Quentin Waverley had all the right attributes; her father had checked him out, even met his parents. In the end, George and Gwen Happold had put in place a plan, a plan that would upset Amelia, but as her father had said, you can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg. But it was her friend, and she was going to steal her man away from her.
‘Mrs Waverley,’ Wendy said, ‘is it a fact that your treatment of Amelia led to her disruptive behaviour?’
‘Yes, I believe that, but I can’t be expected to shoulder the blame for her death. People fall in love, fall out of love, move on, but she couldn’t. She remained committed to Quentin, and he was back there, sniffing around.’
‘But she was frightened of him, you know that. Do you know why?’
‘No, even assuming he is the Q.’
‘We are convinced that he is,’ Isaac said. ‘Why would she be frightened? You say your husband was sleeping with the woman. We are certain that you, Mrs Waverley, know the truth, the same as your father always knew the truth.’
‘Okay, Amelia knew that I had been sleeping with her father.’
‘Jeremy Brice?’
‘That’s the only father she’s got.’
‘Even if it sounds bizarre, why is that a problem?’
‘It’s not now.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It was before I married Quentin. I was young, promiscuous, and Jeremy, he was there a lot of the time. One thing led to another, and we ended up sleeping together. Satisfied now?’
‘Why is it not a problem now?’
‘My father detested the man; Jeremy detested him. It goes back some time, and if my father had known about Jeremy and me, he would have probably changed his will.’
‘To what?’
‘I don’t know. He could have even considered not leaving me the fifty-one per cent share of the bank. He could have set up a consortium to run it, maybe even sold it.’
‘His anger would have been that severe?’
‘My father was no saint, but my sleeping with an older man would have been enough.’
‘Even after you were married?’
‘Don’t get me wrong. He wouldn’t have left me penniless, but I wouldn’t have the bank.’
‘It’s that important?’
‘To me it is.’
‘And Quentin knew about this?’
‘Amelia, whenever she saw him, she’d bring it up, and how she was going to tell my father about my sleeping with hers.’
‘Are you now telling us that you knew about your husband and Amelia?’
‘I knew. He was still in love with her, and with me. He was confused, that’s all.’
‘And you removed that confusion by having her killed? But why Christine Devon? Did she know about you and Jeremy Brice?’
‘You’re leading my client,’ Bamford said. ‘ Mrs Waverley will not answer any more questions today.’
Isaac realised that he had pushed more than he should, but now there was a motive. It seemed weak in itself, but, if, as the woman had indicated, her father may not have ensured the handover of the bank to her, then she had a reason to want Amelia dead.
‘A devious woman,’ Wendy said on the drive back to London.
‘Capable of murder?’ Isaac asked.
‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’
‘Was she scorned?’
‘She was, or she thought it was possible. Her husband is back on with Amelia; he’s screwing his PA, and whoever else. His wife collects possessions, men included. She does not give them away.’
‘She couldn’t have killed Amelia Brice and Christine Devon,’ Isaac said.
‘Nor could Quentin Waverley.’
‘Why not?’
‘He’s not a professional killer, we know that, but there’s a more important consideration.’
‘And that is?’
‘You’ve been to Christine Devon’s flat. What do you reckon?’
‘Unless he was good at disguise, he’d never get through.’
‘Even with a disguise, the area is a no-go for anyone white, unless they’re carrying a badge.’
‘Even the uniforms don’t go there unless they’re in threes.’
‘Which means?
‘Gwen or Quentin Waverley could have organised someone else to commit the murders.’
‘Either or both.’
‘They’ll do anything to protect their lives,’ Isaac said.
***
Gwen Waverley sat with her lawyer after Isaac and Wendy left. ‘Are you involved? he asked.
‘With murder? Why do you ask? You’ve known me since I was a child.’
‘That’s why I’m asking. I handle your father’s legal matters, as well.’
‘I’m not sorry that Amelia’s dead.’
‘That’s what I thought. Nor am I,’ Bamford said.
‘Why you? What’s it got to do with you?’
‘Your father paid me to make problems go away.’
‘What sort of problems?’
‘Any that could threaten him.’
‘Were there any?’
‘An influential man such as your father, what do you think?’
‘Over the years there must have been someone or other who got in the way, but murder? That’s something else.’
‘I can only advise if you level with me. Gwen, you’re your father’s daughter. You would have no problems with taking the appropriate action if you and your children were threatened, would you?’
‘No, but I did not kill Amelia.’
‘But you know who did?’
‘I know people who would have been capable.’
‘If you're innocent, then say no more for now. If you aren’t, then tell me, or if steps need to be taken to protect the truth, then I must know. My discretion is assured.’
Chapter 29
Quentin Waverley had been forewarned by Gwen about what had happened when she met DCI Cook. He had not expected the man to be in his office with his sergeant within hours of leaving his wife.
‘DCI Cook, I’m a busy man,’ Waverley said.
‘So are we.
