I know, he admitted. Im fine.
Why dont you come home a little early-have some normal time for a couple of hours-drink too much and fool around?
No chance of that, he told her. Not for a few days yet, anyway.
Any idea how long this ones going to take?
How longs a piece of string?
Thats not good.
Is it ever?
Yes, Kate told him. When youre at home, with us-thats good.
When I am there.
Well, then be here. Remember, all work and no play makes Sean a-
Makes me a what? he interrupted, thinly veiled anger suddenly in his voice.
Nothing, she answered. I was just. . nothing. I have to go now-the kids have run off. Ill see you tonight. Be careful. I love you. The line went dead-dead before he had a chance to say sorry for snapping at her-before he had a chance to ask about the girls-before he had a chance to tell her he loved her too.
CHAPTER 6
Friday
Sean drove the car through heavy Central London traffic while Donnelly spoke, his notebook flipped open on his thigh. The man we need to talk to works for some international finance company, Butler and Mason. After this mornings briefing, I popped into one of the nightclubs on the list. Place in Vauxhall. They were cleaning up last nights mess, but the head of security was still there. He also works the door at the club during opening hours. Sean listened without interrupting. Donnelly checked his notebook. Stuart Youngs the guys name. Now, he says he knew our victim; not bosom buddies, but he knew him to speak to and he knew he worked the club for clients too.
He was okay with that? Sean asked.
Apparently so. As far as hes concerned, it happens. If he tried to stop every bit of naughtiness that went on in the club they wouldnt stay in business too long. Sean raised his eyebrows. And young Daniel was apparently subtle about it, didnt have too many clients, kept it all nice and low-key.
If I was a cynic, I might suspect Mr. Young was turning a blind eye because Daniel was paying him to do so.
Donnelly continued. Either way, Young confirms that Daniel was in Utopia on Wednesday night.
Was he with anyone in particular?
Afraid not. According to Young, Daniel spent some time with a couple of his regulars, guys who have been going to the club for years.
Have we spoken with them yet?
I spoke with them both myself. I gave Young my number and asked him to phone around to the victims regular tricks. Among those who already got back to me are the men he was with Wednesday night. Donnelly flicked through his notebook again. Sam Milford and a Benjamin Briggs. Both seemed pretty upset by the whole thing, both happy to provide samples. Neither great suspect material.
Any other clients been in touch?
They certainly have. The grapevine has been working nicely for me, but they all seem much of a muchness-all very upset, all willing to cooperate. No great suspects yet, but maybe thatll change when I meet them face-to-face.
But you dont think so, do you?
Donnelly shrugged. The victims clients arent looking too likely, so I did a little bit more digging.
And?
Okay. Donnelly sounded like a mock game-show host. Possible suspect number one-Steven Paramore, male, thirty-two years old, white. Sally had Paulo check local intelligence records and he found this guy, recently released from Belmarsh having just served eight years for the attempted murder of a teenage rent boy back in 2005. Apparently he almost beat the victim to death with his bare hands.
Nice.
After his release he went back to live with dear old mum, who Im sure must be fucking delighted.
Whats his address?
Bardsley Lane, Deptford.
Close to Graydons flat, Sean said.
Close enough, Donnelly agreed. And hes a very angry man-served nearly a full sentence because of his bad behavior inside. Its also suspected hes a closet homosexual himself.
Is that what you think our killer is?
What, a homosexual?
No. Angry.
Dont you?
Maybe. Check him out anyway. In fact, have Paulo check him out-he dug him up.
No problem. Now, moving on to suspect number two: Jonnie Dempsey, male, white, twenty-four years old, an Aussie, works as a barman in Utopia and is known to be a friend of Daniels, although no suggestion yet he was anything more, but. . Anyhow, he was supposed to be working the night Daniel was killed, only he didnt show. And he hasnt been seen since. The managers been trying his mobile and home numbers relentlessly, but no joy. Jonnie Dempsey is very much missing. Daniels secret lover? Donnelly suggested.
I dont know. Sean sounded unconvinced. Like I said, this doesnt feel like a domestic.
Maybe its not, Donnelly half-agreed. Maybe theres more to Jonnie Dempsey than anyones giving him credit for?
Fine. Find him. Check him out. But neither Paramore nor Dempsey sound like they work at Butler and Mason International Finance, so why are we here? Whose day are we about to spoil?
The guy were about to fall out with is called James Hellier. Sean noticed Donnelly didnt have to refer to his notebook to recall the name.
And why should I be interested in James Hellier? Sean asked, trying to clear his mind of the avalanche of admin and protocol hed had to deal with since the investigation began. He needed a clear mind if he was going to have any chance of thinking freely and imaginatively.
Show me a liar and a man with a lot to lose and Ill show you a pretty good suspect-Helliers both those things.
How so?
Stuart Young told me that Daniel generally liked to play it safe, keep to established, regular customers, so its always a wee bit of a surprise when a new guy comes on the scene.
And a new guy had come on the scene?
Aye, Donnelly explained. Only appeared about a week ago. Kept himself to himself, didnt mix, didnt cause trouble either, but Youngs pretty sure he had relations of the paying kind with Daniel at least once. He says he saw them outside the club, before they headed off together.
Go on, Sean encouraged, listening more intently now, a mental picture of the man they were about to meet beginning to form in his thoughts. Not of his physical appearance, but of his state of mind, his possible motivation, his ability or not to take the life of a fellow man.
Okay. First, Young told me he had asked Daniel about this newcomer a few nights after hed seen them outside together-nothing heavy, just small talk. Daniel told him that the man was called David, no surname mentioned, and that he worked in the City and lived alone somewhere out west. But then things get a little more complicated. You see, Young was working the door the night the newcomer first appeared, when a regular punter came in, a-Donnelly quickly checked his notebook again-a Roger Bennett. Now Bennett, whos known Young for years, sees this newcomer David and makes for the exit sharpish. Young asks him if theres a problem and Bennett tells him there is, the problem being that Bennett knows our friend David.
How? Sean asked unnecessarily.
Through work. Bennett works for a big mens magazine in the West End-you know the type of glossy rag, all cars and tits. Anyway, this new guys been to his office a number of times to do their accounts.
So? Sean was growing impatient.
The problem being, Bennett is gay, as you may have guessed, but he doesnt want anyone at work to find out. Apparently it wouldnt go down too well in his office. So he decamps from the club and asks Young to give him a ring if and when David disappears from the scene.
No big deal, but I figure if this Davids been with the victim, we need to speak to him anyway. So Young gives me Bennetts number and I give him a ring and ask him where I can find this David. He tells me he doesnt have the foggiest what Im talking about, but when I remind him of the night he left the club on the hurry-up, et cetera, et cetera, it all comes back to him and he opens up. And guess what he tells me?
Sean answered immediately. Hes not called David and he doesnt work in the City.
Donnelly froze for a second, a little deflated that Sean had made the leap without needing any more information. Dead right, Bennett reckons that Davids real name is James Hellier and he works for Butler and Mason International Finance. But you already knew that, didnt you?
Sean didnt answer. What you didnt know, Donnelly continued, a satisfied smile spreading across his face, is that, according to Bennett, Hellier also has a wife and a couple of kiddies. Interested?
Hmm, Sean replied. He was interested. Like you said, Show me a liar and a man with a lot to lose. . But this doorman, Young, did he ever see Hellier in the club before that night, or after?
No, but he doesnt work there every night.
CCTV?
Their systems ancient-still runs on VHS, if you can believe it. They reuse the tapes after seven days. The tapes from last week are already recorded over, but we can check the current tapes to see if hes been there anytime during the last few days.
Get it done, Sean told him as they pulled up outside an old Georgian mansion block converted into exclusive offices. Identical buildings ran the length of the long road, all painted white with black-trimmed windows and doors adorned with heavy, shiny brass numbers. Pointed metal railings fenced off the entrances to the basements, curling up and along the short flights of stairs leading to the front door, where visitors were met by pristine brass plates announcing the company within. Only Arabs and the aristocracy could afford to actually live here now.
The two detectives climbed from their Ford and walked across the pavement to the buildings entrance. Here we go, Butler and Mason International Finance. Shall we? Donnelly rang the outside security buzzer. They didnt have to wait long. A female voice crackled back from the intercom. Butler and Mason. Good morning. How can I help?
Detective Inspector Corrigan and Detective Sergeant Donnelly from the Metropolitan Police. Donnelly deliberately avoided stating they were from the Murder Investigation Team. Here to see a Mr. James Hellier. He made it sound as if they had an appointment. It didnt work.
Is he expecting you? came the voice through the small metal box. Donnelly looked at Sean and shrugged his shoulders. Time to put a little pressure on.
No. Hes not expecting us, but I can assure you he will want to see us.
Whoever it was on the intercom wasnt easily bullied. Can I ask what its in connection with, please?