Keith Dawson continued to work through Montague Grenfell’s records. Isaac had to admit that he had done a good job, and even though he lacked the natural camaraderie of the other people in his team, he still fitted in well. Larry’s opinion of the man had changed after Dawson had even paid for a round of drinks one Friday night.
It was three weeks after the arrest of Daniel and Deidre Solomon when the department came back together. Events had moved on, and the murder of Garry Solomon had taken precedence again.
After thirty years, it would have been possible to put it to one side and declare it as unsolved. As Isaac said to the team, ‘If we had arrested the murderer then, he would by now have been released from jail.’
Finding a killer after so long seemed like finding a needle in a haystack, but it had been Keith who had found it, hidden deep inside a file on Montague Grenfell’s laptop. Bridget had checked, found it to be correct. It was damning evidence, and its repercussions could still be felt today after thirty years. It was a clear motive.
Katrina had told Isaac two days earlier that Malcolm Grenfell had married Emma Hampshire in a registry office in Leicestershire. Her son, Kevin, had given her away. Katrina thought that Malcolm Grenfell had changed; Isaac was not sure.
Nuptials aside, Isaac knew that he needed to question the bride and groom again. He made plans to drive up to see them, but first he needed to interview George Sullivan again.
***
It was Wendy who picked up George Sullivan from his house. It had only been three weeks since she had last seen him, but his health had deteriorated.
Not long now, Wendy thought.
George Sullivan was as always polite and amenable, although he needed Wendy’s assistance into the police car.
Interview Room A at his nearest police station. Isaac was already there.
‘Mr Sullivan, thank you for coming.’
‘Always willing to help the police.’
Isaac went through the cautioning process, informed him of his rights. Sullivan waved them away. Isaac continued to a conclusion. It was always difficult interviewing old people, and whether Sullivan was guilty of any crime or not, it was clear that the man would not stand up in any court in front of a judge.
‘We need to go over why you installed the grille on Albert Grenfell’s behalf,’ Isaac asked.
‘It was a favour. Albert asked me.’
‘He could have dealt with it.’
‘Dealing with tradesmen? Not Albert’s style.’
‘Beneath him?’ Wendy asked. She was sitting to the left of Isaac.
‘If he could avoid it. I told you before that Albert was a terrible snob. Admirable in many ways, but he saw himself as above the common man. It may be an outdated attitude, but he was firm in his beliefs.’
‘But you are not from his class,’ Isaac said.
‘The son of a butcher, and not even a gentleman’s butcher.’
‘Then why the friendship?’ Isaac asked.
‘Please. I am an old man.’
‘I’m sorry, but we owe it to Garry Solomon to solve his murder.’
‘I suppose so.’
Wendy organised some tea to be brought in. She also took the opportunity to ask Isaac to ease his interrogating style.
‘The friendship?’ Isaac asked. His manner was less forthright.
‘Albert was behind enemy lines. The Stasi, the East German secret police, had captured him and were holding him on the outskirts of East Berlin. I went in and rescued him.’
‘Dangerous?’ Wendy asked.
‘I killed two men to get him out. We were both lucky to get out alive.’
Isaac had to admire the man, even if his involvement with the death of Garry Solomon was suspected.
‘You said before that you installed the grille as a favour.’
‘Yes.’
‘If you had known that it was being installed to cover up a criminal act?’
‘If Albert Grenfell had told me, I would have still installed the grille.’
‘And been an accessory to murder?’
‘You both belong to a different generation,’ Sullivan said. ‘Albert and I had a long history. What we did all those years ago formed a bond that cannot be broken. Whether Albert knew what was in that room or not, is not important to me. I did my duty, as he would have done for me.’
‘Including murder?’
‘We killed in Germany, although it was called political assassination. Over there we received medals for our actions, not prison cells.’
‘Let me get this clear,’ Isaac said. ‘You installed the grille, but you had no part in the placement of the body in the fireplace or his murder.’
‘That is correct. My conscience is clear. I did my duty, and God will be my judge.’
‘Thank you, Mr Sullivan. There are no more questions.’
Isaac concluded the interview. Wendy organised a policewoman to take George Sullivan home.
‘What do you think?’ Wendy asked Isaac outside the police station as they prepared to drive back to Challis Street.
‘Albert could have killed Solomon. He had the motive.’
‘How do we prove it?’
‘We can’t. The truth, if he knows it, lies with Sullivan.’
‘Do you intend to question him again?’ Wendy asked.
‘No. That is the last time we will see George Sullivan,’ Isaac said. ‘As long as he denies any involvement in the murder, there is nothing we can do.’
Chapter 35
Isaac made the trip up to Penrith House to meet Lord and Lady Penrith. He took Wendy with him. They were met at the front entrance to the house by Lady Penrith.
‘Pleased to see you,’ the former Emma Hampshire said.
‘It came as a surprise,’ Isaac said. He had to admit she looked resplendent. Around her neck she wore an emerald necklace.
‘Family heirloom,’ she
