Declared Dead

'That all sounds very sensible,' she said, when I had finished. 'I've got some news for you. When you called just now I was on the phone to Tom's solicitor. There's been a sensational development in the case. Corcoran has reappeared on the scene and has offered to give evidence for Tom at the trial!'

'Do you mean he's back in England?'

'Not exactly. All I've been told by Tom's solicitor, who insists on playing his cards close to his chest, is that Corcoran has been in touch with them and made this offer. Exactly what evidence he's prepared to give the solicitor wouldn't tell me over the phone and I've an appointment to see him at three-thirty this afternoon. Apparently, there's something they think you might be able to help with and that's why they contacted me.'

'Have you any idea what they might have in mind? You know I'd do anything to help Tom.'

'Hardly appropriate talk from a witness for the prosecution! At the moment I'm no wiser than you. We'll just have to wait and see.'

'But what about his performance in Ireland, and my two thousand pounds? Can you trust the man?'

'I was going to ask specifically about that when we meet. At the moment we've nothing to gain by speculating. Be patient. I realise it's difficult, but you can expect me with the full story at about seven o'clock. I'll also bring a portable phone. In the meantime, take care.'

I said goodbye and spent the rest of the afternoon wondering what had prompted Corcoran's change of heart. The thought of more money, probably.

As it happened, Amy wasn't my only visitor that evening. Ralph popped in just after six-thirty with a side of smoked salmon and a bottle of champagne, which we proceeded to devour with shameless relish. My governor was full of good spirits and intent on finding out when he could expect me back in the saddle. As he sat beside me on the bed, I could see why he'd been such a ladies' man over the years. I repeated Maddox's forecast and he reiterated that my job would be waiting for me. From my point of view, the one bit of luck was that the National Hunt season was coming to an end and I could spend the summer months ahead recuperating.

'I've one piece of news for you,' he said, when we were on our second helping of salmon and third glass of champagne. 'I've had a look at the patrol film of the Sandown race.'

'And don't tell me it was my fault Admiralty Registrar fell.'

'No, my dear, no one could allege that. It's just you'll never guess who was riding that following horse, which trampled all over you.'

'Initials E. B., by any chance?'

'One and the same. Made no attempt to avoid you, almost as if he did it deliberately. The man's a common criminal and I hope they drum him out of racing.'

'With a bit of luck they will. Have you heard any more about the enquiry at Portman Square?'

'The investigation people at the Jockey Club were on to me about it this morning. They want to take sworn statements from both of us and they've hinted that if the allegations in the Sportsman can be substantiated, it's almost certain they will drop the case against us.'

'They darn well ought to. That'll please old Drewe.'

'He's been out of the country for the past few days, according to the man I spoke to this morning.'

'Where?'

'Over at his place in Ireland.'

'I'd forgotten about that.' I now remembered that James had included a brief reference to it in his potted biography. That seemed to give him a good alibi for the night of my attack.

'Did he say exactly how long he's been there?'

Ralph shook his head. 'Do you want me to find out?'

'No, it's not important. How's everything at the yard?'

'Fine, I've put most of them away now, for the summer, but I'll run a couple at Devon and Exeter next week provided the going doesn't get too firm. I don't expect too much though. I'll pop in again on Sunday if that's all right.'

I told him that I wasn't allowed any further visits for a short while and that as a favour to me he was to tell anyone who asked that I had been moved to another hospital.

Ralph nodded. 'Not more detective work, I hope?'

'Not really. I'm sorry, Ralph, I'm just concentrating on staying alive and this is one further precaution.'

He didn't try to probe any further and before he left to return to the Cotswolds I warned him to expect a visit from Amy to collect one or two things from my room.

* * *

The ever reliable solicitor arrived on the dot of seven, carrying mints, magazines and some exotic French perfume, and wasted no time in telling me about her meeting with Tom's lawyer.

'It was all very dramatic. Yesterday afternoon, Tom's lawyer received this telephone call from a man introducing himself as Michael Corcoran, one of Tom's former lads. He said that he had some information which might be useful to Tom's case. When the solicitor asked to meet him to take a statement, he became cagey and said that he feared for his life and wasn't prepared to come out of hiding until the day he's needed to give evidence at the trial.'

'Is that good enough?'

'There's nothing wrong with it, only that it's extremely risky calling a witness without having a proof, a signed statement, first.'

'So what's happened?'

'Corcoran wouldn't budge on meeting the lawyer but at least agreed to give a detailed statement over the phone and said he'd sign it if necessary before he goes into the witness box. Tom's solicitor wouldn't give me a copy, but was prepared to read it to me in his office.'

'And so?'

'It's pretty hot stuff. Corcoran admitted that Edward had been blackmailing him for years over the theft of the wages from Tom's office. He also claims – and this is the good bit – that on the evening Edward disappeared, he, Corcoran, had followed him to the pub where he met Tom and they had that famous argument.'

'Why did he follow him?'

'Because he wanted to make him return his confession note.'

'But why on earth would Edward hand it over after all this time? Once he'd done that he couldn't blackmail him any more.'

'I agree. Tom's solicitor asked him just that and Corcoran's answer was that he reckoned he had paid enough and the time had come when he wanted to start life anew back in Ireland. He thought he could talk Edward into it. Anyway, Corcoran says that after Tom and Edward came out of the pub, he saw them get into their separate cars. Edward drove off before he could have a word with him and Tom started to leave, appeared to think better of it, parked his car in the furthest corner and proceeded to pass out. I suppose he must simply have had too much to drink.'

'But that proves Tom couldn't have killed Edward.'

'There's better to come. Corcoran wasn't the only person following Edward that night. As he drove out of the car park, Corcoran saw another car follow him.'

'Did he recognise the driver?'

'So he claims. Who do you think?'

'Go on, surprise me.'

'Eamon Brennan. Corcoran was apprenticed with him for a short while in Ireland. What's more, he's convinced Brennan also spotted him. The next morning Corcoran took a boat to Ireland without collecting his kit from the yard and since the discovery of Edward's body he's been in fear of his life.'

'And he'll say all this in court?'

'He says he will. I warned the solicitor about our little experience in Ireland and he said he had already heard about that from Corcoran. The Irishman says he's bitterly ashamed about what happened, only he desperately wanted to get hold of the confession note and that's why he searched you, hoping you had brought it with you. He never meant to hurt you. The money was just too tempting.'

'Do you believe him?'