Past Reason Hated

Past Reason Hated by Peter Robinson

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Authors: Peter Robinson
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it. Mercurial. I think that’s the best word to describe her talent.’
    ‘How did she get on with the rest of the cast?’
    Conran shrugged. ‘All right, I suppose.’
    ‘Did she form any special relationships? Was she close to anyone in particular?’
    ‘Not that I know of. We’re all pretty chummy, really, when it comes down to it. After all, this isn’t the West End. It’s meant to be fun. That’s the reason I’m involved.’
    ‘She did join you for drinks after rehearsals sometimes, didn’t she?’
    ‘Yes, usually. But you can hardly get to know somebody in a group situation like that.’
    ‘Who did she talk to?’
    ‘Everyone, really.’
    ‘How did she behave?’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘Was she comfortable with the group?’
    ‘As far as I could tell.’
    ‘Did you know she was a lesbian?’ Banks asked.
    ‘Caroline?’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t believe it.’
    ‘Do you have evidence to the contrary?’
    ‘Of course not,’ Conran snapped. ‘Stop twisting everything I say. What I mean is I’m surprised. She . . .’
    ‘She what?’
    ‘Well, you don’t expect things like that, do you? She seemed quite normal to me.’
    ‘Heterosexual?’
    Conran looked at Susan as if pleading for support. ‘You’re doing it again. I’ve no knowledge of her sex life at all. All I’m saying is she seemed normal to me.’
    ‘So she didn’t tell you anything about her private life?’
    ‘No. She kept herself to herself. I knew nothing at all about what she did when she left the hall or the pub.’
    ‘Oh, come on! Surely some of the men in the cast must have tried it on with her. Maybe you even tried yourself Who wouldn’t? How did she respond?’
    ‘I’m not sure what you mean.’
    ‘It’s obvious enough. Was she cold, polite, friendly, rude . . .?’
    ‘Oh, I see. Well, no, she certainly wasn’t cold. She’d joke and flirt like the rest, I suppose. It’s not something I actually thought about. She was always friendly and cheerful, or so it seemed to me.’
    ‘Terrible waste, don’t you think? A beautiful woman like that, and no man stood a chance with her.’
    Conran glanced down into his mug and muttered, ‘It takes all sorts, Chief Inspector.’
    ‘Who did she usually sit next to?’
    ‘It varied.’
    ‘Did you notice anything at all that hinted at a more than superficial relationship with anyone in the cast, male or female?’
    ‘No.’
    Banks sipped some tea and leaned back in his chair. ‘In a close group like that, you must get all sorts of pressures. I’ve heard that actors sometimes have very fragile egos. Did you get many tantrums or rows? Any professional jealousies?’
    ‘Only over petty matters,’ Conran said, ‘like you’d get in any team situation. As I said, we’re in it for pleasure, not ambition or fame.’
    ‘”Petty matters”? Can you be a bit more specific?’
    ‘I honestly can’t remember any examples.’
    ‘Anything involving Caroline Hartley?’
    He shook his head.
    ‘Was there any special reason why Caroline didn’t join you all for a drink after rehearsal on December twenty-second?’
    ‘Nobody went to the pub that evening. We didn’t always go, you know. It was a very casual thing.’
    ‘But you went?’
    ‘Yes. Alone. I wanted to mull over the rehearsal. I seem to be able to think better about things like that when there’s a bit of noise and festive activity around me.’
    ‘Drink much?’
    ‘A bit. I wasn’t drunk, if that’s what you mean?’
    ‘Had anything odd happened between four and six? Any fights, threats, arguments?’
    ‘There was nothing unusual, no. Everybody was tired, that’s all. Or they had shopping to do. Surely you can’t think one of the cast—’
    ‘Right now, I’m keeping an open mind.’ Banks put down his mug. ‘Why did you give up teaching, Mr Conran?’
    If Conran was surprised by the abrupt change in questioning, he didn’t show it. ‘I’d always wanted to write. As soon as I had a little

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