Page 23 of A Village Theatre Murder
‘Julia,’ he said quickly, as she made to end the call. ‘Would you like to have supper tonight? With me and Jono?’
She hesitated only a moment, before saying, ‘Thank you, that sounds lovely.’ Feeling like she had achieved something, she went back into the station.
Hayley Gibson walked through the glass doors at a rapid clip. Her clever eyes surveyed the scene – the young woman with the baby, Oscar’s pacing, Julia’s air of mild irritation mingled with concern.
‘Hello, Oscar.’
Oscar stilled for a moment, and his face softened in relief at the sight of her. He started to talk, a little less manically. ‘Good, there you are. The murderer is the person who pulls the trigger. I understand this now. I’m a lawyer, as you know. And I pronounce myself guilty. I’m the murderer, you see.’
The young woman overheard his confession and pulled the pushchair closer. She leaned protectively over her child, her wide eyes fixed on the raving murderer a few steps away.
‘Let’s talk in my office,’ Hayley said quickly. ‘We can sort things out there.’
‘I pulled?—’
‘Come on, Oscar,’ Julia said, cutting off his exclamation, and ushering him towards the door that led tothe offices behind.
Hayley gave the young woman a reassuring smile and led the way into her office, which was the usual fire hazard of piles of paper, but with the addition of a waxy white orchid in a blue ceramic pot, placed in a little clearing at the edge of the desk. It was so startling in its brilliant white beauty that Julia stopped and stared.
‘A gift,’ said Hayley, brusquely. She motioned for them to sit.
‘Lovely,’ said Julia, and it was, although somehow its pristine presence made the rest of the place look worse.
‘I pulled the trigger,’ Oscar said loudly, bringing everyone back to the matter of the day. His brief period of calm had ended, and he was agitated, his leg jumping up and down.
‘Yes, Oscar. I know you did. We talked about it when you gave me your statement, remember?’ Hayley spoke calmly, and clearly. It was the sort of voice a professional used when conversing with someone not quite in control of their faculties. Julia recognised it, having used it many times herself.
‘Oscar, is there any new information that you have that can help us understand what happened to Graham?’ Hayley asked.
Oscar peered deeply into the detective’s face and spoke to her slowly, and with emphasis, as if she was not very bright: ‘Yes. New information. Themurdereris the person who discharges the weapon. I shot the gun. Criminal law 101. SoI’mthe murderer.’
‘Yes, Oscar. We know you did. But did you know there was a bullet in the gun?’
‘Of course I did not! I am not a cold-blooded killer. But I am amurderer. Now you must arrest me!’
Hayley caught Julia’s eye, and an unspoken moment passed between them, acknowledging Oscar’s state.
Julia spoke. ‘Oscar, you’ve been through terrible stress. Dr O’Connor was just on the phone. He wondered if you might come and see him for a chat. It might help to talk.’
‘Oh,’ Oscar said. ‘Oh yes, Dr Sean…A chat…’
He seemed to be considering the offer.
‘But what about the police?’ he asked, looking over at Hayley. ‘My arrest cannot be delayed…I should stay here.’
‘You go and see Dr Sean,’ Hayley said quickly. ‘You can always come back later if necessary. And I know where to find you if I need more information from you in the meantime.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ Julia said encouragingly.
‘Well, if the detective thinks it’s best, I’ll go,’ said Oscar. ‘But you must make a note on your papers. I am the murderer.’
‘Come on then,’ said Julia, silently waving goodbye to the possibility of even the smallest bit of pottering. ‘I’ll give you a lift.’
After dropping Oscar at Sean’s rooms, and handing him over to Sean’s kindly receptionist, Julia’s day had been much smoother, although empty of any ideas as to how she could clear her name. She was most pleased when evening fell, and it was time to visit Sean for supper. Over the cacophony of delighted barking on either side of the front door, Julia heard Sean call out, ‘Could you let Julia in, Jono? My hands are dirty.’
A long minute later, the door opened and Jono appeared, his hair shaggy and lopsided, as if he’d been roused from sleep. ‘Oh, hi,’ he said. He stood there for a minute blinking, and then seemed to remember how doors work, and stepped aside to let her in. The dogs, meanwhile, were greeting each other enthusiastically, with little yelps of pleasure and a blur of noses and tails. ‘Steady on, Leo,’ Jono said quietly, reaching a hand down to rest on the dog’s head. Leo stopped in his tracks, leaning against the young man’s leg.
Jake seemed to pick up on the vibe, and came to a halt. The two dogs trotted calmly after Julia and Jono into the kitchen, where Sean was grating a block of cheese onto awooden board. He put the cheese down, wiped his hands on his apron, and gave her a hug. It was quick but firm, and when he released her, she sensed that he would have liked to linger. That he had missed her, as she had missed him these last few days. Jono leaned awkwardly at the door frame, Leo at his feet.
