The Long Call

Still at the hospital, Jen listens to a conversation between Dorothy Venn, Matthew’s mother, and Susan Shapland. Dorothy notes that the place where Christine was found isn’t far from Dennis Salter’s house, but it is rather far from the Woodyard. The older women refuse to acknowledge that Dennis might have lied about where he last saw Christine, but Susan vows that for the time being, she will keep Christine away from everyone, including Dennis.

At the station, Matthew, Ross, and Jen share information. Matthew chastises Ross for not having made more progress on the topic of Simon’s finances, and Jen reveals that she saw Colin Marston at the Woodyard the previous day. Matthew goes to the Marstons to question Colin, who discloses that he teaches a naturalism class at the Woodyard; this is why he was there the day before. He also complains about the administration of the Woodyard, backhandedly blaming Jonathan for the Woodyard’s financial disarray. When Matthew returns to his car, he sees that he has missed a call from Maurice. Matthew heads to Maurice’s house, and the old man reveals that many years ago, when his wife was still alive, Grace Salter came to them one night with a bruised face.