“That’s good. Now, your room is 109, opposite to the Trinity Suite, so did you see or hear anything in the night from when you went upstairs?”
“It’s funny you should say that. Yes, in the middle of the night I could have sworn somebody came into my room.”
“Someone came into your room? Did you see them or recognise them?”
“No. One second I was fast asleep and the next the light came on. I got the impression they didn’t expect me to be in there. I couldn’t see them because my eyes had been shut and I was dazzled by the light. By the time they adjusted I heard the light click off and the door shut. I assumed it was someone getting into the wrong room. I didn’t even think about it until later but surely they would need a key card. My brain didn’t react that quickly but I’m positive I didn’t dream it.”
“Was it a man or a woman?”
“I’m really not sure. As I say I was asleep and it all happened so quickly. It could have been either a woman or a man. I’m sorry.”
Did they say anything?”
“No I’m sure they didn’t. Not that I recall. Sorry I can’t be more help. All I can say is, I don’t think they expected the room to be occupied. It’s just an impression in my brain. I’m not sure why. I guess the way they wandered in.”
"Did you notice anything else last night? Was there anyone hanging around?"
"When I first came up to the room at nine, I saw a man walking down the hallway towards me. He looked like he was a guest as he had a suitcase but then I thought what an odd time to book out. I saw him sitting in the bar later and when he left I heard him say goodbye to someone who looked like one of the chefs. That must have been at around ten-fifteen, a few minutes before I went up to my room. As remember I heard the chef call him Kevin if that helps.”
"Would you recognise him again if you saw him?"
"Absolutely. He was a bit rough and someone you wouldn't forget easily.”
Carla smiled. “Thank you for all your help, Miss Tavistock. I’m sure we won’t keep you much longer but please have a seat for now.”
Chapter Twenty
Norman Gentle had been taken to Trentbridge Police Station and after being booked in with the custody officer he was led to a cell to await the arrival of a solicitor, which the police were arranging for him.
This gave Eden Gold time to visit the Major Incident room, which had been set up so he could start to plan the line of questioning and prepare the information to disclose to Norman’s solicitor before the interview and give him a chance to advise his client accordingly.
It took nearly two hours until a solicitor was able to attend. This had given Eden time to look at the evidence and prepare a set of questions.
He had also been in contact with the DCI back at the hotel and together with a member of SOCO they had been into Norman’s room and undertaken a search, revealing the wallet containing his credit cards hidden inside a shoe.
At 1.20pm DCI Stone arrived back at the police station to discuss the details of the forthcoming interview with his DI.
He told Eden the search had not revealed anything further in Norman’s room. There were no signs of the missing painting or any incriminating evidence and no sign of any blood stained clothing.
The interview with Norman Gentle started at 1.36pm.
DI Eden Gold started the recording: “Norman, just to remind you that you are still under caution.”
“In attendance are DI Eden Gold, PC Pauline Underwood as well as Norman Gentle and his solicitor Martina Fanshaw.”
“Norman, I may call you Norman, is that okay?”
Norman nodded.
“For the benefit of the tape, Norman has nodded. He agrees. Well, Norman, here’s the situation. You told DCI Stone your name was Toby Green and you showed him a business card with that name on it and gave an address in South Kensington in London. We’ve subsequently found out that was a lie and your real name is Norman Alan Gentle.
“You were also asked if you knew the deceased, Peter Winston-Moore, and you told DCI Stone you had never heard of him. Yet information we have leads me to believe he was your partner and you have lived together for some time. So it doesn’t look good, does it? We have a man stabbed to death and find you staying at the same hotel yet saying you’ve never heard of him. We have you registering at the hotel with a false name and address and then lying to a police officer. It looks to me as if you have something to hide and in some way you’re involved in this murder. Our forensic team are searching your room as we speak. What do you think they’ll find, Norman? Will they find evidence that you are involved? Why were you registered under a false name? This is your chance to explain your involvement. Did you kill him Norman? Did you stab your lover in a temper?”
Norman looked up for the first time since the interview had commenced. “No, I didn’t, I couldn’t harm Peter. I loved him.”
"Then tell me what happened."
“I admit I booked into the hotel using a false name. But that's because I suspected Peter of cheating on me after what I saw in London on Monday.”
“Okay, Norman. You need to tell me what this is all about. Why don't you start at the beginning and take it step by step.
