In Search of Murder--An Inspector Alvarez Mallorcan Mystery

by Roderic Jeffries

  ‘She hoped her behaviour would avoid my becoming aware of her true feelings.’

  ‘You say you learned the truth of the relationship from a third person whom you promised not to identify. Since you must realise that his or her identity will be important in a trial, would I be wrong to consider it possible there is no such third person and he or she has been introduced in order to conceal you have been guilty of conducting the investigation in a manner which is prejudicial to the reputation of the cuerpo?’

  ‘I have always been guided solely by that, señor.’

  ‘For the sake of everyone, I will accept your reassurance.’

  ‘Quite early in my enquiries, I leaned about a bitter row, almost violent, between the Picares, but at the time there was no reason to think this was caused by anything other than the señor’s womanizing. Then when the relationship between the señora and Rosalía became known, I remembered those rows and how bitter they had become and judged Picare had learned about his wife and Rosalía. A man from an ordinary background made wealthy by luck is going to be very conscious of his image as seen by friends and acquaintances, in particular those from grander backgrounds than his. He would be convinced they would laugh at him if they learned his wife was a lesbian carrying on an affair with his servant. He will have told his wife she had to get rid of Rosalía or he would divorce her and make certain she got as little of his money as possible.

  ‘The two women faced disaster. Cicely Picare was too old to return to a job in a bar, Rosalía with her cooking skills would find little difficultly in obtaining another job, but how likely was it that they would then be able to enjoy each other’s company?

  ‘Rosalía found the solution, but aware it would horrify Cicely, never discussed it. She subtly encouraged Picare, waited until Cecily was away for the day, suggested she and Picare had a swim together. To him, this would lead to a much desired conclusion. When it was too late, after she had lured him up to the deep end so that his head was just above water, she suddenly and violently, pulled him under.’

  ‘It has taken you a very long time to uncover the truth,’ Salas said.

  ‘Because she used every possible means in which to cover her guilt. She mentioned the regular visits of women, named several without admitting that the visits of two were perfectly moral. When I asked her to help me in checking the ability when in the kitchen to hear someone by the pool, she spoke only in a whisper. When I went to the pool, she lied and told me she had heard nothing.’

  ‘It has taken you a very long time to uncover the truth.’

  ‘But for the information I received after I had agreed never to reveal the name of the provider, señor, it perhaps never would have become known.’

  ‘Have you arrested Rosalía?’

  ‘I judge that at the moment there is not sufficient proof to do so and unless she confesses, there is unlikely to be enough in the future.’

  ‘You will question her again and obtain her confession. And in future, this will, hopefully, persuade you to accept my judgments. At the beginning of this investigation, I said that the motive for Picare’s murder would prove to be money, not sex as you so wrongly maintained.’

  ‘With respect, señor, it was sex that was the cause of the murder.’

  ‘Initiated and inflamed by the greed for money.’ Salas cut the connection.

  In the sharp sunshine, Vista Bonita could appear to be a home of taste, wealth and gracious living.

  Alvarez walked up to the front door, rang the bell. Marta opened the door. She seemed to be very nervous and chatted for a while before he asked, ‘Is Rosalía here?’

  ‘She … That is …’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘She … When I arrived, the house hadn’t been unlocked. I have a key to the back door. I found nothing had been prepared for the señora’s breakfast. Her bell kept ringing and I hurried up to her bedroom. She demanded to know why breakfast hadn’t been brought up to her. Rosalía’s missing. What am I to do? The poor señora is beside herself …’

  Alvarez sat in his office, a well-filled glass on the desk. The airport had rung back to report that Señorita Rosalía Mulet had left Palma airport and flown to Paris before any request had been made to block her departure.

  Salas would accuse him of incompetence. The moment he had learned of her disappearance, he should have reasoned she would try to flee Spain, unwilling to face the possibility there would be sufficient evidence to name her Picare’s murderer. He should have made contact with every channel of departure from the island and ordered her to be detained. Salas would list a dozen more things any other inspector would have done.

  He drank, lit a cigarette, considered matters. Should an inspector, appointed to serve the law, regarding its demands as sacrosanct, knowing it was all-embracing and designed to protect the many from the few, accept it was unable to prevent a man from using his wealth to persuade women to betray their marriages and the distress that his hunting must cause? Did justice not demand a man should be prevented from seeking fresh gratification from a young, naive teenager who was likely to become the first victim of many, since perversity fed on itself. Could justice be served by a crime?

  Salas would be outraged by the questions. Better not to try to justify any of the events which had led to Rosalía’s escape. A broad back was more worthwhile than an over-active conscience.

  Alvarez drank deeply, refilled the glass.