11. Full details of Trent's bank balance and mortgage history are in the report. Also, Peter Hapgood's criminal record. Trent himself spent 6 months in a juvenile institution for 5 counts of theft.
The Bentham agent suggests you look very closely at the drug connections. Despite Trent's publicly expressed views on the subject, there's been a high level of abuse among the people he's associated with. The main source (ex-prostitute who claims Trent was her pimp in the last '70s) claims she was buying class-A drugs off him until 1985 when she quit. No evidence that he's still dealing, but there are question marks over the profitability of the pub and Trent's apparent ability to make repayments on the loans.
There's a garage at the back which the agent was unable to investigate without blowing his cover, but it's heavily alarmed, has a CCTV coaxial cable supply and a hatch that faces onto an alleyway. (He obtained some digitally enhanced photographs from his car which are supplied with the report.) It would be possible to mount a surveillance operation from one of the neighboring houses to establish if it's being used for dealing, but the operation would be extremely expensive in manpower and fees, with no guarantee of success, and would be better done by the police. The agent's words to me were, 'There may just be a Ferrari in there.'
Re: Robert and Eileen Burton
After discussing the Burtons with my senior colleague, I have decided to put them on hold until we've had a chance to talk to Louise. It would, of course, be a great advantage to interview her from an informed position but, as Robert Burton's email to his son and the conversation William had with his mother both suggest that they will deny everything, no advantage would be gained. A premature meeting would only alert them to a possible police investigation, which in turn might prejudice future cooperation, particularly from Eileen Burton.
Re: Louise Burton/Priscilla Fletcher
I can confirm that her initial contact last Friday, May 16, was followed up yesterday with a proposal to meet at her house on Monday, May 26, at 1100. In this first instance, I suggest I meet with her alone and allow her to set the agenda. Assuming you're both free, I will report to you at George's house afterward.
Hoping this meets with your approval, My best wishes Sasha Spencer
From: Dr. Jonathan Hughes [[email protected]]
Sent: Wed. 5/21703 1706
Subject: Playing safe
Dear Sasha
Thank you for this, but I question the wisdom of holding the meeting in the lions' den. I urge you to go back to Louise and suggest neutral territory. N.B. Colley Hurst is a brain-damaged rapist who may have been party to Grace Jefferies' murder.
These are not sane people you're planning to confront, Sasha. George and I may have agreed to fund a rather dodgy investigation into Roy Trent. We did not authorize ill-considered interviews with possible murderers.
Please do something, George! You're the psychologist. Is this sensible?
Best, Jon
From: George Gardener [[email protected]]
Sent: Thurs. 5/22/03 0841
Subject: Playing safe
Dear Sasha
Written in haste. Jonathan is right. At least question why Louise would let you into her house when her brother's experience was the exact opposite-no entry under any circumstances. Please reconsider. Everything we know about Colley Hurst suggests he's a violent man. Best, George
From: Sasha Spencer [[email protected]]
Sent: Thurs. 5/22/03 1207
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Trust me
Dear Jon & George
I'm over 21.1 don't need nannies!
Sasha
*24*
PALENCIA, FREAN STREET, SANDBANKS, BOURNEMOUTH
MONDAY, MAY 26, 2003, 11:00 A.M.
As Andrew Spicer had found, the close-up reality of Louise was nothing like Cill Trevelyan. She was finer boned, smaller featured and her eyes were the wrong color. She was also prettier and younger looking than Sasha had expected, with only a vague resemblance to the scowling, sulky child in William Burton's album. She answered the door in a crisp, well-fitting jade green dress that accentuated her slim figure. Sasha, bulky in an over-tight brown suit and wearing unattractive spectacles, felt fat and gauche by comparison, and showed it by tugging her jacket down to cover her hips. With an amused smile, Louise led her across the hall to the sitting room.
Sasha would have known it was a rented house even if she hadn't been told by the estate agent. It was painted throughout in standard cream with unexceptional furniture and framed prints of Impressionist paintings and Dorset scenes on the walls. There was very little of a personal nature and the only point of interest in the sitting room was a large television screen similar to the one in the study. It was showing a horse race but the sound was muted. Louise noticed Sasha looking at it.
'My husband's an Internet gambler,' she said, gesturing to an armchair before lowering herself to the sofa. 'We have wall-to-wall racing off the digital channels.'
Sasha went into her smiling routine as she took the chair. 'I didn't know there were meetings in the morning.'
