‘Where exactly are the box files in your flat?’
Simmonds took another sip of coffee. ‘In the study room on a bookshelf next to the work desk.’
Jane jotted the details down and passed the paper to the PC, telling him to give it to DI Gibbs to make sure the box files were seized.
Moran returned to the interview room and the PC left. Jane could see he’d doused his face with water, as some drops had splashed onto his shirt. She told him what Simmonds had said about the Peckham patient files and the message she’d had passed on to Gibbs.
Jane thought Moran would open with some routine questions about how long Simmonds had owned the Peckham surgery, how often he worked there etc., but instead he cut straight to the chase.
‘What were you doing on the day and evening of Friday the sixteenth of February?’
Jane remembered this was the date the bodies of the first victims were found.
‘I worked at the Peckham surgery as usual, until about five thirty or six p.m., then went home to my flat on the top floor of my Harley Street practice. I don’t think I went to my local Italian restaurant that evening. If I didn’t, I would have cooked myself something, then listened to the radio or read a book.’
‘What exactly did you listen to on the radio?’ Moran asked.
Simmonds shrugged. ‘I can’t honestly recall now. It’s hard to remember exactly what one was doing, what, two weeks ago?’
Jane knew Moran was hoping Simmonds would account for every minute detail of what he was doing on the sixteenth as it would indicate he’d prepared a cover story.
‘When did you learn about the murders?’
Simmonds paused for thought. ‘I’d heard something on the radio but didn’t take much notice at the time.’
‘Did you see the news coverage on TV?’ Moran continued.
‘No. I don’t have a TV. The first I knew about Helen Matthews’ death was when Jane came to see me at Harley Street.’
‘You mean Detective Sergeant Tennison,’ Moran said firmly.
Simmonds shrugged. ‘She didn’t object when I called her Jane while you were out of the room.’
Moran ignored him. ‘When did you hear about Sybil Hastings’ murder?’
‘Chief Superintendent Blake told me about it.’
Moran remembered Blake saying he hadn’t mentioned Mrs. Hastings’ murder to Simmonds. He looked at Jane, who raised her eyebrows. She thought Simmonds was being foolhardy if he was lying, but she also knew Blake had a propensity to lie to get himself out of trouble.
‘So when exactly did Chief Superintendent Blake tell you about Mrs. Hastings’ death?’ Moran asked.
Simmonds nodded towards Jane. ‘Last week. On the same morning Sergeant Tennison came to see me. He had a toothache.’
Moran shook his head. ‘DCS Blake told me he never said anything about Hastings to you!’
‘Then he’s mistaken, or lying for some reason,’ Simmonds replied.
‘If you already knew Sybil Hastings was dead, why didn’t you tell Sergeant Tennison?’ Moran asked.
‘Because I thought my conversation with Chief Superintendent Blake was confidential and he didn’t want me to tell anyone. He also told me you were looking for a suspect and the forensic evidence was overwhelming. I didn’t tell Sergeant Tennison that either.’
‘Did he tell you the name of the suspect?’ Jane asked.
‘No.’
‘And the dental nurse who works with you will be able to confirm your version of the discussion with DCS Blake?’
‘I doubt it. She was downstairs apologizing to the patient who had to wait because Chief Superintendent Blake didn’t have an appointment.’
Jane knew there were elements of truth in what Simmonds said, but was sure he was twisting things to support his cover story.
‘You don’t seem very concerned about DCS Blake and confidentiality now,’ she remarked.
‘He’s not being accused of multiple murders, is he?’ Simmonds replied.
Moran looked at Jane and nodded for her to continue.
‘You told me you treated Simon at Harley Street, which was another lie.’
‘I’m sorry, you’ve changed the subject. Who are we talking about now?’
‘Simon Matthews. His mother Helen, your cleaner, was murdered. You told me you treated her son at your Harley Street surgery, which was a lie. Simon said it was Peckham.’
Simmonds looked confused. ‘I don’t think I ever said I treated him at Harley Street. I recall you asking if I treated him, and I told you I did.’
Jane got her CID notebook out of her pocket and flicked through the pages to the notes of her first meeting with Simmonds. She had made brief notes but hadn’t recorded word for word what was said, as it wasn’t an official suspect interview.
‘You said you didn’t keep a record, as the other dentists would be upset if they found out you were doing dental work for free, which is strange as you own the practice. Surely you can do as you please? Your answer also implied you treated Simon at Harley Street—’
‘That’s absurd,’ Simmonds interrupted. ‘Everyone knows I have a Peckham practice. You’ve misconstrued what I said. You’ll find a Peckham patient record for Simon in the box folders at my flat. I made Simon’s braces myself at Harley Street. I didn’t make a record of it, or put it through the books, for a good reason. I like to think of the other dentists as colleagues—’
‘Are you saying Sergeant Tennison is a liar?’ Moran snapped.
Simmonds looked offended. ‘I’m not accusing her of any such thing. I have no doubt she’s an honest and forthright police officer. If I may ask, Detective Tennison, when did you actually make those notes?’
Jane recalled her first opportunity was after the office meeting on the Thursday. ‘Late afternoon, early evening, on the same day.’
‘Surely you must find it hard to remember exact words used in a one-to-one conversation many hours later?’
Jane shook her head. ‘Not at all. As a police officer I’ve had a lot of experience making accurate notes after a conversation, even the following day.’
‘What was the first thing I said to you today, then?’ Simmonds asked.
Moran slapped the table, almost making Jane jump. ‘You’re the one who has to answer the questions, Simmonds. You murdered Helen Matthews because she found out you’d sexually abused her son, didn’t you?’
Jane was surprised by Moran’s sudden change of tack, since they both knew Simmonds hadn’t abused Simon. Was he just trying to rile him?
Simmonds scowled at Moran. ‘I resent your disgusting, sick allegation, DCI Moran. I am not depraved, nor have I ever treated a child without an adult being present. You can ask any of the parents of children I’ve treated and they’ll confirm it as fact.’
‘Have you ever been married?’ Moran asked.
‘No.’
‘Got a girlfriend?’
‘Why are you so interested in my private life?’
‘Are you a homosexual?’
‘You think because I don’t have a wife or girlfriend I must be homosexual, and thereby also abuse children. The more I listen to you, the more I realize what a sad, pathetic little man you are, Mr. Moran.’
‘Were you in a relationship with a rent boy called Aiden Lang?’
‘As I told you, I don’t know, and have never met, anyone called Aiden Lang. The first time I ever heard the name was when Sergeant Tennison showed me his photograph. Someone else did mention it to me when—’
‘When what?’ Moran banged his hand on the desk.
‘When you said to me, “If you’ve any sense at all, you’ll tell me why you murdered those three women, and what part Aiden Lang played in it.” Then, if you remember, you kicked your chair over and raised your hand to me. God knows what you’d have done if she hadn’t walked into the room.’ Simmonds looked at Jane. ‘He didn’t forget the notebook. He wanted you out of the room so he could beat me into confessing to crimes I did not commit!’