card which bore his picture. It was a bad likeness, making his thick brown hair appear ginger.
‘I’m Detective-Sergeant Ross,’ the man told her. ‘May I ask what you’re doing here?’
‘Police?’ she said, feigning surprise.
He nodded and succeeded in forcing down the last of his food.
‘What are you doing here?’
Ross smiled thinly.
7 asked first, Miss,1 he said.
The lie was ready on her tongue.
‘I’ve come to see my father,’ she told him.
Ross’s smile faded suddenly and he almost took a step back.
‘We weren’t aware that Dr Vernon had any close family,’ he told her.
Kelly felt her heart beating a little faster.
‘Is something wrong?’ she wanted to know, hoping that her little act was working.
‘Could you come with me please, Miss?’ the DS said and led her up the driveway towards the house. As they drew nearer, Kelly tried frantically to slow her rapid breathing. She had suddenly begun to doubt the success of her little venture. The front door opened and a man dressed in a grey suit, carrying a black briefcase, emerged.
He exchanged brief words with Ross then climbed into the Sierra, reversed out of the driveway and sped off.
‘You still haven’t told me what’s going on?’ Kelly insisted, not trying to disguise the mock concern in her voice.
They were inside the house by now and Ross ushered her into a sitting room where she sat down on one of the chairs.
‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ he told her and disappeared.
Keliy looked around the room, hands clasped on her knees. She swallowed hard and attempted to stop her body quivering. Her roving eyes scanned the shelves and tables for
photos. If there was one of Vernon’s daughter then she was finished. Although Ross had. told her that the police were unaware he’d had a family, it did little to comfort her. She was still in the process of composing herself when Ross returned, accompanied by a taller, older man with a long face and chin which jutted forward with almost abnormal prominence. He introduced himself as Detective Inspector Allen.
‘You’re Dr Vernon’s daughter?’ he asked, eyeing her up and down.
‘Yes,’ she lied.
Allen looked at his companion then at Kelly. He cleared his throat self-consciously and proceeded to tell her what had happened the previous night. Kelly reacted with all the rehearsed shock and grief she could muster.
‘As far as we know, nothing was stolen,’ Allen continued. ‘There was still money in one of the drawers upstairs and your father’s wallet was in his jacket which is hanging in the hallway.’
‘So why was he killed?’ Kelly asked, reaching for a handkerchief which she clutched between her hands in mock despair, tugging at it most convincingly.
‘We were hoping you might be able to shed some light on that,’ Allen said.
‘Did he have any enemies that you know of?’
Kelly shook her head.
‘He kept himself to himself,’ she said, lowering her eyes slightly.
‘Did you know that there was someone living in the house with him?’ the DI wanted to know. ‘One of the guest rooms is occupied.’
‘I didn’t know that,’ she said, with genuine surprise.
Allen frowned.
‘How often did you see your father, Miss Vernon?’
Kelly licked her lips self-consciously. She was going to have to tread carefully.
‘Not regularly. I live in London at the moment. But that’s not my permanent address.’
‘Alone?’
‘What?’
‘Do you live alone?’
She paused a second or two longer than she should have and, what was more, she was aware of that fact. Kelly realized that she was on the verge of blowing the entire facade wide open.
‘You’ll have to excuse me,’ she said, pressing the handkerchief to her eyes.
‘I can’t seem to think straight. After what you’ve told me about my father I …’ She allowed the sentence to trail off.
Allen nodded comfortingly.
‘I realize it must be difficult,’ he said, softly. ‘Take your time.’
How many more questions, she wondered?
She was spared the trouble of answering by Ross who popped his head around the corner and called to his superior. Allen excused himself and left the room for a moment. Kelly let out an audible sigh of relief, grateful for the momentary respite. She heard voices in the hallway, one of which she was sure she recognised.
A moment later, Alain Joubert entered the sitting room, followed by Allen.
The Frenchman stopped in his tracks when he saw Kelly, who shot an anxious glance in the policeman’s direction, thankful that he hadn’t noticed her reaction. He did, however, glimpse the surprised expression of Joubert.
‘Do you two know each other?’ Allen asked.
‘We …’
Kelly cut him short.
‘My father introduced us about a month ago,’ she said, stepping forward. ‘How are you, Mr Joubert?”
The Frenchman managed to conceal his bewilderment and Kelly prayed that he wouldn’t give the game away.
‘I’m sorry to hear what happened,’ Joubert said, flatly.
Kelly nodded.
‘Were you aware that Mr Joubert had been staying at your father’s house for the past two weeks.?’ asked the policeman.
‘No,’ Kelly said. ‘But I knew that he was working on a new project with someone. I wasn’t aware it was Mr Joubert though. My father likes to keep his work to himself.
‘You claim that you’ve been at the Research Institute all night?’ Allen said to the Frenchman.
‘Yes I have,’ Joubert told him. ‘The night-watchman will verify that if you ask him.’
‘As far as we can see, nothing of Dr Vernon’s was taken, but you might like to check your own belongings,’ the DI suggested.
Joubert nodded.
it would be more convenient for all of us if you could leave the house for a day or two, sir,’ Allen said. ‘While the lads from forensic go over the place.’
Joubert nodded.
‘I’ll book into a hotel,’ he said. Til get some things from upstairs.’ The Frenchman glanced once more at Kelly then left the room.
‘How was my father killed?’ Kelly asked.
‘He was stabbed,’ said Allen, hastily.
‘Knifed?’
The policeman swallowed hard.
‘No. He was stabbed with a corkscrew. I’m sorry.’
Kelly closed her eyes for a moment, the details of her dream suddenly flashing with neon brilliance in her mind. She felt a twinge of nausea but fought it back. Allen moved towards her as if he feared she would faint but she waved him away.
i’m all right,’ she assured him, smiling thinly.
