‘It is preferable we question you at the station rather than in your home. Would you agree to accompany us?’
‘Of course, but I’d like some more information. I mean, is it anyone I know that has been murdered? Were they neighbours of mine?’
‘You can, if you wish, have representation,’ Langton added.
Daniels’s face showed a slight annoyance as he checked his watch. Then he looked up at Langton: ‘Are you arresting me?’ It seemed to Anna that he had become completely oblivious to the fact there was a third person in the room.
‘We simply want to see if you can help us in our enquiry.’
‘Are you saying I might know the murderer?’ Alan Daniels remained casually perched on the arm of his sofa.
When Langton said nothing, Daniels continued quickly, ‘At the very least I should be told what it is you wish to question me about. Anything less is unacceptable. Surely you see that?’
‘I am investigating a series of murders; that is all I can tell you.’
Daniels ruffled his hair.
‘Do you agree to accompany myself and DS Travis?’ Langton persisted.
‘This is all a bit weird, but obviously, if I can help you in any way possible, I will endeavour to do so. First, I think perhaps I should talk to my lawyer.’
Daniels crossed to a white marble side table and picked up the phone. As he dialled, he gave Langton a small smile.
‘Is this what they call “helping police enquiries”?’
‘Absolutely, sir,’ Langton replied smoothly.
Daniels spoke to someone he called Edward. Anna and Langton exchanged glances. What was interesting was that he did not appear nervous. In fact, contrary to their expectations, their only suspect had started treating the situation as a bit of a joke.
‘Yes, Edward, I’m fine. Look, I need your advice. I’ve got a detective here and he wants me to accompany him to — what station is it?’
‘Queen’s Park,’ Anna responded sharply. Langton raised his eyebrows, amused.
‘It’s connected to some murders,’ the actor continued. ‘He thinks I might know the killer, or the victims.’ He went on to explain that, since they had declined to give him any details, he had no idea what they wanted from him but, he joked, a visit to the police station might be useful material one day.
‘He’ll join us there.’ Daniels replaced the phone. ‘So, I’ll just put on some socks and shoes, then we can go.’
Anna sat next to Daniels in the patrol car. He made numerous calls on his mobile phone, one to someone he was meeting at the opera later. He was generally so casual, so relaxed, it was unnerving. Something had come up, he said chattily and he might be late but they weren’t to worry. Next, he called his cleaner about groceries he required and informed her that he needed some dry cleaning collected. All the time, he leaned into his phone and as far away from Anna as possible, only speaking to apologize to her when his foot accidentally touched hers.
On their arrival at the station, they went in through the back way, avoiding the day’s action. Langton left Anna in charge in the interview room while he went outside to await the arrival of Daniels’s solicitor.
Since making his phone calls, Daniels had hardly spoken. Now, inside the room, he looked bemused. There was a table with four chairs, two on either side. Stacked on the table were numerous files, some containing photographs.
Anna directed him to sit with his back to the door and took up her seat opposite him. She opened her notebook. Langton was not yet with them and it seemed an interminable time to be alone with Daniels.
Edward turned out to be Edward Radcliff, one of the most notorious heavy hitters in the legal system. His chambers were almost as famous as his reputation.
Langton asked if he could speak with him alone, before they saw his client.
‘By all means. I’d like to know what this is all about. Sounds very unethical to me.’
‘I am simply protecting your client. Alan Daniels is a known name. Rather than make a spectacle of bringing him in for questioning’
‘Questioning about what?’
‘I am leading the enquiry in a series of murders. The last known victim was Melissa Stephens’
‘Jesus Christ.’ He stopped walking.
Langton continued, ‘But we have six other victims we believe were killed by the same perpetrator.’
‘This is unbelievable. I mean, it is inconceivable Alan could have any connection to these tragic women.’
‘I need to ask him some questions; if he is able to give me the answers, then he will be free to leave. I will be taping and filming the interview.’
‘You haven’t charged him, I take it? You’ve not arrested him?’
‘That is correct, but I will still need to follow procedure.’
Radcliff took a deep breath; then, after a moment, suggested they get on with it.
There had been no words spoken between Daniels and Anna as they waited, apart from his polite refusal of her offer of tea or coffee and his request for water instead. A tape recorder and a video camera had been brought in and set up. When Langton ushered Edward Radcliff in the room, Daniels stood to shake hands with his solicitor, who then sat beside him. Langton took his seat beside Anna and rested his hands on the table. The tape and video camera were turned on.
Langton stated the date and time and that those present in the interview room attached to Queen’s Park Metropolitan Police station were himself, Detective Sergeant Travis, Alan Daniels and his solicitor, Edward Radcliff.
Daniels glanced at Radcliff, seeming slightly perplexed at the formality. The lawyer reassured his client that it was all just procedural and that he had to be given his rights for his own protection.
Langton continued, ‘Mr Alan Daniels has agreed to help our enquiries. He is not under arrest, but has come to the station of his own volition. Mr Daniels, you do not have to say anything’
‘Now wait a minute’ Radcliff began to protest.
‘Sorry,’ said Langton. ‘I mean, were you under arrest, you would not have to say anything but it would harm your defence if you did not mention here something you were later to rely on in court. Anything you do say could be used in evidence against you.’ He looked at Radcliff. ‘If it were to come to that, of course.’
Daniels shook his head, nonplussed. The tape in the machine was turning and he stared at it, frowning.
Langton waited a few moments before asking the first question.
‘Mr Daniels, is your real name Anthony Duffy?’
Daniels blinked. He waited a moment before he answered.
‘Yes; yes, it was.’
Radcliff glanced at him, then made a note.
‘Did you change your name by deed poll? Or by some other method?’