The Dead Lie Down (Adam Lennox Thrillers: Book One) by G I Tulloch Page B

watched Ford. Privately Adam thought he was
going on a fishing expedition, but he had been wrong about these things before.
He was terrible at guessing the murderer in whodunits.
    Ford leaned forward. "Let me tell you what I think happened and you can correct
me as we go."
    "Pray enlighten me with your theory", quipped Adam.
    "You and Bartlett never really got on. Always that social divide that got in the
way didn't it? Something happened two days ago. Bartlett got into some trouble.
A murder he was implicated in. Did you know anything about that Mr Lennox?"
    "No." So far so good.
    "You and Bartlett had a major row. Bartlett's a big client of yours isn't he Mr
Lennox? You can't afford to lose his business can you? Bartlett threatened to
take his business away and that's something you couldn't let happen because
others might ask questions as to why. You might lose other clients. Publicity
works two ways." Ford paused waiting for a reaction he didn't get. "So you
killed him."
    It occurred to Adam that Ford had some information from someone who had been
there in John's office and he knew it wasn't Bel. At this point he decided it
was time for some input.
    "I think not," he said. "That would seem to be cutting off my nose to spite my
face. With John Bartlett dead I would be unlikely to retain the business anyway
don't you think?"
    Ford
paused and having dispensed with the cocktail stick chewed what was left of a
fingernail. Adam took it as a good sign.
    "The anger of the moment," suggested Ford. "Did you see John Bartlett after that
meeting in his office?"
    "No."
    "And you haven't seen him since."
    "No."
    DCI Ford leaned forward in anticipation, and then seeming to change his mind he
got up and stood with his back to the window, forcing Adam to look at him in
silhouette. Then Ford delivered his coup de grace.
    "Then how do you explain that John Bartlett's body was found in the burnt out
shell of your Lotus outside your cottage in Dunwich?"
    Adam had to take a breath while he digested this, and Ford preened himself, a
grin on his face.
    "I can't." was Adam's honest reply.
    Ford smiled. "Like I say, you are in deep doo-doo."
    Sitting down again he continued, sensing the need to maintain the momentum while
he had the upper hand. "Where were you between the meeting in Bartlett's office
and yesterday morning?"
    "I drove up to Dunwich."
    "And?" prompted Ford.
    "Stayed overnight in my cottage and came back yesterday."
    "On your own?"
    Now Adam hesitated and Ford sensed it. He repeated, "on your own?"
    After a long pause Adam made a decision, the eventual outcome of which he could
never have anticipated.
    "No. I picked up a hitch-hiker on the way."
    If Ford was disappointed he didn't show it. "Does this hitch-hiker have a
name?"
    "I'd rather not say," which brought back the smile to Ford's face. He got up and
walked across to the window before turning back to Adam.
    "Mr Lennox. Let me outline the situation. You are recorded as having a heated
argument with the deceased after he has witnessed a murder. The deceased
threatens you. His body is found less than twenty-four hours later in your
burnt-out car. Things are not looking good for you. Might I suggest that you do
yourself a favour?"
    Adam tried to look at all the angles to assess his real danger. It was all
circumstantial but could leave a nasty mess even if it didn't stick. His
thoughts were interrupted by Ford.
    "What did John Bartlett tell you about the incident on the Hermes?"
    Adam
did a double take at the change of direction but saw no danger. He recounted
the discovery of the body at the foot of the companionway.
    Ford sat down and for a moment drummed his fingers on the edge of the table
before seeming to come to a decision.
    "Why would Mr Bartlett lie to you?"
    "Lie to me?"
    "In reality the body was found in a crate in the hold. His throat had been cut.
So either you're lying to me, or Bartlett lied to you. Which is it?"
    Now Adam was