The Times. She could not recall the exact date, but felt sure that if they inquired with the papers, they would be able to give more details. She did not have a receipt for payment of the advert. She then went on to say that she had subsequently employed Frank to act as her driver and bodyguard.When asked why she required a bodyguard, Fagan held up his hand. "It is quite obvious. My client is a very wealthy woman with two small children.""Had there been any threats against you?" Cunningham pointedly looked at Julia, who shrugged."No, but as Mr. Fagan said, I am a very wealthy woman and 1 have a great deal of jewelry and antiques, so I required more than just a driver, in case anything untoward happened.""Why was there such a substantial life insurance policy taken out for Mr. Brandon?"Fagan held up his hand. "Mrs. Brandon has already answered this question; in reality, she did not instigate it. Her accountant and business adviser suggested that it be taken care of. I believe it was Mr. Rushton who suggested the amount. My client just pays the premiums." He snapped open his briefcase again and showed them the documents for the life insurance policy.Cunningham passed them straight to Anna, who skim-read them to see if Connie was named anywhere, should anything "untoward" happen to her boyfriend. Julia was the sole beneficiary."So at what point did your relationship with Mr. Brandon turn from a professional one to—"Fagan was jumping in again. "It is obvious, as you can see by the date on the policy; it was arranged after the marriage, as by then Mr. Brandon was living with my client and the possibility of something untoward occurring would affect him.""But you had had no threats. There is no police report that you had been burgled, or your children threatened. Isn't that correct, Mrs. Brandon?""Frank was worried when he knew how much jewelry I kept in the house. It was, as 1 have said, simply looking out for anything that could possibly happen.""I see." Cunningham was edgy, her foot tap-tapping against the side of the table. "Well, something untoward did happen: your husband was murdered."There was another cold pause."Could you just take me through what happened on the day of the murder, Mrs. Brandon?""I already have. Frank got up very early, as he said he had some business to attend to. As I have also told you, he continued to work as a chauffeur whilst married to me. I didn't like it, and he obviously didn't need to do it, as I have substantial monies of my own, but he wanted to retain his independence. He left before I got up and before the girls went to school. I didn't hear from him during the day. I wasn't too concerned, as on occasion he had worked, driving long distances, and often didn't come home until very late. On those occasions, he would sleep in the spare room rather than wake me. I never saw him again."Anna watched her. There was no sign of emotion. Julia was composed and calm—in fact, almost bored. Fagan was drumming his fingers on the table, as if he was impatient to leave."I don't think you are being very truthful with us, Mrs. Brandon. I think you had a marriage of convenience; that Mr. Brandon did not share your marital bed, but lived in the spare room of your property. You have declined to say why you required a bodyguard, but if there is a reason, you should be honest with us.""My client has told you the truth," Fagan interjected. "So we are to believe that, when Mr. Brandon was interviewed for the job, you took him on and then within three weeks married him? Is that really what happened?""Yes. We fell in love and Emily and Kathy adored him. To you it may seem fast—perhaps it was—but there is nothing illegal about falling in love."Anna spoke for the first time. "It is rather confusing, though, considering Mr. Brandon was engaged to someone else."Julia avoided her gaze. "He never mentioned it to me," she muttered."His fiancee loved him, and she was certain that her love was reciprocated.""It obviously wasn't," snapped Fagan. He made an expansive gesture. "Mrs. Brandon obviously has nothing to do with the tragic death of her husband. She was at home all that night and morning, with witnesses to prove it. She has stated that she had no threats or fears of any kind. If Mr. Brandon did, as you say, have another woman, my client knew nothing about it, as he did not inform her of this relationship. I would now ask you to finish this meeting: it is becoming very tedious. I am at a loss as to why Mrs. Brandon is even being subjected to this, considering she has just been through a very harrowing ordeal.""I really appreciate you being here," Cunningham responded. "As I have said, we just need to clear up a few things.""I would say they have been, wouldn't you?""Not exactly. We would now like to know about Mrs. Brandon's ex-partner. I believe you said his name was Anthony Collingwood, is that correct?"Fagan began to dominate the interview. "Whoever my client's previous relationship was with is of no concern to this present situation. She has no need to answer that question.""1 am simply trying to ascertain her ex-partner's name," snapped Cunningham."Whoever it was, he is no longer connected to Mrs. Brandon.""Was it Anthony Collingwood?" "No comment.""I cannot understand why this seems to be a problem. Either it was Mr. Collingwood, or it wasn't.""No comment."Cunningham sighed. "I need to know how Mrs. Brandon's wealth was accrued.""No comment."Cunningham shook her head.This time, Fagan leaned across the table. "If you have any evidence that involves my client with the murder of her husband, I suggest you disclose it immediately. If you do not, then this meeting is over. Mrs. Brandon's previous relationship and her financial situation are private matters. I know you have approached her financial adviser, which is an infringement of her rights; so are surveillance vehicles that have been parked twenty-four hours a day near her property. I want them removed forthwith, or I will take out charges for invasion of privacy and harassment. I fully intend to report to your superiors this entire very distressing situation."He got up and held out his hand to Julia; she clasped it tightly and then stood up. She was, in high-heeled boots, at least five ten."Mrs. Brandon would also like to be informed as to when her husband's body will be released, as she wishes to arrange his funeral.""We will be in touch," Cunningham said, walking to open the interrogation-room door. She held it wide as they passed, then waited for them to head down the corridor, before she let it swing closed with a bang. "What do you make of the marriage certificate?"Anna closed her notebook. "Quickie job. Isle of Man. We should look into it because aren't you supposed to read the marriage banns for a certain number of weeks?""That's for a church wedding, I think. I also want to know her previous address—she's only just moved into the Wimbledon property. As it is, we're not getting very much, are we?""No comment." "What?""Well , it's obvious she's hiding something. I mean, she admitted that was his name, so we now check out if there are any records of him anywhere. Collingwood was one of Fitzpatrick's aliases, along with about twenty others. One of the things she did say to me was that she had been betrayed." "By the ex-partner?""I presumed that's who she meant. She got quite emotional about it and implied that she had been very much in love with him.""Minra." Cunningham paced around the room. "She was shocked when we told her Frank was dead, but she's no grieving widow. If she was doing something with the ex's money, then that could create a threat, and could be the reason why Frank worked for her.""I agree, but it doesn't link to the drug squat or to Donny Petrozzo, as far as I can see.""Well, let's see what her sister turns up for you this afternoon." Cunningham opened the door again. "You getting anything for us on the Petrozzo diary?""I think he had some code for his dealing: little black dots and a square with a dot in it. What it means, I haven't the slightest idea, but the dots coincide with the people I interviewed who scored from Donny. Also, he had substantial savings in a deposit account—as did Frank—so somebody was paying them; maybe Donny for drugs and Frank for—""Protection?""Could be."Cunningham sighed. No way was she prepared to pull the surveillance off the house in Wimbledon. "This is a fucking nightmare case; it's like an octopus with all these tentacles flailing around one central dead man."Anna wondered if she should mention what she had been told by Pete Jenkins, but thought it better to keep her mouth shut, as he had said it was not confirmed. Maybe the center of the octopus was not Frank Brandon, but Donny Petrozzo.