Murder is a Tricky Business (DCI Cook Thriller Series Book 1)

by Phillip Strang

  ‘I can assure you that our relationship is purely professional. Who else believes that we have a friendship?’

  ‘Everyone out at the production lot; it’s a great place for gossip.’

  ‘Let’s get back as to why she would not be sad to see Charles Sutherland dead?’

  ‘She’s not told you?’

  ‘I know she told him that his time on the programme was over, and he had responded with some choice words.’

  ‘Stuck-up bitch, that sort of thing?’ Williams said.

  ‘That’s about all I know.’

  ‘I think you better talk to her again. It’s more serious than that. Nobody out at the production lot knows ‒ only me and maybe Sally Jenkins.’

  ‘Why only you two?’

  ‘Firstly, Jess came and told me, and secondly, Sally had a tendency to listen in to conversations.’

  ‘What is it that Jess had against Charles Sutherland?’

  ‘It would be best if it came from her.’

  ‘Let me have your version first?’

  ‘I’m afraid I cannot do that. It would not be advantageous to your investigation if I distorted or misinterpreted what she told me.’

  ‘I’ll grant you that. I need to see her as soon as possible.’

  ‘Then I would suggest that you bring her in to the police station, set her down and get her to explain. It may become an integral part of any future trial. Not against Jess, but against Sutherland.’

  Chapter 17

  The first of the two escorts ‒ never refer to them as prostitutes, Marion Robertson had advised ‒ was not difficult to spot. The entrance to Hyde Park, just across the road from Marble Arch, the designated meeting place. It had been a good choice as it was a clear and sunny day.

  Farhan could not help but be struck by the woman’s beauty. She was of medium height, full in figure, not fat, and dressed in what looked to him to be expensive clothes, her shoulder length hair, dark and full.

  She had a pleasant smile when she came over to him and introduced herself. Farhan thought the smile was a veneer.

  ‘I’ve taken time off work to come and meet you. Everyone thinks I’m at the dentist.’

  ‘I hope I’m not as painful as all that,’ he joked. ‘He warmed to the woman, the embodiment in his estimation of the ideal female. She appeared to have some Indian heritage, although her skin tone was light.

  ‘It is not you. I have an image to maintain and this man being murdered has put me in an awkward position.’

  ‘Why?’ he asked. They moved from the gate and strolled through the park. He was enjoying himself. She was nervous but not as nervous as she had been when they first met.

  ‘I work for Marion, but it’s not the sort of thing you want your friends and family to know about and certainly not in the office.’

  ‘Where do you work?’

  ‘I work with a legal firm, not five minutes’ walk from here. I’m training to be a lawyer.’

  ‘Why the escort work?’

  ‘It pays well. Life is expensive. A junior in a legal office doesn’t get paid much.’

  ‘Is it purely money?’

  ‘Not altogether, but it’s a large part of it.’

  ‘What’s the other part?’

  ‘I like sex.’ To Farhan it was a blunt answer, something he had not heard from a woman’s mouth before. His wife accepted him on top of her with reluctance. Elaine Goddard had been more demonstrative although they only made love a few times, and most of those times were snatched moments in the back of a car or at her apartment, a pokey bedsit she shared with another female officer. She had been very physical, animated, but to hear the words from such an elegant woman as Samantha was unexpected.

  ‘The men can’t always be pleasant?’ he said.

  ‘It’s a balance. Most of the men are ageing but generous. I make sure they enjoy themselves. You cannot realise what kind of an aphrodisiac the money is.’ It seemed to Farhan, words spoken as a defence mechanism, not a true statement as to what she felt about her unusual choice of a profession.

  ‘Charles Sutherland. I am under the impression that he was not a particularly pleasant man.’

  ‘I remember him. Of course, I do. He was into threesomes, and he liked some lesbian play before. He liked to sit and watch.’

  ‘You had no problem with that?’

  ‘Why should I? Law school is expensive, and I intend to get through, honours at least. Then I’ll find myself a good position as a lawyer, corporate law. That’s where the money is.’

  ‘And escorting?’

  ‘I will stop as soon as I finish law school.’

  ‘No regrets?’

  ‘Of course not. You sound prudish. Do you disapprove?’

  ‘My religion would say it was wrong,’ Farhan admitted. ‘As long as no one causes anyone harm, then I maintain a neutral view.’ He realised he had made a similar statement to Marion Robertson, the purveyor of women such as Samantha.

  ‘My family would disown me.’

  ‘Then why take the risk?’

  ‘I see nothing wrong as long as no one is harmed.’ She failed to answer his question.

  ‘Can we get back to Charles Sutherland?’ Farhan had deviated from his questioning. He, like Isaac, was susceptible to the charms of a woman. With Isaac, they saw him as a stud; With him, they saw someone to mother.

  Isaac would take advantage; he never had or at least not yet. He had made a decision. The purity and the boredom of a loveless marriage did not compensate. He would protect the children, but as for his wife, he had no further use for her.

  ‘I wouldn’t say it was an enjoyable night,’ she continued, ‘or two nights, as we went back again. We provided the service, spent a few hours there and left.’

  ‘The night he died. Were you there?’

  ‘Yes, but when we left him he had a smile on his face. He was very much alive.’

  ‘The other lady?’

  ‘I only know her as Olivia. We don’t talk about our private lives.’

  ‘What time did you leave Sutherland’s suite at the Savoy?’

  ‘Just after midnight. I always check the time of departing.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘I need to ensure that my parents are asleep when I get home. I don’t want any awkward questions as I walk in the door.’

  ‘You live at home?’

  ‘A good Muslim girl. Yes, I do. I’ve shocked you again.’

  ‘Too many years as a policeman. I’ve seen it all. I’m not easily shocked, but a good Muslim girl, a beautiful woman acting as an escort…’

  ‘My name’s Aisha.’

  ‘Your real name?’

  ‘Yes. You will keep my involvement confidential?’

  ‘That’s what I promised Marion. I will make the same to you, although you must realise this may soon be out of my control.’

  Unbeknown, they had walked some distance, further than expected and found themselves on the other side of the park. In a flurry, late for an appointment, she hailed a taxi. ‘Call me once this is over,’ she shouted to him from the open window. ‘We can meet as friends, have a meal.’

  ***

  ‘I’m sorry about this, Jess.’ Isaac acting on information supplied by Richard Williams had no option but to call her in. If it was as Williams had suggested, ‘important’, then he had to follow police procedure, no longer an informal chat and a brief kiss.

  ‘My client will only answer questions pertaining to Charles Sutherland.’ She had brought along legal representation. Isaac had phoned her before her official summons to the police station, advised her that it would be a good idea.

  She had been taken aback initially but acquiesced when he had explained the situation. ‘Vital evidence, evidence that may be used in court needs to be given in the correct manner. It’s best for you to come in, honestly answer the questions and clear the air.’

  ‘I thought you were protecting me?’ she had said.

  ‘I was. I still am. Believe me, th
is is the best way. We need to clear up a few aspersions.’

  ‘My hatred of Sutherland, is that it?’

  ‘Please say no more. Come to the station in your own vehicle. Park it around the back and no one will know you’ve been here.’

  It was late in the afternoon when all the concerned people were present. It was necessary for Isaac to conduct the formalities.

  ‘This interview is being recorded and is being conducted in Interview Room 2 at Challis Street Police Station. I am Detective Chief Inspector Isaac Cook. Miss O’Neill, could you please introduce yourself.’

  ‘Jessica O’Neill.’

  ‘Detective Inspector Ahmed,’ Isaac said.

  ‘I am Detective Inspector Mohammad Farhan Ahmed.’

  ‘Mr Wrightson.’

  ‘I am Michael Wrightson, Solicitor of Wrightson, Loftus and Evans.’

  ‘The time, if we can agree, is 4.10 p.m. At the conclusion of the interview Miss O’Neill, I will give you a notice explaining exactly what will happen to the tapes. Do you understand?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Before you answer I need to formally caution you. You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but what you say may be given in evidence. Do you understand the reason for the interview?’ Isaac asked.

  ‘Yes,’ she replied.

  Thank you. I would remind you that you're not under arrest, you need not remain here and you are entitled to legal representation.’

  Farhan sat alongside Isaac, facing Jess O’Neill’s legal representative. Neither Isaac nor Farhan liked the look of him. He was a tall, slender man with pronounced features. Marathon runner, Isaac thought. He had seen the physique before. He spoke in a superior manner. He looked expensive.

  ‘Miss O’Neill, thank you for coming.’

  ‘I will answer all questions put forward, subject to my legal representative, Mr Wrightson agreeing.’

  ‘That is fine, Miss O’Neill,’ Isaac responded.

  ‘Please call me Jess.’

  ‘Jess, it is,’ Isaac replied.

  She looked at Michael Wrightson. He nodded his head in affirmation and spoke to the microphone centred in the middle of the table. ‘That is acceptable.’

  ‘It is known that you argued with Charles Sutherland. Is that correct?’ Isaac said.

  ‘Argued, yes, but it hardly seems relevant.’

  ‘Why?’

  She looked over at Wrightson before responding. He nodded his head. ‘It’s part of my job to maintain momentum, to put everyone in their place. It’s a tough schedule on production days.’

  ‘Are you saying that you only argued on production days?’

  ‘I argue with a lot of people on production days, but nobody takes it seriously. Tensions are high, tempers are short, and some of the actors think they’re a major star, worthy of preferential treatment, kid gloves.’

  ‘Charles Sutherland. One of those?’

  ‘Charles Sutherland and Marjorie Frobisher were the worst.’

  ‘We will come to Marjorie Frobisher later.’ Isaac realised he could not go too easy on her, and besides Farhan was there as well. He could not be seen to be weak in front of his junior.

  ‘My client is not sure where this is proceeding,’ Wrightson felt the need to speak. ‘Miss O’Neill has not been formally charged. Why is she here?’

  ‘I am informed that Miss O’Neill had more than a dislike for Charles Sutherland. It has come to my knowledge that she had a hatred of the man.’

  ‘Isaac, that’s not correct,’ Jess protested.

  ‘My client is not at liberty to answer this question,’ Wrightson said. Isaac had had enough of the man, his input was obstructionist.

  ‘I am not asking Miss O’Neill to incriminate herself. I am purely giving her the opportunity to state her hatred for this man categorically and why. It is understood that there may have been hesitancy before. The previous times that we spoke were unofficial and unrecorded. It is imperative that your client is totally honest with us.’

  Jess turned to Wrightson, ‘Michael, what should I do?’

  ‘May we halt this interview for five minutes,’ Wrightson asked. ‘I need to advise my client as to her legal position.’

  ‘4.25 p.m. Interview with Miss Jessica O’Neill halted.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Wrightson said.

  ‘I’ll send in some coffee. Take as long as you like. We’ll be outside.’

  ‘Make it tea for me.’ Jess managed a weak smile.

  Isaac and Farhan left the room.

  ***

  ‘Michael, what am I to do?’ Jess turned to face Wrightson.

  ‘You haven’t done anything wrong.’

  ‘I know, but it’s a clear motive.’

  ‘It will look worse if you don’t speak now. DCI Cook, what’s the situation with him?’

  ‘I like him. He likes me. No more than that.

  ‘He seems to be going gentle on you. Did you sense it?’

  ‘He seemed very rough to me.’

  ‘I’ve been in these places before. He’s trying to help. It would be best if you trust him with this information. I’m not only your legal representative; I’m also married to your sister. I’m family. I suggest you state clearly the full story in your own time, make a statement. It will come out eventually; it always does.’

  ‘Why? There was no one else there.’

  ‘It always comes out. One day, when the pressure’s on by the police to wrap up the case, when they have a suspect in mind, you will let it slip. I just don’t think you’re a good enough actor, not to let it out.’

  ‘Not good enough for the soap I produce?’

  ‘You may be good enough for that.’

  ‘I will follow your advice.’

  ‘Good. If they find out later that you lied here today, they will have a clear motive.’

  ‘It is a motive, you know that,’ Jess said.

  ‘People have murdered for less.’ Michael Wrightson hoped his sister-in-law had seen sense. He was sure she had.

  ***

  Ninety minutes after exiting the interview room, Isaac and Farhan returned.

  ‘Interview recommenced 5. 55 p.m.’ Isaac said.

  ‘My client wishes to make a statement,’ Wrightson said. Isaac hoped it wasn’t a confession.

  ‘Miss O’Neill, you are aware of what you are saying?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then please commence.’

  ‘Charles Sutherland was a thoroughly despicable man.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’ Farhan needed to enter the interview. He could see why Isaac was drawn to her. Even in the moment of sadness which was etched on her face, she still portrayed loveliness. He wanted to put an arm around her and tell her it wasn’t all that bad.

  ‘Please allow my client to make her statement.’

  ‘Charles Sutherland,’ she repeated the statement from the start, ‘was a thoroughly despicable man. I can only feel intense hatred towards him. His death did not cause me any sadness. On the contrary, I was relieved and pleased to hear that he had met an unpleasant fate. The question as to why I feel relief and why I hated him so much is for me to explain.

  ‘I came from a sexually abusive and violent childhood. It is something that I do not talk about. I do not want to speak about it now. On the advice of my legal representative, Michael Wrightson, who also happens to be my brother-in-law, I am making this statement. I am well aware that what I am about to tell you would form the basis for murder.

  ‘I must state here and now, that I was not involved in the murder of this man, although the person who did murder him has my gratitude.

  ‘As a child with a stepfather who treated the female children as his personal property for his obscene sexual gratification, I am well aware of what constitutes abuse and improper behaviour. My step-father died when I reached the age of fourteen, early enough for me to forget the horrors of what he inflicted on me and my sister, Michael’s wife. Even Michael does not know the full extent of what tra
nspired in that evil house and never will. My sister still suffers some lasting effects. For me, I have completely adjusted, never forgotten, but it has not caused me anguish after about my sixteenth birthday.

  ‘Since then there have been several men in my life, good men, who have always treated me with the greatest respect. Let me come to Charles Sutherland.

  ‘Two weeks before his leaving the programme, I went to see him in his dressing room. It was late at night, sometime after 10 p.m. and I don’t believe anyone else apart from the two of us were out at the production lot. I wanted to discuss his part and the script change for the next day. I would often do that with the other members of the cast, even with Charles Sutherland, so there was no reason for me not to go and see him.

  ‘I found him in his room, drunk from what I could see. I did not realise that he had been snorting cocaine until he became insistent that I take some with him. He was in an unusual mood, even for him. This is before the decision to remove him from the programme.

  ‘He became more demanding, aiming to force me, attempting to grab me and to make me have a drink with him, to lighten up. I tried to leave the room, but he locked the door and put the key down the front of his trousers. He was baiting me to take the key from him. I was in a state, and at that moment, I saw my step-father there. I kicked at him, attempted to hit him. I shouted at the top of my voice, but no one responded. The more I reacted, the more excited he became. I’ve seen him before in a similar situation, but now it was extreme, and I was on my own.

  ‘He came at me, grabbed me by my shoulder and threw me on the ground. He ripped off my blouse, started fondling me and all the time I was screaming. He aimed to pull off my skirt, but I managed to take control of the situation and kneed him in the groin with all the force I could muster. He collapsed in agony. I quickly regained the key and exited. That’s the end of my statement.’

  Nobody spoke for at least a minute. Wrightson was the first. ‘You must understand that what Miss O’Neill has told you is of great embarrassment to her. It is clear that she is distraught and should be excused from further questioning.’