The Puppet Show (Washington Poe)

‘Why?’

‘He feared for his life,’ Ward said. ‘A fear you’ll agree was rational given the circumstances we now find ourselves in.’

Gamble didn’t take the bait. He kept going, summarising the statement.

‘The boys were plied with alcohol before the auction began and one by one Hilary Swift paraded them for everyone. When they’d all been up and down a few times, and the men had had a chance to inspect the goods, the bidding be—’

‘Hang on,’ Flynn interjected. ‘Are you saying Hilary Swift was on the boat?’

‘Most certainly she was. She and Carmichael organised it all,’ said Ward. ‘Is that a problem?’

Gamble and Flynn leaned in and whispered together. Flynn left the room. Presumably that had been when she’d called Poe and asked him to arrest Hilary Swift.

Flynn being out of the interview room didn’t stop Ward. ‘Obviously my client was appalled by what was happening and took no further part in the proceedings.’

‘Obviously,’ Gamble deadpanned. ‘And after the bidding the boat came back to shore and the men disappeared with what they’d bought?’

Ward shook his head. ‘No, first Quentin Carmichael produced a video he’d taken of the whole thing and explained it was everyone’s insurance.’

‘And then . . .?’

‘And then nothing. My client never saw any of the men again. He cut off all contact with them.’

‘And his understanding about the fate of the boys?’

‘He doesn’t know. He would like it placed on record that he hopes no harm came to them.’

The DC in the room, quiet up until then, burst out of his chair and shouted, ‘Lying fucking bastard!’ He tried to punch Price but Gamble bearhugged him and shouted for assistance. A pair of uniformed officers rushed in and dragged the struggling detective out.

Ward spread his arms as if a point had been made. ‘This is why he hasn’t come forward until now.’

‘Wait until he gets to prison,’ Gamble murmured. ‘They’re going to fucking love him there.’

‘Ah,’ said Ward, ‘I think we might have a problem then. Because if you want my client to testify against the real culprits, Hilary Swift and Quentin Carmichael, then he’s going to need assurances that he will not be charged with anything more than assisting an offender.’

‘Fuck you,’ said Gamble. ‘No way is he walking away from this. I already knew most of what’s in this statement. Oh, and by the way, Quentin Carmichael has been dead for about a quarter of a century so half your bargaining chips are already gone.’

This was news to them. They began whispering urgently. Price started gesticulating at Ward. For the first time he looked worried.

At that point the door opened and Flynn rushed in. She bent down and spoke into Gamble’s ear.

‘Interview suspended,’ Gamble said.

Ward and Price both looked at him.

‘You’re shit out of luck; Hilary Swift’s disappeared. Looks like the music’s stopped and you don’t have a chair, Mr Price.’

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Flynn found them in the Garden Room at Shap Wells. Reid was more useful to Gamble now and had been reassigned to the main investigation.

‘Gruesome, isn’t it?’ Flynn asked.

‘To put it mildly,’ Poe replied. ‘Where is Price now?’

‘Still in a cell in Carlisle nick. Gamble’s meeting the CPS soon to see what they can charge him with.’

‘A holding charge?’