‘We know the family has been involved in criminality. Sergeant Ridley in Finchley told me all about the chat he had with Tom Connolly.’
‘How did he get on?’
‘Tom Connolly denies it all of course, but Sergeant Ridley agrees he could be a suspect. He’s been in trouble for violence in the past. He and his family may be obvious suspects but often the simplest explanation is the correct one. Who else?’
‘This is an odd one and I feel reluctant suggesting this person. But there was something not quite right about her.’
‘Who?’
‘Jemima Campbell.’
‘The love triangle lady?’
‘She was very nice and seemingly helpful. But there was something which didn’t seem right. As if she wasn’t being completely truthful. And she told me she’d always assumed Miller had left to start a new life. It’s odd she thought that, because no one else did.’
Philip wrote her name on the board. ‘And what could her motive have been?’
‘I don’t know. She had a brief relationship with Gibson after Miller went missing, but I can’t work out a motive from that. It’s something I’ll have to think about some more.’
‘Interesting. So what next, Augusta?’
‘The Stantons bother me the most. Perhaps they sent that threat to Louisa Bradshaw. And sent a man to my flat to get the letters.’
‘It’s possible. Do you think they’re both in on it?’
‘Jane Stanton is a definite suspect in my mind. I’m less sure about Robert Stanton, but I dislike the man.’
‘I could ask someone to search their home for the letters.’
‘I don’t think they’ll be there. Jane Stanton only wanted to get her hands on those letters so she could destroy them.’ Augusta checked her watch. ‘I need to get home for the locksmith.’
‘Yes, of course. Tell him you need two locks. Actually, three. And then I’m sure you’ll sleep a little better tonight, Augusta.’
‘Thank you Philip. I hope so.’
Chapter 41
Mary Connolly put her mending away and got up from her chair. It was time to get ready for bed.
The kitchen door swung open and her brother-in-law lurched in.
‘Tom! You half-scared me to death!’
He sank into the chair she had just been sitting in. His eyes were rimmed with red and he smelt of beer. She was struck for a moment by how much he resembled his brother. This was how Arthur had come home every evening. It was unlike Tom to drink much though.
‘What’s happened?’ she asked.
‘The police are onto me again, Mary.’
‘Oh no! What have they said?’
‘They think I had something to do with Miller going missing. It doesn’t matter what I tell them, they never believe me. Mrs Peel put them onto me.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Because I happened to speak to her in the street. And the next thing I knew, Sergeant Ridley took me down to the station.’
‘Not again. Where did you see her in the street?’
‘I was watching her shop.’
Mary sighed. ‘That’s asking for trouble, Tom. Why’d you do it?’
‘I wanted to find out more about her. It turns out she has an ex-copper for a friend. If she comes round here again, you don’t speak to her. Do you understand me, Mary?’
‘Fine. I won’t.’ Mary had liked Mrs Peel. But having now learned of her connections to the police, Mary knew she had to be careful.
‘If she wants to talk about Miller, you send her to me. Is that clear?’
‘It’s clear, Tom. But you’ll only get yourself in trouble with her again if I do that.’
‘Better that I’m in trouble, than you, Mary. I can handle it.’
‘Alright then. Why don’t you get yourself home now, Tom? You need some rest.’
He swayed as he got to his feet. She didn’t often see him like this. Something was clearly bothering him.
‘I’ll show them, Mary,’ he said.
