No Known Grave by Maureen Jennings

would say that eight of the men are clearly incapable, because they are either blind or unable to walk. In some cases, both.”
    Tyler took out his notebook and pencil. “What about the women?”
    “One is blind. One has partial sight and is mobile. The other two are afflicted with severe psychosomatic troubles and are confined to wheelchairs.”
    “But physically there’s nothing wrong with them?”
    “I suppose you could say that.”
    Tyler chewed on his pencil for a moment. “If I’ve done my arithmetic properly, I count eight able-bodied people. Five of them are men.”
    “Technically speaking there are five, but as with our two female patients, two of the men have psychosomatic illnesses that incapacitate them.”
    “But there is no physical injury? They can see and they can walk if they have to?”
    “Yes.”
    Sorry, Sister, I know you are being loyal and protective of your patients, but at the moment, they are all suspects. That’s how it goes with a murder investigation .
    “Other than the front and back doors, are there any other entrances to the hospital?”
    “There is a door on the east side. It was originally reserved for the servants, who slept on the second floor. The stairs from those quarters lead into a passageway that can be accessed through here.” She pointed to the door just a few feet behind where they were standing.
    “Do you use that door?”
    “Hardly ever. It’s kept locked. We try to keep a close eye on the comings and goings of our residents and prefer that those who can walk make use of the main staircase.”
    “And if they can’t walk?”
    “We have a small lift. We were able to open the original dumb waiter in the kitchen. It’s a bit inconvenient because it means the access is from there – and we weren’t able to install it all the way up. The women patients have to be helped down to the second floor, but it’s still a godsend.”
    Tyler made a note. “So I’m counting three common entrances and exits then? Front, rear, and side doors. If we include the French doors of the consulting room and this fire escape, we actually have five.”
    She inhaled sharply. “Yes, you’re quite right. I wasn’t thinking of the latter.”
    “Who has the side door key?”
    “It is kept in the nurses’ desk.”
    Tyler looked down the hall again. “I don’t see how any of the men on this floor could have got out without the night duty sister seeing them.”
    “I agree.”
    Tyler stowed his notebook.
    “Can I take a quick gander at the bedrooms?”
    “Of course.”
    “Let’s start with the one closest to the fire escape.”
    They walked to the end of the hall and she ushered him into a large room. There were three beds, two mahogany wardrobes, and a commodious matching dresser. The windows were long and elegantly curtained, the wallpaper floral.
    Tyler whistled through his teeth. “Are all the rooms this posh?”
    “They are,” she answered with a little smile. “As you can see, we have retained the original plush wallcovering. It was in good condition and we saw no reason to replace it. For obvious reasons, we call this the purple room. All of the carpets have been removed so that those who need wheelchairs can get around more easily. I’m afraid the beds haven’t been made yet.”
    “Understandable,” Tyler murmured.
    He walked over to the windows and pushed one open. From here, he could see both the McHatties’ cottage and Mrs. Fuller’s cottage. By leaning far forward he could even glimpse the nuns’ quarters. Between the two cottages was a pigeon coop. Even as he watched, a bird flapped to a landing on the protruding ledge.
    He turned back to the almoner and took out his notebook again.
    “Who is in this room?”
    “Do you want me to name each of them or only those who can get around unaided?”
    He shrugged. “Might as well give me the lot.”
    “Eddie Prescott is by the window. A former gunner, who is blind, without nose or lips. The result of a crash and