‘No, but you are wrong, and as Westfield said, it’s conjecture, not proof.’
‘A father’s reputation destroyed, even if you can prove it, does not alter the fact that a person is innocent until proven guilty,’ Westfield said.
‘The lofty pedestal of the father will be destroyed. It will be more difficult to prove that innocence, and we will have Knox accusing your client.’
‘Is that it?’ Westfield said.
‘For the present,’ Isaac said. ‘There is one other issue. We will be conducting a thorough search of the Adamant family home and its surroundings.’
‘For what?’ Adamant said. ‘This farce has gone on long enough.’
‘Knox did not kill Slater and his receptionist; however, you, Mr Adamant, are a crack shot. We have records of you competing in various competitions in this country.’
‘I would request time to confer with my client,’ Westfield said.
Isaac adjourned the interview.
‘What do you reckon?’ Goddard asked outside the interview room.
‘Guilt by association, that’s all,’ Isaac said. The three police officers were taking the opportunity to discuss the case.
‘We need his conviction,’ Goddard said. ‘Any chance of an arrest?’
‘We can hold him based on Knox’s statement. The proof is up to others.’
The interview resumed, Adamant looking more at ease. His QC leant forward over the table. It was meant to intimidate; it did not work. ‘My client wishes to make a statement,’ he said.
Adamant cleared his throat. ‘I, Archibald Adamant, am not responsible for the accusations levelled against me. My father, Gerald Adamant, a respected member of society, did, at all times, conduct his business affairs in accordance with the laws of this country. He has committed no crime. If he purchased certain clubs, they would have been part of a portfolio, as my father had no interest in places of disrepute. His wife, Helen, was a woman of good character, who myself, Abigail, my sister, and Howard, my younger brother, held in the highest esteem. The charges levelled against her were spurious and took her past lifestyle into account. She loved my father, he loved her. She acted in self-defence and served four years in jail before being acquitted. That acquittal was due to the efforts of James Holden, a believer in the rights of the poor and downtrodden. He arranged her release from jail, the overturning of the original conviction, and her rehabilitation into society.
‘The fact that she was in a hotel room with the man when they were both violently murdered does not impact on our fondness for the woman. Why she and James Holden were killed is unknown to me. I was not responsible for issuing a directive to Barry Knox, the manager of the Dixey Club. I knew the man, as I also knew Slater.
‘Barry Knox was, and still is, a character of disrepute. I know he had been using the club for prostitution as well as for the sale of drugs. Helen knew this as well, a possible reason for Knox to kill her. I was arrested and brought here in handcuffs. I object to this, and a formal complaint will be lodged. At no time was I planning to leave this country on a permanent basis, and I, as a free citizen, am able to choose my mode of transport as befits my status and my finances. I maintain that I am innocent of any charges levelled against me.’
‘Thank you, Mr Adamant,’ Isaac said. ‘Due to the seriousness of the charges, you will be held while further investigations are conducted.’
Chapter 29
‘Not a good interview,’ Larry said outside the interview room.
‘A disaster,’ Isaac said. ‘The man’s right, our evidence is flimsy, more assumption than fact.’
‘You’ve got thirty-six hours to fix this up, or else Adamant is out of here, and his QC is going to raise the roof,’ Goddard said.
Isaac realised he had been premature in bringing Adamant into the station, but there had been no option with the man’s impending departure from the country. There was no doubt that he was guilty, but without proof the case against him was going nowhere. Isaac realised that, once again, time was of the essence. He phoned Bridget. ‘Fifteen minutes, everyone in the office.’
‘Tough day, sir,’ Bridget said. She had sensed the frustration in Isaac’s voice.
‘You’re a bit of a hero down at Scotland Yard,’ Goddard said after Isaac had ended his call. ‘Davies is singing your praises after you wrapped up five murders. Don’t stuff it up.’
‘Archie Adamant, he’s tough. We’ll not break him easily,’ Isaac said.
‘He’s got public opinion behind him. Anything other than cast-iron proof is not going to hold up.’
‘We’ll come up with the proof. The team won’t let me down.’
In Homicide, the team sat down. No one would be going home until all avenues had been explored.
‘What do we have against Archie Adamant?’ Isaac said. ‘Apart from Knox and Aberman’s ex-wife, do we have anyone else?’
‘Gus, the Dixey Club’s doorman, and Ugly Pete?’
‘Gus had no dealings with the man, and Ugly Pete is a murderer. It will need something decisive and indisputable to ensure a conviction.’
‘Abigail Adamant, what do we reckon to her?’ Larry said.
‘Frivolous, interested in a good time,’ Wendy said.
‘If Adamant goes down for murder, it’s her lifestyle that will be curtailed. She’d not want that,’ Isaac said.
‘We were there when Slater was shot. He was about to tell us something,’ Larry said.
‘But why? Whatever he said would have only been to protect himself, place the blame on others. Or maybe he was frightened for his life. Whoever shot him had panicked and seen the danger.’
‘Self-protection?’
‘Has Slater’s office been checked, his clients’ files?’
‘The man was meticulous,’ Bridget said. ‘Fraud checked, found nothing untoward. The papers for Aberman’s house were there.’
‘Wendy, spend time with Aberman’s neighbour. Larry and I will stay here with
