Somehow I thought it might be something like that.”
CHAPTER 6
When Brady opened the door of the Coroner’s Court and peered inside, proceedings had already started. In spite of the fact that there were no more than half a dozen members of the public present, the court seemed overcrowded with the jury taking up almost one side of the room and the coroner high above them on the bench, the court officers below.
Miller was just leaving the stand. He noticed Brady at once and they went outside quietly and closed the door.
“Sorry I’m late,” Brady said. “I had a remand. How’s it going?”
“I’ve just done my little act. Craig’s down front with Harriet. Vernon’s got Henry Baxter with him.”
“That old shark?” Brady whistled. “He’ll charge him plenty.”
“Any word from Grant?”
Brady nodded. “Not good I’m afraid. He’s just heard from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. They’ve considered the matter and as far as they’re concerned, there isn’t even the beginnings of a case against Vernon.”
“Never mind. It was worth a try and there’s still the hearing. You can never be sure what’s going to happen at a coroner’s inquest.”
They went back inside and sat down in time to hear Monica Grey take the oath.
“You are Monica Alice Grey and you reside at 15, Argyle Road?”
“That’s right.”
“When did you first meet the deceased?”
“About two years ago. We were both students at the College of Art.”
“We have heard from Detective Sergeant Miller that she came to reside at the same address as yourself under the name of Joanna Martin. Why was that?”
“She was having trouble at home. She decided to leave, but she didn’t want her father to know where she was living.”
Miller leaned forward slightly, intent on the proceedings. In his own case he had been compelled to stick strictly to the facts and what Monica Grey said from now on was going to be of crucial importance.
“You were on close terms with the deceased?”
“We were good friends — yes.”
“She confided in you — discussed her troubles. For example, were you aware that she was a drug addict?”
“I was, but only found out by accident. I happened to go into her room one day and found her giving herself a fix.”
The coroner glanced over the top of his spectacles sharply. “I beg your pardon?”
“An injection of heroin.”
“And did she tell you what had started her on the habit?”
“Yes, she said she’d passed out after having too much to drink at some party or other. Someone had given her an injection while she was unconscious.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
“I don’t know. For a giggle, maybe.”
“Indeed.” The coroner examined the papers in front of him, his face impassive. “Did she ever suggest to you that the party in question was at a gaming club called the Flamingo owned by Mr. Maxwell Vernon?”
“Definitely not.”
The coroner looked at her steadily for a moment and then nodded. “You were aware that she was pregnant?”
“Yes, she told me a couple of weeks ago.”
“In what circumstances?”
“She was very upset. She asked me if I knew anyone who could help her.”
“To get rid of the child?”
“That’s right.”
The coroner made another note. “One final question. As regards the state of mind of the deceased. Would you say she was a balanced individual?”
Monica Grey shook her head. “Not during the time she lived with me. She sometimes had terrible bouts of depression, but I think that was the drugs.”
“Thank you, that will be all.”
The fat, well-dressed man who was sitting at the front beside Vernon half rose and the coroner stayed Monica Grey with his hand. “Yes, Mr. Baxter.”
“I appear on behalf of Mr. Maxwell Vernon, called as a witness in this matter. Certain rumours seem to be circulating which connect my client and the deceased. I think we might be able to clarify the situation if I could put a question or two to Miss Grey.”
“By all means.”
“I shan’t keep you long, Miss Grey,” Baxter said. “I’d like to return to this question of the deceased’s pregnancy. Did she ever tell you who the father was?”
“I asked her, but she wouldn’t disclose his name.”
“It has been alleged in certain quarters that my client was responsible.”
“He couldn’t have been.”
“You seem very positive. Might I ask why?”
Monica Grey hesitated, glanced across at Vernon and said with obvious reluctance, “To tell you the truth, I knew Joanna had been out with Mr. Vernon a few times and I thought it might be him. When I put it to her she said definitely not. That it was someone else entirely.”
“A last question, Miss Grey. I understand you were present at a private party given by Mr. Vernon at his flat at the Flamingo Club on the night the deceased died.”
“That’s right.”
“Please tell us what happened.”
“It was about nine o’clock. The party had just got started when Joanna walked in. She was in a bit of a state so Mr. Vernon took her into the corner to calm her down.”
“Could you hear their conversation?”
“Not really. She was obviously very upset and Mr. Vernon seemed to be trying to take her out of herself. After a while she just turned and walked out.”
“What did Mr. Vernon do?”
“He took me on one side and said he hadn’t liked the way she was talking. He asked me to keep an eye on her, to let him know if there was anything he could do.”
“Thank you, Miss Grey.”
Monica Grey returned to her seat as Baxter sat down and Vernon was called. He made an impressive figure in the dock, erect and manly in a well-cut suit, the Guards tie standing out against a snow white shirt. His occupation was given as company director, which made the impression on the jury that Miller had expected.
“Mr. Vernon, how long had you known the deceased?”
“About four months,” Vernon said. “Miss Monica Grey, an employee of mine, brought her to a party at my place one night. I understood they’d been students together.”
“And you became close friends?”
“I think it would be fair to say that.” Vernon shrugged. “As an artist, she had real talent and I admired her work. I commissioned her to paint a series of murals at my club.”
