A Well-deserved Murder (Trevor Joseph Detective series) by Katherine John Page B

magazine,’ George whimpered. ‘I thought they’d soon be binned and forgotten.’
    ‘Is it a magazine that is delivered regularly to your office?’
    ‘If it is, I’ve never seen it before.’
    ‘Excuse me, sir,’ Sarah interrupted. ‘I don’t know if Mr Howells is aware that an online version of that page has been put on a public-access website.’
    ‘No, I didn’t,’ George acknowledged. ‘But I don’t surf the internet. I think it’s a waste of time.’
    ‘You don’t have a computer in the house?’
    ‘Two. Kacy uses hers for delivering learning programmes to the children. And I have one I use to keep our financial records and business and personal correspondence.’
    ‘And neither can be connected to the internet?’ Trevor asked.
    ‘We have internet access. But only Kacy uses it – for shopping.’
    ‘The officers who searched your house found a number of floral bouquets and boxes of chocolates that had been sent through the mail to your wife.’
    ‘What do you mean a “number”?’ George was instantly on the defensive.
    ‘You didn’t know about them?’
    ‘I left the house yesterday before the postman arrived. If there are “a number” of things Kacy would have taken them in.’ George’s defensive attitude was hardening into aggression.
    ‘I’m sorry I have to ask these questions, Mr Howells,’ Trevor apologised. ‘But we need information if we are to apprehend whoever is responsible for murdering your wife. Did you and Mrs Howells participate in wife-swapping?’
    ‘How dare you!’
    ‘I am investigating the murder of your wife, Mr Howells,’ Trevor reminded him forcefully.
    ‘Kacy and I are – were – a normal couple, Inspector. I don’t know where you get your filthy ideas from.’
    Trevor reached for the magazine and again opened it at the full-page spread of Kacy Howells. Kacy’s face smiled up at them from the obscene, cartoon body beneath the headline
    “ Want fun? Send me a present and your phone number and if the gift is large enough, I’m yours. Cheese on toast can be arranged.”
    Trevor slid it in front of George again.
    George’s face crumpled and he stifled a sob.
    ‘Could your wife have placed this advertisement without your knowledge?’
    ‘I don’t know.’
    ‘Was your wife secretive?’
    ‘We spent time apart, she in the house, me in work, but that’s normal in a marriage once you have children.’
    ‘Do you know what the expression “Cheese on Toast” means?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘It’s a euphemism for wife-swapping. Did you and your wife have an open marriage, Mr Howells?’
    ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
    ‘Did you and your wife have sex with other partners, Mr Howells?’ Trevor asked bluntly.
    ‘No, most certainly not.’
    ‘Then we can assume that if she was responsible for placing this advertisement, the “cheese on toast” referred to her and another man?’
    ‘How dare you! How dare you …’
    ‘I think this is a good time to take a break.’ Trevor announced that he was stopping the tape and switched off the recorder. ‘Constable Merchant, would you please get Mr Howells a cup of tea?’

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Trevor found Peter waiting for him outside the door.
    ‘Do you think George Howells really didn’t know about his wife’s collection of salacious toys?’ Peter asked.
    ‘Your guess is as good as mine.’
    ‘My money’s on his ignorance. I doubt he’d know what to do with them.’
    ‘Did you look through the witness statements?’
    ‘The ones Sarah has inputted on the computer – yes.’ Peter opened the door that led into the corridor. ‘There’s nothing in them.’
    ‘Speed-reading again?’
    ‘You think I missed something?’ Peter challenged.
    ‘I came to the same conclusion. I hate the onset of an investigation,’ he added feelingly.
    ‘When we can’t make a move because we’re waiting on results,’ Peter agreed.
    ‘It’s the not knowing which way to proceed that gets to me.’
    ‘You only like