Three Little Maids(59)

‘Cheer up, Jon. Now that the Carnival week is over perhaps some of the strain will go from the town. But there will be the extra attention from the media. I think you’ve worked hard on the case so far. You couldn’t do any more than you have done so far.’

‘But I’m still hardly the wiser. We need some leads and some extra luck. Before the killer intends to strikes again...’





42




‘Good morning, Miss Leach. May we have a quiet word with you please?’ Kent asked when he walked into the Carey’s office with Turner. It was empty except for the secretary. ‘It’s regarding Mr. Ludlam. And his alibis for the Thursday evening and the two Saturday evenings.’

She didn’t seem surprised. ‘Yes, Inspector. He has already made me aware of it. Although he said he didn’t give my name. But I was expecting you.’

‘And - -Miss Leach?’

She viewed them calmly. ‘It wouldn’t take you too long to figure out that I live in Foxglove Grove. And I can confirm that he was in my company during those times he was questioned about.’

‘Thank you. If Turner can take down the dates and times. We shan’t keep you long, Miss Leach.’

‘On Thursday night we both attended rehearsals for the Mikado at the theatre. It was quite late when we finished. Roger Welbeck can confirm that. He’s rehearsing too.’

‘And he stayed with you till what time?’

‘Two am.’ Only a slight pink colouring in her cheeks, and her fingers twisting an elastic band on the desk as she spoke, betrayed the nerves that she kept admirably in control.

‘And on the following Saturday night; it would be the same time?’

‘And last Saturday night, Miss Leach?’

‘Aiden took his children to the park to watch the Firework display and I saw him there. And again, after taking the children home and putting them to bed. Gwynith had a bad migraine so he came over to my place.’

‘In Foxglove Grove.’

‘Yes. And parked his car down the road. He didn’t want to advertise his presence to the neighbours. But unfortunately his Mercedes attracted joy riders from the council estate. They stole the Major’s son’s car last year and trashed it That’s why he gets so angry. They create so much noise and mayhem in our quiet neighbourhood

‘And they took Aiden’s car. It left him in such a dreadful predicament.’ She shook her head. ‘He didn’t know what to do, Inspector. It was most embarrassing for the poor man. He told me afterwards that it had been taken.’

‘You didn’t know about it, Miss Leach?’

‘I was asleep.’ She blushed pinker still. ‘Well, we’d had some wine, you see. Aiden brought the bottle with him. He usually does. I’m not used to it. I really don’t drink that much.’ And for the first time she showed some embarrassment. ‘He heard the noise. And Major Colby shouting outside. And realised afterwards that it was his car that had been stolen.’

‘He told us he walked home.’

‘Yes. He didn’t think it was wise to order a taxi from my house. It would only invite gossip for me, he said. It took him forty minutes or so quick walking to get home. He lives on the West side of the town. He had to tell the insurance people where he left the car though. And he had to do it without Gwynith finding out.

‘He told her it was taken when he left the car out on the road while he was getting the children to bed. She has no reason to think he was lying. And now he’s been told it’s a complete write-off. And those wicked boys never get caught and punished.’

She appeared more worried about the fate of the car than she was about her reputation. She had indeed become a liberated woman, Kent thought smiling to himself.

‘Yes, it’s a sorry business. Let’s hope the insurance company play ball. Thank you, Miss Leach. We shan’t need to trouble you again.’

‘I hope not, Inspector.’

‘Well, I’d never have expected that of Miss Leach,’ Turner said as they left Carey`s office. ‘She’s a nice woman. A pity she had to be involved especially when you have a neighbour like Major Colby. I bet he doesn’t miss much that’s going on in that area. He prides himself as a good neighbourhood watcher I expect.’

‘She certainly didn’t make a big scene out of it. Kept herself well in control, didn’t she?’

‘He must have been steaming mad, having to hoof it home, guv. It must have dampened down his romantic inclinations quite a bit. He’s lucky she was prepared to give him an alibi though.’





43




The Medical Examiner looked up from there his unenviable task with a look of disgust on his face as the two detectives joined him quietly. ‘Gentlemen there is no need for me to repeat myself. There is little difference between this victim and the other two. She is undernourished. Not an anorexic. But she obviously hasn’t had sufficient funds to eat properly, I suppose, as one of life’s dropouts. Still very young. She didn’t do drugs. No signs of needles in her arms. And was not a glue sniffer. And she was unlike the other two in one thing.’