‘Chief Inspector, you have brought my client into this police station for a crime he couldn’t have committed, based on no evidence and no proof,’ Harders said. ‘This is a farce, and you are the perpetrator of this, dare I say it, a witch hunt.
‘Yes, that’s what it is, a witch hunt. It may serve your purpose to arrest a man of great achievement, but at the end of the day, you will rue that you ever considered my client guilty of a heinous crime.’
Isaac didn’t need the end of the day; he regretted it now. But he was not going to give in so easily, determined to find a chink in Hampton’s armour.
‘Mr Hampton,’ Larry said, ‘let us discuss Otto McAlister.’
‘There’s nothing to discuss. He was a good climber, dependable, team player.’
‘Yet, he was willing to sell photos of you and Simmons. And he was ready to sell a tape recording of you and Simmons arguing about his affair with your wife, which we now know not to be true.’
‘Do we?’ Hampton said.
‘You’ve had adequate proof of that now. Do you believe that Simmons was having an affair with your wife?’
‘Not now, I don’t.’
‘And finally, not yet released, is the proof from McAlister that you can not only move your feet but you can walk.’
‘What proof does he have, this McAlister?’ Harders asked. ‘I’m aware of your reputation, DCI Cook. A man who goes out on a limb; latches onto the truth at the last minute more often than not. But believe me, it’s not going to work here. Unless McAlister can prove that my client can move, your case is worthless.’
‘McAlister visited your client, made soup for him. Do you remember that, Mr Hampton?’
‘I do. Too hot, if I remember rightly.’
‘Some of it spilt onto you, causing you to react, to place your feet on the ground.’
‘I moved my legs, so what?’
‘You didn’t use your arms to do that, not according to McAlister, and that, coupled with the doctor’s report, shows us that you’ve been lying all along. This has been a remarkable performance, but the curtain’s about to come down, and you’re on the wrong side of it.’
‘My client refutes your accusations. It’s good that I’m here to act for Mr Hampton, a man whose mental health is not strong.’
‘Regardless of what you’re saying, Mr Harders, I will require an independent examination of your client’s medical condition, as well as a complete psychological examination. Two murder investigations hinge on Mr Hampton. The second murder required limited mobility, although Angus Simmons’s death would have required a person in good physical condition. At this time, we’re willing to concede that Mr Hampton did not commit the first crime, although he had the strongest motive, but believe that the second crime continues to point in his direction.’
‘You’re right,’ Hampton said. ‘I wanted Simmons to pay for what he did to me. I was pleased when he fell, but I didn’t kill him.’
‘McAlister was about to expose you as a charlatan; you couldn’t allow that,’ Isaac said.
‘He saw me place my feet on the ground, I’ll not deny that, and there is some movement, but it’s limited and erratic.’
‘Yet up until now, you’ve denied any movement. Why?’
‘I’ll tell you why. A few steps, what use is that?’
‘Do your wife and your sister know this?’ Isaac asked.
‘Deb does, but Kate’s not the caring type. She wouldn’t have noticed.’
‘Your leg muscles?’
‘Weak.’
‘But with time, you could walk again?’
‘What good would I be? What could I do? Get a job in an office?’
‘You’ve lied about your medical condition. Are you as depressive and miserable as you make out?’
‘I am, no lying there,’ Hampton said.
‘Mr Harders, I have no option but to retain Mr Hampton in custody while we conduct further investigations, to lay a charge against him of obstructing justice.’
‘I would request that he is returned to his house on his surety for now,’ Harders said.
‘I will agree to that under the circumstances,’ Isaac said. ‘However, he will need to be available for a complete medical by an independent doctor.’
‘I agree,’ Hampton said. ‘Now, can I get out of this hellhole?’
‘Your wife and sister are outside. We will need to talk to them before they leave. In the meantime, do you want to wait here, or do you want us to return you to your house?’
‘Get me home. As for Kate and Deb, they can come and keep guard if they want to; no more than a prison back there, anyway.’
Chapter 24
Jerome Jaden sat in his office; he was holding court. McAlister sat beside Ashley Otway, but at a distance, no longer as close as they had been the last time.
Tom Taylor, an eye for Ashley, Alison clinging to him tenaciously, stood close to the window. Karen Majors sat on an uncomfortable chair brought in from outside. Bob Babbage, confident he would be accepting a rival company position, sat alongside Karen.
The only one not in the room was Jim Breslaw. No longer on contract, he had been terminated after Tricia’s death, sulking at his home.
‘The deal stands,’ McAlister said.
‘Otto, I don’t see how,’ Jaden said. ‘Hampton’s under investigation by the police, and they don’t believe he killed Simmons. What use is your proof now?’
‘He could have taken that shot.’
‘Could, would, maybe, perhaps – all mean nothing. And besides, you were the target, not Tricia, or doesn’t that concern you?’
‘Not as much as your money does.’
‘So far, I’m down fifty thousand pounds,’ Jaden said. ‘How much more do you think I should give you and why?’
‘I can prove that Hampton took the shot.’
‘The police have his medical report. If he did, and I doubt it, what’s the point of paying you more
