‘She didn’t.’
‘Talk to Keith, guv.’
‘Has he been talking to her?’
‘No. To Hedley Shearman. They’re close, those two.’
‘I’ve seen how close. Did he say any more?’
‘It sounded as if he was still with Shearman when he was speaking. He couldn’t talk freely.’
‘I’d better get down there.’
‘Would you like someone else to go?’ Ingeborg asked in a tone that was almost motherly.
He felt a rush of blood. ‘Why do you say that?’
‘In case you’re needed here.’
They both knew what she was on about. She was the sharpest observer on the squad.
He told himself by now he was over the paranoia or whatever it was that afflicted him each time he visited that theatre. Familiarity breeds confidence. Peter Diamond, detective superintendent, head of CID, scourge of the luvvies, would show them how to make an entrance.
‘I’m needed there and I’ll go,’ he said.
He took his car, left it on the double yellow line outside, took a deep breath, crossed the pavement and… felt the first wave of nausea. Nothing had altered. If anything, it was worse. He stopped like a beast smelling blood at the slaughterhouse door.
Ridiculous.
Another gulp of air and he forced himself to go in.
There was a notice saying all performances had been cancelled until next week. The foyer was empty, the box office closed. He could turn round and leave. No one would know.
Instead he gritted his teeth, took the security card from his pocket and pressed the keys that admitted him to the royal circle. Inside it was darker than usual. Only a few side lights were on. He heard voices from the bar and one was Halliwell’s. Thank God he wouldn’t need to look into the auditorium.
Keith was in there seated across a table from Shearman. ‘Are you okay, guv? You look pale.’
‘Bit breathless. Out of condition, I expect.’
‘Why don’t you sit down?’
He pulled up a chair. ‘You left a message, something about Kate.’
Shearman twitched and looked away.
‘That’s right,’ Halliwell said. ‘Talking to Mr Shearman I discovered that she knew Clarion was in the theatre last evening.’
‘How is that?’ Diamond said, turning to Shearman. ‘You told her?’
The little manager scraped his fingers down the side of his face, leaving white marks. ‘I’m sorry. It was stupid of me.’
‘You tipped her off about Clarion’s visit?’
‘I wouldn’t put it like that.’
‘When? When did you tell her?’
‘During the first half.’
Halliwell said, ‘Kate and Mr Shearman were at it in the wardrobe room.’
‘Shagging?’ He shook his head in disbelief. ‘Does this happen every night and twice on matinee days?’
‘It’s not like that,’ Shearman said, blushing. ‘She’s been through a hugely difficult time and so have I. There’s no law against it.’
‘What exactly was said?’
‘I said I couldn’t stay long with her because I’d need to go up to the box during the interval. First of all I said it was a VIP I was taking care of, but of course she wanted to know who, and in the end I weakened and told her.’ He paused, and then emphasised each word with his forefinger. ‘She had nothing to do with Clarion’s death.’
‘Where is she now? Here in the theatre?’
He shook his head. ‘She left earlier, after your man finished his search of wardrobe. She has nothing to keep her here.’
‘Tidying up would be good. Wardrobe was a mess when I saw it.’
‘Her heart isn’t in it anymore.’
Diamond leaned closer to him. ‘So why did you lie?’
‘To protect her. It’s no secret now that she and I are close friends. I didn’t want her treated as a suspect, put through the mill, as some of us have been. She’s no murderer.’
‘Do you know where she’s gone?’
‘Home, I expect. She lives in Warminster, but I hope you’re not going to trouble her there. You’d be wasting
