‘No, why would I? What was there for me to gain?’
‘Protection for Malcolm Grenfell.’
‘Protection from what?’ Lady Penrith asked. Isaac declined to answer.
***
‘You were rough on Lady Penrith,’ Wendy said on the drive back to London.
‘I’ll apologise later,’ Isaac said as he focussed on the road ahead.
‘What did you hope to find out?’ Wendy liked Emma Hampshire. The woman had been through a lot, and now she sat in the stately home with a title. Wendy had noticed the female touch in the house. In the hallway, there were flowers, as in the other rooms. The curtains had been flung open, the light streaming in. Upon their arrival, Wendy had noticed a van belonging to a company of professional cleaners, although not Daniel Solomon’s, as the doors to his business had closed after his arrest for murder.
‘I wanted her to be angry and confused. Only then would I know the truth.’
‘Do you?’
‘Yes.’
‘What do you know?’
‘Emma Hampshire is not guilty of any crime.’
Upon their return to Challis Street, Isaac called the team together, even though it was late. ‘Keith, what do you have?’
‘A scanned copy on Montague’s Grenfell’s laptop. There was a password that I had to crack first.’
‘Genuine?’
‘I’ve checked, sir,’ Bridget said.
‘There’s only one issue,’ Larry said. He was glad of the late night, a chance to get away from home renovations.
‘What’s that?’
‘Albert Grenfell could not have murdered Garry Solomon.’
‘What?’ Isaac was sure they had their man, even if they could not prove it.
‘He was out of the country for two months during that period.’
‘Proven?’
‘Conclusively.’
‘George Sullivan as a favour to Albert Grenfell?’ Wendy asked.
‘He was not in the country either.’
‘Montague?’
‘It’s possible,’ Larry said.
Isaac, unsure how to proceed, phoned DCS Goddard. ‘We are at a dead end.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We can prove that Albert Grenfell did not murder Garry Solomon.’
‘Other suspects?’
‘Montague Grenfell, but it’s not provable. And besides, he’s dead.’
‘What do you want to do? Shelve the investigation?’
‘Not yet, sir.’
‘One week maximum,’ DCS Goddard said.
Isaac could see only one approach. He needed to take all those involved and push them to the limit.
Wendy would go and talk to George Sullivan, although the man was too old for intense questioning, and he would probably say very little.
Larry could talk to Kevin Solomon, now the stepson of Malcolm Grenfell, Lord Penrith.
Isaac knew that Malcolm Grenfell had been obtuse with him. This time his interview would be formal and direct. He hoped the man had good legal representation, as his legal rights were going to be severely challenged.
***
Larry found Kevin Solomon at his flat in Hampstead. The man was in a good mood and invited him in.
‘Coffee?’ Solomon asked.
‘Yes please.’
‘I assume your visit is not purely social.’
‘Your mother married Lord Penrith.’
‘Why not?’
‘You have no problems with it?’
‘Why should I? She is still young, and Malcolm is, at least, good fun. Bob Hampshire was a good man, but he was not always the most entertaining.’
‘You knew Malcolm Grenfell from before?’
‘He was a friend of Bob’s, and my mother knew him.’
‘You were aware of their past relationship?’
‘I believe I told you that already.’
***
Wendy met George Sullivan. They sat in the front room of his house. His wife continued to fuss, always bringing drinks and snacks. Wendy asked if they could have fifteen minutes without interruption. Victoria Sullivan acquiesced.
‘Albert Grenfell did not murder Garry Solomon,’ Wendy said.
‘I never thought he did,’ Sullivan said.
‘Why?’
‘Albert was a man of honour. Killing for your country, protecting the good name of the family is honourable, but murdering a civilian for no good reason made no sense.’
‘There is a motive,’ Wendy said.
‘Sufficient to murder?’
‘Yes.’
‘Even so, I cannot think badly of Albert.’
Wendy phoned Isaac. ‘George Sullivan can tell us nothing more. Albert Grenfell asked him to install the grille, that is all.’
Larry updated Isaac. ‘No more to tell. The trail has run cold.’
‘No, it hasn’t,’ Isaac said. ‘All three of us are going to Penrith House.’
***
Lord and Lady Penrith were not pleased to see Isaac and his team. Kevin Solomon was there, as were several prominent locals.
‘This is an intrusion, Chief Inspector,’ Lord Penrith said. Isaac had ensured a marked police car was outside with two uniformed officers. Isaac realised he was taking a risk here, but he could see no alternative. The only hope for a resolution to the murder of Garry Solomon lay with Lord Penrith. Lady Penrith echoed her husband’s criticism.
Isaac chose to ignore them both. ‘This is a murder enquiry, and I intend to resolve it today. Lord Penrith, if you will please accompany me into the other room.’
‘This is my house. How dare you order me around.’
‘It’s either here or down the station. I have two officers outside. Any obstruction on your part and I will have you in handcuffs. Do you understand?’ Isaac knew if he were wrong, his DCS would not be able to protect him.
‘Emma, make my apologies to the others. Tell them we will meet again tomorrow,’ Penrith said. ‘Chief Inspector, I have no option.’
‘Correct.’
A dining room table was in the centre of the room: Larry and Isaac on one side, Lord Penrith on the other. Isaac gave the customary caution. Penrith asked for Kevin Solomon to be present. ‘He’s had some legal training.’
‘You murdered Garry Solomon,’ Isaac directed his gaze at Malcolm Grenfell.
Emma Hampshire, who had been listening at the door, burst in. ‘How dare you accuse my husband,’ she said.
Wendy followed soon after. ‘I couldn’t stop her.’
‘Very well,’ Isaac said. ‘Lady Penrith, you can stay, as long as I have your word that you
