Final Moments

‘No, not exactly, but it doesn’t surprise me. She told me she intended going out more, making new friends.’

There was a brief silence, then Kelsey said, ‘Jealousy can be a terrible emotion.’

‘I was never jealous of her,’ Colborn protested. ‘It was never on that level, never that strong. The truth is, I was relieved when it was over. I didn’t enjoy telling lies to Ruth, it’s not in my nature.’

‘Were you in touch with Mrs Franklin last Thursday or Friday? In any way at all?’

He shook his head.

‘Where were you last Friday afternoon?’

‘I told you, I spent the weekend at the bank’s place in the country, Danehill Manor. I left the bank at three o’clock. I was given a lift by one of the other managers.’

‘We’ll have his name,’ Kelsey said. ‘You realize we have to check everything of this nature.’

There was an appreciable silence.

‘If we could have his name,’ Kelsey repeated. ‘It’s a matter of routine.’

There was another silence, then Colborn said, ‘I’m afraid this is rather awkward.’

‘In what way awkward?’

Colborn made no reply. His face wore a look of great unease.

‘You did leave the bank at three and drive to Danehill Manor with your colleague?’ Kelsey asked sharply.

‘Well, actually, no, it wasn’t quite like that,’ Colborn said at last. He stared at the wall. ‘My colleague rang me at the bank shortly after two to say something had cropped up and he wouldn’t be able to get away as early as he’d planned.’ He looked at Kelsey. ‘I’d prepared a paper to read at the seminar, we all had to do that. I was nervous about it, I hadn’t been able to give my mind to it properly. During the morning I kept thinking of other points I might have made but I had no time to do anything about it. I jumped at the chance to do some more work on the paper. I asked my colleague if he’d pick me up at home instead of at the bank. At three o’clock I left the bank and came over here. I worked on the paper till my colleague came to collect me.’

‘Did you say anything about this alteration in your plans to any member of your staff? Did you tell your assistant you were going home?’

‘No. When I left the bank they took it for granted I was being picked up outside by my colleague. I saw no reason to tell them otherwise.’

‘You saw no reason to tell us either.’

He moved his shoulders. ‘I didn’t actually tell you my colleague picked me up at three outside the bank.’

‘You knew that was what we believed. You allowed it to stand.’

‘It didn’t seem very important.’

‘If something similar should crop up in the course of this interview, or any other interview we might have,’ Kelsey said crisply, ‘perhaps you’d be good enough at the time to correct any misapprehension under which you see me labouring, however unimportant it might appear to you.’ Colborn gave a jerky nod.

‘Can your wife confirm that you arrived here soon after three and worked on your paper?’ Kelsey asked.

‘I’m afraid not. She wasn’t here at the time, she was at Polesworth all afternoon, for the presentation of purses.’ Kelsey knew about the ceremonies at Polesworth. ‘She went on afterwards to supper and a musical evening at the house of some friends.’

‘At precisely what time did your colleague call for you here?’

‘I can be very precise about that.’ Colborn’s tone began to show animation. ‘It was half past five. I looked at the clock when he rang the bell and he commented on the time himself when I opened the door. He was concerned about being late getting to the Manor, he was full of apologies.’

‘Right, then,’ Kelsey said briskly. ‘I hope we’ve got a proper tale at last. Now, if we might have your colleague’s name and where we can get hold of him, we’ll be able to confirm what you’ve told us.’

‘For God’s sake, don’t do that!’ Colborn said in alarm. ‘It’ll be all round head office, they’ll wonder what on earth’s going on, it’ll do my career no good at all.’

‘I see your point,’ Kelsey said in the tone of a reasonable man. ‘But you must see mine. We can’t simply take at face value everything anyone cares to tell us. It’s all got to be checked.’

‘Yes, I see that,’ Colborn said. ‘But there must be some other way you can check it.’ He struck his hands together. ‘The garage–you can check there, he’ll remember. It’s just round the corner from here, the Silver Star. I always go there, the owner’s a customer at the bank. When we left here my colleague said he had to get some petrol. We went to the Silver Star and while he was filling up I stood chatting to the owner. I told him where we were off to, that we were late, and he commented on the traffic.’ He paused. ‘I remember he looked up at the clock and said we’d be right in the thick of the rush hour. You ask him, he’ll confirm what I’ve told you.’