The wife, an elegant woman, the daughter of a Duke, knew when it was a time for silence, a time for speaking. She decided to let him talk.
‘I became involved with a group of people during our darkest days,’ he said.
His wife knew exactly which days he was referring to. She had hated cheapening themselves as much as he had when they had been forced by an uncaring, overtaxing government to let in the proletariat.
‘But you saved us,’ she said.
‘The cost was too high. I must confess,’ he said.
‘To God?’
‘No. I must confess to the police.’
Lady Allerton shot up from the chair where she had been sitting. ‘What!’
‘My dear wife, you have to know that I have become a criminal.’
‘I cannot believe this,’ she said.
‘It’s true, all true. Out of necessity, I entered into a business venture with my oldest friends. It was a pact which we made over twenty-five years ago, to always help each other.’
‘Why is that criminal?’
‘I thought it would save us financially. I did not understand at what cost.’
‘But we are all fine.’
‘There are others who are not.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘One of our group, my relative, is not a good man. We knew he was devious, even criminal, but we did not know of his ruthlessness.’
‘What type of crime?’ Allerton’s wife asked.
‘I helped to finance a smuggling operation. In return, I received a substantial cash benefit.’
‘Smuggling what?’
‘Drugs.’
The woman, who had been supportive, put her head into her hands. ‘How could you?’ she said.
‘I had no option: the pact. This house and all we own have been saved because of what I did.’
‘Do you think that excuses it. I could deal with the gawking tourists, even the shame of losing this place, but crime, drugs. It’s so working class.’
Lord Allerton, realising that the life he had known was over, left the room and walked out of the house and to his car. He was aware that it would be many years before he returned.
He made two phone calls from his mobile. The first was to Jacob Griffiths. ‘You’ve seen the reports of the death on the television?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ Griffiths’ reply.
‘What do you think?’
‘We allowed Keith three weeks to fold up the business.’
‘Another murder,’ Allerton said.
‘He always said there were a few loose ends to tie up. Obviously that was one of them.’
‘You’re not concerned?’
‘I’d prefer for no one to die, but I’m more concerned with my freedom and my family’s well-being.’
‘I cannot agree,’ Allerton said.
‘What are you going to do?’
‘What I should have done after the first death. I intend to hand myself in to the police.’ Allerton hung up. He made another call. ‘DCI Cook, I have some information. I will be in your police station within the next two hours.’
‘Your name,’ Isaac asked.
‘Lord Allerton. I will reveal all that I know of the death of Alex Hughenden and the drug syndicate.’
‘And who’s running it?’
‘Yes. I will give you his name.’
‘Can you give it to me now?’
‘No. I’ll only talk in the presence of my QC. Thank you.’ The phone line went dead.
Isaac sat back on his chair. He knew he had just received the most bizarre phone call. He called Wendy and Larry back, as well as Bridget.
‘Thirty minutes,’ Isaac said to Bridget. ‘Research everything you can on Lord Allerton. Wendy, Larry, focus on what Bridget finds out.’
‘What about Steve Walters?’ Wendy asked.
‘It depends on what Allerton says, but leave Walters for the moment.’
‘What is it with this lord?’ Larry asked.
‘He’s coming here, and he’s going to tell us everything, even who is running the drug syndicate.’
‘Wow.’ Larry’s only remark.
Isaac then phoned Len Donaldson. ‘Get over to Challis Street. I believe we have the breakthrough you’ve been looking for.’
***
Jacob Griffiths’ first act on ending the phone conversation with Allerton was to phone Miles Fortescue, the notoriously incompetent politician. ‘Allerton’s going to blow it,’ Griffiths said.
‘What do you mean?’ Fortescue replied, pushing his mistress to one side.
‘He’s going to confess.’
‘To the police?’
‘You realise Keith has had Hughenden murdered?’
‘He said he had loose ends to tie up.’
‘Tim Allerton’s lost it,’ Griffiths said. ‘If he confesses we’ll be arrested as well.’
‘Hell. I thought this was going to be wrapped up.’
‘What do we do?’
‘Phone Keith.’
Griffiths put Keith, the fourth man and Allerton’s relative, on a group call. ‘Your cousin is on the way to the police.’
‘He must be stopped. Where is he now?’
‘On the road to the police station.’
‘We need to meet him before he gets there.’
‘And then?’ Fortescue asked. His mistress had lost interest and gone into the other room to watch the television.
‘It depends,’ the leader of the quartet said.
‘Would you…?’
‘It’s up to him. If he can’t keep his mouth shut...’
‘Why did you have to kill Hughenden?’ Griffiths interjected.
‘I’ve only done what is necessary, and besides, each of you has an extra million pounds in your bank account. I’m wrapping this business up as we agreed. The police are getting too close, and I intend to make myself scarce.’
‘And what about us?’ Fortescue asked.
‘From what I know you’re invisible in the Houses of Parliament. You’ll be fine.’
‘I’ve dialled in Allerton,’ Griffiths said.
A nervous voice answered. ‘Allerton,’ it said.
‘We need to meet,’ Fortescue said.
‘I am resolute. I can no longer continue with this.’
‘And what about us?’
‘It’s each man for himself.’
‘What about our pact?’ Keith asked. He had lifted himself out of the leather chair which was in the corner of the sitting room in his house.
‘My wife was right. It was only four schoolboys aiming to
