‘He says he’s going to discuss it with Ferguson.’
‘So it might still be published?’
‘Possibly.’
Augusta sighed.
‘I warned him he would find himself in trouble if he printed an article with confidential information in it,’ said Philip. ‘And I told him he needs to ensure his reporters are working within the law.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘Not a lot. He seems half-asleep most of the time. He’s an infuriating man. But although it’s not the news we were hoping for, I’m hoping my word with him today will have delayed the publication a little.’ Philip glanced around the living room. ‘How comfortable is your sofa, Augusta?’
The question puzzled her. ‘Comfortable. You’ve sat on it several times.’
‘I mean for sleeping.’
‘Sleeping on the sofa?’
‘Yes. That’s what I plan to do tonight if it’s alright with you, Augusta. I don’t want to leave you here on your own. And tomorrow, I’ll help you get a better lock fitted on your door.’
Chapter 38
‘When did you last see Mr Alexander Miller?’ asked Sergeant Ridley.
Tom Connolly gave a groan and slumped back in his chair in the interview room of Finchley police station. The spartan room was familiar to him. ‘Everyone knows when I last saw him.’
‘Everyone?’
‘I’ve gone over this before, Sergeant.’ He pulled the cigarette stub from his lip and pressed it into the ashtray in front of him. ‘I know it wasn’t right what I did, but I’m a man who admits what he’s done. You know that about me, don’t you?’
‘I know you quite well, Mr Connolly.’
‘So I went to see Miller after they said my brother’s death was an accident. It wasn’t an accident, he should have stood trial for what happened.’ He felt the anger stir in his chest again.
‘What did you say to Mr Miller?’
‘I had a few words with him.’
‘What sort of words?’
‘What sort of words do you think? I can’t remember exactly what I said because it was years ago. But I was angry he wasn’t charged for murdering my brother. So that gives you an idea of what I said.’
He lit a thin cigarette which he had rolled earlier that morning.
‘The coroner ruled your brother’s death was an accident, so no one could be charged for his murder.’
‘That’s what he said. But my family thinks different.’
‘So you told Mr Miller how you felt about the coroner’s verdict.’
‘That’s right. I wanted justice to be done.’
‘What do you mean by that comment?’
‘Exactly what I said.’
‘So, did you make sure justice was done?’
‘I spoke to him.’
‘Anything else?’
‘No, that was all. I just had a word and left it at that. But I wanted him to be looking over his shoulder.’
‘You threatened him?’
‘Like I said, I wanted him looking over his shoulder. I didn’t want him getting on with the rest of his life without a care in the world. I wanted him to suffer. Just like my family suffered.’
Sergeant Ridley frowned.
‘I know what it looks like, Sergeant. I’m being honest with you. If I sat here and told you I liked the man, you would know I was lying, wouldn’t you? I’m telling you the truth. You like to hear the truth from me, don’t you?’
‘I do. Mr Miller disappeared a year after the accident in which your brother died. Did you have anything to do with that?’
‘No. I never knew Miller disappeared until the other day. How could I have had anything to do with it?’
‘You wanted him to face justice.’
