Fatal Quest by Sally Spencer Read Free Book Online Page B

was now the Newton High School for Young Ladies.
    â€˜So how did
you
feel about bein’ a “young lady”, Pearl?’ he said softly to himself. ‘Did you ever really
believe
that that was what you were?’
    The headmistress introduced herself to Woodend as Dr Jenkins, with an emphasis on the ‘Dr’. Her hair was tied back in a severe bun, and a pair of half-moon spectacles rested on the bridge of her long, thin nose. She wore a single row of cultured pearls around her neck, and was dressed in a tweed jacket which had been cut on almost masculine lines. And though he could not see her feet because of the desk, he was almost certain they were clad in heavy ‘sensible’ shoes.
    â€˜I must admit to having experienced a certain amount of surprise, and perhaps even a little concern, when my secretary informed me that you wished to see me,
Detective Sergeant
,’ she said.
    Detective Sergeant! Woodend noted. Not
Mr
Woodend, or even
Sergeant
Woodend, but just his rank. It was all titles with this woman!
    â€˜I can assure you, I never
meant
to concern you,’ he said, giving nothing away.
    â€˜I’m sure you did not,’ Dr Jenkins agreed. ‘But you must understand that it is a very rare occurrence indeed for the forces of law and order to enter this temple of learning.’
    â€˜Aye, an’ you’re probably not used to havin’ the Old Bill visitin’ your school, either,’ Woodend said – though he knew he shouldn’t have done.
    Dr Jenkins frowned, perhaps not quite sure whether he was poking fun at her or was merely stupid.
    â€˜So how may I assist you?’ she asked, apparently settling on the ‘stupid’ explanation.
    â€˜I wanted to ask you a few questions about one of your pupils,’ Woodend said.
    â€˜One of my
pupils
?’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜And
which
pupil might that be?’
    â€˜Pearl Jones.’
    A look of distaste flickered briefly across Dr Jenkins’ face – but not briefly enough for Woodend to have missed it.
    â€˜And why would you wish to know anything about Pearl?’ the headmistress asked.
    Because she’s
dead
! Woodend thought.
    But he couldn’t say that.
    Not when he couldn’t actually
prove
it.
    Not when her
own mother
refused to admit the truth.
    â€˜I’m afraid that, given the confidential nature of my inquiries, I’m not in a position to go into any details,’ he said.
    â€˜And yet you still expect
me
to speak freely about the girl?’ Dr Jenkins asked, haughtily. ‘You still expect me to betray
my
confidences?’
    She was anticipating him being crushed by the remark, Woodend though – a mere
detective sergeant
put in his rightful place by a
doctor of philosophy
.
    But he wasn’t. He’d got the woman sized up by now – and he knew just which buttons to push.
    â€˜I can see your problem,’ he admitted humbly. ‘I myself wouldn’t like to be put in to the position that I’ve put you in.’
    â€˜Well, then, there’s really no more to be said, is there?’ the headmistress asked triumphantly,
    â€˜But, you see, I’m just a simple copper,’ Woodend continued. ‘When I’m treadin’ the line between what’s confidential an’ what isn’t, I’m never quite sure whether I’ve stepped over it or not. That’s where you’re different, Dr Jenkins. You have a subtlety of mind that’s quite lackin’ in me.’ He paused, and frowned. ‘Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe we’re two of a kind, an’ it
would
be just as difficult for you as it would be for me.’
    The idea of them being ‘two of a kind’ seemed to truly appall Dr Jenkins.
    â€˜I am, of course, willing to help in any way I can,’ she said, somewhat hastily, ‘though you must be willing to accept that certain areas of Pearl’s life within this school