17. Stumped

Here we are again. The end of a case with no clear direction. I’ve done my best on the pubs and got as far as I can. Think I’ve got an idea or two for all four but not sure. Hathaway has been no particular help. He just laughs when he reads the transcript of Morse’s last interview with Kate Buckland. What the hell was Morse getting up to with those weird phrases? Quotations, I guessing. But from what? He knew he was more clever than almost everyone else and he always had to rub their noses in it. But from his words, I am as certain as ever that he knew exactly what was going on.

I’ve even spoken to Lively about this one. Remember her? Always destined for greatness – she’s made it to Detective Superintendent across the border in Berkshire. Our crazy days together seem like another lifetime. She says there has to be another piece to the puzzle and to keep looking. Once the connection between the pubs is clear (and she didn’t give me any hint on that) then there must be some kind of plan. I’m going to tip everything all over the floor and sift through it a piece at a time. Might be a long day…