Martyn moved quickly from the table to the toilets at the back of the room.
“Right, Mr Jackson,” said Gus. “What was it you wanted to tell us about Ralph Tucker?”
“Martyn explained, just now,” said Arthur. “Ralph Tucker has worked here for years. He’s a good tree surgeon, but he has a mischievous side. Ralph persuaded Martyn to join him and a few of the lads to go out drinking. That was several years ago now. I got the impression Ralph knew Marion before she married Theo Reeves.”
Luke nodded at Gus. He’d already added the name to his list of people to contact.
“Was Tucker working here at the time of Marion’s murder?” asked Gus.
“We use Ralph’s services most in October, November and February,” said Arthur. “Then he’s back and forth between May and September. I doubt we had any work for him in March and April. There would be plenty of places in the countryside near Salisbury that need his skills. Ralph doesn’t stay idle for long.”
“How do you think Martyn’s holding up this afternoon, Mr Jackson?” asked Gus.
“He’s remained pretty cool. Why? Do you intend grilling him for much longer?”
Gus smiled as Martyn rejoined them.
“Just one more question, and then we’ll let you get back to work, Martyn.”
Martyn sat and leaned forward, waiting for Gus’s question.
“Did you know Stephanie was having a baby?”
“With Danny?” asked Martyn.
“That’s right. Stephanie and Danny live in Downton, by the river. Why don’t you speak to Stephanie, Martyn?”
“Danny got angry if people bothered Stephanie when she was drunk. He frightened me. I only wanted to help her.”
“Perhaps Mr Jackson can show you how to call Stephanie on the public phone on the wall over there.”
Martyn’s chair shot back as he jumped up. Gus had heard of people going from nought to sixty in a matter of seconds, but this was something else. He was glad there was a wide table between them.
“Calm down, Martyn,” said Arthur Jackson. “Come on, son; you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Mr Freeman didn’t mean any harm. It was just a suggestion.”
“I was alone in a strange place,” Martyn shouted. “Nobody came to ask how I was, only Mr Jackson and Serena. They looked after me. Mum said families should stick together. Everybody lied to me, except them.”
Arthur Jackson had risen from his chair and did his best to stop Martyn from lashing out. Serena Campbell ran across the hall to comfort the well-built young man who towered over her.
“Now look what you’ve done,” she snapped at Gus and Luke. “You and your questions. How can Martyn help you solve my best friend’s murder? Theo, Stephanie, and Martyn were never suspects after Marion died. How on earth can Martyn help you find who did it now, seven years later?”
“We didn’t mean to upset him,” said Gus. “We’ve spoken to Theo and Stephanie already. It’s fair to say they’ve added little to the knowledge gathered in the earlier investigation. We hoped to learn more by chatting with Martyn. Once Mr Jackson has taken Martyn back to work, we’ll speak with you, Ms Campbell. Who knows how significant the few scraps we gather from you might be in solving this case?”
“I need to tell my supervisor,” said Serena, “can you let me have fifteen minutes?”
“We’ll find something to occupy our time,” said Gus. “I’ve heard that coffee and cake is a popular afternoon pastime here. Join us as soon as you’re free.”
Arthur Jackson had led Martyn Street to the nearest exit. Martyn was confused and upset that the café’s customers seemed to stop talking, and stare, as he passed their table.
“I didn’t expect that to happen,” said Gus. “What did you make of it, Luke?”
“I can understand how tough it must have been for Martyn in the months after his father essentially threw him out,” said Luke. “He turned to the two people who still believed in him, Arthur and Serena.”
“Martyn had lost his mother in tragic circumstances, then his sister went off the rails,” said Gus. “It was interesting how often Martyn referred to ‘rules to live by’ his mother instilled in him. Stephanie told us Marion took Martyn into his bedroom to lay down the law on how to treat Stephanie as she was maturing. Theo’s reaction only months after Marion died flew in the face of how Martyn understood the family unit, as did Theo’s outburst when Martyn carried his sister home late at night. Martyn believed he was doing what his mother would have wanted him to do. No wonder he got confused.”
“What was behind the packed lunch question, guv?” asked Luke.
“I was only getting independent confirmation of Marion taking a packed lunch to work. Stephanie is the only person to have mentioned it. Theo told us he parked in the centre of Wilton, bought a newspaper and grabbed a sandwich as he walked to the office on the morning of the murder. I think we can assume that was what he did on days when he wasn’t wining and dining clients. Stephanie either had school dinners or, like most teenage girls, starved herself during the day.”
“The frequent communication between Arthur Jackson and his team puts more than Martyn Street in the clear, guv,” said Luke. “Not that we know whether any of the ground staff knew Marion Reeves. But, even if they did, then none of them left the estate long enough to get to Churchfields to kill Marion and then get back again.”
“Ralph Tucker wasn’t working on the estate that day,” said Gus. “I wonder whether he drives a pick-up truck. As soon as we get back to the office, you need to get hold of him and arrange a meeting.”
“Yes, guv,” said Luke. “Shall I get our coffee
