After a few minutes when the two women comforted each other, the housekeeper left. Isaac looked around the room; it was magnificent. It wasn’t the first stately home he had been in, but it was one of the best. Apart from the portraits on the walls, there were hunting trophies from a bygone age and an elephant’s foot footstool near the fireplace. Isaac did not like the idea of it but did not comment.
‘My husband was a good man,’ Lady Allerton said. She was dressed conservatively in black.
‘I’m very sorry about this,’ Isaac said, ‘but I must ask some questions.’
Isaac remembered Inspector Corker’s statement that women such as Lady Allerton keep their emotions in check. The man had been right, as the woman maintained her composure.
‘Thank you. I believe his body has been removed,’ she said.
‘You will be required to formally identify your late husband. Will that be acceptable?’ Donaldson asked.
‘Perfectly acceptable.’ Given that her husband had just died, Isaac marvelled at the woman’s self-control. Not only had she maintained a steady voice devoid of emotion, but she had also managed to order tea for all three. A woman entered carrying the tray.
‘Lily, please pour,’ Lady Allerton said. It was the first opportunity that Isaac had to study the woman. He knew from Bridget’s check of Burke’s Peerage that she was forty-two. She was slim and well proportioned. Isaac, a man with an eye for beauty, could only declare her beautiful.
Donaldson, if asked, would have said that he had taken no notice, and that after his wife had taken off with his best friend, he had given women a wide berth.
‘I must ask,’ Isaac said.
‘Please do. I will answer your questions to the best of my ability.’
‘Do you know the reason for your husband’s death?’
‘No.’
‘Are you aware that he was in London?’
‘He told me he had some business there.’
‘Did he tell you what kind of business?’
‘I did not ask. My husband is free to conduct his affairs without an inquisitive wife.’
‘Affairs?’ Donaldson asked.
‘Not the sort you are referring to. My husband did not become involved with other women.’
‘He phoned me earlier today,’ Isaac said. ‘Do you know why?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
Isaac thought he had seen her move imperceptibly in her chair. The woman was distraught; it could be the only logical reaction after the man she had shared a bed with for the last twenty years had died violently not three hours before. It was clear that she believed in a stiff upper lip, especially in front of the staff, and especially in front of two police inspectors. He gave her the benefit of the doubt and a willingness to accept all that she told them as true.
‘Lady Allerton, do you believe your husband capable of an illegal act?’ Donaldson asked.
‘Timothy? No way. You’d never meet a more honest man.’ Lady Allerton was firm in her rejection of Donaldson’s aspersion.
‘My apologies if I offended you.’
‘Your apology is accepted.’
‘But we have reason to believe that he was.’
‘How dare you come into my house and accuse my husband, a man who died only a few hours ago, of criminal activity.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Isaac said, ‘but he phoned to tell me he wanted to confess.’
‘Go, please go. I will not speak to you anymore without my lawyer being present. My husband was a good man, adored by his wife and his children. Your accusations are scurrilous.’
‘I’m sorry to be impolite,’ Isaac said, knowing full well that their time at Allerton Hall was about to conclude. ‘A vehicle intentionally ran your husband’s car off the road. It’s not a random hit and miss, it’s murder. The question is why?’
Outside the house, Donaldson spoke. ‘At least she was polite enough when she showed us the door.’
‘Too polite,’ Isaac replied.
‘Do you believe her?’
‘I want to, but she could be lying through her teeth.’
‘Why?’
‘She’s aristocracy. Don’t try to reason it too closely. They run with a different set of moral barometers: position and respect are more important than the mere machinations of a murder inquiry.’
‘Are you saying that if she knew something, she’d keep quiet just to protect the good name of the Allertons?’ Donaldson asked.
‘Yes,’ Isaac replied.
***
Bridget traced the Land Rover with no difficulty: a 2007 Defender.
The timing of Allerton’s death indicated that someone knew of his movements. And the two officers were familiar with the description of the driver. If it was who they thought it was, then he was in the north and possibly nearby, although that was far from conclusive.
‘We need to find Walters,’ Larry said to Wendy.
‘Easier said than done.’
‘Someone knew how to contact him.’
‘No one we know.’
‘Allerton may have. Do we have his phone?’
Larry called Isaac as he was about to leave the Allerton property. ‘We need Lord Allerton’s phone.’
‘I’ll see what I can do. We’re off to see Terry Smith, the youngest of the three boys, again. He’s at his home in the village not far from here. He’s been correct with the vehicle's registration; he may be able to tell us more.’
Isaac phoned Inspector Corker after ending his call with Larry. ‘Do you have Allerton’s phone?’ he asked.
‘Yes. It’s still working.’
‘I need it.’
‘It’s evidence. You’ll need authority.’
‘I’ll get it.’
Isaac phoned Goddard, his senior, explained the situation. Within fifteen minutes the phone was released.
‘Quick work there,’ Corker said.
‘We’re off to see Terry Smith. Can you bring the phone to his house?’
‘No problems. Terry’s the hero.’
‘He was accurate with the vehicle. We need to see
