Death of an Innocent by Sally Spencer Page B

got to do with⎯?’
    â€˜
Who else was there?
’
    â€˜The first time there was Detective Inspector Rutter and his wife. I think Mr Woodend was hoping that if DI Rutter and I got to know each other better outside work, we might⎯’
    â€˜And the second time?’
    â€˜A couple called Jackson. Mr Jackson’s an old friend of Mr Woodend’s. They’ve known each other since elementary school.’
    â€˜That would Mortimor Jackson? Of Jackson’s Transport?’
    â€˜I believe Mr Jackson does own some lorries.’
    â€˜A large number of lorries,’ Evans said ominously. ‘But to get back to Mr Woodend. He lives in an old hand-loom weaver’s cottage, just outside Whitebridge, doesn’t he?’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜Well, that certainly seems modest enough.’ Evans took a notebook out of his pocket and wrote something down. ‘What did you have to eat when you went to Mr Woodend’s house?’
    â€˜I don’t see how this⎯’
    â€˜Just answer the question, Sergeant!’
    â€˜On one occasion, we had roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Another time, I think it was Lancashire hot-pot.’
    â€˜Again, modest enough,’ Evans mused. ‘But then a clever man knows better than to be ostentatious. Was there wine with the meal?’
    â€˜Mr Woodend doesn’t drink wine. He’s strictly a pint of best bitter man, and⎯’
    â€˜That wasn’t what I asked.’
    â€˜Yes, there was wine for those who wanted it,’ Paniatowski admitted.
    â€˜What kind of wine? Cheap Portuguese muck? Or was it something more expensive? French, perhaps?’
    â€˜I’m no expert on the subject, but I believe it was French.’
    â€˜I see,’ Evans said, making another note in his book. ‘Do you happen to know where Mr Woodend goes for his holidays?’
    â€˜With respect, sir, could I know what this has to do with the investigation in hand?’
    â€˜You’re here to answer my questions, not to put forward any of your own,’ Evans said firmly. ‘Where does Mr Woodend go for his holidays?’
    â€˜He doesn’t take many holidays. There isn’t time.’
    â€˜But he does take
some
?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜And where does he go, when he
does
find the time?’
    â€˜Mr Woodend likes to visit the Lake District. He’s a great walker, and he says the Lakes are just the place to⎯’
    â€˜And does he have what I suppose you might call “a little place” up in the Lakes.’
    â€˜I beg your pardon, sir?’
    â€˜Does Mr Woodend own any property up in the Lakes?’
    â€˜Not as far as I know.’
    Evans nodded. ‘Not as far as you
know
. That’s significant.’
    â€˜Mr Woodend and I work together, but we don’t live in each other’s pockets,’ Paniatowski said. ‘I don’t think he has a house in the Lakes, but I couldn’t say for sure.’
    Evans nodded again. ‘I think you’re being wise.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, sir?’
    â€˜In any investigation, there’s always a danger that the people close to the subject of it will be suspected of guilt by association. You’re wise to start distancing yourself now.’
    â€˜I wasn’t aware that I was distancing myself.’
    â€˜That’s exactly the line to take,’ Evans said, as if he were agreeing with something Paniatowski was sure she’d never said. ‘Circumstances forced you into the company of Mr Woodend, but that was as far as it went.’ He paused. ‘If you play your cards right, Sergeant, you could walk away from this whole affair with a completely unblemished record.’
    â€˜What whole affair?’
    â€˜There’s nothing else you’d care to tell me about Mr Woodend’s private life, is there?’ Evans said, as if she hadn’t spoken. ‘Nothing you might have heard?