He was a big man, even when seated. She envisioned him playing in the rugby team at whichever private school he attended. Which he almost certainly did. The way he carried himself. The resting expression on his face, a lifetime immunity from imposter syndrome paid for by the wealth of his family. She wondered why his own children attended state school. The Bettanys appeared capable of funding a private education and chose not to. That seemed at odds with their desire for the children to attend medical school.
Colin’s face was flushed. That could have been a result of sitting in the stuffy, airless room as much as from any pent-up emotion.
“Is this truly necessary? A formal interview?” He addressed Janssen. The voice was baritone, commanding.
“I’m afraid it is, Dr Bettany. Especially when you aren’t where you told everyone you would be, avoiding speaking to us.” She laid everything out ensuring the man opposite them was well aware who was leading this interview. It wasn’t Bettany and nor was it Tom Janssen. “Then there’s the assault on Ken Francis for us to discuss.” Ken was adamant he wouldn’t press charges, apparently well aware of how it might look to the locals and he didn’t want to be the incomer adding to the grief of a grieving father. In reality, he was no doubt looking to keep his relationship with Holly out of the papers. “I understand you’ve waived your right to have a solicitor present.”
“I have nothing to hide.” Bettany remained confident, expressionless. “Madeleine informed Marie and myself of how… that… Holly used to pose at the Francis house. In my grief, I may have misconstrued the situation and lost my temper. My behaviour towards Kenneth was below the standard of conduct one might expect but… under the circumstances, I feel a magistrate would allow the matter to pass.”
Moving in the circles he did, he probably knew most of the sitting magistrates in the area. “Well, Mr Francis has not made an official complaint.” Bettany scoffed but said nothing further. “You should consider yourself fortunate, Dr Bettany. A dim view is taken of vigilante justice in the court system.”
“Vigilante justice. Don’t be so daft, woman.” His tone was patronising. “A slap hardly qualifies.”
“What about arson?” She watched as the righteous indignation dissipated before her eyes. “Ken’s studio was vandalised at the weekend and subsequently set ablaze this morning. Shortly after the two of you had your… altercation. Magistrates rarely allow arson to pass, Dr Bettany. Perpetrators tend to see jail time.”
“I… I… that has nothing to do with me,” he stammered.
“Where did you go after you left the beach?”
“I walked for a while.” All of a sudden, Bettany seemed to be far more interested in being helpful. The bluster and arrogance vanished. “Then I went home. I was there by midday. Marie will confirm it.” The initial shock of the suggestion threw him but he was soon back on message. Bringing himself back upright, he locked eyes with her. “Any insinuation I had anything to do with such wanton destruction will be rebuffed with every resource at my disposal, Inspector Greave.”
“Detective Chief Inspector, Greave,” she corrected him, inwardly smiling at the opportunity he presented her with. The irony wasn’t lost on him. “Fair enough. Now we’ve got that on the record, could you give me your thoughts on Holly’s pregnancy.” This was what she really wanted to speak to him about. The likelihood of Bettany being an arsonist was somehow unlikely in her mind. Setting a fire could be an act of revenge. However, the man before her wasn’t the type. It was far too crude for a man like Colin Bettany. Upon mention of the baby, his head lowered and he closed his eyes. The first genuine expression of emotion she’d witnessed from him aside from anger obviously.
“Marie told me. I must admit, I’m finding it hard to comprehend.” He raised his head, looking between the detectives, Janssen sitting bolt upright, straight-faced and silent. She was leading the interview and he appeared comfortable to take a back seat. Bettany, however, leaned towards addressing him at every opportunity. Perhaps he disliked her or struggled with female authority. It was a common enough occurrence with men of a certain type. “I didn’t even know she had a boyfriend.”
“What about Mark McCall?” She asked the question quickly, seeking a reaction.
“The McCall boy was a passing moment. Nothing more. I spoke with his father, told him what was what.”
“And what was what?” Janssen broke his silence. She didn’t mind, it was pertinent.
“That it wasn’t on.” The words tripped off his tongue as if it was obvious. “They couldn’t be together. Totally unacceptable.” He shook his head vigorously.
“Why not?” she asked, although, at the same time believing the answer was clear.
“Holly was going places. The whole world was in front of her. The McCall boy could well be a pleasant enough lad, after all, you don’t hold the child responsible for the sins of the father… or the family, come to think of it. No, no… nice enough lad but not correct.” There was so much implicit in the statement that she took a moment to let it all sink in. Every parent wants the best for their children and by all accounts the McCalls were given a wide berth by everyone but even so, for Colin, the prospect of them spending any time together was out of the question.
