“Will do, guv,” said Lydia.
Gus started typing. Around him, the team was hard at work. Were they making progress or just being busy fools? Gus wished he knew.
“Two o’clock, guv,” said Luke. “Are you ready?”
“Two minutes, Luke,” said Gus. “I could murder a coffee if you’re not doing anything while I keep you waiting.”
“On its way, guv,” said Luke. He walked to the restroom and fired up the Gaggia.
Gus and Luke then made their preparations for their meeting with Martyn Street and Arthur Jackson and travelled to the car park together in the lift. Lydia called after them to wish them luck. She was about to pick up the phone to speak to Theo Reeves.
“Lydia won’t be far behind us, guv,” said Luke.
“She’d better not overtake you, Luke,” said Gus. “That girl is a crazy driver. Have you ever travelled with her?”
“Of course, guv,” said Luke, “it’s an experience and no mistake.”
Gus relaxed in the passenger seat of Luke’s car and thought about Serena Campbell. Stephanie hadn’t known enough to tell them where Serena fitted into the life Marion lived before she met Theo Reeves. Perhaps, at last, he’d discover who Marion really was.
“This is a busy spot, guv,” said Luke as he hunted for a parking space close to the Garden Centre café.
“I don’t mind walking a few hundred yards, Luke,” said Gus. “Leave the spaces closest to the café for the old folks.”
“Sorry, guv,” said Luke.
They entered the café at two minutes to three. Luke spotted Arthur Jackson and Martyn Street in the far corner. Arthur had chosen well. Martyn had his back to the crowds, and a large table featuring upcoming events to their left meant they wouldn’t get overheard.
“Far right-hand corner, guv,” said Luke.
“I was checking name tags on the staff,” said Gus. “They gave me a few odd looks. I think they thought I was staring at their breasts.”
“Did you see anyone you recognised?” asked Luke.
“Not so far; perhaps Serena Campbell doesn’t work on Tuesdays. To avoid getting thrown out, I’ll ask Arthur Jackson if he knows.”
“Did you want another coffee, guv,” asked Luke.
“If you’re buying, Luke,” said Gus. “Let’s get over to their table first. We don’t want to unsettle Martyn by keeping him waiting.”
As they moved between the tables filled with older people enjoying afternoon tea, they saw Arthur Jackson heading their way. A waitress was now sitting beside Martyn Street, holding his hand.
“Is Martyn okay?” asked Gus.
“Serena will keep him calm. She’s known him since he was a baby. I just thought I’d put you in the picture if you aren’t aware of how his condition affects him. Martyn’s social behaviour is immature and unstable. He lacks judgement and can sometimes get aggressive over petty issues. So, we do our best here to keep everything on an even keel. Martyn is self-conscious, so he prefers working alone. We can accommodate that here. Martyn has never enjoyed working in a group. When we’ve tried it, his mood can change in a split second.”
“Is he likely to become aggressive or violent during a simple conversation?” asked Gus.
“Not in my experience,” said Arthur, “which stretches back to the first day he came here straight from school.”
“You must be near retirement age,” said Gus, knowing the answer already.
“I don’t know how Martyn will cope,” said Arthur. “Serena‘s good with him, but whether one of the younger managers could cope with his mood swings, I very much doubt.”
“What would happen to Martyn if they had to let him go after you retired?” asked Luke.
“I dread to think,” said Arthur. “Perhaps his family will reconsider.”
“Theo Reeves isn’t a blood relative,” said Gus. “Did Serena Campbell ever mention Martyn’s father?”
“A bad lot, from what Serena told me,” said Arthur. “He washed his hands of Martyn after he divorced poor Marion. How could anyone do that?”
“I’ll tell you this in confidence, Mr Jackson,” said Gus. “I’m sure it will soon be common knowledge, but Graham Street, Martyn’s father, died in hospital last night from a heart attack. It’s unlikely Martyn will benefit from Street’s estate, but you probably know better than us how Martyn might react when he hears the news.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep an eye on the lad. Well, more than I do already. I still call him a lad, but he’s thirty now. We’d better let Serena get back to serving tables. Martyn seems calm enough for us to make a start.”
Arthur Jackson led them to the table where Serena stood beside Martyn with a hand on his shoulder. Gus couldn’t hear what she was whispering to him. Serena turned away without looking towards the three men approaching and attempted to escape to the safety of the kitchen.
“Not so fast, Mrs Campbell,” said Luke Sherman. “Wiltshire Police, we need to speak to you later. Please don’t leave the building. I’ll collect you from the kitchen or the main hall when we’re ready.”
“It’s Ms Campbell,” spat Serena Campbell.
Gus could tell she was annoyed at Luke for letting everyone within earshot know she was a person of interest to the police. Stephanie Reeves was right. Serena Campbell looked every inch a woman from an upper-crust background, with looks that, even at fifty, could see her gracing the catwalk at a London fashion show.
Serena Campbell disappeared from view, and Gus turned his attention to the interview. Luke was seated opposite Martyn Street and Arthur Jackson. Martyn watched every step Gus took as he walked behind Luke to take the remaining chair. His eyes never left Gus’s face.
“Good afternoon, Martyn,” said Gus.
