“We’ve no doubt they will,” retorted Reilly. “But what would it prove? It doesn’t prove you were here. All it tells us is that a call came to your house. We want to know your movements for last night. And you’ve told us, but you have no way of proving where you were.”
Summers smirked. “But surely you have enough brains to realize, Mister, er...”
“Reilly!”
“Quite. Surely you realize there are people who can verify I was at The Queens between six-thirty and eight in the evening?”
“Maybe they can, and you’re going to give us a list of names so we can check it out. But we’re more interested in your movements after you left. The ones you seem to have difficulty proving, do you not?”
Summers grew defensive. “I think it’s time you told me why you’re here.”
“Does the name Frank Myers mean anything?” asked Gardener.
For the second time in as many minutes, Summers bore an expression of displeasure.
“What about him?”
“He was killed last night, at his home.”
“And you think I had something to do with it?”
“You tell me. What concerns me is why you lied to me the last time we met. I asked if you had anyone else working for you in the same capacity as Plum and Thornwell. You said you hadn’t.”
“Which was true.”
“Then can you explain why he was in possession of a bill for commission from you?”
“He owed me money.”
“How could he if he didn’t work for you?”
“When you came to see me, his employment had already been terminated.”
“Do you really expect us to believe that?” snorted Reilly.
“You can believe what you want,” said Summers, resting back in his chair, sucking on the cigar.
Reilly leaned in closer to Summers. “We’re beginning to. And from where I’m standing, it doesn’t look so good for you.?
?
“When and why did you terminate his employment?” inquired Gardener.
“He was arrogant. Turned up for work when he felt like it, had a drink problem. He was rude to customers. I finished him at the beginning of December.”
Gardener didn’t feel as though he was progressing. Summers had an answer for everything. Except, of course, the missing two hours. “Something else you never told us about was his association with Plum and Thornwell.”
“I didn’t know there was one.”
“Come on, Mr Summers. You run an entertainment agency. They all worked as Santas for you. Are you telling me they didn’t know each other?”
“I told you last time, Mr Gardener. I didn’t socialize with them. I have no idea what they got up to in their private lives. I do have more important things to think about.”
“Like your film production company?” Gardener sensed Summers’ discomfort. “Tell me a little more about it.”
“There’s not much to tell.”
“You like that line, don’t you?” said Reilly. “If only we could believe it.”