and he was already keen to know how Jane was getting on with Clemments.
Hodgson looked at Penny when he answered Lockyer’s question. ‘Originally she was interviewed as an admin assistant for my team but I decided, given the lack of experience on her CV, that she would be better placed starting off as a secretary, directly under me, where her progress could be closely monitored.’ Hodgson turned his attention back to Lockyer. ‘So, when she was called in for the second interview, I went to meet her. To check she was suitable for the position.’
‘And was she?’ Lockyer asked.
‘Was she what?’
‘Suitable for the position.’
‘Yes. She was friendly, enthusiastic and keen to learn.’
‘What was her exact role in your agency?’
Hodgson seemed to consider the question for a moment, looking up at the ceiling. Maybe it was hard, trying to recall what people less important than him did with their days. ‘Her role was to assist me and the outdoor team. My team. We specialize in outdoor-space advertising: buses, trains, Tube, that kind of thing. She was a PA, of sorts. I wanted her to learn the ropes before having face-to-face contact with my clients.’
So, if he was talking about work he was able to muster up three whole sentences. ‘And would you say, Mr Hodgson, that she was good at her job?’
‘Yes. She struggled at first. She was young, new to the industry, but I managed to bring her on,’ Hodgson said with real pride in his voice. It was the first time Lockyer had heard or seen genuine emotion, although he suspected it was from what Hodgson perceived as his own achievements rather than Debbie’s.
‘When you say “bring her on”, what do you mean by that, Mr Hodgson?’ Lockyer asked.
‘I explained how the advertising business works and what was expected of her. She was, as I say, keen to learn. I have been building my agency for twenty years. We are one of the leading advertising agencies in London. I have a lot to offer my employees, and I expect them to learn and excel in everything they do.’
‘Would you say Deborah Stevens, once she had settled in, excelled?’ He knew this wasn’t how she had been described by other colleagues. Several had said they were unsure what she did, other than run around after Hodgson.
‘Excelled . . . I wouldn’t say that, no, but she was certainly improving. Some people take longer than others to pick up the pace of things.’
Lockyer frowned, aware that during their entire conversation Hodgson had talked quite happily about Debbie in the past tense. ‘Can you tell me your whereabouts on the night of the 14th of December, the 4th of January and the 22nd of January, Mr Hodgson?’ he asked.
Hodgson reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out an iPhone, navigating to his diary using just his thumb. ‘The 14th of December, you said?’ Hodgson asked, not bothering to look up.
‘That’s right, between the hours of 21.00 and 02.00.’
‘I have given this information . . . but, as I said, I am happy to help. I was at a dinner function in the City with four business associates. It went on until at least eleven and then I drove home. I was home with my family from 11.30, 11.45 at the latest.’
‘Did you drink at this “dinner function”?’
‘No, Detective. I like to keep a clear head when I’m talking business, even in a social situation. I am sure you appreciate that, in your profession?’
‘And the other dates?’ Lockyer asked, ignoring Hodgson’s attempts to goad him.
Hodgson continued to flick through his phone, a smile creeping onto his face. ‘That’s right. On the 4th of January I was attending a Lord Mayor’s function. I couldn’t confirm the number of guests, but in excess of fifty, if I had to guess. They are always well-attended gatherings.’ Hodgson looked up at Lockyer and then gave Penny a nod and a smile. And the 22nd . . . let me see. Ah, yes. I was attending the Metropolitan Police’s Annual Advertising
Hodgson looked at Penny when he answered Lockyer’s question. ‘Originally she was interviewed as an admin assistant for my team but I decided, given the lack of experience on her CV, that she would be better placed starting off as a secretary, directly under me, where her progress could be closely monitored.’ Hodgson turned his attention back to Lockyer. ‘So, when she was called in for the second interview, I went to meet her. To check she was suitable for the position.’
‘And was she?’ Lockyer asked.
‘Was she what?’
‘Suitable for the position.’
‘Yes. She was friendly, enthusiastic and keen to learn.’
‘What was her exact role in your agency?’
Hodgson seemed to consider the question for a moment, looking up at the ceiling. Maybe it was hard, trying to recall what people less important than him did with their days. ‘Her role was to assist me and the outdoor team. My team. We specialize in outdoor-space advertising: buses, trains, Tube, that kind of thing. She was a PA, of sorts. I wanted her to learn the ropes before having face-to-face contact with my clients.’
So, if he was talking about work he was able to muster up three whole sentences. ‘And would you say, Mr Hodgson, that she was good at her job?’
‘Yes. She struggled at first. She was young, new to the industry, but I managed to bring her on,’ Hodgson said with real pride in his voice. It was the first time Lockyer had heard or seen genuine emotion, although he suspected it was from what Hodgson perceived as his own achievements rather than Debbie’s.
‘When you say “bring her on”, what do you mean by that, Mr Hodgson?’ Lockyer asked.
‘I explained how the advertising business works and what was expected of her. She was, as I say, keen to learn. I have been building my agency for twenty years. We are one of the leading advertising agencies in London. I have a lot to offer my employees, and I expect them to learn and excel in everything they do.’
‘Would you say Deborah Stevens, once she had settled in, excelled?’ He knew this wasn’t how she had been described by other colleagues. Several had said they were unsure what she did, other than run around after Hodgson.
‘Excelled . . . I wouldn’t say that, no, but she was certainly improving. Some people take longer than others to pick up the pace of things.’
Lockyer frowned, aware that during their entire conversation Hodgson had talked quite happily about Debbie in the past tense. ‘Can you tell me your whereabouts on the night of the 14th of December, the 4th of January and the 22nd of January, Mr Hodgson?’ he asked.
Hodgson reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out an iPhone, navigating to his diary using just his thumb. ‘The 14th of December, you said?’ Hodgson asked, not bothering to look up.
‘That’s right, between the hours of 21.00 and 02.00.’
‘I have given this information . . . but, as I said, I am happy to help. I was at a dinner function in the City with four business associates. It went on until at least eleven and then I drove home. I was home with my family from 11.30, 11.45 at the latest.’
‘Did you drink at this “dinner function”?’
‘No, Detective. I like to keep a clear head when I’m talking business, even in a social situation. I am sure you appreciate that, in your profession?’
‘And the other dates?’ Lockyer asked, ignoring Hodgson’s attempts to goad him.
Hodgson continued to flick through his phone, a smile creeping onto his face. ‘That’s right. On the 4th of January I was attending a Lord Mayor’s function. I couldn’t confirm the number of guests, but in excess of fifty, if I had to guess. They are always well-attended gatherings.’ Hodgson looked up at Lockyer and then gave Penny a nod and a smile. And the 22nd . . . let me see. Ah, yes. I was attending the Metropolitan Police’s Annual Advertising
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