Part 4 (1/2)
”They're young. They're shallow. They have too many opinions. They're easily hurt. Who could resist the company of such angels?”
”Tell me about Justin. What faults did he have?”
”Hubris, of course. He always thought he was right. I think that's why dear Bethany loved him so much. That First Era saying: 'differences unite.' Not true. She's a strong- willed girl as well. How could a strong person ever be attracted to a weak one-tell me that. They were so lucky to have found each other. n.o.body else could win her heart, not for lack of trying you understand.”
”Really?” Gareth Alan Pitchford couldn't shade the interest in his voice. ”She had admirers?”
”You've seen her. She's gorgeous. A young woman of beauty, complemented by a fiercely sharp mind. Of course she had admirers, by the herd.”
”Do you have names?”
”Men would ask to buy her a drink every time we went into a tavern. But if you mean persistent ones, ones that she knew ... Alexander and Carter were both jealous of Justin. They'd both asked her out before she and Justin became lovers. It always surprised me that they managed to remain friends. A man's ego is such a weak appendage, don't you think.”
”I'm sure. Did this jealousy last? Were either of them still pursuing her?”
”Not actively. We were all friends, in the end. And nothing I saw, no wistful gazes, or pangs of l.u.s.t, would cause this. I do know my friends, Detective Pitchford, and they are not capable of murder. Not like this.”
”Who is, then?”
”I have no idea. Somebody from the First Imperial Era? One might still be alive.”
”If so, I've not heard of them, but I'll inquire. Do you know if Justin had antagonized anyone? Not necessarily recently,” he added, ”but at any time since you knew him.”
”His self-confidence put a lot of people off. But then all of us have that quality. It's not a characteristic which drives someone to murder.”
”Mr. Kenyon claims he was with you after the dinner at the Orange Grove. Is this true?” ”Perfectly true. We went back to my apartment. It was after ten, and baby-sitters are devilishly expensive in this city.”
”The baby-sitter can confirm this?”
”Your officers already took her statement. We arrived back at about quarter past ten.”
”And after that? You were together for the rest of the night?”
”Right up until Carter got the phone call, yes. We drank some wine, I showed him my latest piece. We
talked. Not for long, mind you. We hadn't even got to bed before he dashed off.” Her fingers stroked at
the book's leather cover. ”What a dreadful, dreadful day.”
Gareth Alan Pitchford glanced round at all of us after Christine left, his expression troubled. It was as if he was seeking our permission for the interview we all knew couldn't be avoided. Neill h.e.l.ler Caesar finally inclined his head a degree.
Bethany Maria Caesar had regained some composure since I saw her in Justin's rooms. She was no longer crying, and her hair had been tidied up. Nothing could be done about her pallor, nor the defeated slump of her shoulders. A sorrowful sight in one so young and vibrant.
Neill h.e.l.ler Caesar hurriedly offered her a chair, only just beating me to it. She gave him a meek smile
and lowered herself with gentle awkwardness, as if her body weighed more than usual.
”I apologize for having to bring you in here, Miss Caesar,” the detective said. ”I'll be as brief as possible.
We just have a few questions. Formalities.”
”I understand.” She smiled bravely.
”Where were you at ten thirty this evening?”
”I'd gone back to my rooms at Uffington after the meal. There was some lab work which I needed to type up.”
”Lab work?”
”I'm taking biochemistry. It's a busy subject right now, so much is opening up to us. It won't be long now before we understand the genetic molecule; that's the heart of life itself. Oh. I'm sorry. I'm rambling. It just takes my thought away from ...”
This time I was the one who chivalrously offered a gla.s.s of water. She took it gratefully, a small fl.u.s.tered smile touching her lips. ”Thank you. I suppose I must have got to Uffers just after ten. The lodgekeepers should be able to tell you the exact time. They sign us in at night.”
”Of course. Now what about Justin. You were closest to him, did you know if he was embroiled in any kind of antagonism with someone? Some wild incident? A grudge that wouldn't go away?”
”If you'd ever met Justin you wouldn't have to ask that. But no ... he hadn't annoyed anyone. He wasn't the type; he was quiet and loved his subject. Not that we were hermits. We went out to parties, and he played a few games for the college, but not at any level which counted. But we were going to make up for all that time apart after ...” She tugged a handkerchief out of her sleeve and pressed it against her face. Tears leaked out of tightly closed eyes.
”I believe that's sufficient information for now,” Neill h.e.l.ler Caesar said, fixing the detective with a pointed gaze. Gareth Alan Pitchford nodded his acceptance, clearly glad of the excuse to end the questioning. Neill h.e.l.ler Caesar put his arm round Bethany's trembling shoulders, and helped guide her from the interview room.
”Not much to go on,” the detective muttered gloomily once she was outside. ”I'd welcome any suggestions.” He looked straight at Francis, who was staring at the closed door.
”Have patience. We simply don't have enough information yet. Though I admit to being mystified as to any possible motive there could be for ending this young man's life in such a terrifying way. We do so desperately need to uncover what it was that Justin encountered which led to this.”
”I have a good team,” the detective said, suddenly bullish. ”You can depend on our investigation to uncover the truth.”
”I don't doubt it,” Francis said with a conciliatory smile. ”I think my colleague and I have seen enough for tonight. Why don't we reconvene tomorrow-or rather later this morning, to review the case so far. The remaining interviews should be over by then, and forensic ought to have finished with Justin's room.”
”As you wish,” the detective said.
Francis said nothing further until we were safely strapped up in his car and driving away from the station. ”So, my boy, first impressions? I often find them strangely accurate. Human instinct is a powerful tool.”
”The obvious one is Alexander,” I said. ”Which in itself would tend to exclude him. It's too obvious. Other than that, I'm not sure. None of them has any apparent motive.”
”An interesting comment in itself.”
”How so?”
”You-or your subconscious-haven't included anyone else on your suspect list.”
”It must be someone he knows,” I said, a shade defensively. ”If not his immediate coterie, then someone else who was close. We can start to expand the list tomorrow.”