Imperfection (DI Gardener 2)

“Yes, still closed. I don’t think he’s left the country, boss. I’m sure the neighbour would have seen him bundling a suitcase into a taxi. She didn’t strike me as the type to miss anything. We should probably check the airports anyway.”

“Like we really need this right now,” said Gardener. He changed the subject. “Anything on the rental companies?”

“Not yet, but that’s a big job, so it is.”

Gardener leaned further forward, noting that Laura was still talking. “Do you think she’ll miss us for a few minutes?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I thought we might pay a visit to our friend’s dressing room, seeing as we’re all in the same building at the same time. We may not get another chance.”

“It’s a good idea, but I think you’d achieve more if you went alone,” said Reilly. “I don’t think he’ll talk anyway, but if he sees both of us, we’ll have no chance. What do you think he’ll say now that he didn’t before?”

“Nothing, but I’d just like him to know we’re here. And while I’m at it, I’d like a word with Martin Brown. I want to know what time Corndell arrived, and how.”

“I’ll talk to Martin,” said Reilly.

“Okay.” He watched as Sean leaned towards Laura and had a quick word in her ear. She glanced around, and then pointed to a man on the far side of the stage talking to one of the students, which he took to be Martin Brown.

Gardener and Reilly left their seats, shuffled to the end of the row, and down to the stage where Martin Brown’s conversation was coming to an end. He smiled and politely nodded as the student walked off.

Down as close to the stage as he was going to be, Gardener felt it was much warmer, and wondered whether or not it was an effect of the lights.

“Can I help you gentlemen?” asked Martin.

“Maybe,” said Gardener, flashing his warrant card. “We’d just like to ask you a few questions.”

“Has something happened?”

“We’re interested in Corndell.”

Martin Brown wasn’t at all what Gardener had expected. Standing a little over six feet, he had mousy coloured hair in a style more erratic than most of his students. Perhaps he hadn’t combed it today. He wore a beige shirt left hanging out of his denim jeans, and a pair of loosely fastened brown loafers. Despite being born and bred in London, there was only a trace of an accent. He was slim, and had one of those postures that could easily be mistaken for a man

who preferred other men.

“You could have picked a better time, he’s on stage,” he replied, glancing at his watch. “He is due on in ten minutes, and I have to announce him.”

“It won’t take long. How and when did he arrive here today?”

“I really haven’t the faintest idea.”

“I thought you ran the entertainment around here,” said Reilly.

“I do.”

“So, how come you don’t know what’s going on?”

“Because I have a lot more to do than keep my eye on who comes and goes and at what time.”

“You must have some idea,” said Gardener, eager to return to the point.

“I believe it was around four o’clock. I wasn’t here myself. Naturally, I would assume he arrived by taxi.”

“I wouldn’t assume anything with this man,” said Reilly.

“What are you trying to imply?” asked Brown.

“Nothing,” said Gardener. “We’re just making sure you answer the questions correctly and to the best of your knowledge, not with what you think you know.”