‘I’m angry. He’s a decent man even if he can be tiresome at times. He’ll come, and I’ll be glad of his company.’
‘Your other visitor interests us more,’ Isaac said.
‘Archie Adamant.’
‘Had you met him before?’
‘It was the first time.’
‘What did he say?’
‘He threatened me. He told me if I said anything it would not be good for me.’
‘Should we reconvene at Challis Street Police Station? Do you need legal representation?’ Wendy said.
‘Why? I’ve done nothing wrong.’
‘On the contrary. We’ve suspected you for some time. Of all those involved with your husband and his death, you are the only one who has emerged unscathed,’ Isaac said. ‘Helen Langdon died for what she was going to tell. Slater died for what he knew, and two prostitutes died because they could recognise the murderer, yet you have remained comfortably cocooned.’
‘I’ve nothing to feel guilty about. I was married to a man who became involved with unscrupulous people. It cost him his life.’
‘Why did this house remain in your name for all those years, yet it was Helen who looked after the place? Were you party to a conspiracy to conceal the truth? Did you know that your husband was to be killed? And why Archie Adamant?’
‘I’ve told you. He knocked on the door, pushed his way in and threatened me.’
‘Threatened you with what? If you’re innocent, now is the time to tell us the truth. Archie Adamant is under lock and key. He can do nothing to you at this time.’
‘He controls from afar.’
‘He controlled through Slater. Barry Knox was the instrument that killed. Both of them can no longer concern you. It is just the police you need to worry about. If you’re not forthcoming, we will need to take you to Challis Street and charge you with withholding information. Do you want that?’
‘No. I knew my husband had died, not long after his death.’
‘Helen phoned you?’
‘She told me what had happened and that she had managed to convince Gerald Adamant to leave her with the house to look after.’
‘What did you say?’
‘What could I say? My husband had fallen foul of people who solved their problems by murder. I didn’t want to be another statistic. My life was more precious than that.’
‘Your husband?’
‘I was sad, but I knew he lived on the edge. His death did not come as a surprise, and we were divorced by then.’
‘And you remained in his will as his heir.’
‘Ben was a good man, don’t let anyone else tell you differently. We were on speaking terms, and there was no bitterness. He wanted his life, I wanted mine. I stayed in Chelsea, and he signed the house over to me. I preferred this house in the country, but he wanted the parties. We agreed, and I always remained in his will.’
‘After the divorce, did you see him very much?’
‘Rarely, but sometimes we’d meet for a couple of hours.’
‘Why did Archie threaten you when everyone else has died? Were you involved with Archie Adamant’s father?’
‘It was a long time ago. I was divorced, he was on his own.’
‘Were you with him when your husband died?’
‘Yes. When I heard what had happened, I knew it was Gerald. He never discussed what he did, although I knew. He was a charismatic man, as was Ben. I loved them both, but after what had happened, I left Gerald and found myself a boringly honest man.’
‘Do you regret it?’
‘I regret nothing. I don’t regret Ben or Gerald, and I don’t regret marrying a bank manager. Life is what you make of it. Regret for past mistakes and lost opportunities count for nothing.’
‘Are you willing to testify against Archie Adamant?’
‘What for? What do I know?’
‘You know everything,’ Isaac said. ‘You’re playing us for suckers. We’ve heard about the cross in the garden for your first husband. Is that an act of redemption, to appease your guilt over his death? Did you set up the deal with Adamant to ensure the house would stay with you?’
‘No, yes, I don’t know.’ Wendy knew that Isaac was maintaining the pressure, waiting for the woman to falter.
‘Christine Aberman, you’ve been there all along. Gerald Adamant was smart, staying out of sight, acting as a benefactor of the downtrodden, the weak, the impoverished. And there you are, in league with the man. When did you find out about Helen and Holden?’
‘She phoned Knox, Archie told me last night. It was Archie’s idea to remove Helen as a threat; he confided in me.’
‘Why?’
‘His family’s name.’
‘Slater?’
‘That was Archie. You were in his office, and Slater knows what’s going on. The police are close to uncovering the truth. Slater’s made plenty of money from the Adamants over the years, but he’s ready to distance himself, to claim that he was acting on instructions.’
‘But he was at the house when Ben Aberman was killed.’
‘It was becoming too complicated. Archie was planning to make a run for it. I’m staying here, maintaining a low profile.’
‘Why did Archie trust you? Why did Gerald?’
‘They both knew a kindred spirit. Archie, he was fond of me, even when I was with his father. He’s got this problem, but he could talk to me about it. I was a sympathetic ear, and the Adamants, whatever else they may be, are loyal.’
‘You're not loyal to them now?’
‘Archie would have turned against me in time. Maybe not this year, but sometime. I’m stopping it now.’
‘Will you give us a written statement? Will you testify?’
‘Yes. I’ve killed no one, and the houses are still mine.’
‘You won’t be seeing them for a long time,’ Wendy said.
‘A long time, but I will see them one day. That’s all that matters.
