by Lee Wood
“Yes. The one on the left is Victor Athos and the other is Robin Longhurst.” Francis pointed across to a table on the other side of the restaurant. “They're antique dealers as well. We came here together. The truth is we just don't know how Peter finds, sorry found, his new stock. So we came here to see if we could figure it out. It's been driving us crazy for months."
“They will back up what I've told you. We would have no reason to harm Peter, he was a likeable person. Not a close friend but we got on.”
“Are you aware of anyone who might have wanted to harm Mr Winston-Moore?”
“No. I can’t think of anyone. The gentleman who is sitting over there.” Tack pointed across to a table some ten yards away situated by the window. “That’s Norman Gentle. He is, sorry, was, Peter’s live in partner. They have lived together for several years. He would know better than anyone if Peter had any enemies. He probably doesn't recognise any of us because we only tended to see Peter at fairs or auctions and Norman never seemed to attend any of those. But I recognise him because he runs Peter’s shop and from time to time we would visit and try to secretly find out any more info on what Peter was up to, so we’d see him in there. And Peter had talked about him and their relationship from time to time.”
“Thank you, Mr Tack. You’ve been extremely helpful. I would ask you don’t leave the hotel until we give you permission. As you can understand we need to contain things for now.”
“Yes, I quite understand.”
Francis looked relieved his ‘ordeal’ was over, at least for now.
Chapter Eighteen
INTERVIEW WITH TOBY GREEN AKA NORMAN GENTLE
DCI Stone decided the next person to interview would be the person pointed out by the antiques dealer. He looked down the list of guests but couldn’t see his name. He walked over to the table Francis Tack had pointed to.
Standing close to the man seated he smiled and said. “Hello, sir. I’m Detective Chief Inspector Andy Stone. Can I ask your name?”
“Oh yes, hello. My name is er, Toby Green.”
The DCI sat down at the opposite side of the table.
“Okay, Mr Green, the reason we are interviewing everyone is because a member of the hotel staff discovered a body early this morning and we’re treating the death as suspicious.”
Norman Gentle thought his fake identity was safe.
“So, Mr Green, This is purely routine. Can we start with your full name and address and then if you can you tell me the reason for your visit to this hotel?”
Norman’s voice was soft and unassured.
“Certainly. As I said, my name is Toby Green and my address is 12a Broadmere Gardens, South Kensington, London. I’m just visiting to get away for a few days’ to relax.”
“Mr Green, I wonder if you can provide a form of identity for me to check.”
“Oh, I have a business card. Would you like to see that?”
“Yes, that would be helpful but do you have a passport or driving licence or maybe a credit card with your name on it?”
“Er, I think I have something in my room.”
“That would be really helpful. As I say, it’s purely routine. However, I will need to send a uniformed officer with you as we have to preserve areas of the crime scene. I hope you understand?”
Norman walked off, closely followed by PC Pauline Underwood. His mind was racing to think of an excuse because he knew the only credit card he had was in his real name.
After pretending to look for the items, while the PC stood outside the room, he hid his wallet containing his credit card inside one of his shoes.
When he returned to the restaurant and sat back down opposite DCI Stone, he lied. “I’m very sorry but I appear to have lost my wallet. Surely my business card is enough?”
“Let’s come back to that later, sir. Can I ask you, the gentleman who we believe to be the deceased was a Peter Winston-Moore. Did you know him?”
“Er, no. The name doesn’t seem familiar. As I say, I’m just here for a few days’ rest.”
“Okay, sir. That’s fine. Would you mind sitting here for a minute? I just need to confer with one of my colleagues.”
DCI Stone walked over to his second-in-command.
“Eden, we’ve got a bit of a situation here. The guy I’m questioning at the moment says his name is Toby Green. He’s given me a business card in that name but can’t produce any other form of ID. The antique dealer I questioned before told me his name is,” Stone referred to his notes, “Norman Gentle and he was the victim’s boyfriend. When I asked him if he knew the deceased he said no. It sounds to me like we have a suspect. What are your thoughts on the way we play this?”
“If you want my opinion, guv, I think we should tell him someone has identified him and told us about the connection and see what he says. Why don’t I come over with you and we’ll see if we can get him to open up.”
“Hello, Mr Green. I’m DI Eden Gold and I’m second-in-command of this investigation. You've been talking to my boss. There seems to be a small misunderstanding and we wonder if you can help us clear it up. However, before you do I have to formally caution you. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand what I have just told you?”
Norman’s face went pale as he nodded.
DI Gold went on. “You see, one of the other guests has told us they recognise you as a Mr Norman Gentle and according to them, you know the deceased and have been in a relationship with him for some time. Would you like to confirm or deny this?”
“I’m so sorry, officer,” Norman said, lowering his head in what looked like shame. “I was upset by the whole situation and didn’t want to get involved. It has all come as a big shock. I just wanted time to think.”
You can understand from our point of view your actions make us suspicious. This is an extremely serious crime we're investigating. Based on what we now know, I’d like you to come down to the police station and give a formal statement and then hopefully we can clear this matter up. If you’ve nothing to hide then we can put this incident aside. I’d remind you that a man is dead in suspicious circumstances and we’re investigating the matter. By lying to us you have put yourself in the frame for this crime.”
Norman agreed to go to the police station. DI Eden Gold would accompany him together with PC Pauline Underwood. The DCI and the rest of the team would remain at the hotel and continue questioning the guests and staff members.
Chapter Nineteen
INTERVIEW WITH LATE ARRIVAL -
KATIE TAVISTOCK
Over on the other side of the dining room, Detective Sergeant Carla Parsons sat down to question one of the other guests, Katie Tavistock.
They ran through the usual questions and she gave the DS her driving licence and a credit card for the details to be noted.
"So, Miss Tavistock. Thank you for waiting. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time. I’m aware from my colleague you have a business appointment but as you can understand we have to cover everything. Can you tell me the reason for your stay at the hotel and everything you can recall since last night?"
“Yes. Right, Well. Let me see. I’m here on business to see a potential new client. I booked in late last night because there was a problem with the hotel in Pickstone. It wasn’t very clean and the bed was uncomfortable. But now, half of me thinks I should have stayed there.”
The policewoman nodded sympathetically. "I'm sure this has been upsetting and put your schedule back. As I say, we'll try to get everything done as quickly as possible so you can get on your way. You say you booked in late. Can you run me through from the time you arrived at the hotel?”
“Sure. I wasn’t happy with the hotel where I was staying so I did a Google search and found this place. The reviews were really good so I phoned and managed to book a room. I phoned at, let me just check my phone, oh yes, 8.37
and arrived here shortly before nine. I checked into my room and then came down for a glass of wine and sat at a table in the bar and did some work on my laptop. I went upstairs again just before ten thirty and got ready for bed. I’d had a long six-hour journey up from Falmouth and I was asleep within minutes. I had a 9 am appointment for this morning, which I’ve had to cancel under the circumstances. Luckily they said I can see them this afternoon at three.”
“That’s good. Now, your room is 109, opposite to the Trinity Suite, so did you see or hear anything in the night from when you went upstairs?”
“It’s funny you should say that. Yes, in the middle of the night I could have sworn somebody came into my room.”
“Someone came into your room? Did you see them or recognise them?”
“No. One second I was fast asleep and the next the light came on. I got the impression they didn’t expect me to be in there. I couldn’t see them because my eyes had been shut and I was dazzled by the light. By the time they adjusted I heard the light click off and the door shut. I assumed it was someone getting into the wrong room. I didn’t even think about it until later but surely they would need a key card. My brain didn’t react that quickly but I’m positive I didn’t dream it.”
“Was it a man or a woman?”
“I’m really not sure. As I say I was asleep and it all happened so quickly. It could have been either a woman or a man. I’m sorry.”
Did they say anything?”
“No I’m sure they didn’t. Not that I recall. Sorry I can’t be more help. All I can say is, I don’t think they expected the room to be occupied. It’s just an impression in my brain. I’m not sure why. I guess the way they wandered in.”
"Did you notice anything else last night? Was there anyone hanging around?"
"When I first came up to the room at nine, I saw a man walking down the hallway towards me. He looked like he was a guest as he had a suitcase but then I thought what an odd time to book out. I saw him sitting in the bar later and when he left I heard him say goodbye to someone who looked like one of the chefs. That must have been at around ten-fifteen, a few minutes before I went up to my room. As remember I heard the chef call him Kevin if that helps.”
"Would you recognise him again if you saw him?"
"Absolutely. He was a bit rough and someone you wouldn't forget easily.”
Carla smiled. “Thank you for all your help, Miss Tavistock. I’m sure we won’t keep you much longer but please have a seat for now.”
Chapter Twenty
Norman Gentle had been taken to Trentbridge Police Station and after being booked in with the custody officer he was led to a cell to await the arrival of a solicitor, which the police were arranging for him.
This gave Eden Gold time to visit the Major Incident room, which had been set up so he could start to plan the line of questioning and prepare the information to disclose to Norman’s solicitor before the interview and give him a chance to advise his client accordingly.
It took nearly two hours until a solicitor was able to attend. This had given Eden time to look at the evidence and prepare a set of questions.
He had also been in contact with the DCI back at the hotel and together with a member of SOCO they had been into Norman’s room and undertaken a search, revealing the wallet containing his credit cards hidden inside a shoe.
At 1.20pm DCI Stone arrived back at the police station to discuss the details of the forthcoming interview with his DI.
He told Eden the search had not revealed anything further in Norman’s room. There were no signs of the missing painting or any incriminating evidence and no sign of any blood stained clothing.
The interview with Norman Gentle started at 1.36pm.
DI Eden Gold started the recording: “Norman, just to remind you that you are still under caution.”
“In attendance are DI Eden Gold, PC Pauline Underwood as well as Norman Gentle and his solicitor Martina Fanshaw.”
“Norman, I may call you Norman, is that okay?”
Norman nodded.
“For the benefit of the tape, Norman has nodded. He agrees. Well, Norman, here’s the situation. You told DCI Stone your name was Toby Green and you showed him a business card with that name on it and gave an address in South Kensington in London. We’ve subsequently found out that was a lie and your real name is Norman Alan Gentle.
“You were also asked if you knew the deceased, Peter Winston-Moore, and you told DCI Stone you had never heard of him. Yet information we have leads me to believe he was your partner and you have lived together for some time. So it doesn’t look good, does it? We have a man stabbed to death and find you staying at the same hotel yet saying you’ve never heard of him. We have you registering at the hotel with a false name and address and then lying to a police officer. It looks to me as if you have something to hide and in some way you’re involved in this murder. Our forensic team are searching your room as we speak. What do you think they’ll find, Norman? Will they find evidence that you are involved? Why were you registered under a false name? This is your chance to explain your involvement. Did you kill him Norman? Did you stab your lover in a temper?”
Norman looked up for the first time since the interview had commenced. “No, I didn’t, I couldn’t harm Peter. I loved him.”
"Then tell me what happened."
“I admit I booked into the hotel using a false name. But that's because I suspected Peter of cheating on me after what I saw in London on Monday.”
“Okay, Norman. You need to tell me what this is all about. Why don't you start at the beginning and take it step by step. For your own sake, don’t leave anything out. Tell me the truth and we can clear up this matter. I want the complete truth, Norman.”
Norman explained how he had gone to the flower shop and then seen his partner kissing a young man and later discovered the booking at the hotel. He explained how he had decided to stay at the hotel using the name of his cousin so he could be there without his partner finding out and see if he really was cheating with someone else.
"So I booked into the hotel and caught the train after I closed the London gallery. I arrived at eight on Wednesday night."
“So what happened yesterday, Norman? Talk me through the details.”
“I know Peter, and he’s not an early riser so I went down to breakfast at eight and then back to my room. I had originally decided to wait until the evening to confront him but after breakfast I heard them in the hallway talking and laughing as they came past my room at around ten o’clock I opened my door a little and saw which room they went into. I waited a few minutes but things were just boiling up inside me so I went and knocked at the door and Peter answered. I burst in and saw the young man with his shirt off. I knew they were up to no good. He didn’t seem to know anything about me. He asked who I was. I told him Peter and I had lived together for six years and he seemed genuinely shocked. I told Peter he was a complete bastard and then I stormed out. I was so upset I went to the nearest pub and had several drinks. Then I walked around for some time. I didn’t know what to do. In the end I went back to the hotel. That must have been around six.
“I was going to leave this morning. I have an understanding auntie who I’m close to who lives in St Albans. I phoned her and explained what had happened and she said I could stay there for as long as I want.”
“I didn’t kill him. I couldn’t kill him or anyone else. It’s not in my nature. Even after all he’s done. I didn’t want to get involved. The whole episode was so hurtful. I just wanted to get to my auntie’s and have some time to think things over.” What Peter did tore me apart. And then to hear he had been murdered. I just wasn’t thinking straight. I wanted to get away as fast as possible and clear my head. That’s why I lied.”
Tears started to roll down Norman’s face and he sobbed loudly. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand until Eden passed him a tissue.
The DI waited until Norman regained his composure. "Okay, Norman. I understand thi
s is hard for you but I need you to concentrate. When you went into Peter’s room, did you see an easel with a painting on it?”
“Eh, yes I think so. It was in the corner of the room. I was only there for a few minutes and didn’t take much notice. I was so angry, you see.”
“One last question for now, Norman. You say you went back to the hotel around 6 pm. Can you tell me everything you did between then and when you came down to the restaurant this morning?”
“I had a meal brought up to my room at around eight and then I just sat and watched TV. I don’t recall which programmes apart from the news at ten. Oh, and I phoned my auntie. That must have been around nine. I went to bed just after eleven, and slept through until the knock on the door this morning. Then I overheard someone saying there had been a murder and they said Peter’s name.”
Eden looked up from the notes he had been making.
“Okay, Norman. Thank you for explaining the events to me. I hope you’ll understand we have to check out the details you have given us. I will need your aunt’s name, address and phone number. I will also need details of which pub you went to. In the meantime you’ll be kept in custody. I’ll make sure you get a drink and some food. We will try to get everything checked as quickly as possible. Obviously we all want to find whoever is responsible for this. Is there anything else you would like to tell me or do you have any information that will help us with our enquiries? Can you think of anyone who would have a motive for killing Peter?”
“No. No. I promise I’ve told you everything I can. I can’t think of anything else. I don’t know who would want to harm him.”
“One last thing, do you know the name of the boy you claim was in Peter’s room or can you give me any details about him?”
"No. The only time I had seen him before was in London, like I told you. I don't know his name or anything about him. He was around twenty-five. That's all I know."