“Oh, I have a business card. Would you like to see that?”
“Yes, that would be helpful but do you have a passport or driving licence or maybe a credit card with your name on it?”
“Er, I think I have something in my room.”
“That would be really helpful. As I say, it’s purely routine. However, I will need to send a uniformed officer with you as we have to preserve areas of the crime scene. I hope you understand?”
Norman walked off, closely followed by PC Pauline Underwood. His mind was racing to think of an excuse because he knew the only credit card he had was in his real name.
After pretending to look for the items, while the PC stood outside the room, he hid his wallet containing his credit card inside one of his shoes.
When he returned to the restaurant and sat back down opposite DCI Stone, he lied. “I’m very sorry but I appear to have lost my wallet. Surely my business card is enough?”
“Let’s come back to that later, sir. Can I ask you, the gentleman who we believe to be the deceased was a Peter Winston-Moore. Did you know him?”
“Er, no. The name doesn’t seem familiar. As I say, I’m just here for a few days’ rest.”
“Okay, sir. That’s fine. Would you mind sitting here for a minute? I just need to confer with one of my colleagues.”
DCI Stone walked over to his second-in-command.
“Eden, we’ve got a bit of a situation here. The guy I’m questioning at the moment says his name is Toby Green. He’s given me a business card in that name but can’t produce any other form of ID. The antique dealer I questioned before told me his name is,” Stone referred to his notes, “Norman Gentle and he was the victim’s boyfriend. When I asked him if he knew the deceased he said no. It sounds to me like we have a suspect. What are your thoughts on the way we play this?”
“If you want my opinion, guv, I think we should tell him someone has identified him and told us about the connection and see what he says. Why don’t I come over with you and we’ll see if we can get him to open up.”
“Hello, Mr Green. I’m DI Eden Gold and I’m second-in-command of this investigation. You've been talking to my boss. There seems to be a small misunderstanding and we wonder if you can help us clear it up. However, before you do I have to formally caution you. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand what I have just told you?”
Norman’s face went pale as he nodded.
DI Gold went on. “You see, one of the other guests has told us they recognise you as a Mr Norman Gentle and according to them, you know the deceased and have been in a relationship with him for some time. Would you like to confirm or deny this?”
“I’m so sorry, officer,” Norman said, lowering his head in what looked like shame. “I was upset by the whole situation and didn’t want to get involved. It has all come as a big shock. I just wanted time to think.”
You can understand from our point of view your actions make us suspicious. This is an extremely serious crime we're investigating. Based on what we now know, I’d like you to come down to the police station and give a formal statement and then hopefully we can clear this matter up. If you’ve nothing to hide then we can put this incident aside. I’d remind you that a man is dead in suspicious circumstances and we’re investigating the matter. By lying to us you have put yourself in the frame for this crime.”
Norman agreed to go to the police station. DI Eden Gold would accompany him together with PC Pauline Underwood. The DCI and the rest of the team would remain at the hotel and continue questioning the guests and staff members.
Chapter Nineteen
INTERVIEW WITH LATE ARRIVAL -
KATIE TAVISTOCK
Over on the other side of the dining room, Detective Sergeant Carla Parsons sat down to question one of the other guests, Katie Tavistock.
They ran through the usual questions and she gave the DS her driving licence and a credit card for the details to be noted.
"So, Miss Tavistock. Thank you for waiting. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time. I’m aware from my colleague you have a business appointment but as you can understand we have to cover everything. Can you tell me the reason for your stay at the hotel and everything you can recall since last night?"
“Yes. Right, Well. Let me see. I’m here on business to see a potential new client. I booked in late last night because there was a problem with the hotel in Pickstone. It wasn’t very clean and the bed was uncomfortable. But now, half of me thinks I should have stayed there.”
The policewoman nodded sympathetically. "I'm sure this has been upsetting and put your schedule back. As I say, we'll try to get everything done as quickly as possible so you can get on your way. You say you booked in late. Can you run me through from the time you arrived at the hotel?”
“Sure. I wasn’t happy with the hotel where I was staying so I did a Google search and found this place. The reviews were really good so I phoned and managed to book a room. I phoned at, let me just check my phone, oh yes, 8.37 and arrived here shortly before nine. I checked into my room and then came down for a glass of wine and sat at a table in the bar and did some work on my laptop. I
