Murder in Hampstead by Sabina Manea (read this if txt) 📕

‘But you’ll ring him?’

‘Yes, OK, just to get you off my back. Now scoot off. I’ve got some statements to take.’

Lucia stood still. ‘There’s no way I’m going anywhere. Nina’s on her way. You’re going to tell them she’s your new DS, and I’m helping you with your enquiries. We’re sitting in on the interviews.’

‘You must be joking. I’m not having you two compromise my investigation. I’m not one for formalities, but this really takes the biscuit.’

‘Suit yourself if that’s how you want it. But remember one thing – you haven’t got a shred of evidence against Danny Garrett. An unsolved case is going to be a bigger drain on your resources than letting us in.’ It was her turn to cross her arms and stare at him defiantly.

‘OK. But not a peep from either of you. I’m doing all the talking,’ he finally replied, cornered and defeated by her determination.

‘Deal,’ said Lucia, wholly unconcerned about the possible consequences of his transgressions, just as her phone rang. Nina was outside. She had already been prepped to turn up in character before Lucia had even asked the inspector.

Mrs Byrne sat on the threadbare drawing room sofa, fidgeting with her hands in her lap. Nina, Lucia and DCI Carliss occupied the remaining armchairs, directly facing her. Nina looked the part – no make-up, severe expression, and a flammable navy-blue trouser suit. She clutched her pad and pen officiously. Lucia looked as sympathetic as could be.

Carliss opened gingerly. ‘Mrs Byrne, I appreciate this is very distressing, but it would be useful to get the facts while they’re still fresh in your mind. Can you take me through Adam’s movements yesterday?’

Mrs Byrne had aged ten years since Lucia last saw her. Her eyes were puffy and red. ‘Yes, of course. I’ll do my best to help. He… Adam was out for most of the day. He came back around five – I was having a cup of tea in the kitchen. He joined me, and said he’d be around for dinner. We haven’t seen each other much of late, and I was looking forward to a bit of company.’ She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

Nina whipped a box of tissues from her handbag and offered it to the housekeeper.

‘I’m sorry. First the Professor, and now this…’ Mrs Byrne gathered herself together as best she could. ‘I said I’d have dinner ready for seven. He went up to his room, and I didn’t hear anything after that. Next thing I know, I’m waiting and waiting. When I went up, it was just gone half past. He was lying on his bed. I thought he’d fallen asleep at first, but then I got closer.’ Her voice trembled. ‘His eyes and mouth were wide open, and that… stuff was on his bedside table. Oh, if only I’d known. I could have helped him. Persuaded him to get treatment. I let him die.’ Her resolve not to cry had been broken; she was wailing and rocking backwards and forwards, head buried in her hands.

Nina got out of her armchair and sat down gently next to the woman for comfort. ‘Mrs Byrne, it’s not your fault. Drug addiction is a tragic and complex business. We want to help, but we’re powerless. If he didn’t want to give it up, there was nothing that you or anyone else could have done. Don’t blame yourself.’

‘What time did Adam go upstairs, Mrs Byrne?’ continued Carliss.

The housekeeper blew her nose loudly and looked a little restored. ‘Must have been sixish, or a little earlier. I don’t honestly know.’

‘Was Adam himself? Did he seem out of sorts in any way?’

‘No, he was fine. If anything, more talkative than I’d seen him in ages. You don’t think… he did it on purpose?’ Mrs Byrne let out another sob. ‘Maybe he took an overdose because he couldn’t live with himself anymore. Was that it?’

‘We don’t know for certain, but we need to consider all angles.’

The trio had decided it was best she should labour under the impression that Adam’s death had been the result of a cocaine overdose. The poison would be kept out of it, for now at least.

‘Thank you. And can you tell me your movements yesterday? Just routine, you understand.’

‘I got up at six thirty, as usual, and did a little light cleaning. There’s not much, now it’s only me and… well, only me in the house. Emilia arrived around nine thirty and went upstairs. So good of her, to soldier on with all that dusty paperwork. She came down to the garden at lunchtime for a cuppa. She ate the sandwich she’d brought with her and went back upstairs. She left shortly before Adam arrived – half past four or so.’

‘Was she in the library the rest of the time?’

‘Well, yes, I suppose she would have been. I was cleaning the kitchen. I didn’t hear any doors open or close, but I did have the hoover on for a while. After lunch, I went to tackle the gardening.’

‘So, you were outside until Adam arrived?’

‘Yes. Emilia dropped by to say she was going. She must have got bored of sitting in that horrid room all day.’

If that’s what she did, thought Lucia. Emilia could have roamed the house at her leisure, for all Mrs Byrne knew.

‘Was there anyone else in the house at any point during the day?’ asked the policeman.

‘No, not that day.’ She stopped to think. ‘Dr Glover popped in a couple of times last week. Helping Emilia with the Professor’s paperwork, he was. Very kind of him.’

‘That’s it for now, Mrs Byrne. Thank you for your time.’

When the door was firmly shut behind her, Lucia burst out. ‘That man didn’t commit suicide.’

‘You don’t think it was