‘He’ll see more on the stage, and Knox has a camera on the bed at the rear of the building. Which of your women were using it?’
‘They weren’t willing to admit it to me. The oldest one would be the most likely, but I’ve no proof.’
‘Don’t worry. We’re after a murderer or murderers, not fallen women. Aberman, any luck finding him, Bridget? And if it was Helen, who was paying for the electricity, the rates, why was the house empty?’
‘The rates are paid from an account in London,’ Bridget said. ‘There’s a solicitor’s firm that’s taken responsibility.’
‘The address?’
‘It’s in your inbox.’
‘Larry, let’s go,’ Isaac said.
‘Don’t you want to stay and prepare your defence,’ Larry said.
‘Defence? Wendy said.
‘I’m up before a disciplinary hearing,’ Isaac said. ‘Don’t worry about it. You focus on passing your medical. I can deal with our superintendent. And get Gordon Windsor and his crime scene team primed to check out Aberman’s house.’
‘You don’t think…?’
‘I don’t think anything at the present moment, but Helen Langdon’s been murdered for a reason, as has James Holden. What if it’s to do with Aberman’s disappearance? Maybe Helen did love James Holden, told him her story. The man wasn’t judgemental, no reason to be, but with Adamant, she was always careful.’
Chapter 12
‘Can I help?’ a polite young woman said from behind her desk. The firm of Slaters and Partners occupied two offices on the fourth floor of an office block in Mayfair.
‘Detective Chief Inspector Cook, Detective Inspector Hill. We’d like to talk to one of the senior partners,’ Isaac said.
‘Mr Slater is in. I’ll let him know you’re here. You don’t have an appointment, I suppose?’
‘We’re here on official business.’
‘Please take a seat. I’m sure he won’t be long.’
The two men settled on a leather sofa in the corner of the reception area. ‘Attractive,’ Larry said.
‘I didn’t notice.’
‘Come off it. You’re on your own again. It can’t be much fun.’
‘I’ve got you and Homicide,’ Isaac said. ‘What more could I want?’
‘And Caddick for the argumentative mother-in-law.’
‘My life is complete.’ Isaac realised the relationship with his DI had become more cordial in recent months.
‘Mr Slater will see you now,’ the lady at reception said.
Isaac and Larry entered Slater’s office. ‘Always pleased to meet members of our fine police force. What I can do for you.’
‘There’s a property in the village of Bray. It’s a two-storey, three- or four-bedroom house. It’s been unoccupied for some years.
‘Mr Aberman’s house?’
‘That’s it.’
‘What do you want to know?’
‘We need to contact Mr Aberman.’
‘I can’t help you there.’
‘You do pay the bills for the place?’
‘That’s correct. I have sufficient funds deposited in a trust account to cover the bills.’
‘Did Mr Aberman set it up?’
‘Yes, just before he went overseas.’
‘Have you spoken to him since.’
‘There’s been no reason to. The instructions were clear. The house was to be maintained, the rates were to be paid, and a small account set up, with a debit card sent to a nominated address.’
‘And you never queried this?’
‘I’ve no reason to. London, especially the better areas, is awash with empty houses, absent landlords. My instructions were clear, and I’ve carried them out to the best of my ability.’
‘You mentioned a debit card?’
‘Yes. The balance of the account is kept at one thousand pounds.’
‘Do you have an address for the card?’
‘I’ve always sent it to a post office box.’
‘Is that unusual?’
‘A little strange, I’ll grant you. Some people are reclusive, or they do not want their identities revealed. As long as I conduct my business according to the law, then I have no reason to concern myself.’
‘You must be curious,’ Larry said.
‘Why? If Mr Aberman wants to act in a certain way, then I don’t interfere.’
‘Two people he knew have been murdered. We suspect Aberman has been as well. We need to prove our suspicion. Have you ever met a Helen Langdon or a Helen Mackay?’
‘No.’
‘You seem certain.’
‘I watch the news. I’m aware that a Helen Langdon was found dead with James Holden. I take it that is the woman you’re referring to.’
‘It is.’
‘Then I’ve not met her, not even spoken to her.’
***
It took a few days before all the paperwork was in place. The notification had been given to Slater, Aberman’s solicitor, and Ben Aberman’s next-door neighbour had been informed.
Four vehicles stood in the driveway of Aberman’s house, with a uniform out on the street to deal with the onlookers. ‘Just routine,’ if anyone asked them.
Gordon Windsor walked around the house with Isaac, Slater having given them a key. ‘It’s musty in here,’ Windsor said.
‘What will you find in here?’
‘No idea. The garden interests us more. We’ve got a couple of ground penetrating radars. They should pick anything up.’
‘How long before you have an answer?’
‘One, two days, to cover the grounds. And then we’ll check the house. There’s a cellar. It looks clean, but we don’t know for certain until we check it. Are you sure Aberman’s dead?’
‘It’s a strong possibility. If he is, and he’s here, then Helen Langdon’s not looking so good.’
Isaac walked out of the front door of the house and walked around to the next-door neighbour. ‘Mrs Hawthorne, you’ve been informed?’
‘Is Mr Aberman buried there?’
‘We’ve not been able to find him. The woman who used to come here, we believe her name was Helen Langdon.’
‘Is she dead?’
‘If it’s confirmed she was the woman you spoke to, then yes?’
‘Such a lovely woman. She gave me a vase for my house once. She said it came from
