Montgomery was the first to speak. ‘Do you believe that Sutherland died as a result of the information he was willing to give to us?’
Farhan felt it necessary to clarify. ‘It is only a supposition at this time. We have established no clear motive.’
‘Are you saying there is nothing for me to worry about?’ Victoria Webster asked.
‘On the contrary. I will be open with you. Charles Sutherland was not the most pleasant of men. He had a tendency to argue with people and to behave in a manner outside of the acceptable norm, especially when drunk or under the influence of drugs.’
‘He was a horrible toad of a man,’ Victoria Webster interjected. ‘I didn’t like him at all.’
‘Please let me finish.’ Farhan needed her to be concerned, not frightened. He was choosing his words carefully. He did not want to reveal the attempted rape of Jess O’Neill as an example, but it was in the back of his mind. He also did not wish to reveal the attempt to draw Christy Nichols into Sutherland’s threesome.
‘Victoria, it would be best if we let DI Ahmed continue uninterrupted,’ Webster said.
‘You’re right, William. My apologies.’
‘I can understand your apprehension concerning the matter.’ Farhan could see the veneer of invulnerability cracking. She appeared more than a little nervous. ‘We are aware of some gambling debts, a predilection for prostitutes, usually high-class and expensive, and the occasional abuse of drugs, cocaine mainly. None of those activities as far as we can ascertain made him a candidate for murder.’
‘Do you know why he was killed?’ Montgomery asked.
‘Am I correct that you were willing to pay him up to half a million pounds for the story?’ Farhan asked.
‘The final price was dependent on what he gave us,’ Victoria Webster said. ‘If it were only that she played around, slept with some influential men, then he would not have received the full amount, maybe one hundred thousand.’
‘What were you expecting to receive?’ Farhan asked.
‘An illegitimate child.’
‘Is that worth the full amount?’
‘He said it was.’
‘Did he tell you?’
‘Only hints. I was going to give him another week at the Savoy, allow him to drink himself under the table, screw as many whores as he wanted, then I was going to throw him back on the street. Before throwing him out, I would have given him one more chance.’
‘Do you know the name of this child?’ Farhan asked.
‘No idea, that’s the truth. Am I at risk?’
‘It is uncertain, but it would be best to take extra precautions.’
‘I could make a statement in the media.’
‘I would not advise that as a course of action,’ Farhan said. ‘Mr Montgomery can advise you. You are just focussing attention on yourself.’
‘DI Ahmed’s correct. It’s best to keep a low profile on this.’
Farhan left soon after. Victoria Webster thanked him for his consideration. William Montgomery shook his hand.
Chapter 18
Richard Goddard was in a verbose mode when he met Isaac and Farhan. ‘What do you have? he asked.
‘It’s not what we have, it’s what you have,’ Isaac said. Farhan would not have been as direct.
‘I’ve met with my contact.’
‘And?’ Isaac said.
‘There’s a child.’
‘We know that. That appears to be the clue to this whole sorry mess.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Charles Sutherland was using it as a bargaining chip with Victoria Webster,’ Farhan said.
‘Did she know who it was?’
‘No, but she’s scared that she may be a marked woman.’
‘Is she?’
‘Potentially,’ Isaac said. ‘If this is dynamite, then anyone even remotely involved is at risk.’
‘Including us,’ Detective Superintendent Goddard said.
‘We’ve considered it.’
‘Any more tails on your cars?’
‘Not recently.’ Isaac said.
‘Detective Superintendent, your contact. What’s he got to say for himself?’ Isaac asked.
‘He’s not willing to reveal who the child is. I believe he doesn’t know.’
‘Did Marjorie Frobisher, and if so, how?’
‘My contact did reveal that the child is looking for the mother. They can’t hold him off for much longer.’
‘Are we looking for a male?’ Farhan asked.
‘A slip of the tongue. The assumption is male, but there’s no reason to believe that it could not be female. Marjorie Frobisher would have known.’
‘And the father, presumably.’ Isaac said.
‘Maybe, maybe not. The birth could have been hushed up, remote location, remote hospital, probably private. Even the adoption records could have been falsified.
‘Let’s come back to your contact, sir,’ Isaac said. He was sure there was something else, something vital.
‘You want more information, correct?’
‘Correct.’ Isaac stood up. He aimed to hover close to his senior until something more definite was revealed.
‘I believe my contact is being honest when he said that the person he is reporting to would not condone murder – even if the child could be responsible for the collapse of the government.’
‘Are we saying that Charles Sutherland was not a sanctioned murder?’
‘Not at all. My contact stated that revealing the existence of the child would have more severe repercussions than a change of government.’
‘And he doesn’t know who it is?’ Isaac persisted.
‘I don’t believe he does.’
‘Someone does.’
‘Who then?’ Farhan asked.
‘The father would be a fair assumption,’ Richard Goddard admitted.
‘Then why don’t we talk to the father?’ Isaac suggested.
‘I’m not sure who he is.’
‘You’ve a fair idea.’
‘I’m pretty certain who it is.’
‘Then why don’t we make an appointment, and go over and meet with this person.’
‘Not so easy.’
‘Why not?’ Isaac asked.
‘He doesn’t answer his phone, at least, not to us. It would need to be the Commissioner.’
‘Then ask him.’ Isaac saw no issue. He had met Commissioner Shaw on a couple of occasions; thought him
