The Sins of the Father (The Clifton Chronicles, #2)(94)

‘I’m afraid that will depend on whom I’m addressing, because I can have that conversation with Sir Harry Barrington, but not with Mr Harry Clifton.’

‘Why not with Mr Clifton?’

‘Because I can only discuss details of a case like this with a member of the family.’

‘Then on this occasion, I shall revert to being Sir Harry.’

‘So how can I help, Sir Harry?’

‘When Barrington was murdered—’

‘He was not murdered,’ said the chief inspector.

‘But the newspaper reports led me to believe—’

‘It is what the newspapers didn’t report that is significant. But to be fair, they were unable to study the crime scene. Had they done so,’ said Blakemore before Harry could ask his next question, ‘they would have spotted the angle at which the letter opener entered Sir Hugo’s neck and severed his artery.’

‘Why is that significant?’

‘When I examined the body, I noticed that the blade of the letter opener was pointing upwards, not down. If I wanted to murder someone,’ continued Blakemore, rising from his chair and picking up a ruler, ‘and I was taller and heavier than that person, I would raise my arm and strike down into his neck, like this. But if I was shorter and lighter than him, and, more important, if I was defending myself –’ Blakemore knelt down in front of Harry and looked up at him, pointing the ruler towards his neck – ‘that would explain the angle at which the blade entered Sir Hugo’s neck. It is even possible from that angle that he fell on to the blade, which led me to conclude that he was far more likely to have been killed in self-defence than murdered.’

Harry thought about the chief inspector’s words before he said, ‘You used the words “shorter and lighter”, chief inspector, and “defending myself”. Are you suggesting that a woman might have been responsible for Barrington’s death?’

‘You’d have made a first-class detective,’ said Blakemore.

‘And do you know who that woman is?’ asked Harry.

‘I have my suspicions,’ admitted Blakemore.

‘Then why haven’t you arrested her?’

‘Because it’s quite difficult to arrest someone who later throws herself under the London express.’

‘Oh my God,’ said Harry. ‘I never made any connection between those two incidents.’

‘Why should you? You weren’t even in England at the time.’

‘True, but after I was released from hospital I trawled through every newspaper that even mentioned Sir Hugo’s death. Did you ever find out who the lady was?’

‘No, the body was in no state to be identified. However, a colleague from Scotland Yard who was investigating another case at the time informed me that Sir Hugo had been living with a woman in London for over a year, and she gave birth to a daughter not long after he returned to Bristol.’

‘Was that the child discovered in Barrington’s office?’

‘The same,’ said Blakemore.

‘And where is that child now?’

‘I have no idea.’

‘Can you at least tell me the name of the woman Barrington was living with?’

‘No, I am not at liberty to do so,’ said Blakemore, stubbing out his cigarette in an ashtray full of butts. ‘However, it’s no secret that Sir Hugo employed a private detective who is now out of work and might be willing to talk, for a modest remuneration.’

‘The man with the limp,’ said Harry.

‘Derek Mitchell, a damn fine policeman, until he was invalided out of the force.’

‘But there’s one question Mitchell won’t be able to answer, which I suspect you can. You said the letter opener severed an artery, so there must have been a great deal of blood?’

‘There was indeed, sir,’ replied the chief inspector. ‘By the time I arrived, Sir Hugo was lying in a pool of blood.’

‘Do you have any idea what happened to the suit Sir Hugo was wearing at the time, or even the carpet?’

‘No, sir. Once a murder enquiry is closed, all the personal belongings of the deceased are returned to the next of kin. As for the carpet, it was still in the office when I’d completed my investigation.’

‘That’s very helpful, chief inspector. I’m most grateful.’

‘My pleasure, Sir Harry.’ Blakemore stood up and accompanied Harry to the door. ‘May I say how much I enjoyed The Diary of a Convict, and although I don’t normally deal in rumour, I’ve read that you might be writing a detective novel. After our chat today, I shall look forward to reading it.’

‘Would you consider looking at an early draft and giving me your professional opinion?’

‘In the past, Sir Harry, your family haven’t cared too much for my professional opinion.’

‘Let me assure you, chief inspector, that Mr Clifton does,’ Harry replied.



Once Harry had left the police station, he drove over to the Manor House to tell Emma his news. Emma listened attentively and when he’d come to the end, she surprised him with her first question.

‘Did Inspector Blakemore tell you what happened to the little girl?’

‘No, he didn’t seem that interested, but then why should he be?’