Death on the Coast by Bernie Steadman

Author:Bernie Steadman [Steadman, Bernie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

26

Dan nodded at Patel, pulled out a chair and slid into it. He got Larcombe to go through the introductions while he took a close look at the professor. Compared to the golden brown, round, unlined face that Dan had seen a few days before, Patel was grey-faced and sporting dark bags under his eyes. He looked hot and uncomfortable in his three-piece suit. Dan liked him that way – flustered.

Dan made the introductions, then read through Patel’s statement while the others stated their names, and took a glance at the solicitor, a Harry Karpal Singh. Did he believe any of this? Karpal Singh was taller and thinner than his client, and given to stooping over Patel in a fatherly manner, which Dan found interesting as the solicitor was a good twenty years younger than his client. He hoped that meant Patel was ready to blurt.

‘Right, gentlemen, this shouldn’t take too long. Professor Patel, according to your statement you know nothing about the murders, and thought you were invited here to advise the police on the cult aspects of the investigation. Really?’ Dan shrugged and placed the piece of paper back on the table. ‘Do you have a young Irish woman called Kathy Kelly on your postgraduate course, studying ancient religions?’

Patel stiffened and looked at the lawyer.

‘Come on Professor, you must know whether she’s taking the course or not?’

Patel swallowed. ‘I cannot answer that question.’

Dan sat back in the chair and stared at Patel. He looked at the solicitor. ‘Did you tell him not to answer, Mr Karpal Singh?’

Karpal Singh shrugged. ‘I have in fact advised my client to tell you all that he knows about this issue, but I cannot compel him to do so.’ He pushed his chair back an inch from the table and crossed one long leg over the other.

‘Right. Professor Patel, if you are withholding evidence that could be used in court, in the prosecution of a double murder case, it will be taken in a very dim light by the judge and jury.’ Dan wanted to shout at the man: your friends can’t save you, you idiot; talk! Instead, he forced himself to sit back in the chair. ‘So, I’ll ask you again: is a woman calling herself Kathy Kelly on your postgraduate course?’ He waited for a minute. ‘Nothing to say? Why won’t you answer if you have nothing to hide?’

Patel’s despair bubbled up and spilled out of his eyes. Karpal Singh passed Patel a handkerchief, and ran a finger around the front of his turban. ‘Hot in here, Chief Inspector, could my client have a glass of water, please?’

Larcombe ambled out into the corridor in search of water.

Dan tried again. ‘Professor, I understand how difficult this must be for a man in your position, to think that you might be harbouring a possible murderer and that she may have influenced your own students …’

Patel let out a sob. ‘I … I can’t. She …’ He clamped a hand across his mouth and shut his eyes.

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