by John Holt
“No, I can’t actually prove it,” Kendall replied. “But hear me out will you?”
Donovan heaved a sigh. “I’m not sure why, but go on, I’m listening.”
“Thanks,” replied Kendall. “But before I begin, unless I’m very much mistaken we haven’t yet established a motive for the killing have we?”
The officer had to admit that was true. “It has been suggested that there was an argument, and a fight broke out. The problem is that Charters denies all knowledge, and the other party is dead, so we can’t be sure.”
“I guess that’s possible,” said Kendall. “But I’m not convinced. I think the whole thing was planned, from start to finish. Oh sure there could have been an argument, and a fight, but it was all staged.”
“I’m listening,” said Donovan.
“I’m convinced that Charters was set up,” Kendall continued. “And set up by the real murderer.”
Donovan shook his head, still not convinced. “But why choose Charters?” he asked.
Kendall smiled. “Simple,” he replied. “It was all to do with the timing.”
“Timing,” repeated the officer. “I’m not sure that I understand.”
“We know that Charters usually reached the cove round about seven, every night,” Kendall started to explain. “Regular as clockwork, walking his dog. But on this night, for some unknown reason it’s being suggested that he was there much earlier. Why would he be earlier?”
The Constable heaved a sigh. “Perhaps he had an appointment,” he suggested
“Perhaps he did,” said Kendall. “Let’s think about that for a moment. Let’s say he did have an appointment with the murdered man. And let’s say that there was an argument, and there was a fight. But that would suggest that the murder wasn’t intentional. It was more accidental, agreed.”
The constable nodded in agreement.
“Let’s continue shall we,” said Kendall. “There is a fight, He knocks Nadir to the ground, and kills him. So what does he do? Does he quickly leave the area? No he hangs around for almost ten minutes waiting for you to arrive and find him still holding the knife. Not very likely I would say. Anyway Mrs Mulvy said that she saw Charters on his way to the cove just a few minutes before seven. Long before the ambulance was called.”
Kendall shook his head. “I just don’t buy that,” he said. “We know that Charters always walked his dog in the evening. He always went down to the cove, and always at the same time, just about seven o’clock. The murderer knew that. In fact the murder was planned with that in mind. Nadir arrived on the beach at about ten minutes to seven. The murderer was with him, or waiting for him. Nadir is murdered. Charters arrives a few minutes after, as normal. He finds the body. Then, following a phone call, you arrive and find him holding the knife.”
The Constable nodded. “The call from Mrs. Duffy you mean.”
Kendall shook his head. “No not the call from Mrs Duffy. It was that call that, for me, throws considerable doubt on Charters’ guilt. If that call had never happened I wouldn’t be here saying what I’m saying. I would have accepted Charters’ guilt, and be long gone.”
“So what call are you talking about?” Donovan asked.
Kendall picked up his coffee, and drained it. “The second call, you mentioned,” Kendall explained. “A few minutes after Mrs. Duffy’s call.” He paused for a moment. “That call was from the murderer himself, to make sure that you arrived in time to see Charters.”
Donovan said nothing for a moment, absorbing what Kendall had just said. It certainly made sense. “So Charters didn’t do it,” he said. “So you are suggesting that we should release Mr. Charters?”
Kendall thought for a moment or two, and then shook his head. “No I’m not suggesting that at all, not for the moment,” he replied. “We still don’t know who the real murderer is do we? No, I suggest we let the real murderer continue to feel safe in the knowledge that a suspect has already been charged. Let’s see if he makes a slip up.”
Kendall stood up. “I best get going,” he said. “I’ll see you at cave in about thirty minutes.”
* * *
Chapter Thirty-Two
Mallory Comes Clean
It was just after eleven o’clock on the following morning, when Kendall and Mollie arrived at Mallory’s door. There had been much discussion as to whether they should telephone first, or just pay a surprise visit. It was Kendall who had decided that the surprise visit would be best.
“Catch him off guard,” said Kendall. Mollie shrugged and raised her eyebrows, but decided that to argue would be pointless. So a surprise it was to be.
Kendall rang the doorbell. There was no answer.
“We should have called to make an appointment,” Mollie pronounced knowingly. Kendall said nothing, and rang the bell once again. Still there was no answer.
“Told you so,” said Mollie.
“The bell’s probably not working, that’s all,” Kendall pronounced. “I’ll give it one more go.” This time he used the door knocker, rapping it hard “They must hear that surely.”
Mollie shook her head. “Perhaps they’re out,” she said. “Did you ever think that might be possible? You should have rang earlier.”
Kendall never got the chance to answer. Suddenly the door opened. “Tom,” Mallory said sounding out of breath. “Mollie. This is quite a surprise. I was in the garden, never heard the bell.”
“We were just in the neighbourhood,” Kendall lied. “Thought we’d give you a call.”
Mallory smiled and shook his head. Just happened to be in the neighbourhood, just passing by. And pigs might fly, he thought. “Why didn’t you telephone?” he said. “Catherine had to go out, she’ll be so disappointed she missed you.”
Mollie looked at Kendall. He merely smiled, but said nothing.
“Perhaps we should call back another time,” suggested Mollie.
Mallory shook his head. “Not at all, I wouldn’t hear of it,” he replied. “You’re here now, so please, come in.” He held the door open, stepped back and allowed them to enter. “In there,” he said pointing to the living room door.
They went in, Mallory followed. “Please sit down,” Mallory said indicating the sofa. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Kendall looked at his watch. A whiskey might have helped steady his nerves but he had to admit that it was a little early. “Coffee would be fine, thanks.”
Mollie nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
Mallory smiled. “Right, I won’t be long.” He left the room.
Kendall stood up and began to casually walk around the room. It was a large, bright room, clearly showing Catherine’s touch. There were flowers everywhere, and bright pastel shades to the curtains, and the cushions. He began to browse the bookcase in the far corner. Charles Dickens sat next to novels by Alistair Maclean and Agatha Christie. Kendall picked one up, A Tale of two Cities by Charles Dickens. He started to read.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.”
Kendall smiled, and shook his head. He wondered if the rest of the book was as confused as the start. He closed the book, and was about to return it to the shelf, when suddenly the door opened.
“That’s my favourite book,” Mallory said seeing the book in Kendall’s hand.
Kendall nodded. “Mine too,” he lied, for the second time that morning, and sat down.
“Hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long,” Mallory continued as he placed the tray on the coffee table. “Help yourselves to the biscuits.”
Kendall smiled, pleased to note that they were chocolate covered. He replaced the book on to the shelf, and resumed his seat.
“Well this is a pleasant surprise,” Mallory said, as he sat down. “So how’s the investigation going?”
Kendall shrugged. “Not well I’m afraid,” he replied. “But at least I’m now convinced that the murderer wasn’t Brian Charters, but who it was I don’t know
.”
“Well do you have anyone in mind?” asked Mallory.
“Well there’s always those two fishermen, or whatever they are,” suggested Kendall. “The problem is that it happened so long ago, there’s nothing left to check on.”
“What about Mulligan’s murder?” suggested Mallory. “That might be easier to investigate.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Mollie. “It’s more than obvious that the two murders were carried out by the same person.”
Mallory nodded. “I would say that was absolutely right,” he replied. He paused for a moment, and then smiled. “Well at least you can eliminate me, and O’Rourke.”
“That’s true,” said Mollie. “I must admit, I had thought that he was involved.”
Kendall shook his head, and looked at Mallory. “I’m not so sure.”
Mollie glared and shook her head. Mallory looked puzzled. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“I have a problem,” Kendall said as he picked up a biscuit and dunked it into his coffee. “Something that has been troubling me for some time.” He paused and took a bite of his biscuit. Mallory said nothing. “Well go on,” coaxed Mollie.
Kendall heaved a sigh, but remained silent.
“The thing is,” Mollie continued. “Since we arrived here, Kendall here thinks that you have been very helpful, very …. shall we say, friendly.”
Mallory heaved a deep sigh. “Is that all, that’s just the way I am,” he said. “So what’s the problem?”
Kendall shook his head. “No, it’s more than that,” he said. “The others have been friendly, but, and please excuse me for saying this.” He paused once again and looked at Mollie. She said nothing but simply nodded.
Kendall took a deep breath. “You know, I really appreciate your help and all, but I can’t help feeling it’s too much of an imposition.”
Mallory was still puzzled. “Mr. Kendall, Tom, all that I’m doing is holding out a helping hand. Is that a problem?”
Kendall started to smile. “Oh no, no problem,” he replied. “But you know I somehow think there’s more to it than that. So come on let’s stop playing games shall we.”
Mallory shook his head. “I really don’t know what you ….”
“Mallory, we both know what I mean, so let’s just lay our cards on the table shall we? You first.”
Mallory remained silent for a few moments, then heaved a sigh. “Okay, my cards first,” he replied. “But before I show them, what do you know about the work that Brian was doing?”
“For the newspaper you mean,” replied Kendall.
“Kendall, you know precisely what I mean.”
Now it was Kendall’s turn to be puzzled. “I’m not sure that I do,” he insisted.
Mallory shook his head and heaved another sigh. “Clearly you distrust me, as much as I distrust you.”
“You mean about the drugs,” Mollie suddenly interjected.
Mallory looked at her and smiled. “Well that’s more like it,” he said. “Perhaps we can get somewhere now.”
“You were working with him, weren’t you?” Mollie continued. “Investigating this drug smuggling?”
Mallory nodded, and took a drink. “You know Brian didn’t tell you the complete truth about his walks along the cove.”
Mollie looked at him for a few moments, a frown slowly spreading across her face. “Oh certainly he took the dog for a walk every night, that much was true,” Mallory continued. “But he had a second motive, a more important reason for going.”
“Which was?” Kendall asked.
“Drugs,” said Mallory. “We had been investigating the problem for about six months, long before the murder,” he replied. “It’s a pretty big problem, and we get a lot come ashore just around here. It’s pretty remote, as you can see, and although our local police officer is pretty good, he can’t watch all the time. Besides he’s young and not very experienced, you know.”
Kendall nodded. “We thought that it might have been you.” He looked at Mollie, she was glaring at him. “Well, that is Mollie thought that it could have been you. I was unsure.” He paused for a moment. “But why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
Mallory picked up his coffee cup, but realised that it was empty. He slowly put it down. “Tom, you must appreciate that it’s not easy working, as we say, undercover,” he started to explain. “Trying to keep you work secret, but still trying to live a normal life. You’re suspicious of everyone.” He paused once again. “Then we have the murder, and Brian is charged. Who could I trust? You tell me. I didn’t know who you were. I didn’t know whose side you were on. Perhaps you were one of those involved. Maybe you had in fact carried out the murder.”
Kendall shook his head. “But I said who I was from the very first, the day I arrived, in the bar. You were there, remember.”
“Yes I was there,” Mallory agreed. “And yes, I heard you, but I couldn’t take the risk. You were still a stranger to me, and you could have been a set up.”
“Set up?” repeated Mollie. “Set up by who?”
Mallory stood up and walked over to the corner of the room. “I don’t know about you Tom, but I could do with something a bit stronger than coffee.” He started to pour some drinks. “A whiskey for you I think, and Mollie what will you have?”
She smiled and nodded. “A sherry would be good.”
Mallory nodded. He finished pouring the drinks and returned to his seat. He handed out the glasses, and took a drink.
“Tom, Brian and I were investigating modern smuggling going on here in the cove,” he started to explain. “The commodity was high quality drugs. It was certainly possible that you could have been working for the person that was bringing the stuff into the country.”
Kendall took a drink. “Do you know who that person is?” he asked.
Mallory took another drink, and shook his head. “Not really,” he replied. “Brian was convinced that it was probably someone based in Dublin.” He paused and took another drink. “He wasn’t one hundred percent sure you understand, he had strong suspicions, but he had no evidence, and certainly he had no proof. And without proof, what can you do?”
Kendall knew that only too well. You could have hunches about something, maybe a strong feeling, but without proof you were going nowhere. “So, what, it was just a feeling, is that it? Nothing more?”
Mallory smiled. “Brian might not agree with me, but I guess you could say that,” he replied. “It was nothing more, just a feeling.”
“Well sometimes feelings pay off,” suggested Mollie.
Kendall nodded.
Mallory shrugged, and took a drink. “Well they haven’t so far I’m afraid.” He took another drink. “What about you Kendall? Do you have any feelings?”
Kendall smiled, and shook his head. “Yes I have feelings, and currently they’re all bad.”
Mollie heaved a sigh. “It’s not all bad,” she announced. “We have that envelope.”
“Envelope,” repeated Mallory. “What envelope?”
Kendall nodded. “That’s right, we do have that,” he agreed. “It’s not a lot, but I guess it could be something.”
“What envelope?” Mallory repeated.
“It was found in the pocket of the dead man,” Mollie started to explain.
“So what about it?” asked Mallory.
“It had an address on it,” said Kendall. “It could be important, or it might mean nothing.”
Mallory said nothing for a few moments, and drained his glass. “What was the address?” he asked.
“It was somewhere in Dublin,” said Mollie. “Ormonde Quay, something like that.”
“It was a company called Anglo-Irish Commodities,” added Kendall.
“Anglo-Irish Commodities, did you say?” said Mallory. “Seems to ring a bell.” He stood up and walked over to the bookcase. After a few moments he found what he was looking for. It was a business directory. He started to flip the pages. “Anglo Insurance, Anglo international
…. Here we are Anglo-Irish Commodities.” He walked back to his seat. “It’s all there. Address, telephone; director.” He handed the book to Kendall. “I knew I had heard the name before. A small import, export, company, although it doesn’t say what commodities it deals with.”
Kendall looked up from the book, and turned towards Mallory. “Do you know where you heard about it?”
Mallory shook his head and thought for a few moments. “I’m not sure, it could have been Derren I suppose.”
“Derren Lynch?” asked Mollie.
Mallory nodded. “I think so, I think maybe he had done some work for them, a sea trip or something.”
“You’re certain of that,” said Kendall. “I mean that it was Lynch.”
Mallory shook his head. “I’m not a hundred percent sure, no, but I think it was him. Why?”
Kendall said nothing for a few moments. Mollie looked at him and simply nodded. “Well it’s just strange that’s all,” he replied.
“In what way?” asked Mallory.
“Because we asked Mr. Lynch if he knew anything about Anglo-Irish Commodities,” answered Mollie. “He said that he had never heard of them.”
Mallory nodded. “Oh I see, well I must be mistaken. It must have been someone else. I just can’t think who. Could have been O’Rourke I suppose, I don’t know.”
“Perhaps,” said Kendall, unconvinced.
“Either way it might be worth paying Anglo-Irish a visit, don’t you think,” suggested Mallory. “Have you ever been to Dublin, Tom?”
Kendall shook his head. “No, not yet.”
“You should go there,” said Mallory. He looked at Mollie. “You’ll like it Mollie, you’ll enjoy the shopping. O’Connell Street, that’s the place to go. That’s the heart of Dublin you know. Take a look at the River, the Liffey. It’s a lot cleaner than it used to be.” He paused for a moment and looked at Kendall. “Along the riverside there are the Quays. Probably two or three hundred years old, maybe more.” He paused once again, and took another drink. “The Quays used to be very fashionable back then, the homes of wealthy merchants. Now, that’s all changed. The buildings have been neglected and are in great need of repair.”
