Here Lies Gloria Mundy

‘My wife would hardly have telephoned you if we had not. The body must be that of some unfortunate tramp, or one of the fire-raisers who didn’t get away in time. A truly dreadful business, Inspector, and I’m glad the body was removed before I saw it.’

‘I’m afraid I shall have to ask you to take a look at it, sir. The fire was not the cause of death. We are investigating a case of wilful murder. There will be a pathologist’s report, but our own police surgeon says that accident or suicide can be ruled out. Our immediate aim is to get the dead person identified. That is partly why I asked whether you had been aware that you had squatters on your premises. Now, in the face of your denials, it’s a long shot, I know, but I would like you to accompany me to the mortuary to see whether you can identify the corpse, as your gardener informs me you had people staying here.’

‘But my denials are absolute. I can’t possibly help you. I assure you that I have never known that anybody was occupying the old place, let alone ever having seen anybody there. As for my guests, they all left safely and can be accounted for. The only one who is still here is Mr Stratford and he is hale and hearty enough.’

‘And you are sure there were no squatters?’

‘Only a few days ago some friends of mine went in to look at a portrait which had hung in one of the downstairs rooms for years. They would most certainly have told me if they had suspected that the house was occupied. The headmaster who has an option to purchase was one of them — he has a key. As I told you, I’m sure he would have known if squatters had taken over the building. No, no, a gang of young hooligans is far more likely and I should not be able to recognise any of them.’

‘Just so, sir. All the same, I would like you to take a look at the body that was found. We need to get it identified.’

‘But how the hell can I identify a person who was entirely unknown to me?’

‘The body was found on your premises, sir. This is more like an elimination than an identification.’

‘Elimination? Oh, but, dammit, look here — !’

‘I’m afraid I must insist, sir.’

‘Is the body — well, is it, as it were, very badly — er — ?’

‘You need take only a quick look, sir. There is one special feature which may help with identification. It should be sufficient for our purpose.’

‘May Mr Stratford come with me? He has been staying in the house, as I told you, and is still here.’

‘We may be glad of him for confirmation, sir. Are there no other persons in the house?’

‘Two women servants and my wife, but I’m not going to have them look at any dead bodies.’

‘We would be loth to submit females to such an ordeal, sir.’

‘If you think this person was a squatter and as I have assured you, I know nothing of any such, what is the point of taking me along to look at this body of yours? I repeat that I cannot help you.’

‘A matter of routine, sir, as the corpse was found under very suspicious circumstances on premises belonging to you, as I have explained. The singular feature to which I alluded should settle the matter of identification if the person should turn out to be somebody you know.’

I had been uneasy in my mind ever since the inspector’s arrival and when Anthony told me of this reference (the second one) to what the police seemed to think was an unmistakeable feature, my thoughts went to the red and black hair of Gloria Mundy, that uninvited and unwelcome interloper. The same idea presented itself to Anthony, I think, for he said in an aside to me after I had been sent for, ‘Je pense que les gendarmes ont quelque chose debout leur manche.’

I nodded. The inspector smiled and said, ‘I ought to tell you that I understand French, sir. Even yours,’ he added unkindly, ‘and I assure you that we have nothing up our sleeve. Shall we go, sir? You and Mr Stratford will be shown the body separately, of course.’

‘I must let my wife know where I am going.’

‘Of course, sir.’

We went in a police car. Nothing was said on the journey. What Anthony’s thoughts were I do not know. Personally I was nerving myself for what I knew would be the most unpleasant experience of my life. At the same time I was aware of a sick sort of curiosity of which I was ashamed but could not dismiss.

Anthony was first and they let him out by another door, for I saw nothing of him before it was my turn. The mortuary smelt heavily of disinfectant, an odour I detest, and it did not help my already queasy stomach.

‘Just a glance, sir,’ said the inspector encouragingly. ‘Nothing to worry about.’