‘What about this Sawyer fellow, Andrew? What do you make of him?' Sir James Proud looked odd on the monitor screen, his form made even squarer and his uniform even bulkier by the video link.
Martin wondered for a moment about his Chief, dressing officially for a trip to London to interview two suspects, but realised that it was entirely in character. Proud Jimmy needed his uniform like a medieval knight needed his armour or a Judge his wig and red robe, to show who and what he was, and to help him impress his authority. Still, thought the detective, it doesn't make him any the less of a copper.
I doubt, sir,' he replied, 'whether I've ever seen a stronger chain of circumstantial evidence pointing to a person's guilt. He has motive, expertise, materials, and we've established his presence at the scene. He hasn't wavered once in his belief that the world's a better place without Colin Davey. There's only one problem. He won't admit it.' He looked into the small camera above the screen. 'What about the people you have down there?'
The Chief shook his silver head. 'That's the second problem, Chief Superintendent.
Everything you've said about Sawyer, I can say about them. Morelli and Tucker are paramours. Morelli now admits that he promoted Noble into a job for which he wasn't competent to increase his access to his wife. Then there's Noble himself, a very depressed and unstable man. It's confused, Andy, very confused.'
`What about the soldier?'
Arrow gave him a good going over. He didn't bash him about or anything… well, not too much… but he didn't incriminate anyone, other than by implication, his brother. I tell you man, we could go on all bloody night!'
Martin nodded. 'So what will we do, sir?' he asked.
The sensible thing,' replied the Chief. 'I'm bringing all three suspects-'
`Morelli too?'
Aye, Morelli too; I'm playing no favourites!.. up to Edinburgh. I'm going to have them all interviewed, and Sawyer too, by the Procurator Fiscal. We'll give him a hatful of possibilities. It's his job to decide which one he's going to charge.'
If any,' muttered Martin.
Aye, Andy lad. If any!'