Bad Catholics by James Green Page B

there’s going to be anything here for us. But let’s see what this Costello guy has to say.’
    A minute or so later Jimmy walked in and came over to the table. He looked at the sergeant. There was no hint of recognition in their faces, but they both knew that they knew each other.
    â€˜Sit down, Mr Costello.’ Inspector Deal pointed to the chair. ‘Do you mind if I smoke?’ he added with exaggerated politeness, taking his cigarettes and lighter from his pocket. Jimmy indicated that he didn’t care one way or another. The inspector placed his cigarettes and lighter on the table without bothering to light one up.
    â€˜It was you who found Mrs Amhurst?’
    â€˜I was asked to go and see why her car was still there. She was lying by her car.’
    â€˜Who asked you?’
    Jimmy shrugged.
    â€˜Janine or Sister Philomena.’
    â€˜And when you went out you found Mrs Amhurst had been stabbed?’
    â€˜No. I found her lying by the car outside.’
    â€˜You didn’t see she’d been stabbed?’
    â€˜She was lying face down and no blood was visible when I first saw her.’
    â€˜She might have fainted or been mugged or it might have been a heart attack or something, and yet you didn’t try to help or revive her? Why was that?’
    Jimmy remained silent.
    â€˜You went out and when you saw it was Mrs Amhurst you came straight back in and told the Sister and she called the police?’
    â€˜If you say so.’
    â€˜You made no attempt to find out what was wrong with her? Were you already sure she was dead, is that it?’
    Jimmy remained silent.
    â€˜In your own time, Sir.’
    Jimmy looked at the sergeant. Clearly it would be a very long time indeed.
    â€˜When you came in, what did you say to the Sister?’ the inspector continued.
    â€˜I told her Mrs Amhurst was lying outside by her car, that she should phone the police. I can’t remember the exact words I used.’
    â€˜You asked her to phone the police, just the police, not an ambulance?’
    Jimmy nodded.
    â€˜Why no ambulance?’
    Silence.
    â€˜In your own time, Sir.’
    Silence.
    â€˜Mr Costello, this is a serious investigation. We need a clear picture of everything that happened last night. You seem reluctant to give us your full assistance.’
    Jimmy remained silent, so the sergeant took up the questioning. This was turning into a hard morning.
    â€˜After you told the Sister about Mrs Amhurst, what did you do?’
    â€˜She asked me to go outside and stay with Mrs Amhurst. I went and stayed until the police arrived.’
    â€˜The Sister asked you to go, or you decided to go?’
    â€˜I don’t remember.’
    â€˜Who was in the dining room last night?’
    â€˜I don’t remember.’
    The morning wasn’t getting easier. The inspector took over again.
    â€˜Come on, Mr Costello, are you telling me you can’t remember anyone who was here last night?’
    â€˜Sister Philomena, Janine, Mrs Amhurst, me. I can’t be sure about anyone else.’
    â€˜Did you see anyone outside when you first went to the body?’
    â€˜Not that I remember.’
    â€˜Or when you went out to wait for the police?’
    â€˜Not that I remember.’
    The inspector sat back. He hadn’t liked the nun and he didn’t like this guy.
    â€˜You seem to have a very poor memory, Mr Costello.’
    â€˜I know, I worry about it sometimes.’
    â€˜Do you think your memory would be better if we talked to you at the station?’
    There was no mistaking the threat in the words. Jimmy leaned forward and put his arms on the table with his hands together and examined his thumbs.
    The sergeant didn’t like the way things were going, the threat was a mistake. Not for the first time he wondered how Deal had got to be a Detective Inspector. He tried to move things forward.
    â€˜When did you find out she had been