Isaac continued. ‘I need you to tell who may have had an issue with Charles Sutherland.’
‘I understand that. Where do you want me to start?’
‘Just give me the details.’ Isaac recognised procrastination. He thought it reasonable. Nobody likes dishing the dirt on someone else, and a murder enquiry always puts everyone on the defensive.
‘Marjorie, obviously.’
‘Why Marjorie?’ Isaac knew there was mutual antagonism, but wanting someone dead indicated something more serious.
‘He was always sticking his nose in, attempting to listen in on other people's conversations.’
‘Is that a reason to want him dead?’
‘For Marjorie, it would have been.’
‘It is clear that you are not inclined to give an honest answer.’
‘Confidentiality seems more important to me.’
‘The seriousness of the situation demands your full compliance.’
‘I know, but as the executive producer, I make it a habit to maintain the confidence of all the people that I am responsible for. As long as it’s not criminal, then I don’t care if they are adulterers, closet gays, incorrigible gamblers, or whether they cheat on their tax.’
‘I can understand, but this is a murder enquiry. You know I could take you down the station for questioning.’
‘Not without my lawyer, you couldn’t. Okay, here’s what I know. Sutherland had picked up some dirt on Marjorie, enough for her to be seriously worried, enough for her to come in here and demand his withdrawal from the programme.’
‘You agreed?’
‘I tried to reason with her, but she was adamant.’
‘She threatened to walk out of the production?’
‘No.’
‘So why did you agree?’
‘I ran it past the scriptwriters first to see how we could get rid of him.’
‘Once you had a storyline, you let him go.’
‘He was going anyway. Marjorie and I go back a long way.’
‘I believe that has been mentioned before. Maybe you could elaborate.’
‘Nothing sinister. We were both starting out. I saw myself as the great international news correspondent; Marjorie, the next great movie star.’
‘Neither of you achieved your aims.’
‘That may be the case, but we’ve both been successful.’
‘It’s hardly a reason to accede to her demands.’
‘We lived together for nine months. The first great love for both of us, and we have helped each other over the years. Shoulder to cry on if needed. I would do anything for her.’
‘You don’t seem concerned that she is missing.’
‘Marjorie, what could happen to her? She’s a survivor, same as I am. She’ll reappear when the time is right.’
‘You seem remarkably confident.’
‘I’ve known her for too long to believe that she has been murdered. And besides, what proof do you have?’
‘Apart from a confirmed sighting.’
‘Malvern? I knew about that.’
‘Have you been withholding information?’ Isaac raised his voice. What else does Richard Williams know? he thought.
‘I’ll rephrase. I assumed that was where she had gone. It was her hideout in the past. I have been there a few times in the past to meet with her.’
‘Are you still maintaining a relationship with her?’
‘You make it sound dirty. When she was upset, she would disappear for a few days. It didn’t happen often, but she would always phone me, ask me to join her. She would do the same for me.’
‘You slept with her?’
‘When?’
‘When you went to Malvern.’
‘No, not at all. You don’t understand. We have a lot of history. She knows about my skeletons, or most of them. I know about hers.’
‘Is there something I should be aware of?’
‘Charles Sutherland knew something. Believe me, I don’t know what it was.’
‘Enough to kill him?’
‘I don’t know. Everyone knew about Marjorie and her open marriage, and she could be a bitch, but murder!’
‘Anger, dislike, and hatred gravitate to murder,’ Isaac said.
‘I’ve been too long in this business, too many scripts, not to know that administered poison is not a spur of the moment action. It’s premeditated and by someone with knowledge of poisons.’
‘You should have been a policeman.’ Isaac had to admit the man was correct. ‘Who else would not be sad about Sutherland’s death.’
‘I don’t think you’ll find anyone in mourning.’
‘Anyone else who would have been pleased?’
‘There’s only one.’
‘Who’s that?’
‘Jess O’Neill.’ Isaac sat up straighter, which caused Richard Williams to offer a comment.
‘I see that you know the lovely Jess.’ Williams smiled. Yet again, Isaac severely embarrassed that he was allowing personal to interfere with professional.
‘I’ve spoken to her a few times.’
‘And found her delightful?’
‘She is an attractive woman, I’ll grant you that.’
‘I tried it on when she first arrived.’
‘I assumed you would have, but I’m led to believe it was not successful.’
‘I even took her away to an exhibition up north. We went up in the Ferrari, best hotel, few too many drinks, but she wasn’t swayed. Looking for love, I suppose.’
‘Any hard feelings after that?’ Isaac visibly relaxed at Williams’ affirmation of what Jess had told him.
‘Not at all, but be careful. You’ve got a murder investigation, and it’s clear that you are attracted to her.’
‘Why should I be careful?’
‘Not in regards to Jess, but you’re here on official business. It would not seem proper to show preferential treatment of one witness over another, would it?’
‘I can assure you that our relationship is purely professional. Who else believes that we have a friendship?’
‘Everyone out at the production lot; it’s a great place for gossip.’
‘Let’s get back to why she would not be sad to see Charles Sutherland
