have to take Mrs. Connor to the station.’
He couldn’t do that, could he?
‘The line of questioning you have been taking means, Inspector Edwards, that there is a conflict of interest in my representing Mrs. McAllen-Connor any longer while also representing my client, Mr. Connor. So you will have to wait for her own solicitors even if you take her to the station,’ Harry explained.
Good. The position Harry had likely agreed to take to buy Caitlin the time she needed.
‘Besides, Caitlin’s father, Mr. Douglas McAllen, will also be here tomorrow afternoon. No doubt you would like the chance to interview him also.’ Harry sweetened the deal. He would deliver two for the price of one.
Edwards took the bait.
‘Very well, Mr. Stavers. We shall be here tomorrow afternoon to continue the interviews of both Mrs. McAllen-Connor and Mr. Douglas McAllen.’
Edwards picked up the slab of papers that had lain ominously on the coffee table since its startling appearance, and stood up. Hansen followed suit and gathered up her files.
‘In the meantime, I’m going before a Magistrate to get an extension to the time I can keep Mr. Connor detained.’ Edwards threw his trump card on the table: the sooner they cooperate, the sooner Jack might get out of custody.
‘Two-thirty p.m. again, please, Chief Inspector. Their flight arrives late tomorrow morning at the Southampton airport.’ Harry stood back and let Edwards and Hansen walk out.
‘Jeremy.’ Harry briefly took him aside once they reached the hallway, letting the officers walk ahead. ‘I’m going to accompany Edwards to the police station to have a word with Jack, and then I shall be heading home. I’ve agreed to be here again about 12 noon tomorrow to advise Mr. McAllen and to sit in on the interviews. I could give you a ride home, but Caitlin would like you to stay. I know Jack does too.’
Jeremy nodded as he accompanied Harry and followed the officers out to their vehicles. He owed Jack what little he could do to help. Besides, things were happening out here and he was curious. With an empty portfolio of engineering projects, he had fuck all to do back in his office. It was a good excuse to drop by Maggie’s place while he was in the area. He also wanted the opportunity to at least speak to Jack in private before he left. It was clear, however, there was no chance of getting Jack out of custody that evening either. Jeremy sighed.
CHAPTER 8
Saturday, October 16 — One Day Later
What a day it had been! Right through the eventful afternoon Jeremy had sipped two cups of tea and many glasses of water and wine. A touch of a headache at his temples was threatening a full on migraine. He needed a splash of icy water on his face and two paracetamol. He rushed into the guest washroom even before the cars pulled off, not stopping to close the front door. He was about to turn the washroom light on when Caitlin’s voice, hushed but clear words, came in through the washroom door that was still ajar. Something in her tone, a hint of secrecy and panic, made him freeze.
‘Listen. The police have some of your reports, K.C. I hid a few copies in the attic and there was no time to get rid of them. I didn’t think anybody would find them there.’
So Caitlin had commissioned the reports! There was a pause. K.C., whoever he was, was assessing the information.
‘No, there are no other records linked to you in the house. Even my calls to you have all been through this pay-as-you-go mobile only and I’ve kept this phone on me. The calls were always to your disposable mobile anyway.’
More silence as Caitlin listened to K.C. at the other end of the line. This was getting more intriguing by the second.
‘Very well, I shall get rid of the SIM chip at once, stick it in some cheese and flush it down.’
Jeremy held his breath. She could walk in here to flush down the mobile phone SIM any moment.
‘Listen, K.C., many of your original reports are in my office at
He couldn’t do that, could he?
‘The line of questioning you have been taking means, Inspector Edwards, that there is a conflict of interest in my representing Mrs. McAllen-Connor any longer while also representing my client, Mr. Connor. So you will have to wait for her own solicitors even if you take her to the station,’ Harry explained.
Good. The position Harry had likely agreed to take to buy Caitlin the time she needed.
‘Besides, Caitlin’s father, Mr. Douglas McAllen, will also be here tomorrow afternoon. No doubt you would like the chance to interview him also.’ Harry sweetened the deal. He would deliver two for the price of one.
Edwards took the bait.
‘Very well, Mr. Stavers. We shall be here tomorrow afternoon to continue the interviews of both Mrs. McAllen-Connor and Mr. Douglas McAllen.’
Edwards picked up the slab of papers that had lain ominously on the coffee table since its startling appearance, and stood up. Hansen followed suit and gathered up her files.
‘In the meantime, I’m going before a Magistrate to get an extension to the time I can keep Mr. Connor detained.’ Edwards threw his trump card on the table: the sooner they cooperate, the sooner Jack might get out of custody.
‘Two-thirty p.m. again, please, Chief Inspector. Their flight arrives late tomorrow morning at the Southampton airport.’ Harry stood back and let Edwards and Hansen walk out.
‘Jeremy.’ Harry briefly took him aside once they reached the hallway, letting the officers walk ahead. ‘I’m going to accompany Edwards to the police station to have a word with Jack, and then I shall be heading home. I’ve agreed to be here again about 12 noon tomorrow to advise Mr. McAllen and to sit in on the interviews. I could give you a ride home, but Caitlin would like you to stay. I know Jack does too.’
Jeremy nodded as he accompanied Harry and followed the officers out to their vehicles. He owed Jack what little he could do to help. Besides, things were happening out here and he was curious. With an empty portfolio of engineering projects, he had fuck all to do back in his office. It was a good excuse to drop by Maggie’s place while he was in the area. He also wanted the opportunity to at least speak to Jack in private before he left. It was clear, however, there was no chance of getting Jack out of custody that evening either. Jeremy sighed.
CHAPTER 8
Saturday, October 16 — One Day Later
What a day it had been! Right through the eventful afternoon Jeremy had sipped two cups of tea and many glasses of water and wine. A touch of a headache at his temples was threatening a full on migraine. He needed a splash of icy water on his face and two paracetamol. He rushed into the guest washroom even before the cars pulled off, not stopping to close the front door. He was about to turn the washroom light on when Caitlin’s voice, hushed but clear words, came in through the washroom door that was still ajar. Something in her tone, a hint of secrecy and panic, made him freeze.
‘Listen. The police have some of your reports, K.C. I hid a few copies in the attic and there was no time to get rid of them. I didn’t think anybody would find them there.’
So Caitlin had commissioned the reports! There was a pause. K.C., whoever he was, was assessing the information.
‘No, there are no other records linked to you in the house. Even my calls to you have all been through this pay-as-you-go mobile only and I’ve kept this phone on me. The calls were always to your disposable mobile anyway.’
More silence as Caitlin listened to K.C. at the other end of the line. This was getting more intriguing by the second.
‘Very well, I shall get rid of the SIM chip at once, stick it in some cheese and flush it down.’
Jeremy held his breath. She could walk in here to flush down the mobile phone SIM any moment.
‘Listen, K.C., many of your original reports are in my office at
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