The Ten Commandments by Anthea Fraser Page A

explained, 'from my first marriage. We have them at weekends.'
    'I see. Forgive me, it was just –'
    'You're right, Aileen hasn't any of her own.'
    'Did you know your wife's first husband, Mr Bradburn?'
    'No,' Bradburn said, shaking his head for extra emphasis. 'I'd read about the murder, of course, but I didn't meet Aileen for a good two years after that – just, as luck would have it, as my own marriage was coming apart.'
    'Has this latest case upset her?'
    He shrugged. It's brought it back, naturally, and all the speculation in the press hasn't helped.'
    'I'm afraid I added to that,' Frederick admitted ruefully.
    'Well, as I said to Aileen, once you've featured in a murder case, you're considered public property.'
    'Not by me, I assure you. If you'd rather I didn't –'
    'Is Pete being overprotective?' Aileen Bradburn asked, setting down a tray with coffee cups and a plate of biscuits. She flashed her husband a smile. 'It's all right, love. I wouldn't have agreed to see them if I hadn't felt up to it.'
    Frederick, still diffident about questioning her, was reassured.
    She handed him a cup and saucer. 'Anyway, Mr Mace, I was interested in your ideas on motives.'
    'You saw the programme?'
    'Oh, yes, I watch everything to do with crime.'
    She glanced at him, catching his surprise, and smiled. 'Perhaps I should explain; when Trevor – died, I buried my head in the sand, and for years I mentally blocked out any news items about murder or death of any kind. But later, when it started to fade a bit, I suppose I went to the other extreme. I think I reasoned that if I watched and read everything I could about it, I might somehow work out why it happened.
    'Do you see what I mean? It would have been different if the killer had been caught; then I'd have been able to face it, come to terms as you have to with any death. But I was still living in Oxbury then, and I used to find myself looking at people I passed in the street, thinking, "It could have been him.'"
    'That's very understandable.'
    She nodded, satisfied, and settled back, sipping her coffee. 'So – what is it you want to ask me?'
    'Before I start, would you mind if we switched on a recorder? It makes life so much simpler these days.'
    'I've no objection.'
    Frederick nodded to Blake, who took one out of his pocket and laid it on the table alongside the tray.
    I realize, Mrs Bradburn, that you gave a detailed statement to the police at the time, but that was strictly facts, and I'd like to try a different approach. You've now had time to look back – and I'm sure you've done so many times – over the weeks and months leading to your husband's death. That is what I'd like you to speak about – his character, his friends, his attitudes, your own relationship with him, and whether it changed immediately before his murder. In fact, anything unusual that might have taken place. But first, have you by any chance a photograph? The ones I've seen in the papers aren't too clear.'
    'Yes, I – still have some old albums somewhere.'
    'I'll get them,' Bradburn said, getting to his feet and going in through the patio door.
    'How will seeing his photograph help?' Aileen asked curiously.
    Frederick smiled. 'After motives, my main interest is faces; I believe they give away far more of our character than we realize. Oh, I know the old chestnut about murderers looking like the boy next door, and they might well do so. But if you study – really study – their features, there are often clues to be found.'
    'But Trevor wasn't a murderer,' Aileen protested.
    'It goes for all of us. Little traits in our characters leave traces which can be read if one knows what to look for.'
    She moved uncomfortably. 'It hardly seems fair, searching for faults in the victim.'
    'I didn't specify faults,' Frederick reminded her. 'Good traits are also to be found. But whichever, surely it's acceptable to look for them if they point to the motive for murder?'
    She lifted her