‘The lab was closed at the weekend, so the scientists have only just started working on the fibers and blood grouping on the unknown victim’s coat this morning. There’s a good chance the blood may have come from the suspect.’
‘Get Mrs. Hastings’ fur coat checked as well — it’s covered in blood.’
‘The suspect’s blood may be the same blood group as both or one of the victims, plus there’s—’
‘I don’t want to hear about problems. I need results, and evidence that gives me answers, so get working on it.’ Moran banged his notebook closed, tossing his mask into the bin. He thanked Professor Martin and stomped out of the mortuary.
‘Unpleasant bugger, isn’t he?’ Martin said.
Chapter Eight
Moran was taken aback when DCS Blake walked into his office, accompanied by a subdued-looking man that Moran hadn’t seen before.
Blake shook Moran’s hand. ‘Good to see you, Nick. This is Andrew Hastings. He’s just been discharged from King’s and I’m taking him home, but I thought we’d pop in here first. I’ve explained that you need to speak to him about his mother and her last known movements, as it will assist the investigation.’
Moran shook hands with Hastings. ‘I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Hastings. Please take a seat. Are you feeling better? It must have been terribly traumatic for you.’
‘Obviously I’m still deeply shocked, but under the circumstances I’m bearing up.’ Andrew sat in the chair on the other side of Moran’s desk, opposite him.
Blake looked at Andrew. ‘DCI Moran won’t keep you any longer than necessary, as he understands you need to be with your wife and children at this sad time.’
Moran didn’t want to interview Hastings in Blake’s presence without another officer there. ‘With your permission, I’d like to ask someone in to take notes of our conversation.’
Hastings frowned. ‘Is that really necessary?’
Blake nodded to Hastings. ‘It will speed things up, Andrew. Notes need to be taken and made into a statement. The statement can be put together in your absence and you can read and sign it later.’
‘Please excuse me whilst I see who’s free in the CID office. I’ll organize some coffee as well.’ Moran stood up and left the room.
Jane was on the phone when Moran approached her. She looked up at him and mouthed ‘nearly finished.’
‘I’m really sorry, Agnes... If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.’ Jane put the phone down and turned to Moran. ‘Agnes went to the hospital this morning to see Andrew Hastings. He informed her that she was no longer needed as a housekeeper and would have to find somewhere else to live.’
‘Heartless bastard! Seems he’s not as shocked about his mother’s death as he likes to make out.’
‘His behavior is very odd,’ Jane added.
‘Blake’s just brought him in from the hospital for an informal interview about his mother. I want you to take the notes whilst I talk to Hastings, with Blake in attendance.’
Jane was surprised. ‘I thought you didn’t want me or Gibbs anywhere near Hastings or Blake? Wouldn’t it be better if you used Edwards?’
‘No. You know from what Gibbs found out at the golf club that Hastings is lying.’
‘Then surely Gibbs should sit in,’ Jane replied.
‘The interview needs a subtle approach. I can’t risk using Gibbs as he’s got it in for both of them and is liable to let rip with his accusations, which won’t help if Blake lies to me again.’
‘You’ve already spoken to Blake?’ Jane asked, taken aback.
Moran hesitated. ‘Yesterday, late afternoon. I asked him if he’d spoken to Hastings about his mother’s murder and he said he hadn’t. I’m beginning to think there may be some substance to Gibbs’ belief that Blake is hiding something. I don’t know why, but I just hope and pray it’s nothing to do with the murders. It could all turn nasty. I need someone present to cover my back and take notes of everything that’s said. Are you OK with that?’
‘Yes, sir,’ Jane replied, glad that Moran trusted her and relied on her integrity. ‘Will you be asking Hastings about both murders?’
‘We’ll start with his mother’s and see what happens. I need you to grovel a bit and apologize to Hastings about the way he found his mother’s body. We need to keep him sweet.’
Jane realized that the more Andrew Hastings thought he had the upper hand, the more crushing it would be when Moran tripped him with up his lies.
‘Do you mind getting some coffee and biscuits while I tell them that you’ll be taking the notes?’
Jane made her way to the canteen whilst Moran returned to his office.
‘I know it may not be to your liking, Mr. Hastings, but the only officer available to take notes is WDS Tennison.’
Hastings sighed. ‘Well, let’s hope she’s a better note-taker than she is an investigator.’
Although Moran had only just met Hastings, he could understand why Gibbs thought he was an arrogant prick.
Carrying the tray of hot drinks and biscuits, Jane used her foot to knock on Moran’s office door. It was opened by Blake. On seeing Jane, he took a step back to get a better look and asked if she was DS Tennison.
‘Yes, sir,’ Jane replied.
This was the first time Jane had met Blake. He was in his late forties, around 5′10″, and was wearing a dark blue three-piece pin-striped suit and shiny black shoes. His greased-back black hair and staring eyes made him look like Bela Lugosi, the famous Dracula actor. She thought Blake might at least have had the manners to take the tray from her, and could almost feel him leering at her bottom as she leant over and placed the tray on Moran’s desk. She turned to Andrew Hastings and handed him a coffee.
‘I’d like to apologize, Mr. Hastings. I’m sorry your mother’s body wasn’t found earlier, and I can’t begin to imagine how you must be feeling. I want you to know we will do everything we can to find who did this terrible thing to Mrs. Hastings.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ Hastings said bluntly.
‘We all learn from our mistakes, Tennison, and DCI Moran tells me you’re one of his best officers,’ Blake said ingratiatingly.
Moran handed Jane a large notebook and pen, before picking up a chair and placing it to the left of his. He invited Jane to sit down, with Andrew Hastings sitting opposite him. Blake remained standing. Moran started the questioning by asking Hastings for his mother’s full name and date of birth. They then spent a bit of time going over Sybil’s background, from the time she met Henry and married him, to Henry’s death and then her move to Viceroy Court.
‘We are pretty sure your mother wasn’t killed during a robbery as none of her property seems to have been taken — other than her car keys. Do you know if your mother had any enemies, or anyone she’d argued with recently?’ Moran asked.
Hastings eyes were red as he shook his head. ‘No, there’s no one I can think of. If she had, I’m certain she would have said something to me. My mother was a kind and generous woman. She didn’t have a bad bone in her body. It’s totally beyond me why anyone would want to hurt her. She was a Samaritan, you know.’
‘Yes, Agnes told DS Tennison about her Samaritan work. DS Tennison visited the Soho branch to see if there was a link.’
‘Was there?’ Andrew asked, with a concerned look.
Jane answered. ‘We don’t know yet, Mr. Hastings. They’re still helping us with our enquiries.’
‘I once asked her about her work there. She told me it was private and confidential and that she’d never reveal it to anyone. Why would someone she tried to help want to kill her?’ Hastings asked, welling up.