Imperfection (DI Gardener 2)

“Before it’s too late,” added Reilly.

“Assuming he isn’t the killer,” replied Gardener. “Trace the flights, there must be records.”

“But it’s two years ago,” said Thornton.

“I know that, but we need a break before someone else gets murdered. Trace the flights, talk to the taxi drivers, someone must have picked him up. Maybe recognized and remembered where he took him. If it was a hotel, they’ll have records. There will be a trail. It’s a matter of finding it. We can’t leave any stones unturned.”

Colin Sharp interrupted the conversation as he knocked and walked in. He also had a coffee in his hand, and managed to spot the biscuits straight away. “Hey, my favourites.”

“And everybody else’s, by the look of it,” moaned Reilly.

Gardener glanced at Sharp. “Okay, what do you have?”

“Not a lot.”

“If one more person says that today…” said Gardener.

Sharp sat down in the only available chair and opened his folder. “I checked out with BT first. You might find this interesting. In the last ten years, Corndell’s only had one phone call to his landline, and hasn’t made any.”

“What?”

“He’s made no calls, and received only one.”

“Who was that from?”

“Martin Brown,” said Sharp.

Gardener glanced at his partner. “Isn’t that Laura’s friend at the university?”

Reilly nodded. “What about his mobile?”

“He doesn’t have one,” said Sharp.

“He does,” said Gardener. “He was using it when we visited.”

“Sorry, sir, according to my records, he doesn’t have one.”

Gardener was confused, but didn’t see the sense in arguing. Sharp was a very dedicated member of staff who chased up leads with a determination he’d never seen before. “Okay, patronize me. Check a little deeper, will you? How does he pay for his BT line?”

“All his transactions are done electronically. He never goes into the bank or pays a bill in person.”

“Which bank is he with?” asked Gardener.

“An independent in London.”

“Why London?” asked Gardener, astonished.

“I assume it’s because he came from London originally.”

“But surely you would change banks if you moved so far away,” pressed Gardener.

“Unless you wanted to hide something,” said Reilly. “What about an income?”

“He doesn’t have one,” replied Sharp. “But then again, he doesn’t need one. His parents left him over three million pounds, and the house.”

“How did his parents die?” asked Gardener.

Colin Sharp sorted through his notes. “His father had a heart attack.”