Osmond crossed his legs and paused before answering. “Jenny persuaded me.”
“But you don’t really want to talk about it?”
“What’s the point? What can you do?”
“We could do our job if you’d let us. Check for fingerprints, interview neighbours, try to get a description. Was anything stolen?”
216
“A book.”
“What?”
“A book. Most of my books were pulled off the shelves, scattered on the floor, and I noticed when I put them back that one was missing.”
“Just one?”
“That’s right. Marcuse’s One Dimensional Man. Do you know it?”
“No.”
Osmond smiled smugly. “I didn’t think you would. It doesn’t matter. Anyway, that’s all.”
“That’s all that was taken?”
“Yes.”
“How did they get in? The lock doesn’t seem broken.”
“It’s easy enough to open. They probably used a credit card or something. I’ve had to do that myself more than once.”
“And it works?”
“Yes. Unless the catch is on from the inside. Obviously, as I was out at the time, it wasn’t.”
“Then I’d suggest the first thing you do is get a new lock. Preferably a deadlock.”
“I’ve already called the locksmith. He’s coming on Monday.”
“Did you get the impression that they were looking for something? Or was it just vandalism?” Banks had his cigarette packet in his hand without thinking before he realized Osmond was a rabid nonsmoker.
“Oh, go on, Chief Inspector.” Osmond allowed himself another superior smile.
“Pollute the atmosphere if you must. You’re doing me a favour; it’s the least I can do in return.”
“Thanks, I will.” Banks lit up. “What might they have been looking for? Money?”
“I don’t think so. There was a little cash in the dresser drawer, but they left it. There was also some quite valuable jewellery-it used to be my mother’s-and they left that, too. The only things disturbed were the books and some papers-nothing important-but there was no damage. I don’t think it was vandalism.”
217
“But it was clear they’d seen the money and jewellery?”
“Oh, yes. The drawer was open and the contents of the jewellery box were spilled on the bed.”
“What do you think they were looking for?”
Osmond scratched his cheek and frowned. Noticing Banks’s half inch of ash, he fetched an ashtray from the kitchen. “In case of emergencies,” he said. “Stolen property, I’m afraid. Courtesy of the Bridge, Helmthorpe.”
Banks smiled. Having got over his initial nervousness that, as with so many people, manifested itself in the form of rudeness, Osmond was making an attempt at least to smooth the waters. He still wasn’t comfortable around the police, but he was trying.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Scotch, if you’ve got it.” Osmond was prevaricating, making time to think. That meant his answer would be at best a blend of truth and falsehood, and it would be damn difficult for Banks to sort out which was which. But there was no point pushing him. Osmond liked being in control, and any challenge at this point would just make him clam up. Best wait for a gap in his defences and leap right through. Let him take his own sweet time.
Finally, drink in hand, Banks repeated his question.
“I don’t want to appear unduly paranoid, Chief Inspector,” Osmond began slowly, “but I’ve been involved with the CND and a number of other organizations for some years now, so I think I can speak from experience. I take it you know, of course, that I once made a complaint against the policeman who was killed?”
Banks nodded. “You’d have saved us a lot of trouble if you hadn’t lied in the first place.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Anyway, your charming superintendent knew. He wouldn’t let it drop. So I assume you know about it, too. Anyway, we come to expect that kind of thing. The CND doesn’t take sides, Chief Inspector. Believe it or not, all we want is a nuclear-free world. But some members bring along strong political beliefs, too, I won’t deny it. I’m a socialist, yes, but that doesn’t have anything to do with the CND or its aims.”
218
He paused and fingered his small gold crucifix. As Banks looked at him slouching on the sofa with his long legs crossed and his arms spread out along the back, the word languid came to mind.
“Have you noticed how things seem to come in packages?” Osmond went on. “If you’re antinuclear, people also expect you to be prochoice, pro-union, pro-gays, anti-American, anti-apartheid and generally left wing. Most people
