‘Sally Jenkins?’
‘Richard Williams appears to be an obvious candidate, but why? Isaac asked.
‘We’re clutching at straws again,’ Farhan said. ‘It’s possible if it was somehow related to Marjorie Frobisher, but murder? Would Williams be capable of committing such an act?’
‘I can’t see it.’
‘Neither can I?’
‘Who else then?’
‘Linda Harris? She was around at the time.’
‘She’s providing an alibi for Williams. If she left him and went over to Sally Jenkins’ place, would he have known?’
‘Almost certainly.’
‘How far from Williams’ place to Sally Jenkins’?
‘Twenty minutes, no more.’
‘So it’s possible,’ Isaac said.
‘What do you intend to do? Who do you talk to first?’
‘Linda Harris. If she’s the murderer, she may have acted under orders.’
‘And if she did?’
‘Then she’s a very dangerous woman. If Sally Jenkins’ murder was premeditated because of what she may have known, what about Marjorie Frobisher?’
‘She’s dead, or soon will be, and neither you nor I will be able to protect her.’
‘A disturbing reality.’
‘An accurate picture, though. If her death is sanctioned officially, then she is a dead woman.’
***
Isaac phoned Linda Harris. Offered his apology, asked to see her again.
‘What was the response?’ Farhan asked on Isaac’s return from the corridor outside their office. He had heard Isaac ingratiating himself with the woman.
‘Tonight, same restaurant as before.’
‘Any idea how you will bring the matter up?’
‘Whether she killed Sally Jenkins or not? I don’t think the evening will go too well if I do.’
‘If she can sleep with Williams, and murder another woman, what chance do you have of finding out the truth?’ Farhan saw a danger in Isaac’s approach.
‘We can’t do nothing.’
‘Devil or the deep blue sea. There’s no other option for us, although it looks as if you, at least, will be having some fun.’
‘As you did with a witness.’ Isaac could not resist a little jest.
‘A witness on our side. Yours could as easily kill you as make love. It’s not an exciting prospect.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,’ Isaac said.
Farhan was not so sure. His boss was possibly becoming involved with dangerous people, government-sanctioned people. He only hoped he knew what he was doing.
***
Linda Harris was undeniably friendly when she met up with Isaac. ‘How are you? Good to see you,’ she had gushed. Isaac, forewarned, was not convinced.
‘I’m fine. Sorry about last time,’ he said. He had to admit she was stunning, dressed in a floral dress, short as she preferred, and a pair of red high-heels.
‘I dressed especially.’
‘You look beautiful.’
‘Good enough for dessert?’ Her comment seemed a little too forward for Isaac, but he had to admit that she was.
‘Main course, even.’
‘I think we should have something to eat first, don’t you?’ To Isaac, it all seemed a little too orchestrated, a little too teasing. He knew some details about the woman, which caused him to be wary. Sure, he wanted her for dessert, although he would have preferred Jess O’Neill. Apart from a couple of occasions, in a pub out near where she worked, he had not seen her for some time.
He had lambasted Farhan for his indiscretions, although he had not been blameless. However, with Jess, it had remained platonic. He knew he wanted her, knew she wanted him, but so far it had not progressed beyond a passionate kiss on a couple of occasions.
Regardless of Jess, Isaac knew that Linda Harris would be dessert if the evening progressed well enough.
First, there were some questions about Richard Williams’ alibi. Not answers veiled by confusion or outright denial; answers openly given, once he had broached the subject of her true employer. And even then, would she be open and truthful?
They chose a table near the back of the restaurant. Isaac ordered pork, Linda chose the veal. A good Chardonnay complemented the meal. Isaac drank sparingly; Linda with more enthusiasm.
‘Linda.’ Isaac knew he had to speak.
‘Don’t ruin the evening.’ She sounded genuine.
‘I hope I’m not.’ He knew how he wanted the evening to end. Personal assistant or not, lover of Richard Williams or not, secretive government employee or not, he intended to bed her if the opportunity arose.
‘I’m aware that you have received some information about me,’ she said.
‘I have.’
‘And you want to know more?’
‘There’s been two murders, probably more if we don’t find the killer, or killers?’
‘Killers? Could there be more than one?’
‘It’s possible. We still don’t have a clear motive for either murder.’
‘Isaac, I honestly don’t know about the murders.’
‘So, why are you sleeping with Williams?’
‘You sound jealous.’
‘Should I be?’ Isaac obliquely failed to answer her question.
‘You know I work for the government, MI5.’
‘That’s what I’ve been told.’
‘My superiors have given me authority to reveal certain facts if the situation came up.’
‘Has it?’
‘I believe it has. You are the lead policeman on the investigation into the two murders, although initially you were looking for a missing woman.’
‘Marjorie Frobisher.’
‘Precisely. That’s who I’m looking for,’ she said.
‘But why? Why is she so important?’
‘I’m assigned to find the woman, spy where I need to, do whatever is necessary to find her.’
‘And sleep with Williams?’
‘Yes, sleep with Williams if it helped with the investigation.’
‘Has it?’
‘Not really, but he’s a decent man, a little older than normal for me. I’m still a healthy liberated female. I need to be laid on a regular basis.’
‘That’s a stunningly frank admission.’
‘And you’re a modern virile man who needs to get laid on a regular basis, as well. Am I correct?’
‘That’s correct.’
‘And you’re not getting much action lately. Jess O’Neill is definitely off the menu.’
‘You know about her?’
‘It’s my job to know. Besides, the two of you are not the most
