I said nothing.
‘What’s the matter? Are you afraid that if I killed the slut, I might kill you? Perhaps you are right. Go on. Ask me. Ask me!’ he shouted.
I was scared. Really scared. But I thought I had better humour him. I swallowed. ‘Did you kill her?’
‘Sorry, I didn’t hear you. What did you say?’ Joe said.
I stood up straight. ‘Did you kill Debbie?’
He smiled. There was a long pause. He savoured it. ‘Perhaps,’ he said, and chuckled to himself. ‘But let’s talk about you. I don’t like you very much, Murray. I don’t like you nosing round here talking to my wife. I think I will have to give you something to remind you to keep out of my way.’
He moved closer to me. I stayed absolutely still. He slowly raised the small knife towards my neck. The bottom of the blade had the grey-white shine of truly sharpened steel. I could smell the chopped onion inches from my nose.
I didn’t move.
Panic. Stay calm. No panic! Don’t just stand there whilst he cuts your throat. Move!
I snatched at the knife. As I moved my hand up, he caught it with his free left hand, twisted and pulled me over his shoulder. I found myself pinned to the floor.
He grabbed the little finger of my left hand. ‘Spread out your fingers,’ he ordered. I tried to clench my fist, but he pulled back on my little finger. ‘Spread out your fingers or I will break it!’
I unclenched my hand. ‘You don’t really need that little finger do you?’ Joe chuckled. ‘You don’t use it for anything. You wouldn’t miss it. I want to give you a little reminder to stay clear of me.’
I tried to move my hand, but it was pinned tight to the floor, right in front of my face. I saw the blade move down until it gently brushed the skin below the knuckle. I felt a small sharp stab of pain as my skin was lightly punctured. A line of little droplets of blood welled up across the back of my finger.
Then he leant down on the knife, and very slowly moved it backwards and forwards, carving into the skin. The pain shot up my hand. I clenched my teeth, and pushed my chin into the carpet, determined not to cry out, my eyes still fixed on the blade. I tried to wriggle, but Joe had me pinned to the floor. My legs were free, and I kicked them uselessly.
There was nothing I could do but watch Joe cut my finger off.
Suddenly he removed the knife and laughed. ‘Go on, piss off out of here,’ he said, standing up.
The relief rushed through me. I did exactly as he said, picking myself up off the floor, and running for the door, gripping my bloody finger with my right hand. I left Sally’s sobbing behind me, as I sped out of the house, ran down to the end of the street and into the main road.
As I came to a row of shops I stopped running. God, that man is a psychopath, I thought, as I gathered my breath. And a strong one too. I could feel the blood from my finger trickling down my forearm. The wound was deep and it hurt. I noticed a chemist over the road. In a couple of minutes my finger was clean and bandaged.
I sat down on a low wall to collect myself. My finger throbbed with pain, but at least I was still attached to it. My heart was beating wildly, and not just from the running. It took ten minutes for my hands to stop shaking, and my heartbeat to slow to its normal rate.
I was very tempted just to go home and forget about Joe. But I could still hear Sally Finlay’s deep sobs of pain, and see her face racked with tears of misery. What I had seen of Joe made me feel physically sick. He was inhuman. I couldn’t let him just hit his wife whenever his sick mind felt like it. God knows what he did to the child. Like it or not, I was the one who could do something to stop it, and if I didn’t it would be my conscience which would suffer. So, I resolved to tell the police about him. I hoped that he would never find out who had told them, but I knew I was kidding myself. At any rate, I resolved to make sure never to find myself alone with Joe again.
I asked an old lady for directions to the local police station. The nearest one was only a quarter of a mile away.
I told the desk sergeant about how I had found Sally beaten up. I didn’t tell him about the struggle I had had with Joe. He seemed efficient and concerned, which was a relief. I had half expected a brush-off. The sergeant did say it would be difficult to prove anything, unless the wife was willing to testify. He said that the station had set up a Domestic Violence Unit recently, and he would pass on what I had reported to them. He assured me that they would get a WPC round to the Finlays’ house that evening.
I then asked if I could phone Inspector Powell, since I had some information relating to a murder investigation. This took the desk sergeant back a bit, but once he had decided I wasn’t just another nutter, he found me a small room with a phone, and after a few minutes had located Powell.
‘Hallo, it’s Paul Murray. I am ringing you about the death of Debbie Chater.’
‘Yes, Mr Murray. I remember you. What have you got for me?’ Powell’s voice was impatient.
‘You remember the man I told you about, who groped Debbie the night she died?’
‘Yes?’
‘Well, I met him a couple of days ago. His name is Joe Finlay. He’s a trader at an investment bank called Bloomfield Weiss. He had an affair with Debbie about a year ago.’ I gave Powell Joe’s address in Wandsworth.
‘Thank you very much, Mr Murray. We will follow up this lead. However, it seems clear that we are looking at an accident, or perhaps suicide. I will be in touch with you in the course of the next few days.’ The note of irritation in Powell’s voice was clear. He had probably dismissed my description of Joe as unimportant, and made up his own mind about how Debbie had died. He would have some more work to do now.
‘I will be happy to help any time,’ I said, and put the receiver down.
As I left the police station and headed home, I wondered what Joe’s reaction to being questioned by the police would be. He wouldn’t be very pleased with me, I was sure. Still, I hoped they would nail the bastard.
8
I was right on time for my appointment with Robert Denny. Denny Clark’s offices were in Essex Street, a tiny lane winding down towards the river from the Strand. They were in an old red-brick Georgian building, with only a small brass name-plate to identify them. The receptionist, a well-groomed blonde with a plummy accent, took my coat and asked me to take a seat. I found a comfortable leather armchair and sank into it.
I looked around me. Books rose from floor to ceiling, old leather-bound books. In front of me on the mahogany table, next to a vase of orange lilies were copies of Country Life, the Field, Investors Chronicle, the Economist and The Times. It was clear what kind of client Denny Clark catered for. I was not surprised that Irwin Piper would seek the firm out. I was slightly surprised that they would feel comfortable with him, but then a fee is a fee.
After five minutes I was ushered into Mr Denny’s office by the efficient secretary I had spoken to on the phone earlier. It was on the first floor, large and airy, with a view out on to the quiet street below. More bookcases with stacks of leather-bound books, although these looked as though they were actually used from time to time. On one wall, above a long conference table, hung a portrait of an imposing-looking Victorian gentleman, brandishing a quill. A former Denny, I assumed.
The current Denny was sitting behind his huge desk, finishing off a note. After a couple of seconds, he looked up, saw me, smiled and got up from behind his desk to welcome me. He was a neat, grey-haired, slightly small man. Although he was clearly in his sixties, there was none of the wise old senior partner put out to grass about him. His movements were agile, his eyes quick, his manner assured. A competent lawyer at the height of his career.
He held out his hand to me. ‘Paul Murray, it’s an honour to meet you.’
Slightly confused at this, I said rather lamely, ‘I’m glad to meet you too.’
Denny laughed, his eyes twinkling. ‘I like watching athletics on the box. I always admired your running. It was a sad day when you retired. I had you d
own for a gold in two years’ time. Have you given up athletics entirely?’
‘Oh, I still run regularly, but just to keep fit. I don’t compete any more, though.’
‘Shame. Would you like some tea? Coffee perhaps?’ he asked.
‘Tea, please,’ I answered.
Denny raised an eyebrow to his secretary, who left the room swiftly, to reappear with a tray, tea, cups and biscuits. We sat in two armchairs next to a low table. I leaned back and relaxed. Denny was one of those men, confident in their abilities, who use their intelligence and charm to make you feel at ease, rather than intimidate you. I liked him.
Denny took an appreciative sip of tea. ‘Felicity tells me that you were a friend of Debbie Chater’s,’ he said, eyeing me over his cup.
‘Yes, I was,’ I said. ‘Or at least I worked with her. We only worked together for three months, but we got on pretty well.’
‘That was at De Jong and Co., presumably.’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘I’m sure Debbie was a real asset to you,’ Denny said earnestly. ‘I was very sorry to see her go. She was a brilliant lawyer.’ He must have seen a slight look of surprise on my face. ‘Oh, yes,’ he continued. ‘She lacked a little in application, I suppose. But she was always able to grasp the core of a problem remarkably quickly for someone of her experience. And she never missed anything. It’s a shame she gave up the law.’ He coughed, leaving unsaid the thought that crossed my mind. Not that it mattered now. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I wanted to ask you about something Debbie was working on before she died,’ I began. ‘Something which was a little odd. It may be nothing important. But then again, it may be.’
‘Could it be connected with her death?’
‘Oh no, I’m sure it’s not,’ I said quickly.
‘But you think it might be?’ Denny was sitting back in his chair listening, picking up not only what I said, but how I said it. There was something about his posture that encouraged me to talk.
‘Well, I may just be being fanciful, but yes, I think there might be. I really don’t know yet. That’s why I’m here.’
‘I see,’ said Denny. ‘Go on.’
‘It’s to do with an American named Irwin Piper. Felicity said that you handled a case in which he was involved. Debbie worked with you on it.’
‘Piper was a client of this firm’s. I believe Debbie and I did act for him on one occasion,’ Denny said.
‘I was looking at a new bond issue for a casino in America,’ I continued. ‘The owner of the casino is Irwin Piper. I asked Debbie to go through the information memorandum. After she died I looked at the document myself. She had marked one or two passages. In particular a paragraph explaining that a gaming licence would not be granted to someone who had a criminal record.’
I looked at Denny, who was listening just as intently as before.
‘Does Piper have a criminal record?’ I asked.
‘Not that I am aware of,’ said Denny.
‘Can you tell me anything about the Piper case that you and Debbie worked on?’ I asked.
Denny was silent for a moment, thinking. ‘It’s difficult. Piper was my client. I wouldn’t want to harm his reputation or disclose any of his private affairs.’
‘But you will help me,’ I said firmly. ‘This isn’t the time for legal niceties.’
‘It is always the time to respect the law, young man,’ said Denny. But he smiled. ‘I will do my best to help you. Most of what happened is a matter of public record. I will leave out as little as possible.
‘Irwin Piper had bought a large country house in Surrey with a partner – an English property developer. It was called Bladenham Hall. They refurbished the house and created the “Bladenham Hall Clinic”. It was ostensibly an exclusive clinic for executive stress. It never had more than a dozen or so “inmates”. It was like a health farm, providing rest and relaxation for overstressed businessmen. Needless to say, it was very expensive. Naturally, given the nature of the facility, it was sealed off from the outside world.
‘Well, after a year or so, the police raided the establishment and arrested the manager and a number of female staff. They subsequently charged my client and his partner with running a brothel. At the trial, this allegation was never proved. The prosecution’s case was shown to be a mixture of inconsistencies and inadmissible evidence.’
‘Due to your efforts,’ I interrupted.
Denny smiled. ‘Well, we don’t usually do criminal law here, so I referred the case on to a firm I know which does. But I thought it best to keep a watching brief, and I did point out some rather obscure inconsistencies that the prosecution had overlooked. Although I must admit several of them were uncovered by Debbie.’
‘So Piper was set free?’ I asked.
‘He was, acquitted, yes,’ Denny replied. ‘He sold the house. I believe it is now a hotel. And a very good one too.’
‘And were the police right? Was it a brothel?’
Denny hesitated. ‘The evidence submitted by the police would suggest it was, but that evidence was not admissible.’
‘So it was a brothel,’ I said. ‘Did Piper know what was going on?’
‘He spent very little time in this country. Had it been proved by the police that Bladenham Hall was a brothel, I would have then shown that my client knew nothing about it.’
This was exasperating. Denny’s evasiveness goaded me into being more direct. ‘Is Piper a crook?’
‘From what I learned during that trial, I wouldn’t accept him as a client again,’ said Denny. His strongest reply so far.
I thought for a moment. ‘If this was brought to the attention of the Nevada Gaming Commission, would it cause Piper to lose his licence?’ And the Tahiti, I thought.
Denny touched his fingertips together and tapped his chin. ‘It’s difficult to say. I know very little of Nevada law specifically. Piper was never found guilty, so he would not automatically be disqualified. It would depend on how much discretion the Commission has to judge good character, and how they choose to use it. But it obviously wouldn’t help an application.’
I rose from my chair. ‘Thank you, Mr Denny. You’ve been very helpful.’
‘Not at all. Any time.’ We shook hands and I walked towards the door.
Before I got there, Denny called after me. ‘Oh, Paul.’
I turned round.
‘I don’t know what you meant when you said that this might have something to do with Debbie’s death,’ he continued. ‘I caught a glimpse of how Piper operates. For all his gentlemanly affectations, he is dangerous. I liked Debbie. I am very sorry she died. If you need any more help, give me a ring.’
‘Thank you,’ I said.
‘Be careful.’ Denny’s words followed me as I left the room.
It rained that evening, but I went for a run anyway. In the warm July evening the rain kept me cool as it seeped through my running vest and shorts. I came back to my flat wet, tired but refreshed.
As the effect of the endorphins wore off, my finger began to throb. I carefully peeled off the bandage and looked at the wound. It was deep, but because the knife was so sharp, the incision had been a narrow one and already the skin looked like it was joining back together. I leapt into the bath before I had a chance to get cold, dropped my finger underwater for a good soak, and let my muscles relax.
The phone rang. I cursed softly to myself and just lay there. It didn’t stop. Reluctantly I hauled myself out of the bath and dripped over to my bedroom. ‘Hallo.’
‘I told you not to interfere.’ The drops of hot water suddenly chilled on my skin. It was the flat tones of Joe Finlay.
I grabbed for words. He had a point there. He had told me not to interfere. Why on earth had I? My mind went blank. Finally I said, ‘How did you get my number?’
‘How did you get mine?’
Good question. It would be easy for him to have got my number off Cash, as I had his. In which case, he probably had my address. M
y skin felt colder. I picked up the duvet from my bed and wrapped it round myself.
‘I told you not to interfere,’ Joe repeated. ‘I have had two lots of policemen round here in the last twenty-four hours. First there was a police tart asking about me and Sally. Sally didn’t tell her anything. And she’s not going to. She knows what would happen to her.’ Menacing words delivered in a dull monotone. ‘Then there was a plod detective asking me questions about that slut’s death. Well, he didn’t get anywhere either. But it got me annoyed. Very annoyed. You were lucky not to lose your finger. You will lose more than that unless you back off. Do you understand me?’
I was scared. Why had I got mixed up with him? Because I thought he had killed Debbie, I reminded myself. Well, if the police were already talking to him about it, then perhaps I could leave it all to them. ‘I understand you,’ I said.
Joe’s voice lowered an octave, which somehow added a touch of extra menace. ‘Look, Murray, I don’t want to hear anything more about the slut. And if you go anywhere near my wife again, or talk to anyone about her, you are dead.’
I was frightened, but I didn’t want him to know it. I was determined not to be intimidated. ‘If you just treat her properly, then no one will bother you,’ I said. ‘Threatening me won’t help now.’ With that I hung up. I dried myself off, and rang Powell at the home number which he had given me. I was curious to find out what Joe had told him about Debbie.
‘Powell.’ His voice was gruff, irritated at being disturbed.
‘It’s Paul Murray here.’
‘Yes, Mr Murray?’
‘I just had a phone call from Joe Finlay. He says you have been in touch with him.’
‘Yes, that’s right. We interviewed him today.’
‘How did it go?’
‘A dead end. Finlay says he shared a taxi with the two people he had been drinking with immediately after they all left the boat. They both corroborate his story. None of them says they saw Debbie after they left her with you.’
I protested. ‘That can’t be right. Have you found the taxi-driver?’
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