Page 58 of Marriage and Murder
His gaze on Pincer as he was marched around the corner into Endless Street on his way to the police station, Johnson clearly debated, then said, “In this case, I can’t see any reason why I shouldn’t.” He transferred his gaze to Mallard’s face. “You know the boss doesn’t hold with our clients doing anything that might land them on the wrong side of the law. This might serve as a warning to others, heh?”
“I’m all for keeping people on the straight and narrow,” Mallard said. “And who knows? Helping with this case might even get O’Reilly a little credit with the local bench.”
Johnson nodded. “Seems a decent outcome. I’ll take it.”
Mallard tipped his head toward Endless Street. “Come on, then. The inspector from Scotland Yard will want to hear it from your lips, direct.”
“Scotland Yard?” Johnson’s gaze landed on the group opposite and instantly singled out Stokes. Far from being reluctant, Johnson’s face lit with curiosity. “Seems Pincer’s gone up in the world. I’ve never spoken to a Scotland Yard inspector before.” Johnson smiled faintly as, with Mallard, he set off tocross the street. As they neared the others, he added, “Never had reason to before.”
Mallard snorted and waved the others on. They obediently turned and, increasingly eager to learn whatever details Johnson might divulge, strode off for Endless Street with Mallard and Johnson bringing up the rear.
CHAPTER 10
They were within sight of the police station when Madeline checked her watch and halted. “Oh, heavens!”
Henry, Penelope, and Barnaby halted as well, while Stokes, Mallard, and Johnson skirted the group and went on.
“What is it?” Henry asked.
Madeline looked at him and sighed. “I so wanted to hear what Monty has to say, but I must, absolutely must, call on the family solicitor, Mr. Farnham, and advise him of Viola’s death.”
Penelope and Barnaby nodded encouragingly. “You really should,” Barnaby said. “It’s never helpful to let such matters slide.”
“No, indeed,” Penelope said. “There’s been nothing in the news sheets to alert your solicitor, has there?”
Henry snorted. “Ashmore is a tiny village and not that easy to reach. A lady dying in a cottage out there isn’t of much interest to Salisbury’s residents, much less to the reporters, who would have to find some way to get out there and ask their questions.”
“And for such parochialism, I’m sincerely grateful,” Madeline stated, “but it does mean that I need to visit Mr. Farnham’s office and tell him Viola is gone.”
“Definitely,” Barnaby concurred. “Is his office far?”
Madeline waved to the west. “It’s just around the corner in Castle Street. I shouldn’t be long.”
“Well,” Penelope said, “I’m sure Stokes and Mallard will want to interview Johnson first.” She glanced at Barnaby. “We certainly do.” Returning her gaze to Madeline, Penelope concluded, “So if your visit to the solicitor doesn’t take long, you’ll most likely be back before we start interrogating Pincer.”
“That would be ideal,” Madeline said.
“I’ll go with you,” Henry said. “If we’re merely going to Castle Street, we should definitely be back in time.” He glanced at Barnaby. “As the magistrate for the area in which the murder was committed, I would like to be present when the accused is interrogated.”
Barnaby grinned. “If necessary, I’ll use that to delay proceedings.” He nodded westward. “Go, and we’ll hold the fort and wait on your return.”
Relieved, Madeline took Henry’s arm again, and they turned and walked away.
Barnaby offered Penelope his arm, and they continued to the police station.
On entering the foyer, they discovered Stokes and Mallard conferring. The pair reached some decision, and Stokes directed Morgan and Price to escort the defeated-looking Pincer down to the cells.
Stokes beckoned O’Donnell to attend him where he stood with Mallard. As Barnaby and Penelope walked up, the sergeant presented himself, and his voice lowered, Stokes instructed, “Once you have Pincer settled in a cell, go and ask Jacobs to take a look at all the prisoners down there—there are six others, apparently—and see if Jacobs recognizes anyone as his Mr. Farmer.”
O’Donnell grinned and saluted. “Yes, guv.” He turned and strode off after the others, who had disappeared down the stairs to the basement.
Stokes turned to Penelope and Barnaby. “No Madeline or Henry?”
Barnaby explained the pair’s necessary errand. “With any luck, they’ll be back before we’re ready to talk to Pincer.”
Stokes nodded. “Right, then. Let’s see what we can learn from Mr. Johnson. Quite aside from filling in the time until Henry and Madeline return, the more facts we have with which to confront Pincer, the better.”
With that, they all agreed. Mallard had arranged for them to speak with Johnson in an interview room on the ground floor. “Much less off-putting than the interrogation room downstairs. At least for the general public.”
