by Mike Hollow
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
As soon as Conway had left the office to fetch Beryl, Jago ran an eye quickly over the papers on the desk, but he saw nothing of interest. He imagined the manager would send a page boy to find her rather than trouble himself, so he refrained from moving anything in case Conway returned too soon.
‘So do you think Beryl really could’ve been in on the job?’ said Cradock in a hushed, conspiratorial voice. Jago thought this unnecessary, since Conway had closed the door behind him, perhaps not wanting passing members of staff to see the two police officers back to interview him again.
‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘But I’m certainly going to ask her.’
Their conversation was terminated by Conway’s return, followed by Beryl Hayes.
‘Thank you, Mr Conway,’ said Jago. ‘Would you mind leaving us for a few minutes? We won’t be long.’
Conway opened his mouth as if to object, but appeared to change his mind. He marched out of the office without a word and closed the door behind him with a little more force than before.
‘What is it, Inspector?’ said Beryl, standing before the detectives in her usherette’s uniform.
‘As you may know, we’re investigating not only the death of your sister but also a theft that occurred here at the cinema on the same night.’
‘I had heard about a break-in – someone blew the safe, didn’t they?’
‘That’s right. Now, I’d like to ask something, and please think carefully. Do you know anything at all that might shed some light on that incident?’
‘No, I don’t. I mean, I was here that evening – I told you that, didn’t I? With my boyfriend, not on duty. But I thought they said the break-in was later, during the night. I’d gone home by then.’
‘Yes, but are you aware of anything that happened before or after that time that might help us?’
‘No, I’m sorry. Why would you think I did?’
‘Did anyone ask you about the layout of the cinema – where the offices were located, for example?’
‘No. Who’d be interested in that? I mean, people sometimes ask where the toilets are, or the cloakroom, but those are pretty obvious – there are signs up.’
‘What about the manager’s office?’
‘That’s different – there’s no sign on his door, but then I suppose he likes his privacy. So would I, I think, if I had to deal with all the customers’ gripes. Martin took a dislike to something and wanted to complain to the manager, so I told him where to go, although I don’t know whether he went or what it was exactly he wanted to complain about. But I can’t think of anyone else wanting to know.’
‘This would be your boyfriend, Martin Sullivan.’
‘That’s right.’
‘I see. Has anyone ever asked you to supply them with a key to the cinema?’
‘Certainly not, and I wouldn’t have one to give them anyway.’
‘Has anyone asked you to do anything that might’ve helped them to break into the cinema?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘And do you know whether anyone approached your sister Joan with the same intention in mind?’
‘No. What are you trying to suggest?’
‘We’re just examining possibilities, Miss Hayes. There’s a chance that the thieves might’ve tried to gain information from someone who worked here, so we’re just checking.’
‘Well, no one’s asked me, and I wouldn’t have told them if they had. And the same goes for my poor sister, I’m sure. She needed that job. She’d moved out of Audrey’s house and had to pay her rent, and find money for her lessons. They weren’t cheap, from what I gathered.’
‘Lessons?’
‘Singing lessons. She had a good voice, always used to sing around the house when I was a kid. When she got married she didn’t seem to sing so much, but lately she got interested in it again, even joined the local dramatic society so she could be in one of those romantic Ivor Novello musicals. Careless Rapture, I think it was. Silly, maybe, but I think she’d seen that girl from East Ham singing everywhere, making records and on the wireless. What’s her name?’
‘Vera Lynn?’
‘That’s the one. I think Joan reckoned if a girl from East Ham could do that, a girl with the right voice from West Ham could too. I think she felt trapped, you see, and she was desperate to do something about it. She felt like a prisoner in Audrey’s house, and when Richard was reported missing she grabbed her chance to move out.’
‘And did she feel trapped in her marriage too?’
‘That’s not for me to say, but I got the feeling she was beginning to think that way. Whether she’d had enough of Richard or not, I think she wanted to escape, and becoming rich and famous was about the only chance she’d have of doing that. Like I said, it was probably a silly idea, but she’d started having singing lessons, and they didn’t come cheap.’
‘Do you know who was teaching her?’
‘No, she didn’t say.’
‘Do you think she might’ve been tempted to disclose information about the cinema if someone had offered her money?’
‘Never. She might’ve been silly and romantic, but she was an honest girl.’
‘Thank you, Miss Hayes. You’ve been most helpful.’
‘You don’t think Joan had anything to do with those safe robbers, do you?’ said Beryl, looking anxious.
Jago gave her a brief smile. ‘That will be all, thank you. You can get back to your duties now.’
Beryl waited for a moment, as if expecting Jago to go on, but when he didn’t she turned on her heel and left the room.
As soon as she’d gone, Conway scurried back into the office and closed the door.
‘So did she have anything to do with it?’ he asked, his eyes probing Jago’s face for signs of a reaction.
‘It’s too early to say,’ Jago replied. ‘But thank you for your cooperation. It’s much appreciated.’
Jago led Cradock out of the office, leaving Conway staring silently at their backs.
CHAPTER FORTY
The sun had come out while they were in Conway’s windowless office, and when the cinema’s front doors swung shut behind them it was for a moment dazzling. Jago stood still, shading his eyes with his right hand. When they had adjusted to the light he glanced to one side, then nudged Cradock’s arm.
‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Look who we’ve got here.’
Cradock followed the direction in which Jago was looking and saw a man in the uniform of a Royal Navy seaman studying a poster displayed outside the cinema. From his side view of the man’s face he recognised him immediately, as had his boss.
‘Hello, Ernie,’ said Jago, walking up to the man.
Ernie Sullivan turned round to see who had greeted him.
‘Oh, hello, Inspector. I didn’t expect to see you here.’
‘Nor I you. Checking the programme, are you?’
‘That’s right. I’ve got to get back to my ship the day after tomorrow, and I fancied seeing a movie before I go, so I thought I’d see if there was anything good on here tonight or tomorrow. Looks like there isn’t, though.’
‘Shame. But since you’re here, I wonder if I might ask you a quick question.’
‘Be my guest.’
‘It’s about last Sunday. Could you possibly clarify a couple of small points for me about when you got home that night?’
‘Sure. Fire away.’
‘You said you went to bed soon after you got home, yes?’
‘That’s right.’
‘You didn’t mention whether that was in the house or in the shelter. Can you tell me which it was?’
‘Yes. It was, er … It was the shelter.’
‘And you said your father was at home when you got in, but you didn’t mention your brother. Was Martin at home too?’
‘Er, I’m not sure.’
‘Not sure? Those Anderson shelters aren’t exactly spacious, are they? Surely you’d remember whether there were
three of you tucked up in there together or only two?’
‘Yes, but I, er … Look, that was Sunday and now it’s Thursday, and to be honest, I’ve been doing quite a lot of meeting up with old pals and having a few drinks, if you know what I mean, making the most of my leave, so I might’ve got a bit muddled up. But yes, now I remember – I know Martin was at home. Yes, definitely – he was.’
‘You’ll have to do better than that, Mr Sullivan.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean I don’t believe you. I don’t think you’re telling me the truth, and there’s something you need to understand. I don’t like lying, and I don’t like perjury, especially when the person who I think is lying to me is wearing the king’s uniform. I expect the navy would take a dim view of that too.’
‘Perjury? This isn’t about me, is it? Is this something to do with Joan getting murdered? Are you saying my dad and Martin are mixed up in that?’
Jago ignored his questions. ‘This is about you, Mr Sullivan – it’s about you giving me the truth. So I’ll ask you again – are you really sure Martin was at home? Sure enough to give evidence to that effect in a court of law? Or is this just a story you’ve cooked up with your father and brother? You see, I think it is, and I think you just didn’t cook it up in enough detail to make it plausible. Now, what’s the truth?’
Ernie seemed uncertain how to respond. He chewed his lip nervously before blurting out his reply. ‘Look, Inspector, this is difficult for me. Believe me, I didn’t want to … It’s just that I didn’t know how to …’ His voice trailed off uncertainly.
‘You didn’t want to what?’
‘I didn’t want to get involved. Look, I’ve grown up in a family that hasn’t always stuck to the straight and narrow. You understand me? In that kind of family you learn to cover for each other. But I’m not a crook, I swear it, and I don’t want to be one. And anyway, if you think I was up to something illegal with those nylons you’ve got it wrong – I bought them and sold them, and I gave away more than I sold.’
‘So perhaps you can reconsider what you’ve said and tell me exactly what did happen when you got home on Sunday evening. First of all, was your father in?’
‘Yes, it was like I said – Dad was at home.’
‘And your brother?’
‘No, Martin wasn’t in. But I don’t know where he was or what he was doing.’
‘And you went to bed soon after you got home, in the Anderson shelter, as you said.’
‘That’s right.’
‘What time was that?’
‘About half past ten, I should think.’
‘And your father went to bed in the shelter too?’
‘No. He said he was going to stay up a bit longer. I didn’t hear him come into the shelter, but then I usually go off to sleep pretty quickly – when you’re in the navy you learn to sleep anywhere and any time. I did wake up once, though, when the bombs were landing a bit close, and I checked the time – it was getting on for midnight. There was still no one else in the shelter then, but when I stirred again a bit later they were both there, in their beds.’
‘Your father and your brother?’
‘That’s right. They must’ve come in sometime after midnight.’
‘Thank you, Mr Sullivan. Are you expecting to see them today? I’d like a word with them.’
‘You’re not going to tell them what I’ve just said, are you?’
‘Only if I have to. The fact that they weren’t in when they told me they were doesn’t necessarily mean they were involved in criminal activity. But if I find they’ve been up to no good somewhere else, what you’ve said could become relevant to my enquiries.’
‘I just don’t want them to think I’ve shopped them. But seriously, Inspector, believe me, they’re not murderers.’
‘I haven’t said they are, Mr Sullivan. I just want to speak to them.’
‘All right. Dad didn’t mention where he was going, but he said he’d only be out for a couple of hours. I don’t know when Martin’s planning to get back.’
‘Very well, that will be all for now. I’ll see them later. In the meantime, perhaps you’ll find something more to your taste at a different cinema.’
Cradock glanced back over his shoulder as they returned to the car, noting that Ernie Sullivan had set off in the opposite direction to their own.
‘Do you think he’ll tip his dad off, sir? Or his brother? If he does, it’ll give them a chance to make up a new alibi before we see them.’
‘Maybe, but I’d be surprised if those three managed to concoct anything half convincing, judging by their performance to date. What did you make of Ernie’s version of events?’
‘He was struggling, wasn’t he? Couldn’t get his story straight. He didn’t know what his dad and Martin had told us, so he couldn’t work out whether he was getting it right or not.’
‘So what does that tell us?’
‘Well, I still think all three of them were mixed up in that safe-breaking. I told you I reckoned that story of them all being in the shelter together all night was a bit too convenient, didn’t I?’
‘Yes, and now that alibi looks decidedly feeble. If Ernie’s saying he was alone in the shelter until after midnight, his dad and his brother have no one to testify that they couldn’t have been in the cinema at the time Wilson says he heard the blast.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Mind you, of course, if George and Martin weren’t in that shelter from half past ten or so until after midnight, it means Ernie doesn’t have an alibi for that time himself, does he?’
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Jago noticed Cradock rubbing his stomach with one hand, a pained expression on his face, just as a lorry lumbering past down Windmill Lane made a particularly grinding gear change.
‘Is that you making that noise, Peter?’ he said. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing, sir. Just feeling a bit peckish. I wondered whether we might be going back to the nick soon for a bite to eat.’
‘Not yet,’ said Jago, climbing into the car. ‘I’m interested in those singing lessons of Joan’s that Beryl mentioned. I’m just wondering who her teacher was, and I think it might be worthwhile making a slight detour via the park, so jump in.’
Ignoring Cradock’s sigh of disappointment, he drove east down Stratford Broadway and on into Romford Road, then took a turning on the right towards West Ham Park. He pulled up a little short of the park itself.
‘Here we are,’ he said. ‘Out you get.’
With Cradock in his wake he strode up to a green door and knocked on it. After a short wait the door creaked open, and a man greeted them with a smile.
‘Hello, Inspector. How nice to see you.’
‘Good afternoon, Mr Ballantyne. I’d like a quick word, if that’s all right.’
‘Of course. Come in.’
They followed him into the living room.
‘Have you come about your father?’ said Ballantyne. ‘I’ve been thinking about him a lot since you called yesterday, and about the good times we had.’
‘No, I haven’t.’
‘I’m afraid my wife’s just slipped out to the shops somewhere, and I’m not sure where she’s gone or when she’ll be back, but I can make you a cup of tea if you’d like one.’
‘No, thank you. We shan’t be here for long.’
‘Very well, but take a seat at least. How can I help you?’
‘It’s about Joan Lewis,’ said Jago, easing himself onto the comfortable sofa. ‘When we were here yesterday in connection with her murder your wife told us she’d met Joan, but you didn’t mention whether you knew her yourself.’
‘Yes, that’s right. But if I recall correctly, I don’t believe you asked me, Inspector. You seemed to be more interested in my wife’s seances.’
‘Your wife mentioned that you coach young girls who want to be singers.’
‘That’s correct.’
‘It’s come to my attention since
then that Joan Lewis was having singing lessons. I’d just like to know whether she was getting those lessons from you.’
‘Ah,’ said Ballantyne. ‘Yes, well, I was rather afraid you might ask that question at the time, but you didn’t, so I, er … well, I suppose I thought I would let that particular sleeping dog lie.’
‘Why?’
‘It was the judgement of an instant, Inspector, the spur of the moment. Had I reflected for a second longer, I might have ventured the information, but I didn’t, and alas, there it is.’
‘So you were giving Joan singing lessons?’
‘Yes, I was.’
‘But why did you prefer to conceal it?’
‘I was afraid there might be a misunderstanding. I suppose I was just nervous about what questions you might ask.’
‘You mean you had something to hide?’
‘Not from you, Inspector, not from you. But you will recall that my wife was present.’
‘So?’
‘Vera means the world to me. I’ve come to depend on her for everything – the truth is, I’d be lost without her. I’ve always loved her, since first I saw her, but in the theatre there are many temptations, and when I was a younger man I, er—’
‘You succumbed?’
‘Let’s just say that I didn’t always make the wisest of choices. But I assure you, all that was a very long time ago, and she forgave me, and I’ve been faithful to her ever since.’
‘So what did you have to worry about?’
‘When you were with us she made some comment to the effect that it’s strange how a young woman can fall for a man old enough to be her father, and I remember wondering why she’d said that. I thought perhaps she suspected me of improper behaviour, that she didn’t trust me, and I was afraid there might be other things you knew about Joan that would make my innocent lessons seem compromising in some way.’
‘You mean you were aware of something potentially compromising about Joan?’
‘No, of course not. I didn’t know anything about Joan’s private life. I was just worried what you might come out with, and I thought the simplest thing would be to keep out of it.’