‘How did you meet Andrew?’
‘Through work. I was a secretary at Hastings Haulage in Bermondsey in the early seventies, when Andrew’s dad, Henry, owned it. Henry was a lovely man. From a poor background he became a self-made millionaire with three depots across London.’ Jo spoke affectionately about Henry Hastings and smiled as she recalled the memories.
‘Sounds like Henry was a hard worker,’ Gibbs remarked.
‘And down to earth. Andrew’s not like his dad, though. He was brought up with a silver spoon in his mouth and Henry gave him everything. Now all he cares about is playing golf. He leaves the running of the haulage businesses to the managers. Don’t think the company’s anything like what it used to be when Henry was running it.’
Gibbs was surprised at Jo’s openness about the family. She clearly didn’t want for anything materially, but he felt that she was unhappy.
Hesitantly, he spoke. ‘I need to ask where your husband was last Friday, Jo?’
‘Playing in a golf competition all day, at Coombe Hill,’ Jo answered, with a hint of displeasure.
‘What time did he get home?’
Jo paused before answering. ‘Ter be honest, I don’t know exactly. I’d gone to bed. I remember I was annoyed as he said he wasn’t going ter be late.’
Gibbs took out his CID notebook and pen. ‘Can you recall what time you went to bed, and how long after that your husband might have come home?’
‘You’re not thinking Andrew killed his mother, are you?’ Jo exclaimed. ‘She’s wet-nursed him all his bloody life and could do no wrong in his eyes.’
‘I didn’t mean to imply that, Jo, but under the circumstances I have to verify his movements — it’s standard procedure. We just need to establish that he has an alibi so that we can eliminate him from our enquiries.’
Jo sighed. ‘I’d been watchin’ Village of the Damned on TV and went to bed when it ended, must have been around midnight. I fell asleep and didn’t hear Andrew come to bed. I woke at about four a.m. as one of the kids was crying. Andrew was there then, snorin’ in bed next to me.’
‘Did he say anything in the morning about where he’d been?’
‘When I asked him why he was so late he said he’d forgot to tell me there was a meal and prize-giving after the competition. Said he got chatting with a friend at the bar afterwards and didn’t realize the time.’
‘Did he say who the friend was?’
‘Michael Blake — he’s a copper as well.’
Gibbs raised his eyebrows. ‘Funnily enough, your husband told my colleague he knew DCS Blake.’
‘They play golf together and are in the same Masonic lodge. Personally, I can’t stand the bloke. He’s a pervert and makes my stomach turn.’
Gibbs snorted, causing Jo to look at him quizzically.
‘Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you, Jo. Every WPC in the Met feels the same as you about Blake, and the male detectives don’t have much time for him either. He’s an arrogant, pompous man. Not that you heard me say that.’
‘Maybe that’s why he and my husband are such good friends.’
Gibbs jotted down some notes. He wanted to ask how Andrew seemed on the Saturday after the competition, but didn’t want to push things with Jo. If Andrew Hastings was at the golf club until after midnight, and Blake could vouch for him, then he was off the hook for the murders of his mother and the unknown victim. However, it was possible that he could have arranged their murders and created an alibi for himself.
‘Do you know if Mrs. Hastings had fallen out with anyone, or had any enemies?’
‘What, besides me, Inspector Gibbs?’ Jo asked provocatively.
‘Was it always bad between you?’ Gibbs asked, wondering if she was mocking him.
Jo sighed. ‘Sybil thought I was too common for her son. Bloody cheek given that she was no posh bird herself — she didn’t have a pot to piss in until she met Henry. I tried to be nice towards her, but she was always so smug and up her own arse about anything I said or did — especially when she moved in here for a while after Henry died.’
Gibbs was curious. ‘Why did Sybil move in if you and she didn’t get on?’
‘To spite me — and prove she had control over Andrew. It was ten months of hell. All she did was moan about my bad housekeeping, and how I dealt with the kids. She nit-picked about every little thing, and it affected our marriage.’
‘It must have been a relief for you and Andrew when she moved out,’ Gibbs commented.
‘It was too late by then — the damage was done. Andrew and I live under the same roof but we have separate lives. He spends all his time on the golf course while I’m at home playing housewife and looking after the twins. We have a cleaner who comes in regularly, but she’s not much use.’
Gibbs hesitated. ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking this, but do you think your husband may have been having an affair?’
Jo nodded. ‘I’ve had my suspicions, but never any proof. He always has an excuse for why he gets home late. If I had any evidence, it would be all I needed to kick him out.’
Gibbs was surprised at Jo’s frankness. ‘Can I ask you to do something for me, Jo?’ he asked.
‘Depends what it is,’ she replied coyly.
‘Your husband has already made a complaint to DCS Blake about me, so it would be best if he doesn’t know about my visit today.’
‘Fine by me. But what if the kids say anything about a policeman being here?’
‘You could just say that a local officer came to inform you about Andrew being in hospital.’
‘S’pose I’ll have to go and see him in hospital anyway. I’ll say it was a local copper who told me what had happened and which hospital he was in.’
Gibbs closed his notebook and placed it back inside his jacket pocket.
Jo looked at him with a smile. ‘Tell me, Inspector Gibbs: are you married?’
‘No. Can’t find a woman who’d want to settle down with me,’ he joked.
‘Not even a girlfriend?’
Gibbs wondered if Jo was playing games with him, or whether she was genuinely coming on to him. He knew that any form of relationship or physical contact with her could get him in big trouble. He thought of Tamara, who was younger than Jo and just as attractive, but not as sexy.
Gibbs smiled. ‘No, no girlfriend. Used to have one, but she cheated on me with a younger bloke.’
Jo touched his arm. ‘That must have been awful for you. Do you ever mix business with pleasure?’ she asked, moving closer to him.
Gibbs was unsure how to handle the situation. He couldn’t help being attracted to her, but just as he was about to reply, the children came running into the living room.
‘What’s for lunch, Mum? We’re starving!’
Jo turned to them. ‘I’ll get it in a minute.’
Gibbs stepped back. ‘I think I had better be going, Mrs. Hastings,’ he said. ‘Thank you for your time. I’ll see myself out.’
Jo said nothing as Gibbs turned and left.
Chapter Five
Jane and DS Lawrence were together in her car, driving to Viceroy Court.
‘You still going out with what’s his name?’ Lawrence asked.
Jane grinned. ‘Which “what’s his name”’ would that be, Paul?’
‘The male nurse at St. Thomas’.’
‘Michael. No, we split up some time ago.’
‘Sorry to hear that. He seemed like a nice chap.’
‘He is. In fact, he’s one of the nicest men I’ve ever met — second to you, of course.’
Lawrence laughed. ‘Flattery won’t get you anywhere with me, Sergeant Tennison.’
Jane smiled. ‘It all finished amicably. To be honest, our different shift patterns meant we weren’t really able to spend much time together. Michael got offered a senior charge nurse’s position in Liverpool. We discussed it and I told him to take it. Truth is, we were both more interested in advancing our careers than settling down. I miss him, but we keep in contact on the phone. So I’m footloose and fancy free... What about you?’