Cold Justice (Willis/Carter #4)(82)

‘Is that Josie?’

‘Yes, it is.’

‘My name’s Derek Robinson,’ Robbo said. ‘I’m part of the Met’s Major Investigation Team. I was told that I could contact you about Jeremy Forbes-Wright?

‘Josie, I want to thank you for agreeing to talk to me.’

‘It’s completely private, right? Anonymous?’

‘Yes, absolutely. Nothing will involve you speaking in court. You knew Jeremy Forbes-Wright?’

‘Yes, I did. I knew him for two years. Stopped seeing him about eighteen months ago.’

‘And you used to see him regularly?’ Robbo asked.

‘Yes, he used to call me over about once a fortnight to his place in Canary Wharf. We had hot-tub parties, that kind of thing.’

‘Just you and Jeremy?’

‘No, not always.’

‘I’m interested in the times he took you to stay in Cornwall.’

‘Oh yes, I went there about ten times?’

‘When was that?’

‘All in the space of the two years. I think the last time I saw him was in late summer of 2013. I went to Cornwall a few times that summer.’

‘Where did you usually stay?’

‘We always stayed in Kellis House, his place there in Penhal. A great place. Just a walk down to the beach.’

‘Was it usually just the two of you?’

‘It was once or twice. Sometimes he invited other guests, men like himself. Sometimes I went down there to meet with them without Jeremy being there at all – he would set it up. Privacy, that was his thing, sworn to secrecy. Once he knew he could trust you it was okay. But he was so old school, even in that; I don’t think he had any idea how easy it would be to find out what he was doing.’

‘These were friends of his?’ Robbo clarified.

‘That’s right. It was a regular-type arrangement he had with some people. Often they brought their own company with them, if not then he would ask me if I wanted to go. Sometimes I took a friend with me, depends on what Jeremy was after.’

‘But you were always happy to go down there?’

‘I was, well, until I’d had enough. He got bored very easily. He was hard work. It was like running the marathon going down to Penhal with him. I mean, I don’t mind sharing the odd line of coke with a client but it was one thing after the other with him. When he wanted it, nothing would stop him. I’ve seen him do more stuff in a night than I could manage in a year. I used to see him on the telly and laugh to myself – if only they knew the real Jeremy like I do.’

‘What kind of men were his other guests?’

‘They were dignitaries, sometimes foreign. Politicians. All sorts.’

‘When you were down there, did you meet any of the locals?’

‘Oh yeah – there would be the posh woman in the dress shop, Rosie in the gift shop. I always said I was his niece, of course, but they must have all known. Martin Stokes was the man who organized it and was there with the key sometimes, if I had to get there before guests arrived.’

‘What about a local man called Raymonds?’

‘I heard about him. I met him once or twice.’

‘Do you think he knew who you were?’

‘They all knew. I think the house was notorious for its goings-on.’

Robbo came off the phone.

‘What do you think?’ he asked Carter.

‘It’s going to make for interesting evidence if we end up investigating Jeremy Forbes-Wright’s life. It seems like the whole village formed a pact with him.’

‘But, things could have turned sour for him,’ said Robbo. ‘Maybe it’s not a coincidence that he killed himself after his last visit to Penhal?’

‘Yes, and he wasn’t his usual self when he came back to London, according to the concierge at his place. No escorts, no company. Something was bothering him. I’m going to start pulling in the locals for interviews from tomorrow, Robbo. I’m looking forward to hearing them deny all knowledge of what went on at Kellis House. We’ll Skype you during the meeting tomorrow morning.’

The next morning, the newly emerged sun streaked the sky with a peach glow that made it look angry rather than warm. The rain had stopped but the waves rolled in on the Atlantic swell, bigger than ever.

‘Bad weather to come. Shepherd’s warning and all that.’ Lauren came to stand behind Willis, a cup of coffee in her hands. They stood looking down over the common to the sea. ‘I wonder what today will bring?’ said Lauren.

‘Will you be all right here on your own?’ asked Willis. ‘I can organize someone to come and be here with you?’

‘No. I’m okay. I will get out for a walk with Russell.’

‘We’re going to be just down the road now in the old police station if you need anything.’

‘Okay, thanks.’

Willis turned to leave and she looked at Lauren’s face. It was grey and her eyes looked sore. ‘Try and get some rest, Lauren. It’s important to keep strong.’ Lauren nodded, she was hugging herself. Her eyes focused on the distance beyond the common. She was rocking as if nursing a baby.

‘Lauren?’

‘I’m okay, really. Will you come and get me if something happens?’