IMPURITY by Ray Clark (which ebook reader txt) 📕

for my income, I’d hardly be living in such splendour, would I? Running the entertainment agency is only part of my business, and even then, I only used those two as a favour to them. Most of my business is concerned with acts on the cabaret circuit and theatres. I also provide look-alikes for a casting agency. Besides the travel films.”

“Why were you doing favours for Plum and Thornwell?” asked Gardener.

“I’ve known the two gentlemen a number of years. They approached me for work and there was a time when I kept them both busy. But times change, Mr Gardener. Children no longer want parties with clowns. Nowadays it’s off to McHerbert’s and a computer game when you get home.”

When Summers failed to elaborate, Gardener pushed. “You still haven’t explained the favour.”

Summers drew on the cigar, blowing smoke up toward the ceiling. “They were hardly what you’d call flush. Since I’d known and seen them both through the good times, I thought, as a favour, I could help them through the bad.”

“Well, they’ve hit rock bottom now, have they not?” said Reilly. “So, you don’t know any of their associates?”

“As I said, we didn’t socialize.”

Gardener stood and paced the room with his hands in his pockets. “Judging by what you’ve said, you’d have no idea why anyone would want to kill them?”

“None at all.”

“You were never involved with either of them for any reason other than business?”

“I had no reason to be, Mr Gardener.”

Gardener was beginning to sense the little man’s smug attitude returning. “During what little time you did spend together, did either man seem worried about anything?”

“I’ve already told you, I didn’t socialize with them. I hardly knew them.”

“You said a few minutes ago you’d known them a number of years.”

“Yes, but only as business associates.”

Reilly leaned on his desk. “Tell me, aren’t you the least bit curious why two people who work for you have both been killed within a week of each other?”

“I should think it obvious I don’t travel in the same circles as my employees. Especially the part-time ones.” Summers smirked.

“How do you know?” Gardener asked. “You said you don’t socialize.”

Summers shook his head before answering. “Look, gentlemen, I don’t feel threatened. Now, or at any other time. I’m a simple man. I do my job, keep to myself, and I pay my way. Whatever those two were into, it’s none of my business.”

“Any experience with drugs?”

“Drugs?”

“Yes... drugs. The entertainment industry is notorious for drug taking. I wondered if you’d encountered any drug problems?”

“Occasionally. I am aware of the narcotic problems within the business. There were a couple of instances some time ago where I had to stop using a couple of artists. They nearly brought a theatre into disrepute. Nothing more than that. I certainly don’t take them.”

Gardener switched topics. “Does the name Craig Sutton mean anything to you?”

“I can’t say it does.”

Gardener sat back down. “We discovered a number of pornographic films and magazines in Herbert Plum’s flat. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“Should I?”

“Doesn’t it concern you that a man you employed to entertain children also indulges in pornography?”

Summers stubbed out his cigar and glanced at his watch. “We all have our dark side, Mr Gardener.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“No, it doesn’t concern me too much. What they chose to get up to in their own time is up to them. Did you find any porn involving children?”

“Not yet,” replied Gardener.

“Was Herbert Plum a convicted paedophile?”

“Not a convicted one, to my knowledge.”

“Then there’s no reason for me to be concerned.”

“As I said, not a convicted paedophile. He may have been one, for all we know.”

“I’m sure you’ll understand how difficult it is to extract everything from employees. My only interest was how well he did his job. I had no cause for complaint on that score.”

“Would you have employed him had you known?” asked Reilly.

“What kind of a question is that?”

“A straightforward one.”

“I didn’t know, so it doesn’t matter,” Summers replied.

“Herbert Plum was recently involved in an incident in a public house,” continued Gardener. “Apparently, he told someone he had contacts in the film world. He then went on to offer a woman the chance to star in a pornographic film. You wouldn’t have any idea who the contact might be, would you?”

Summers seemed surprised. “Why should I?” He gazed at the ceiling. “What a bloody mess!”

“Forgive me,” said Gardener, standing. “I’m putting two and two together. It crossed my mind. Films. Entertainers. Entertainment agency. Plum’s implicated you by association, Mr Summers. Is it possible he used your name without your knowledge? Let’s face it, you’re there in the Yellow Pages. Legitimate. Plum could have been riding on the back of your business for his own private reasons, without you realizing. Then again, maybe you did.”

Summers flew out of his chair. “How dare you?” His cheeks were red, and the corners of his mouth were flecked with spittle.

Gardener said nothing but casually wiped his collar and smiled.

“I’ll have your badge for this, Gardener.”

“I don’t have a badge.”

“You know what I mean,” Summers shouted.

“No,” replied Gardener. “Maybe you should explain.”

“Your outrageous accusations.” Summers danced around the desk before standing directly in front of the two detectives.

“I haven’t made any.”

Summers raised a hand. “You intimated I made pornography!”

“But I didn’t accuse you. Look at the facts, Mr Summers. Two corpses connected with your company. One with an unsavoury interest in pornography. Both, until recently, regularly employed by you. What conclusions would you draw?” Gardener turned to Reilly. “Are you ready, Sean?”

The detectives made for the door. As Gardener opened it, he turned back toward Summers, who had not moved. “One more question. I’m not a handwriting expert,