Alistair Duncan leant against the corner of Lucy’s desk. The gnome was there, although today it was hard to see, as the policeman’s helmet which he wore obliterated both head and shoulders.
“What put you on to it?”
“The wobbly pole. As soon as I touched it, it was obvious it was loose. I then checked the angle which was needed to pull the pole, to bring the overhead cable into contact. That led me to the holes in the wall. After that, it was easy. You’d never see a rope trailing across that site. I imagine Cowle had some type of slip knot at the base of the pole or, more likely, simply freed the rope when he was on site. It would be the work of a second.”
“Are the Regal Provident happy?”
“I’ll say. They don’t have to pay out now. Even after they pay my bill, we’ve saved them a fortune. You see, their policy indemnified Cowle against accidents involving employees at work. This was no accident. It was a deliberate, premeditated murder and so Cowle is personally liable to compensate June Hillyer. Like Dwight Riley, she’s also got a claim against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, but I expect her claim will be reduced on the grounds of her husband’s provocation by blackmail. I’m glad I’m not going to have to sort that one out.”
“There’s plenty of other new cases. Sarah’s been on the phone. Some trouble with one of the ships. Can you ring her? That’s if you’ve finished playing Fabian of the Yard.”
Alistair Duncan started to leave. “Tell her I’ll ring later. I’ve got to visit Dwight Riley first. He’ll be in hospital for a while.” He wasn’t looking forward to it.
“Oh, by the way,” Lucy called after him. “Dacombe phoned to say that Ronnie Arnold’s kitchen was full of pheasants. It seems he’s been doing more than a spot of poaching recently.”
“If he asks me to defend him, tell him I’m out.”
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The Scaffold: The sensational legal thriller everyone's talking about (Alistar Duncan Series Book 3) Page 12