D. - [Adam Dalgliesh 09] 203over the black waste of the river. At last, humbly, he had asked: 'What are you going to do?' 'Nothing. I had to see you to find out whether you've told the police, whether you propose to tell them. I was asked, of course, whether I'd seen anyone going into Innocent House. We all were. I lied. I lied and I'm proposing to go on lying, but it will be pointless if you've told them or are likely to lose your nerve.' 'No, I didn't tell them. I said I got home at the usual time, just before seven. I rang my wife as soon as I heard the news, before the police arrived, and told her to confirm that I was home on time if anyone rang to ask. It was lucky I was the first one in. I had the office to myself. I hated having to ask her to lie but she didn't think it mattered. She knew that I was innocent, that I hadn't done anything to be ashamed of. I'll explain more fully to her tonight. She'll understand.' 'you rang her before you knew that his death might be murder?' 'I thought it was murder from the start.
