Dialogues of the Dead

I33 His face was pale. Pascoe said, 'What's happened?' Jude Illingworth said, 'Hang about, I was first.' Pascoe said, 'Sorry. Wieldy, could you deal?' 'Sure. Now, Miss . ..' 'You a cop, too?' she said regarding his cragged and potholed face doubtfully. 'Aye. Sergeant. So . .. ?' 'So some sod's pinched one of my burins.' 'Oh aye? Happens a lot when you're wearing tights, does it?' said Wield. Pascoe heard the exchange as he moved aside with Bowler and stifled a smile. Live with Andy Dalziel long enough, something was bound to rub off. 'So tell me,' he invited the DC. 'I found him, sir,' said Hat. 'I went into the Gents and he was on the floor. He wasn't quite dead, he was trying to say something and I leaned down close to try and hear what it was but it didn't make sense and then it just turned into a death rattle. I checked his pulse and there was none, and I went through all the resuss procedures, just in case, but nothing, so I called HQ for assistance and told them to send an ambulance too, though he looked beyond help to me, then I got a Centre security man to stand by the door and keep everyone else out, and I thought I'd better get up here and let you know, sir . . .' He ran out of breath. Pascoe said, 'That's good, Hat. You've called up assistance and you've secured the scene. Now perhaps we could just slow down and get a bit of necessary detail. Like, how about telling me who it is you've found?' 'Councillor Steel, sir. You know, the one they call Sniffer.' . 'Good God,' said Pascoe. 'And he's definitely dead, you say? What was it, you reckon? Stroke?' 'No, sir. I'm sorry. It's daft but it shook me up a bit. He's been murdered. I should have said, he's got a hole in the base of his skull. And I found what could be the weapon on the floor. I marked the spot and bagged it. Didn't want anyone else to see it, it's a bit unusual and I thought that it was best to keep it to ourselves for a bit. I've got it here.' He pulled a transparent plastic bag out of the inside pocket of his jerkin and held it up. It contained what looked like some sort of small chisel. 'Did I do right, sir?' said the young DC anxiously. But before Pascoe could reply, Jude Illingworth edged him aside. 'Now that's what I call service,' she said. 'I don't care what your customers say about you, I think our police are bloody wonderful. Where did you find it?' 'Sorry?' said Pascoe. 'My burin,' said the woman, her eyes fixed on Bowler's evidence bag. 'Where did you find my burin?'

I stoop and make my necessary mark. So there he lies, brought by a burin to his buriness, that breath that sank a thousand friendships stilled forever, that appetite which seemed ambitious to devour the earth soon to be engorged by it. I look down upon him and I share his peace. But then like the lllyrian merchant who sees the Adriatic^ silken skin wrinkle at the first touch of the bora, I suddenly feel uneasy. In here all is peace, but outside in the corridor 1 sense movement, as if the bora were indeed beginning to blow .. . Surely the Power that guides my fate cannot permit anything to go wrong?

Yes, I know I could have asked, but just then there seemed only one way to find out. I move swiftly to the door and pull it open. And I laugh out loud as I realize all I have felt is the return of time, exploding along the corridor, as the dam breaks. I compose my face and step out into its rushing current, happy to let it bear me where it will, certain that it will set me ashore safe on whatever spit or island is appointed for our next thrilling Dialogue. Talk again soon!

W 'He was trying to speak, you said,' said Pascoe as he hurried down the stairs with Bowler. 'Could you make out anything at all? Think hard while it's still fresh in your mind.' 'Yes, sir. I've been trying. And ... well, it's a bit daft ... but what he was trying to say sounded like . ..' 'Yes?' prompted Pascoe. i Rosebud. It sounded like rosebud'.' Chapter Sixteen