He went over the charges in his head. He couldn’t think who he’d be accused of murdering: he’d never got his hands dirty. Nor could he think of one single link between him and Benji that would lead him to be accused of conspiracy to murder. The fraudulent activity was an open book. As soon as these oafs released him and he was sitting in front of somebody in a suit and a tie, he’d call his solicitor and secure his release.
Chapter 59
Matt and Kelly entered the interview room. This was the first time in three years that they’d interviewed a suspect together, and it felt odd to her.
So much for her weekend with Johnny.
Sebastian Montague-Roland sat tight-lipped and straight-backed. He looked proud and defiant, but also innocent and lost. They confirmed details for the tape and began the process of trying to get to the bottom of what role he had played in the whole affair.
‘You were there when it all happened, weren’t you, Sebastian?’
‘I beg your pardon?’ He’d waived his right to a lawyer, saying that he’d done nothing wrong. It was an unusual choice: high-profile suspects usually had a solicitor ferried to the interview room quicker than the coppers got there. Kelly carried on regardless, expecting him to change his mind.
‘We have a witness statement from another suspect, who has admitted to being present at Allerdale on the night of the murder of George Murphy. He says that a man matching your description was seen talking to George in the orangery.’
‘As if he could see me from there.’
‘From where? How do you know where he was standing?’
Sebastian put his head in his hands.
‘Do you know any of these men?’ Kelly spread out photographs of Leo Brown and the other three men who were in custody in London. They’d charged Denny Tapps with the actual murder.
‘No. I never got involved with any of Philip’s thugs.’
‘Philip’s thugs?’ Kelly and Matt exchanged glances.
‘You mean you think this was all me? My God! I’m just as much a victim as George!’
‘Could you explain?’
Sebastian sighed and hung his head. ‘Grandfather was old school.’ He looked between them and to the uniform at the door. ‘I’m gay, and my grandfather was devastated. So much so that when Philip threw oil on the flames, he changed his will.’
‘What did Philip do?’
‘He showed him photos.’
‘What photos?’
Sebastian glanced again to the policeman at the door.
‘Of me at the Montague Club with various lovers. The same room was always booked for me, you see, and I had no idea. My grandfather was furious. He called me an animal. I was lucky to have anything put in trust really.’
‘We’ve read the will. Why did your grandfather think you might decide to marry and settle down?’
‘He saw homosexuality as a disease that could be cured. I promised him it was a passing thing.’
Kelly felt sympathy for the man in front of them, but it still didn’t explain what had happened to George.
‘Why were you at Allerdale House on Sunday the second of June?’
‘I was negotiating with George. He understood my predicament and appreciated the unfairness of it all. Philip didn’t want George having any of my grandfather’s money because it would weaken his hand when he came to force George to hand over whatever he was working on.’
‘Did you know that the men who turned up were there to kill him?’
Sebastian hung his head again. ‘No, but I realised it after I’d heard what happened.’
‘And did George know he was in danger?’
‘I tried to get him to leave with me, but he was stubborn and proud. He didn’t believe anybody would sully Grandfather’s memory.’
‘So when did you leave?’
‘After I saw the men go. They really did say that they were surveyors. George had mentioned that Grandfather wanted to renovate the place but was too old. We discussed a leisure complex. I thought he’d called a firm of surveyors, and I guess he thought I had.’
‘And you lied to us because…?’
‘Philip still has footage of me.’
‘I see.’
‘Why was there no tribute to George at the alumni dinner on Wednesday?’ Matt threw in a hardball.
‘It wasn’t discussed. I don’t have the authority to…’
‘Or the courage?’ It was cruel but true. ‘You’re scared of Philip?’
Sebastian looked away. ‘Not scared, more beholden. I don’t want those pictures reaching the newspapers. My family is landed, titled and rich; it would be a juicy story for the gutter press.’
‘And your companion?’
‘He’s a waiter at the Montague Club. I thought we could move away together. I never imagined that anyone would turn up at Allerdale House looking for me.’
‘But you gave Graeme Millar a bloody job!’ Matt raised his voice. ‘Why? Wasn’t that a little risky?’
Sebastian blushed. ‘Graeme is a trustworthy man. I needed a local and I thought those thugs could turn up any time.’
‘Have you ever handled a weapon before today?’
‘Not that type of weapon.’
‘It’s really not the time for jokes.’
‘Well when is it the time? I’ve lied to the police, I’ve been arrested, my grandfather thought I was depraved, I’ve been disinherited—’
‘Actually, Sebastian, we located George’s will. It would seem that he wanted to do the right thing by you and didn’t entirely agree with your Grandfather. He had it amended just before he died. It states in an emergency clause that if he dies before you, the estate reverts to you in its entirety. It’s a bitter sweet discovery, given what happened.’
‘Are you toying with me, Officer?’ Sebastian asked seriously.
‘Nah, mate, we’re not,’ Matt said. ‘But you’re still under arrest for obstructing the course of justice and using an illegal firearm with intent to maim and kill.’
‘I never meant to hurt Graeme! It would have been a fucking miracle had I hit him.’
‘You can tell that to your lawyer. We’ll keep you in a cell here until your hearing tomorrow, and then you’ll probably be moved to Haverigg Prison to await trial. Unless you use your new-found wealth for bail, of course. You know, it would be an honourable gesture to donate some of that cash to the families of Emily Wilson and Mike Hudson.’
‘Who?’
‘George’s colleagues who were murdered. Do you know anything about that?’
‘No.’
‘What was discussed on your table at the alumni dinner?’
Sebastian looked nonplussed. Matt sighed and referred to his notes.
‘You were sitting with Philip Tooting, Christopher Slater and Colonel Benjamin Dansford.’
‘The same table that George was supposed to sit on, but his name was scribbled out,’ Kelly added.
‘I find those things a mighty bore, to be honest. What Philip says generally goes in one ear and out of the other.’
‘Why do you suppose Colonel Dansford committed suicide earlier today?’
‘What?’
‘We’ve got Slater in custody. Were you privy to the instructions to execute George and his colleagues?’
‘No!’
A uniform entered the room and asked if he could see Kelly outside. She excused herself and closed the door behind her.
‘Ma’am, we’ve received a message from the army base in Dhekelia, Cyprus. Alexandros Skarparis and his mother are both dead. Their bodies were found this afternoon. They were shot.’
‘Oh no.’ Kelly put her hand to her mouth. She went back into the room and beckoned Matt out.
‘What is it? You look ashen.’
‘Alexandros and his mother have been executed. Gunshots. We were too late. I think we have enough on Sebastian to let him sweat tonight. I want to know what Tooting and Slater have to say. Someone needs to pay for this, and with Dansford dead, I can see th
e others walking away because there’s no way to prove their hands were dirty. I also want to send officers to Cyprus. I don’t trust the army to get to the bottom of this.’
‘That’ll take time.’ Matt’s phone rang. He listened, nodded and thanked the person on the other end.
‘Lights still burning in Hendon?’ Kelly asked. He smiled and nodded.
‘One of the vehicles coming in the other direction when Miranda Cooper’s car was crushed by the Ravensword lorry had dash cam. We’ve got a picture of the driver.’
She gave him a high five. Some good news was welcome.
‘We can’t let these bastards walk, Matt.’
‘I know. Kelly, you look knackered. Why don’t you go home. I’ve got this. We’re as far as we can be at the moment.’
‘What about the interviews of Tooting and Slater; we need to get to them before their lawyers get them released.’
‘Let me worry about that. Even if I was in London, I’d still do it by video link.’
‘Where will you sleep?’
‘There are cells underneath this place?’
‘You can’t do that,’ she protested.
‘I’m joking. I’ve booked a hotel over the road – the Castle.’
‘Twat.’
‘Thanks, Kell.’
She glared at him. She was desperate to go home and pour a glass of wine. Emotion welled up inside her, and she didn’t want Matt to see her cry. She walked away and called Johnny on the way to her car. As soon as she heard his voice, she let everything out: the copper at the cottage in Bampton, Alexandros and his poor mother, Emily, Mike…
‘I’ll go to yours now. Josie has a friend over,’ he said.
She hung up and found a tissue in her bag.
Chapter 60
In Hounslow, as Matt watched via direct screening, Philip Tooting replied ‘no comment’ to every question posed to him, at the encouragement of his lawyer.
In Camberley, Christopher Slater was leaking like a faulty tap, giving so much away they could barely keep up. None of it was on Tooting. Instead, it focused on Dame Charlotte Cross. The commissioner informed Matt that he’d be separating the inquiries, and from now on, he himself would be heading the investigation into the conduct of the Permanent Under-Secretary.
Matt leaned forward and spoke to a closed-network microphone connected to the interviewing officers questioning Slater. ‘Ask him who his contact is at the Met.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Slater was trying to play them and assume the role of master puppeteer; dictating what information he should concede. Matt told the officer what to say next.
‘A mobile telephone found during a search of your property in Ascot, Surrey, revealed that an officer from the Metropolitan Police called your number, and received calls from you, twenty-three times over the past two weeks. Can you explain why that might be?’
Matt couldn’t imagine how shitty it had been for the officer who’d been tasked with dragging the sergeant in for questioning at Hendon, but the grim job had been carried out and it hadn’t taken long to establish sufficient evidence for a charge. He’d lose his job, he’d go down for sure, and he would probably never be trusted again. Idiot. Whatever the benefits, it was never worth it.
Matt left Slater’s investigation and turned back to Tooting’s.
‘Tell him that Ravensword have frozen his assets while they conduct a private investigation into abuse of company finances.’
For once, Tooting didn’t comment; not even to say ‘no comment’. Both Tooting and the solicitor next to him shifted slightly in their seats: Philip had chosen to use a Ravensword solicitor to represent him.
‘Tell the solicitor sitting next to him that he might want to call his boss – who is awake and expecting his call – to clarify whether he is to remain as Mr Tooting’s counsel tonight.’
At 1 a.m., both interviews were suspended and the suspects sent to cells to mull over their futures.
Matt checked on the status of Tilly Knight, who’d been taken to a local hospital. He thought he might take a wander over there. Sleep was out of the question, and he was curious to meet Graeme Millar. He turned off the monitoring equipment in the office at Eden House and looked around. This was Kelly’s empire, and he was envious of her. It was intimate, three-dimensional and real. Not that he disliked his own job – far from it – but this had the feel of an old-school investigative environment where officers chased leads and pulled in suspects face to face. He had to admit that his role in London could be soulless.
He grabbed his jacket and asked the staff downstairs at the front desk how he could get to the hospital. They arranged a car and he was soon on his way.
The town of Penrith was non-descript, he thought, and it was bloody cold despite the season. He arrived and found the relevant ward. He’d checked ahead that Graeme Millar was keeping a vigil on his new squeeze and had bedded down in the visitors’ room. He spoke to the sister in charge briefly and was told that Tilly was stable, with minor injuries: mainly shock and bruising. He was taken to the guest area and found a man dozing on an armchair, covered in a blanket. He stirred and sat up.
Matt held out his hand. ‘DCI Carter. I’m heading the investigation into Tilly’s assault.’
Graeme took his hand. They sized each other up.
‘I should never have left her,’ he said.
‘We all say that.’
‘Do you know what happened to the policeman who was injured? I’ve asked here but no one will tell me.’
‘He died, I’m afraid.’
‘Jesus. Poor bloke.’
‘And all for someone who wasn’t really involved,’ Matt added.
Graeme screwed his brow. ‘Who? Tilly?’
‘Yes. I was led to believe she didn’t know who was behind George’s murder, so whoever was sent after her was there on a very slim chance. Do you know what was on the laptop that was taken?’
‘No. Only that it was her work.’
‘Good job up at the big house, by the way. We took Montague-Roland in for questioning. Why do you think he allowed you access to the house? Wasn’t it risky?’
‘I don’t know. He wouldn’t be aware how well I know Kelly and Johnny. He also needed a local, and I know the area.’
‘Who’s Johnny?’
‘Kelly’s other half.’ Graeme watched the DCI when he said this, and wished for some reason that he hadn’t.
‘Has Johnny some relevance to the investigation?’ Matt asked.
‘No. I teach them both to sail. But Sebastian wouldn’t know that.’
‘The men you saw hanging around the house: could you ID them from some photos for me?’
‘Sure.’
Matt reached into his case and took out photographs of the suspects being held in London. They were in no particular order. Graeme positively ID’d Denny Tapps and Ken Chubb, then stopped on the photograph of Leo Brown.
‘You know him?’
‘Yeah, he was one of my young soldiers in the army. He’s involved, is he? He was always up to no good.’
‘I think you know the answer to that, Mr Millar. What about this one?’ Matt showed him a photograph of Colonel Dansford.
‘Dansford? Is he still serving? Jesus, he looks as though he’s put on a few stone.’
‘He committed suicide this afternoon.’
Graeme stared at him wordlessly.
‘It seems odd to me that no one ever saw George on the lake. He was spotted in a few shops and remembered fondly by the woman who owns the little shop in Portinscale. You work on the lake every day, and sail past the big house, but were unaware that anyone was there. You never saw a chimney smoking, lights burning or cars coming out of the lane; yet you did row up to the beach and saw several men up to no good, but failed to report it.’
‘No wonder Tilly came up here to hide rather than trust you lot. You finished?’ Graeme asked. The two men held each other’s stares. Matt broke away first.
‘Any id
ea where I can find this Johnny character?’ he asked.
‘You’ll have to ask Kelly. Goodnight.’ Graeme walked out of the room.
Matt left the ward and found the car waiting to take him back to his hotel opposite Eden House. He checked the investigation notes one last time before nodding off on top of the double bed, fully clothed, an empty beer bottle by his side.
Chapter 61
Kelly felt like her head was stuck to the pillow when her alarm woke her at seven o’clock on Sunday morning. Johnny lay beside her, wide awake.
‘How you doing?’ he asked. She’d been a mess last night. It had all come out, in an ugly, jumbled torrent of tears and snot. Johnny had listened; he’d held her and put her to bed. He hadn’t tried to solve it or make it all go away. He’d put no pressure on her to pull herself together or do anything other than melt down and burn out. It had felt good, but now, trying to muster the energy to face the chief constable and turn up for a day’s work filled her with dread. Her head was thick and her body ached with fatigue and exhaustion.
‘How bad do I look? We’ll take it from there. Pass me a mirror.’
‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’
‘Is it that bad?’
‘Nothing a strong coffee and some eggs won’t sort out. And loads of make-up.’
‘Thanks.’
‘How about we take some time off? I can arrange for Josie to go to her mum’s and we can go somewhere remote.’
‘But we’ve got our main holiday at the end of the year.’ They’d talked about taking a sailing trip along the Florida Keys for her fortieth and his fiftieth, though nothing had been booked yet.
‘I don’t think that’s going to come quickly enough.’
She thought about it, lying back on her pillow and yawning deeply. He had a point. When she was away, even if it was just on the boat on the lake, out of mobile phone reach, she did unwind. The commissioner in charge of Hendon had already said that the inquiry was being divided. Their side of things – the murders of George and his associates – was almost wrapped up.
Bold Lies Page 28