Cold Justice (Willis/Carter #4)(31)

‘No, I don’t think it was – not really. He owned a house here.’

‘Second home,’ corrected Carter.

‘I think you’ll find this was the only house he actually owned.’

‘When was the last time Jeremy Forbes-Wright stayed in his house?’

‘I saw him at Christmas.’

‘Did he come with anyone?’

‘I’m not sure.’

‘Did you know him well?’

‘I knew him well enough to have a chat, to share a drink when I saw him. He’s been to dinner once or twice. But, he was a private man.’

‘Private? He was a man who liked to party, wasn’t he?’

Raymonds frowned.

Carter continued: ‘You mean you didn’t know? He brought escorts down here to Kellis House, he was a pretty debauched type by the sound of it. He must have brought some interesting guests with him.’

‘I have no idea.’

‘Did you never hear rumours about him down here? asked Willis.

‘Pardon? I can’t understand what you’re saying.’

‘Did you ever have reason to contact him when he was back in London?’

‘Me?’ Raymonds shook his head. ‘No, of course not.’

‘Any reason why someone might want to hurt him or his family?’ asked Carter.

‘None that I know.’

‘When did you first get to know Mr Forbes-Wright?’ asked Willis.

‘Back in the mists of time.’ Raymonds looked at Carter. ‘What’s your concerns?’

‘Answer my question, please,’ Willis interrupted. Raymonds glared coldly at her. ‘How long had you known Mr Forbes-Wright?’ she repeated.

‘Well, girly, let me see. It’ll be back twenty, actually twenty-five years. When he first bought that house – that was in the early ’80s, I think.’

‘You were the sergeant here then, weren’t you?’ Carter asked.

‘I was. Over the years I saw him bring his son down.’

‘Toby?’

‘That’s the one; he’s hardly changed. He was a skinny little thing then – still is.’

‘And what were your impressions of Jeremy?’ asked Carter.

‘Good bloke, you know, for a Londoner, he was a good sort. So that’s why you’re here?’

‘We are here because, shortly after the funeral, Toby’s two-year-old son Samuel was snatched from his buggy.’

‘Get on? What the bloody hell is the world coming to? Poor little blighter.’

Carter didn’t doubt for one minute that Raymonds knew. He must have seen the news. It was all over the press.

‘Did you see the boy at the service?’ Willis asked.

‘I believe I did. The wife had him.’

‘Lauren.’ Willis was taking notes.

‘I don’t know her name.’

‘You were seen talking to Toby after the service,’ said Willis.

‘So what of it? I was showing good manners, good breeding. Paying my respects.’

‘We had a lip-reader analyse your words,’ she added.

Raymonds’ eyes lit with a cold delight at what she said and he burst out laughing.

‘Well, what a clever thing. And what did they say I said?’

‘Tell us,’ said Carter, smiling, but getting increasingly irritated. ‘We’ll see if there’s a match. Detective Willis has it written in her notebook so we’ll see which one of you gets it right.’

‘Sorry – I’d love to sit here and play your games but I really don’t remember exactly. I probably said sorry for your loss, sadly missed, hope to see you in Penhal in the house. That kind of thing.’ He looked at Willis, who looked up from her notebook and stared back but didn’t comment.

Raymonds fidgeted in his seat – riled for the first time.

Willis read from her notes: ‘You said – “you need to start answering my calls”.’

Carter made sure he wasn’t the first to blink as he stared Raymonds out.

‘What did you want to speak to him about, Mr Raymonds? What did you mean by that?’

‘It followed on from an earlier conversation in the church.’

‘Which was?’

‘I forget now – about some decision on the house. We don’t like to leave things empty. I just wanted to know if he wanted us to manage it till they had decided what to do. It may have sounded a little abrupt but it was meant well. The whole of Penhal village wishes the young family well. Of course, it’s tragic news that their son has gone missing – tragic.’

‘They’ve had an offer on the house from someone in the village. Any idea who that could be?’

‘Yes, it’s no secret, the offer is from myself and Martin Stokes.’

‘Wow.’ Carter feigned surprise. ‘I need to get transferred down here – you must have a hell of a pension?’

‘I’ve been careful, that’s all.’ Raymonds looked irritated as he repositioned himself in the chair and inhaled deeply.

‘But, why would you want it, you and your cousin?’

Raymonds didn’t flinch. ‘There’s not many houses like that in the village. It’s unique. Martin Stokes has been managing the property well up to now. No reason not to continue.’