Dialogues of the Dead

141 'Well,' said Bowler uncomfortably, 'to tell the truth, I'd just seen Mr Dalziel going in there . ..' Pascoe laughed out loud. He could recall a time shortly after his arrival in Mid-Yorkshire when he'd found himself standing alongside the terrifying figure of the Fat Man in a urinal, quite unable - despite a very fall bladder and the usually mimetically encouraging sound of a vigorous flow hitting the next basin - of producing a drop. It wasn't displeasing to see that today's laid-back youngsters weren't entirely free of such hang-ups. 'So you went down the corridor,' said Pascoe. 'Anyone else in sight, either end?' 'Definitely not, sir,' said Bowler, pleased to be on firm ground at last. 'And you went inside and saw Councillor Steel,' said Pascoe. 'Well, that's twice you've told me. You should be word perfect for Mr Dalziel. Anything else you'd like to add?' 'Don't think so. Except, well, you don't think this could have anything to do with these Wordman killings, do you, sir?' 'At the moment there's nothing to suggest it has,' said Pascoe. 'Why do you ask?' 'No reason really. Just, well, when you've had three deaths and there comes a fourth . . .' 'That's the kind of mistake it's easy to make,' said Pascoe. 'The Wordman murders are one case, this is another. Try to put them together without evidence and all you do is risk buggering up both investigations. OK?' 'Yes, sir. Sorry.' 'Good lad. One more thing just in case the super asks. You said you'd noticed him going into the other loo. When you found the body, didn't you think of getting hold of him? He must have still been in the vicinity.' 'It did cross my mind, sir,' said Bowler. 'But by the time I'd tried resuscitation and called up assistance and alerted the Centre security staff, he was probably long gone, whereas I knew you and the sarge were still up here and I just thought it would be best to be sure.' Meaning that, uncertain he'd done everything by the book and aware that he was a little shook up, he didn't fancy running breath less down the street to put himself at the judgment of Fat Andy. 'I think perhaps it might be simpler to say nothing about seeing the super going into the other Gents,' said Pascoe. 'So far as you knew, he was long gone. Ah, that sounds like him now.' The Gents' door opened and a short ochrous-complexioned man who looked as if he'd rather be playing golf, for which he was indeed dressed, emerged, followed by Dalziel. 'And that's it, Doc, he's dead? Well, I'm sorry I interrupted your game. How'd it go, by the way?' 'As a matter of fact I was dormy three against my revolting brother-in-law whom I haven't beaten for five years and he was in a bunker and I was on the green when my pager went.' 'Moral victory then.' 'In dealings with my brother-in-law, there is no moral dimension. The game is void. As to the unfortunate councillor, I'm sorry, I cannot tell you what I do not know. He was killed, certainly within the past hour and probably as a result of a blow at the base of his skull from a narrow sharp weapon. The wounds to the top of his head are slight and appear more likely to have been inflicted after rather than before the fatal wound, though for what purpose I cannot even speculate. You must await the post mortem for a more considered view. Now, I bid you good day.' 'Well, thank you, Dr Caligari,' said Dalziel to his retreating back. 'DC Bowler, nice of you to drop by. Step in here and show me what things looked like afore you and every other bugger who came near him started chucking poor Staffer around.' Bowler went through the toilet door. He avoided looking down at the figure on the floor, uncomfortably aware that Dalziel was watching him closely in the mirror which ran along the facing wall. 'He was slumped down in front of the washbasins, slightly over to his right side. I got the impression he must have been washing himself when he was attacked.' 'Oh aye? That a wild guess or do you hear voices?' 'No, sir. I noticed his hands were wet and his face too, I noticed that when I tried to give him the kiss of life.' 'Aye, I heard about that. So, he'd had a pee, washed his hands and was splashing a bit of water on his face. What do you reckon happened next?'