A Question of Motive (20 page)

‘Difficult unless he withdrew weekly, or fortnightly, to meet staff wages and house costs.'

‘I think he was a man who would have done so.'

‘We'll find out.'

Parra opened the front door. ‘Good morning, señors. A welcome fine, sunny day.'

As it had been for weeks, Alvarez silently and sourly commented. Soon, there would be the first rain. What would Parra's greeting be then? A welcome rainy day? ‘Is the señorita in the sitting room?'

‘She has asked that you go up to the late señor's library and carry out whatever work it is you have to do.'

‘I'll say hullo first.'

‘The señorita has said she does not wish to be disturbed.'

‘She is ill?'

‘As far as I know, she is well.'

Parra had spoken without his usual assumed deference. Because he was aware that the inspector's departure the previous evening had been a shamefaced one? People with small minds liked to see authority mocked or denied.

‘Will you need the keys to the safe, Inspector?'

‘Yes.'

‘Then I will hand them to you.'

‘You have them?'

‘The señorita handed them to me before your arrival. She will be grateful if you will return them to me before you leave.'

They went into the library. Alvarez swung back the section of bookcase, unlocked the safe, brought out bank statements and paying-in notices, and placed these on the desk. Ibarra had been looking along the lines of books. ‘A well-read man.'

‘I imagine so.'

‘Most of these have obviously been opened and read, unlike those in many private libraries, there to impress.' Ibarra turned round. ‘Is everything ready?'

‘I think so.'

‘One point you haven't covered is whether you want my report to be ready for the court?'

‘That would be best.' Since Ibarra would have to do the work, it seemed more reasonable to be prepared for all possibilities.

He was becoming concerned they would not be leaving in good time for lunch when Ibarra crossed to where he sat. ‘There's reason to accept he was paid largish sums in cash on three occasions, at monthly intervals.'

‘I'm glad.' Which was a ridiculous thing to say since, as he immediately recognized, once again a theory of his had been proved wrong.

He returned everything to the safe, and locked it. They left the library, he crossed to the sitting room and went in. Mary was watching the television. ‘I have the safe keys . . .'

‘Will you return them to Pablo, please.'

‘You'll be very glad to know . . .'

‘I'll call him, so that he'll be waiting at the front door and you won't be delayed in your efforts to blacken more innocent people.' She depressed a bell push by her side.

He left.

Alvarez spoke over the phone. ‘I am just back from Aquila, señor.'

‘Interesting. But it would be far more interesting had you remembered to explain why you were there.'

‘After I had questioned Señor Kiernan, who signed the IOU which is in the señor's safe. . . .'

‘Why and about what did you question him?'

‘I suspected his IOU provided the motive for Señor Gill's murder.'

‘Did it?'

‘On the contrary.'

‘He was able to offer an explanation of events which you had to accept?'

‘Señor Ibarra has checked the bank statements and other figures . . .'

‘Who is Ibarra?'

‘You know . . .'

‘Who is Ibarra?'

‘The accountant we employ when there is accountancy work which needs to be carried out. He went through all recent figures and there was evidence of three months during which the normal amounts in cash had not been withdrawn from a bank.'

‘That is important?'

‘Señor Kiernan claimed he had three times repaid five hundred euros . . .'

‘You will stop there and start again. If I am to understand what you are saying without having to ask constantly for elucidation, you will explain why you were doing what you did, what you learned from Señor Kiernan, whether he was able to provide an alibi, or whether you still believe there is cause to believe him guilty of Señor Gill's death.'

Alvarez made a full and detailed report.

‘You no longer believe him to be guilty?'

‘No, señor. I mean, yes.'

‘You would care to choose between the two possibilities?'

‘No, I no longer believe him to be guilty, yes, I no longer believe him to be guilty.'

‘There are times when I wonder . . .' Salas stopped. ‘You have questioned the staff again?'

‘Yes, señor.'

‘And are satisfied none of them had any part in the señor's death?'

‘Their alibis show none of them was near Aquila at the time of the señor's death.'

‘You have discovered, uncovered, or fantasized further unusual motives?'

‘No.'

‘Then you can offer no further suspects'

‘That is so.'

‘Did you express the view that there is an advantage to be gained from proving a suspect's innocence because it eliminates him? Now that you have eliminated your last suspect, would you like to explain that advantage more fully?'

‘It shows the señor's death was an accident, not murder.'

‘Since, despite the findings at the inquest, that was always the more likely verdict, it seems you have conducted a long and unnecessary investigation.'

‘I don't think that's so.'

‘To start from a verdict and spend weeks returning to it is an example of extraordinary ineptitude.'

‘But for my work, there could be no certainty that, since no one had the motive to murder Señor Gill, his death was an accident.'

‘You would claim that to be logical?'

‘Yes, señor.'

‘When you have made a gross error?'

‘I don't see that I have.'

‘You have refused to listen to your senior's advice.'

‘Are you going back to . . . Are you suggesting . . .'

‘I am referring to Señorita Farren. From the beginning of this investigation, she has been the prime suspect since she had more to gain from her uncle's death, the greatest opportunity to encompass it.'

‘Impossible!'

‘You find it difficult to follow your own logic? Motive was the key, those with motives had to be suspects, when all but one suspect is found to be innocent, the guilt of the last becomes certain.'

‘Señorita Farren was so shocked by her uncle's death, she could not have had any part in it.'

‘As I have previously pointed out, you are determined not to acknowledge a woman will always use her emotions to confuse a man.'

‘Unless she is a superb actress, Señorita Farren's bitter grief was completely genuine.'

‘You have proof she has no acting talent?'

‘Of course I don't.'

‘Then you cannot make such judgment. She has been left an estate which can be described as a fortune. Men will flock around her and she will choose whichever one will cause the greatest jealousy amongst her women friends.'

‘She doesn't like men.'

‘Then she will enjoy claiming the attention of women.'

‘That's an unfortunate statement.'

‘What the devil do you mean?'

‘You're making the suggestion she is a lesbian.'

‘How dare you make so abominable a remark? I would never refer to any woman in such terms.'

‘The way you spoke . . .'

‘Was without the slightest objectionable inference.'

‘She does not like men because . . . She asked me never to repeat what she told me. If I were at liberty to explain, you would understand what I say.'

‘You are too optimistic. Carry out my orders. Failure to do so will be treated as gross insubordination. You will treat Señorita Farren as prime suspect of her uncle's death. You will question her at great length and in the greatest detail. If she has an alibi, you will treat it as a lie. You will determine the relationship between her and her uncle.'

‘I have done so and every single person stated without reservation there was a warmth between them which named a very close relationship. How could she even think of killing the man who came to her rescue when her parents were killed in an accident . . .'

‘You will closely investigate any suggestion of a rift, however small, between them. And you will do so, aware that by your own logic, she is guilty of her uncle's death since she is the remaining person with a motive. Do you understand?'

‘Yes, señor, only . . .'

‘I do not intend to listen to any more emotional nonsense.'

‘I was going to say, I am not sure how long it will take because . . .'

‘Less time than you would like.'

‘Because she's become reluctant to speak to me.'

‘Understandable. Do you need to be reminded how to deal with a suspect who refuses to cooperate?'

‘I can't bring her to the post and treat her like a criminal.'

‘It has so far escaped your notice that that is how she is to be treated by you? Why is she refusing to speak? Have you made lewd comments which have annoyed her?'

‘She was upset I could believe Señor Kiernan might be guilty of murdering her uncle.'

‘It was your duty to believe him guilty, however mistaken the reasons for your belief.'

‘She couldn't understand that.'

‘Yet again, it seems you have made difficult what should have been simple. Nevertheless, however objectionable she finds your company, you will question her to the best of . . . I was about to say, the best of your ability, but for once you will make the effort to act professionally.'

Alvarez refilled his glass.

‘You look as if she's finally found out where you live,' Jaime said.

‘Why doesn't she know where Uncle Enrique lives?' Juan asked as he took the last of the baked almonds off the plate in the centre of the table.

‘One does not ask personal questions,' Dolores said sharply. ‘Nor does one take all the almonds.'

‘What is a personal question?'

‘You are trying to make out you do not understand me? What happens when you annoy me?'

‘You get angry.'

‘You now understand both question and answer. You can go out and play.'

‘Isabel is out there with that stupid friend of hers. She tries to cuddle me, and the boys laugh.'

‘Tell her you are too old to be cuddled like a child. Off with you.'

Juan left. They heard the front door slammed shut.

‘It's sad that when one's young and is offered something, one doesn't want it, but when one's grown up, it's not offered,' Jaime remarked.

‘You wish to be cuddled? Of course, not by me.'

‘I was just thinking . . .'

‘Your thoughts were with a nineteen-year-old with few, or preferably no, morals.'

‘You think I'm interested in nineteen-year-olds?'

‘When I am not there to observe you.' She turned. ‘Enrique, you are not saying anything.'

‘I have been ordered to do something which will cause great pain.'

‘To whom?'

‘To me and Mary.'

‘The young person you have been seeing frequently?'

‘Yes.'

‘What have you been ordered to do?'

‘Question her to know if . . . To prove she killed her uncle.'

‘Could she have done such a dreadful thing?'

‘Never. I'd bet my life on that.'

Jaime said: ‘You'd need a better stake to interest anyone in the bet.'

Dolores spoke sharply. ‘Must you constantly expose your lack of empathy with anyone but yourself?'

‘When he says . . .'

She interrupted him. ‘Enrique, you are clearly very upset about this woman.'

‘I am.'

‘Are you fonder of her than you have had us believe?'

‘I thought you said a moment ago that one should not ask personal questions.'

‘I was speaking to a child. Do I make a mistake to think of you as an adult?'

‘Mary had a bitter life before she came to the island and it's been even worse in the past days. I cannot willingly add to her suffering; I cannot make it seem I believe her capable of an abominable crime.

‘This morning, I had to suggest one of her friends might have caused her uncle's death. She became furious, like a genet defending her cubs. Her bitter anger, her terrible sorrow will be still greater when she understands I seem to believe she might be the guilty person.'

Jaime said: ‘All you need to do is tell her you can't believe she did push her uncle over the cliff in order to inherit her uncle's money and live on the Riviera . . .' He stopped.

‘You are thinking of the chits of girls with whom you like to imagine yourself,' Dolores snapped. ‘Sweet Mary, my mother knew what she was talking about when she said a man had room for only two thoughts in his brain: food and women.' She spoke to Alvarez. ‘The young lady was incensed you could suspect her friend and you are certain she could have had no part in her uncle's death, yet you have been ordered to treat her as if you believe she might have had?'

‘Yes.'

‘Then first you must regain her trust.'

‘I doubt that's possible.'

‘How typical of a man to admit defeat before he's begun. You tell her it was your fault you spoke in such a way she was bound to misunderstand you. It was obvious her friend could not have been guilty. Express deep sorrow at causing her so much grief. Tell her you have only returned to ask questions because that pompous and incompetent Madrileño has ordered you to do so. Left to yourself, you would never have bothered her again since not for one second have you thought she could have had any part in the tragedy. Frequently tell her you trust her implicitly. In all your years in the cuerpo, you have not met someone so patently innocent of any wrongdoing; to look at her is to know that if she found a hundred euro note in the street, she would hand it in to the police and make certain they traced the loser. You are questioning her when knowing her to be innocent, and your report will teach that mountebank Madrileño he is unfit for his job.'