‘You’re saying it was an accident created by your provocation?’ Riley asked.
‘Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. It were an accident. I’m strong but those barrels are heavy buggers. They stack them using a block and tackle and then lash them down. But even if they hadn’t been properly secured, I’d never have been able to push them over before Wendall got out of the way.’
‘Charge him with failing to report a death, Sergeant,’ Riley said, standing and leaving the room.
‘He’s all locked up but still turning the air blue with his language, sir,’ Salter said, joining Riley in his office. ‘Why couldn’t we have him charged with murder? He would have been convicted.’
‘Because what he said about those barrels is true, unfortunately,’ Riley replied. ‘Oh, I know we could ignore it and charge him anyway, but I honestly don’t think he could have pushed them over on purpose. And even if he could, Wendell would have seen what he was trying to do and I very much doubt that he’d have stood there and allowed himself to be crushed. He fell into them, with fatal results.’
‘Dawson might have knocked him out first,’ Salter said. ‘That would have given him plenty of time to push the stack over and cover his tracks.’
‘Possibly, but he’s not stupid. Angry as he was, he would have realised that a dead Wendall would have played right into Ezra’s hands, which is the last thing he wanted.’
‘I suppose,’ Salter grunted.
‘Cheer up, Jack. If Dawson’s fellow thieves all give evidence to say that Dawson forced them into taking part, it will be enough to see him locked up for a very long time. The jury members will no doubt all be respectable businessmen who are plagued by petty theft and they will show no mercy. That means Ruth will be able to bring her children up free of fear.’
‘How will she live though, sir?’
‘That is not our problem.’
But the thought troubled Riley. Old Mrs Dawson wouldn’t take her side, and for a pretty girl like Ruth, the obvious way for her to make enough money to support her children was abhorrent to him. It was still on his mind when they returned to Verity’s interview room.
‘We have spoken to Sir Philip,’ Riley said crisply. ‘He told us what you persuaded him to do, and that you struck the blow that killed Ezra.’
‘Nonsense!’
‘We have found the missing figurine from your home, which was the murder weapon you used.’
Verity’s face drained of colour. She glowered at Riley, vindictiveness plainly apparent in her expression, but bowed her head and said nothing.
‘We have also spoken with Sam Dawson and charged him with failing to report your brother’s death. We know that you talked him into confronting him, so you have your brother’s death on your conscience.’
‘Never mind, sir. She’ll have plenty of time to think about her sister-in-law enjoying her brother’s fortune while she waits for her appointment with the hangman.’
Verity hissed and muttered something incomprehensible beneath her breath.
‘Charge her with Ezra’s murder, Sergeant, and have her taken down.’
‘With pleasure, sir.’
Once Salter had done so, the two detectives returned to Sir Philip and told him that Verity would stand trial for murder.
‘I could charge you with withholding information and impeding my investigation, Sir Philip,’ Riley said, ‘but I am satisfied that you went to Clapham with no murderous intent and did what you could to prevent Verity from committing that crime when you realised what she planned to do. I am therefore releasing you and will leave it to you to explain matters to your wife and son.’
‘Thank you, Lord Riley,’ he said, standing on stiff legs and offering Riley his hand. Riley ignored it and left the room with Salter in his wake.
‘A satisfactory day’s work,’ Salter said as they reached Riley’s office. ‘What now?’
‘Sit down, Jack.’
Salter did so and sent Riley a look of mild enquiry. ‘You look all serious. What’s on your mind, sir?’
‘Your promotion. You know I have canvassed to have you fill the vacant inspector’s position. You have more than shown your worth, but unfortunately our superiors, in their infinite wisdom, have decided that another inspector would be surplus to requirements.’
‘That’s your fault, sir. You’ve managed to combine Danforth’s duties and your own a bit too well. But still, an’ all, I don’t mind too much. The extra money would have been nice but I’m more comfortable staying a sergeant. All that extra paperwork and kowtowing to the brass wouldn’t sit well with me. The way things are, I get to do more cases on my own now that you have other priorities, but I still enjoy working alongside you on these murder cases. Not sure I’d solve them without your help, much as it grieves me to say so.’
‘At least I can do something about the money you provided for Ruth Dawson’s medical assistance.’ Riley handed Salter the envelope that Thompson had earlier given him. Salter opened it and raised both brows.
‘Blimey, that’s a very generous raise. I take it I have you to thank for it.’
‘You have yourself to thank, Jack. You’ve earned it with your loyalty and dedication. You will be able to afford one of those new houses you had your eye on now.’
‘Nah. Have to have a healthy deposit, and with a family as large as mine there’s never enough left over for saving.’
‘Which is where I can help you.’ Riley handed Jack a folded cheque. ‘That, I believe, is the correct amount required for the deposit.’
Salter’s mouth fell open. ‘This is written on your personal account, sir,’ he said. ‘I can’t accept that.’
‘I hope
