‘Because she was my wife! Isn’t it obvious? I knew her better than anyone. She would never have done such a thing!’
The Scotland Yard detective raised his palms, as if trying to calm the situation. ‘We’re just trying to establish what happened, Mr Stanton. We apologise if it’s upsetting for you. What do you think caused your wife’s fall?’
‘She leaned out too far. That can be the only explanation.’
‘Was she in the habit of leaning out of the window?’
‘I wouldn’t call it a habit, but she liked to look out sometimes. She liked the view over the street. I’ve always found it rather noisy, and the air is dirty. But it was a good vantage point to see what was going on.’
‘So your wife would regularly look out at the street from the window?’
‘Yes.’
‘And lean out of the window?’
‘A little. But not so much that there was a chance of falling.’
Detective Sergeant Joyce made some notes, then cleared his throat. ‘Was your marriage happy, Mr Stanton?’
‘Yes! And I find that question rather personal.’
‘I realise that. It’s not a polite question to ask, and under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t be asking it. But you must understand why I need to. I need to establish all was well between the pair of you.’
‘And if I suggested it wasn’t, you would assume I pushed her out of the window. Am I right?’
‘Not necessarily, Mr Stanton. We just need to understand everything we possibly can. And it’s important you’re honest with us.’
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’
‘When did you last see your wife?’
‘When I left home yesterday evening. We dined together. We had a piece of cold beef brisket with some vegetables. And then I went to meet a friend at the Westmoreland Arms. I’ve already told Inspector Whitman this, and he has the name of my friend.’
‘What time did you meet your friend?’
‘I got to the pub for eight o’clock.’
‘Did you notice anyone suspicious loitering in or near your home when you left?’
‘No. If I had, then I would have reported it by now.’
‘I realise that, Mr Stanton. But I urge you to have another think about it. Sometimes when we cast our minds back, we might remember a detail that we’d forgotten. It’s possible the assailant blended into his surroundings and you didn’t give him a second glance.’
‘I would know if I saw someone suspicious. I don’t think anyone attacked Jane. I think this was an accident.’
‘How easy is it for a visitor to gain access to the building you live in?’
‘Very easy. They just walk in through the door.’
‘Then climb three flights of stairs to your flat.’
‘Yes. But what does this have to do with anything? Jane fell by accident!’
‘Do you know of anyone who could have wished to harm your wife?’
Robert couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous nature of the question. ‘No one! Jane had no enemies at all. She led a quiet existence. She had some good friends at church. And she enjoyed reading, cooking, and needlework. She was a good wife, and I was lucky to have her. I have never known her to have a cross word with anyone.’
‘Including yourself?’ asked Inspector Whitman. Robert didn’t like the way he folded his arms.
‘Our marriage was happy, but it was also ordinary.’ He knew he would look suspicious if he tried to pretend everything had been perfect. ‘And in an ordinary marriage, sometimes a husband and a wife exchange a few words that aren’t entirely complimentary. Are you a married man, Inspector?’
‘I am.’
‘Then you know exactly what I mean.’
‘So you’re telling us, Mr Stanton, that you and your wife exchanged cross words occasionally, but your marriage was happy,’ said the young detective.
‘That’s exactly what I’m telling you. Nothing out of the ordinary ever happened to us.’
‘Apart from the mysterious disappearance of your brother-in-law.’
‘But that was some time ago. And has nothing to do with what’s happened to Jane.’
‘Can you be sure about that, Mr Stanton?’
‘Completely sure! Alexander vanished ten years ago.’
‘Do you think someone harmed Alexander Miller?’
