‘Argued about his father’s will? About his father’s intention to change that will and disinherit the defendant?’
‘Yes. The defendant told me they talked about the will but that their main argument was over the defendant’s need for money.’
‘Which his father was reluctant to give him.’
‘Yes . . .’
Trave seemed to want to answer more fully, but Thompson gave him no opportunity. ‘The defendant told you in interview that he became very angry with his father. Isn’t that right, Inspector?’ asked the prosecutor.
‘Yes.’
‘The defendant admitted to shouting at Professor Cade that he deserved to die.’ The pace of Thompson’s questioning continued to pick up speed.
‘Yes.’
‘And then he told you that he left the study and went for a walk. That’s what he said, wasn’t it, Inspector?’
Thompson asked the question in a rhetorical tone that made it quite clear what he, at least, though of Stephen Cade’s alibi.
‘He said he walked up to the main gate and came back to the study about five minutes later, when he found his father murdered.’
‘Yes. Now, Inspector, did you find any footprints to support Stephen Cade’s account?’
‘No. But I wouldn’t have expected to. The courtyard is stone and the drive is tarmac.’
‘All right. Let me ask you this, then. Did you find any witnesses to back up his story?’
‘No. No, I didn’t.’
‘Thank you. Now one last question,’ said Thompson, smiling as if he felt he’d saved his best for last. ‘Did you find any of the defendant’s belongings in the study?’
‘We found his hat and coat.’
‘Ah, yes. Where were they?’
‘On a chair beside Professor Cade’s desk.’
‘And the professor himself. Where was his body in relation to this chair and in relation to the entrance doors to the room? Can you help us with that, Inspector?’
‘Why don’t you give the jury a chance to look at all this on the floor plan, Mr. Thompson?’ said the judge, interrupting. ‘It might make it clearer.’
‘Yes, my lord, I should have thought of that. Members of the jury, if you look at the plan, you can see the courtyard is enclosed on three sides by the main part of the house and its two wings. Professor Cade’s study is the last room on the ground floor of the east wing. It faces into the courtyard, and you can see the French windows marked. The internal door in the corner of the room opens out into a corridor which runs the length of the east wing. You can take it up from there, Inspector,’ said Thompson, turning back to his witness.
‘Yes. The deceased was seated in one of the two armchairs positioned in the centre of the study, about midway between the two entrances,’ said Trave, holding up the plan. ‘The desk and the chair with the defendant’s hat and coat were further into the room.’
‘So the professor was between the doors and the defendant’s hat and coat?’
‘Yes. That’s right.’
‘Thank you, Inspector. That’s what I wanted to know. No more questions.’
Thompson sat down with a self-satisfied expression on his face and stole a glance at the jury. He knew what the jurors must be asking themselves: Why would Stephen Cade have gone for a walk at half past ten at night? And if he did, why didn’t he take his hat and coat? It was obvious he hadn’t been wearing them, because not even he could pretend that he put them back on the other side of his dead father’s body on his return.
No, the truth was inescapable. Stephen Cade never went for any walk at all. He was in the study the whole time, arguing with his father about his will, threatening him, and finally killing him with a pistol that he had brought along for that precise purpose.
Then, the next day, he’d told the police a ridiculous story in order to try to save himself. But it wouldn’t wash. With a little help from the prosecution, the jury would see right through it. It’d find him guilty, and then Judge Murdoch would make him pay for what he’d done. With his neck.
About the Author
Simon Tolkien is the grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien. After studying modern history at Oxford he went on to become a barrister specializing in serious crime. He now lives in California with his wife and their two children.
www.simontolkien.com
Also by Simon Tolkien
Final Witness
The Inheritance
Copyright
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This edition 2012
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First published in the USA by Minotaur Books 2011
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Copyright © Simon Tolkien 2012
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The King of Diamonds Page 42