Impurity (DI Gardener 1)

“What sort of films?”

“Travel documentaries. I have contacts abroad. My company promotes the travel industry in Britain.”

“So, Bernard Thornwell, what can you tell me about him?”

“Nothing much. Worked for me as a Santa Claus in various department stores. On a number of occasions he attended children’s parties as a clown.”

“When did you last see him?”

“A couple of weeks ago, I think. I don’t really remember, Mr Gardener. I’m a busy man.” Summers started to inspect his nails, as though bored.

“Had he worked for you in the last two weeks?” asked Gardener.

Summers glanced at his watch impatiently. “Yes. I believe he was covering the Debenhams department store in the city.”

“You believe? You either know or you don’t.”

Summers smirked, irritating Gardener further. “Mr Gardener, I can’t mentally keep track of everyone. I would have records, however.”

“In that case, go and get them.” It was an order, not a request. Summers rose and left the study without a word.

“I don’t like him,” Gardener said to his partner.

“I’m none too keen on him myself.”

The study door opened. Summers came back in with a number of books and ledgers.

“Here we are, gentlemen.” He placed them on the desk and sat back in his chair.

“I’m taking these with me, Mr Summers. Is there anything else you’d like to tell me about Bernard Thornwell?”

“Not really. He was someone who worked for me on various occasions. We certainly didn’t socialize. A pleasant enough chap, did a good job, punctual.”

“Did you ever have any problems with him?”

“What sort of problems?”

“Anything. Did he ever turn up for work drunk? Did he have money problems?”

“Nothing I can recall.”

Gardener put the books to one side and fixed him with a steely gaze. “It would appear that Bernard Thornwell had a colleague with whom he socialized. One Herbert Plum, who also died under mysterious circumstances. Did he work for you as well?”

The change in the agent’s manner was only slight, but it was enough for Gardener. “Yes, Mr Gardener, he did.”

“Did they use their own names when they worked for you?”

“Yes.”

Summers had not taken a drag on his cigar but continued to hold it. The ash was growing in length.

“Did Plum also work on a part-time basis?”

“Yes. Where are you going with this, Mr Gardener?”

“For a man who’s lost two of his employees recently, you don’t seem overly concerned,” commented Reilly.

“As you said, Mr Reilly, they were colleagues, not relatives.”