at the party without feeling guilty.
Back in the room, Chromik called his staff to order and said he had just been given some distressing news. One or two gasps of horror were provided as he imparted it. Without much subtlety, he went straight on to say he believed Emma would have wished the party to continue. There were general murmurs of assent.
Diamond stepped forward and introduced himself, admitting Dr Tysoe’s death was a mystery and inviting anyone with information to speak to him. He said he wasn’t only interested in the circumstances leading up to her murder, but wanted to find out more about her as a person.
As soon as he’d finished, a woman lecturer touched his arm. He was pleased. If one person comes forward, others generally follow.
“I can help with the background stuff. I’m Helen Sparks, and we shared an office.” She spoke with a South London accent. She was black, slim and tall and probably about the same age as Emma had been. Her eyes were lined in green.
He took her to a large leather sofa at the far end. “Thanks. I appreciate this.”
“Like you said, I can talk about Emma as a person. I liked her a lot. She had style.”
“Are we talking fashion here?”
“Absolutely. For an academic, she was a neat dresser. She knew what was out there and made sure she wore it.”
“The latest, you mean?”
“No. The best. The top designer labels.”
“That must have used up most of her salary.”
“Emma wasn’t short of money. I think her parents died a few years ago and left her comfortably off.”
“Did she have a lifestyle to go with it?”
“Depends what you mean. She was living at a good address in Great Pulteney Street. Drove a dream of a sports car that must have cost a bomb. But she wasn’t one for partying or clubbing. I think she just loved the feeling that she was class. Shoes, hair, make-up,
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