He knew the right thing to do, but how? He had been married off in a loveless marriage to a cold and passionless woman. Apart from Elaine Downton, a casual fling before he had married, he had slept with no other woman. That was until he had met Aisha. One night in a hotel room with her, and he knew he wanted to spend his life with her, but was it possible?
Isaac’s penchant for bedding attractive women never ceased to draw admiration from the men in the police force, but the head of such a fine Service needed to be stable, with a stable family life.
Farhan knew that in time Isaac would settle down and that he was equally at ease with the man on the street or someone in high office. Isaac had told him how the Government Chief Whip, Angus MacTavish, had acted towards him: magnanimous, friendly. Farhan had not been surprised; it happened all the time.
Farhan knew that he did not possess Isaac’s innate charm. He was aware that he was not an unattractive man, but his features were not as easy on the eye. Sure, Elaine Downton had told him he had a good heart, and Aisha told him he was attractive, and that beauty is more than skin deep.
No doubt they were correct. He did have a good heart, a need to help. Isaac did as well, but he had both the exterior beauty and the inner goodness. No, Farhan admitted openly to himself, I’ll be happy to make detective superintendent.
He also knew that while the unresolved issue of his wife remained, and his involvement with a prostitute, whether or not he married her in due course, his career was going nowhere.
He phoned Aisha. The case she had been working on had turned out successfully.
Farhan and Aisha arranged to meet later that day. Important issues to discuss, she said. They met at the same hotel down by the river, ended up in the same bed. The important matter was that she wanted to be with him. Farhan had suspected as much when he had agreed to the meeting. His protestations at the folly of it were feebly attempted.
After their lovemaking, she explained the situation. Her career was looking good, her parents were pleased, always telling their extended family back in India about how well their Aisha was doing. Also mentioning that she had a boyfriend, a senior man in the police force, a man going places.
‘I’m sorry. I had to tell them something. They are still steeped in the traditions of the home country. They still believe in their making a choice as to who I’ll spend my life with.’
‘Have you made that choice?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
‘I’m not sure about the senior policeman.’
‘You will be; I’m sure of it.’
‘I won’t be anything if this crime is not solved.’
‘Maybe I can help.’
‘I know we discussed this before, but how?’
‘A different perspective. I’m a criminal lawyer.’
‘A successful criminal lawyer now,’ he joked.
‘As you say, successful.’
They were glad of the opportunity to spend time together. He knew the trouble he would be in if anyone found out that he had slept with her again. Murder enquiry or no murder enquiry, he would almost certainly be suspended, pending a disciplinary hearing. The only hope of redemption would be if he came up with a new take on the murders.
‘Can we come back to Sutherland?’ He was aware of her wish not to discuss the matter.
‘If you must.’
‘Someone was able to induce him to take a drink while he was naked.’
‘It can only be a woman.’
‘If it wasn’t either you or Olivia, then that leaves the woman who let you in.’
‘Christy?’
‘I wasn’t aware you knew her name.’
‘She introduced herself when we first met. Timid sort of woman. Just good manners, I assume.’
‘I’ve ruled her out,’ Farhan said.
‘Any reason?’
‘No apparent connection that would tie her in with Sally Jenkins.’
‘Are the two murders related?’
‘That is the assumption. The disappearance of Marjorie Frobisher seems related as well.’
‘All three could be unrelated. Have you considered that?’
‘Initially, but it seemed to be going nowhere.’
‘And now?’
‘About the same. Sally Jenkins, we’re not sure. Probably someone she knew, but who? Her previous lover doesn’t seem to have a reason to kill her, and his alibi is cast iron.’
‘Cast iron, why do you say that?’
‘He was in bed with another woman.’
‘Proven?’ Aisha asked.
‘According to the woman.’
‘Do you believe her? Maybe she’s protecting him out of some misguided loyalty, maybe love. The same as you’re protecting me.’
Farhan could see the reasoning. He would discuss it with Isaac, not mentioning where the discussion was held. Maybe they should just focus on one murder at a time, treat it in isolation, and not try to tie it in with the other.
It was eight in the evening when they left the hotel. Farhan back to a cold and miserable house, Aisha back to her proud parents. How she wished she had met such a good man before she had become a prostitute, but then she would not have met him. How he wished he was free to make the choice he wanted to, but there were the children to consider. He knew the road ahead was far from clear. At least, for tonight, he was pleased they had met, had made love, had discussed the case.
***
Isaac intended to meet Richard Williams at the earliest opportunity, but
