‘He died in 1987.’
‘How sad. Do you think Michael knew?’
‘We don’t know.’
‘I’ll let you know if I remember any more, but it could not have been Michael, not his own son.’
‘I only hope you are right.’
After finishing their meal, Wendy walked with Mary Solomon to her house. The woman gave Wendy a hug as they parted. Wendy realised that Michael Solomon knew more than he had ever told Mary. She hoped he was not involved in Garry’s death as Mary Solomon had enough to deal with. She had learnt that her husband had been a bigamist, her marriage certificate was probably not valid, and then she had two children and their offspring, and none of them looked fine. To find out that her husband was a murderer as well, a murderer of his own son, Wendy thought, would be more than Mary Solomon could be expected to bear.
***
Mavis Richardson was extremely cordial when Larry Hill knocked on her door. He had some trepidation about visiting her on his own, but everyone was busy, and besides he did not need a nursemaid to look after him.
‘On your own?’ she asked. Larry noticed a nice spread of food laid out on the coffee table. He had questions to ask, not the time to partake of a feast, and besides, he needed to keep his distance from the woman.
Larry seated himself in a chair close to the fireplace. Mavis Richardson sat close by in another chair. ‘There are some questions,’ he said.
‘A lot of questions, I suppose.’
‘According to Montague Grenfell, Gertrude’s money was intact.’
‘A lot of it was wasted, but we saved her from herself.’
‘We?’
‘Montague and I.’
‘There was animosity between you and your sister, though.’
‘Only from her side. As I told you before, I forgave her.’
‘Was she aware that financially she was secure?’
‘No.’
‘Any reason?’
‘If she had known, she would have taken action to secure her share. She was an easy touch for a charming man.’
‘Michael Solomon?’
‘He was exceedingly charming.’
‘And he took her money?’
‘He did, but he was still a good man. I’m sure he loved Gertrude, as much as she loved him.’
‘Then why did he leave?’
‘He loved too many women. Eventually Gertrude tired of his dalliances. And there was a scene. After that, he left.’
‘They never divorced, yet he marries again?’
‘What’s the problem with that?’ Mavis asked.
‘It’s illegal for one thing.’
‘And the other?’
‘It just seems unusual. He could have divorced Gertrude officially, and then he could have married the other woman.’
‘Divorce would not have been an option for Gertrude.’
‘Did he ask her?’
‘Montague alluded to that fact. I never asked for the details. I had problems of my own.’
‘Your husband?’
‘Ger O’Loughlin.’
‘And where is he now?’
‘Not here.’
‘Have you seen or heard from him since?’ Larry asked.
‘Infrequently.’
‘We have no record of children. Is that correct?’
‘I never had children. Never wanted them anyway. My social life was more important. A child would only have hampered my lifestyle.’
‘And your husband?’
‘He wanted children. My reluctance doomed the marriage.’
‘And where is he now?’
‘Ireland, surrounded by his brood.’
‘How do you know this?’
‘He occasionally contacts me. I’ve not seen him though.’
Larry realised that his questioning was not progressing. Ger O’Loughlin did not seem relevant, and Bridget had found proof that he and Mavis Richardson were legally divorced. The death of Garry Solomon aka Solly Michael was the only issue. Mavis Richardson’s husband was not relevant unless he could be tied in with Gertrude’s family.
‘Did your husband know Garry Solomon?’
‘Yes. I told you that he pulled him off me.’
‘We know that Garry Solomon disappeared when he was nineteen, but what about Michael Solomon?’
‘He stayed around for another six months, but by then the parties at the mansion were starting to wither. Everyone was tired of the same people to swap car keys with. At first it had been fun, a titillation, but eventually it became routine.’
‘Is that when you fell out with Gertrude?’
‘Around that time.’
‘Why?’
‘She wanted money for Michael, a lot of money.’
‘And you wouldn’t give it to her?’
‘I knew what he was up to. It wasn’t financially sound, so Montague falsified the accounts to show that she didn’t have that much money.’
‘You effectively broke up her marriage,’ Larry said.
‘I couldn’t let her bankrupt herself. Believe me, it was in her own best interest.’
‘Did she eventually find out?’
‘No.’
Larry took advantage of the spread placed in front of him, and he was only eating because he was hungry.
‘A glass of wine, beer?’ she asked.
‘On duty. Can I come back to Garry Solomon?’
‘If you must.’
‘Did you ever hear from him again?’
‘No, although Michael did.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Remember, I told you that I ran into him once in the street.’
‘Did he mention his son?’
‘He asked after Gertrude, I asked after their son.’
‘His reply?’
‘He said he had seen him on a couple of occasions. I asked him if the son had contacted his mother.’
‘What did he say?’
‘Garry could never forgive her.’
‘Forgive her for what?’
‘No idea. Maybe the lack of love he received from her, maybe the fact that his mother slept with other men, perhaps he was just angry, but I was the one screwing his father. He was not aware that Gertrude was off screwing someone else, although he was a smart lad. He probably assumed she was.’
‘Tell me about that night,’ Larry asked.
‘It’s old history. I am with his father, Gertrude is with Montague. Is this important?’
‘I want to ascertain what happened after Garry put you in the hospital.’
‘He ran out of the house. Five hours later, in the early morning, he returns.’
‘And
