Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death (The Grantchester Mysteries)

about to be married in my church. I am here in confidence, to see how precarious their position might be, and if their wedding might need to be postponed. I am sorry for the trouble my visit may cause . . .’
    ‘It’s no trouble, of course. In fact, it’s a pleasure to see you, Canon Chambers,’ the coroner replied. ‘Only it’s far more agreeable to meet you on a cricket field than in these less congenial surroundings.’
    ‘Alas, we are still to see the spring,’ Sidney replied. ‘I look forward to long summer days and lengthening evening shadows; but until then we must set about our daily tasks. I imagine that there must be guidelines in these matters.’
    ‘There certainly are. Mrs Livingstone appears to have died several months sooner than might have been expected. If her death has been hastened, and in suspicious circumstances, then we have to investigate . . .’
    ‘It is the middle of winter, and Mrs Livingstone was a very elderly lady . . .’
    ‘Indeed, Canon Chambers, but, as you will no doubt know, perhaps even better than I do, that we are all God’s creatures, young and old alike . . .’
    ‘I am not saying . . .’
    ‘I know you are not. “To every time there is a season.” But where a man might propose, it is God who must dispose.’
    ‘I understand.’
    ‘It is a question of intent ,’ Derek Jarvis continued. ‘Did the doctor withhold or withdraw treatment? Did he allow Mrs Livingstone to die and, if he did so, was this in the patient’s best interests and in accord with her wishes?’
    ‘Mrs Livingstone was very weak. I am sure her daughter would have spoken on her behalf . . .’
    ‘I am afraid that is not the same thing; not the same thing at all . . .’
    ‘Yes, I can see,’ Sidney replied hesitantly. ‘But if Mrs Livingstone was in great pain . . .’
    ‘Then, of course, morphine may be administered. The exact quantity, however, must be examined.’
    ‘I am sure Dr Robinson knew what he was doing,’ Sidney replied.
    ‘I do not doubt. But what was he doing, and what did he intend to do ? His intentions in this matter are crucial. In addition to preventing pain, as I think you may know, morphine also reduces the depth and frequency of breathing and can therefore shorten a patient’s life.’
    ‘A side effect of the reduction of pain . . .’
    ‘Indeed, Canon Chambers. Forgive me if I am stating the obvious, but it is important that the moral principles are clear. I am sure you would agree.’
    Sidney admired the coroner’s methodical reasoning but worried that he might lack compassion.
    Derek Jarvis continued. ‘A death that occurs after the administration of morphine is a foreseeable effect, and in these cases, a doctor who gives morphine to a terminally ill patient in order to reduce suffering and foreseeing, though not intending, the earlier death of the patient, has not broken the law.’
    ‘That is good,’ Sidney replied quickly, relieved that there might be grounds for hope.
    ‘The quantity of morphine, as I say, has to be assessed and, of course we need to be sure that it was simply morphine that was administered rather than something more serious . . .’
    ‘Such as?’
    ‘Potassium chloride, for example. That is a very different substance altogether. Then it is no longer a matter of foreseeing the death but intending it. Again the matter of intent is crucial. It is a form of intervention where death, rather than the relief of pain, is intended . . .’
    Sidney tried to keep up. ‘It seems, however, that you can only gauge the level of intention by asking the doctor himself.’
    ‘That may be the case but as soon as potassium chloride has been administered, I am afraid that there is only so much a doctor can do to persuade us of his innocence.’
    ‘He may still be acting out of pity for his patient.’
    ‘It would be termed a mercy killing – which, of course, is technically murder,’ the coroner replied, as if Sidney had not thought of this. ‘And if there is any suspicion that this is indeed the case then a post-mortem will be required.’
    ‘Is that really necessary?’
    ‘I am afraid it is; so much so that I have already ordered one. The results will be due on Wednesday. Consequently I wouldn’t do too much about the wedding before then.’
    Sidney was disturbed by the coroner’s quiet impartiality. At the same time, he could see that anything more he might say could, potentially, jeopardise the future happiness of the