Read Online The Burden of Doubt by Angela Dracup - Free Book Online Page B

painted black with African rugs scattered over it. The only light came from an anglepoise lamp on the chunky desk placed in the bay window. Dark shadows crowded together in the corners of the room.
    Dr Fox sat staring at her visitor, her eyes steady and unflinching.
    ‘I believe you were a friend or counsellor to Moira Farrell,’ Swift said.
    Her eyes held his, sharp and wary. She inclined her head. ‘Yes, both.’
    He drew in a silent breath. ‘Doctor Fox, I have some bad news. I’m afraid Dr Farrell was found dead in her house this morning.’
    She raised her head; her gaze slipped away from his for a few seconds and then returned. Although her expression and her facial colour remained unchanged, he saw a tightening in the muscles of her throat. ‘Moira,’ she said to herself softly. She held herself very still. ‘You’re a chief inspector,’ she went on. ‘And visiting late on in the day. That means there must be something unusual, something very irregular about her death.’ The piercing eyes bored into his as though he himself might have played part in Moira’s tragedy. ‘She was killed?’
    ‘We believe so.’
    ‘But you’re not going to give me any details?’
    ‘Not at present.’
    She pressed the fingers of both hands against her cheekbones and took in some deep breaths.
    Swift considered her composure remarkable – whether impressive or simply strange he was not able to judge at this point. ‘You described Moira as both a friend and as a client.’
    ‘We have been friends since medical school,’ Serena Fox said. ‘But in recent months she turned to me in my professional capacity.’
    Swift waited.
    ‘There was a problem she wanted help with. I was reluctant to act as a doctor or counsellor to her. To act in such a capacity a with a friend is very difficult – and possibly irregular. But she was insistent. So – I eventually agreed. We had a number of sessions together – here, in this room.’
    ‘I see.’
    ‘And maybe it’s worth saying that I wouldn’t accept a fee. Instead she gave generous donations to a charity I support in West Africa.’
    ‘And the nature of the problem?’
    ‘You know I’m not going to tell you that, Chief Inspector Swift.’
    ‘Medical confidentiality?’
    She shrugged. ‘I’m quite aware that confidentiality doesn’t apply once a patient is dead, but I’m still not going to tell you. Even if you start advising me of my legal obligations and so on.’
    Swift ignored the challenge. ‘Did you know Moira was pregnant?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘And that she was expecting twins?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Did she have any concerns about her pregnancy?’ he asked softly.
    ‘No more than every woman experiences,’ Serena Fox commented crisply.
    ‘Or about her marriage?’
    She jerked her head around and shot him a withering look. ‘I don’t know – and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you, not at this juncture anyway.’
    Swift got up. ‘You might be enforced to do so at some point, Dr Fox,’ he pointed out quietly.
    She rose too. ‘When that point comes I shall certainly take legal advice on the matter,’ she said. ‘But Moira’s killing might have nothing to do with the discussions she had with me. So what good do I do her by giving out information that might reach all and sundry? I mean no offence to you personally,’ she told Swift, ‘but you have responsibilities to your superiors and your press officers and what have you. Anything I say will be all over the media in the blink of an eye.’
    Swift did not bother to dispute this. ‘When did you last see Moira?’ he asked.
    ‘Last Friday. She came here for a consultation at four o’clock.’ Her eyes levelled with his. ‘And left around half past five.’
    ‘Thank you.’ He paused. ‘And could you tell me what were you doing, Dr Fox, between five-thirty and six-thirty yesterday morning?’
    For the first time there was a small flicker of uncertainty in Serena Fox’s ice-blue eyes. ‘I’m a poor