Deadly Intent

CHAPTER 13

Anna didn't just feel relaxed and rested, she felt like a new woman. She had taken care when dressing, and blow-dried her hair; she was even wearing a little more makeup than usual. Her suit was one of her best, gray Armani, and she wore a crisp white linen shirt, the collar and cuffs pressed and starched. She had arrived at eight-fifteen and made a report about the weekend's activities. She did wonder how she would get around to presenting the findings without a snide put-down from Cunningham about her solo investigations; however, she knew she had made a lot of progress. When she got a call from Cunningham to be in her office immediately, however, she wondered exactly how she would pass on the details.Cunningham was sitting at her desk, leaning her head on her hands, elbows resting on the desk. She looked up when Anna knocked and opened her door. "Come in, sit down."Anna sat opposite. Before she could say anything, Cunningham gave a deep sigh. "Travis, I have a personal problem. I need to take the day off. Can you tike my notes and handle the briefing for me?""Yes, of course.""Good. I will try, if possible, to get back by this afternoon, but it'll more than likely be the morning.""Is there anything else I can do?" Anna asked, wondering what the "personal problem" could be."No, I'm going to take off now, but if you need me, I'll be at the Harley Street clinic. You can contact me on my mobile.""Okay. I hope there's nothing wrong."Cunningham stood up and fetched her jacket from the back of her chair. "Not with me—its my partner. She found a lump in her breast197last week. I want to be with her when she sees her doctor. If it's malignant, she'll have to go in straightaway for treatment." "I'm sorry.""I would appreciate it if you kept this to yourself, which is the reason I've asked for you to stand in for me and not Phil. But keep me informed. As I said, I'll have my mobile turned on." Anna stood up."You have a good weekend?" Cunningham said as she picked up her briefcase."Yes, thank you." This was not the time to bring up the developments."Well. I'm glad you had a restful time; it's been hideous for me. I had bloody Langton giving me a grilling all of Saturday and then, when I got back, Sheila had the news about the tests. Still, the good thing is she has medical insurance ..."It was the first time Anna's heart hadn't jumped at hearing his name mentioned."Still, I think we are making progress, albeit at a snail's pace. I'll keep in touch." She passed Anna a file as she headed for the door.As Anna followed Cunningham out of her office, she couldn't help wondering just how much of a grilling Langton had given her. She also wondered if her name had cropped up, but she didn't ask. "I'll just look over your notes, then crack on." "Good."She watched Cunningham walk down the corridor and out of the building, before branching off to enter her own office. She remembered how she had felt when her father had been diagnosed with lung cancer. It had been a terrible moment. He had joked, warning her never to start smoking as he lit up one of his ever-present Silk Cut cigarettes. She couldn't reprimand him. It was a sad show of defiance and all she could do was wrap her arms around him and tell him that she would be there for him. The disease had taken its toll fast, and watching him waste away in hospital had broken her heart. As much as she didn't really like Cunningham, she hoped that she would not have to go through such an ordeal with her partner. Anna forced herself to get back to her work.The typed notes were a run-through of the case to date, nothing new. Anna had time to find herself a coffee before she stood by the board and began to write up her notes from the weekends trip to Oxford. The discovery of D'Anton s van was a plus; it had by now been towed to the forensic yard. She arrowed the connections to the antiques shop, then to Honour Nolan's farmhouse. She also arrowed the connection of the Mitsubishi with D'Anton, that he might have returned home while his wife was away. She then underlined the possibility that D'Anton could have been at the farm, and that tests would be made on the mud from his post office van and the Mitsubishi.Phil joined her. "Somebody didn't have time out this weekend!"Anna smiled, and finished writing on the board. By this time, the team had gathered and were talking quietly to one another; only Phil was paying close attention to the added details. Anna then asked for everyone's attention. As Cunningham was not available, she said, she was giving the briefing to update them all on the weekend. They listened attentively as she outlined the links, then opened the floor for a discussion. She did not refer to Cunningham's notes, as they related the possibility that D'Anton had been killed because of who, or what, he might have seen at the farmhouse."I think we need more pressure on Frank Brandon's widow. I also think we need to find out more about her finances. If, as we know, she does have ten million or more, then this must be checked out. If it was drug money paid into her various accounts over the years, we need the accountant to be requestioned. The fact that she has admitted that her ex-partner was Anthony Collingwood, one of the names used by Alexander Fitzpatrick, makes it possible that he is in the UK."Phil gestured that he wanted to say something. "But if, as we are led to believe, Fitzpatrick has megamillions stashed in the USA, why is he back here? Also, what is the connection to the drug squat in Chalk Farm?"Anna looked at the board. "I keep on coming back to the possibility that it was something or someone inside the squat he was after—that is, if we can prove that the man who accompanied Frank Brandon was Fitzpatrick." To date, Phil interjected, the people identified and murdered were all lowlifes. Why would a man like Fitzpatrick want to be involved with the likes of Donny Petrozzo, let alone Stanley Leymore, and even Julius D'Anton? D'Anton may have been a cut above the others, but not much: he was a junkie, living hand to mouth, buying and selling antiques.Anna turned back to the board. "Okay, I hear what you are saying, Phil, but D'Anton was at Balliol at the same time as Alexander Fitzpatrick; he dined out on the fact that he used to know him. By coincidence, he went after an antique table at a local fair in Shipston on Stour, then tried to find out where the table came from—a cottage not far from the farm where Honour Nolan lives. D'Anton s van breaks down; it's a really narrow lane with ditches either side, maybe he walks to the farm ...""And maybe sees Fitzpatrick?""Yes.""That is, if he is there, or even in the country.""Let's say that he is," Anna said tetchily.Phil continued. "D'Anton next gets to borrow a Mitsubishi—from the farm?""We don't know, but he is seen driving it.The table wouldn't fit into the back, remember.""So D'Anton, without his table, returns to London; his wife is off with her builder; he gets dumped in the Thames; then we find Petrozzo's body inside the Mitsubishi!"Anna chewed her lips. "We'll have more details as soon as the tests have been done on the samples of soil taken at the farm.""Yeah, but in the meantime, we're still waiting on toxicology reports—how long is that all going to take? Right now we have no confirmation on what killed Donny Petrozzo or our junkie friend from the Thames.""What about the boat. Dare Devil, seen at the Nolans' farmhouse?" This was Gordon asking.Anna said they would need verification of ownership, as it did not have the same name as the boat they knew to have been previously owned by Fitzpatrick. She again brought up the fact that the painting of the boat had been taken down from the study in the farmhouse."So what is that going to give us?" Phil again."That both Honour and Damien lied about how well they knew Fitzpatrick.""Even so, what does that give us? I mean, maybe they knew him a long time ago; he was with Honour's sister for years—if he is the man she calls Anthony Collingwood." Phil was getting rattled."How many Anthony Collingwoods are in the phone book?" Anna was starting to get angry herself. "Has anyone tried to trace him?"Pamela Meadows said that she had been running through the Anthony Collingwoods listed in the telephone directory, but to date they had all checked out as legitimate."Keep going. If Julia Brandon admits to living with him or someone using that name, there has to be some kind of record that he existed," Anna said briskly.Phil gave an open-armed gesture. "Why? Right now Julia Brandon is not a suspect for the murder of her husband. The fact she lived with someone doesn't give us anything, even though you believe that man could possibly be Alexander Fitzpatrick. Let's say he was: we have not a shred of evidence in our case that involves him. What we do have are three dead men.""And we've made a connection between all of them," Anna snapped, her patience at breaking point. "What we do not have is the identity of the man we know entered that drug squat with Frank Brandon, and the reason I am constantly bringing up Alexander Fitzpatrick is because there is a strong possibility it was him.""In your opinion.""Yes, in my opinion!""Why? Why does an international drug dealer, a man wanted around the world, a man known to have stashed away millions from his drug trafficking, want to be back in the UK? In addition, for me, the big question is still what the fuck is he doing with Frank Brandon in that shithole in Chalk Farm? All we've got are smalltime drug dealers. Yes, they do all link together, but none link back to your kingpin.You think he'd bother with this lowlife? That is, if he is even in the country? Far be it from me, but all you are bringing up is supposition without any firm evidence. I mean, I may eat my words when we eventually get the bloody forensic reports in, but I can't jump the hoop of coincidences with you."Anna took a deep breath to calm herself. "Okay, if that is the consensus, let's concentrate on how we proceed until we do have the toxicology reports and the geographic tests. We are still hanging loose with a number of registration numbers of cars known to have been parked around the drug squat, so push for tracing those outstanding."Anna continued to outline the work for the team, tight-lipped. In the meantime, she would attempt to firm up her suppositions, and would start by requestioning Julia Brandon and her accountant. She caught the look Phil gave to two members of the team and her irritation boiled over: she said crossly that, to date, they should all pay notice to exactly what she had personally produced for the case. They broke up and a trolley of coffee was wheeled in. Phil kept well away from her.Anna returned to her office, furious. She sensed that part of the reason Phil had been deriding virtually everything she said was that he felt that he should have been handling the case in Cunningham's absence.Her office door opened and the man himself put his head around the door frame. "I'm having meetings with the Drug Squad—checking out what they can give us on the occupants of the squat, see if they have any leads for us. You want to come along?""No, I'm going into the West End to meet with Mr. Rushton, Julia Brandon's financial adviser."Phil gave a noncommittal shrug and walked out, as Gordon entered."I should have brought this up at the briefing; you're taking your time checking out that boat from the painting, Gordon.""I'm sorry. I've already done some digging. I've got a call into the Registry of Shipping and Seamen, they're in Cardiff. Apparently, all ships are registered and given a number which never changes. A registered ship must also have a name different from any other ship and these numbers are carved into the main beam of the ship.""For Christ's sake, Gordon, get on with it—see if you can trace Dare Devil. I'll be on my mobile." "It'll cost twelve pounds for a current search of ownership and, if we want photocopies of the ledgers, that'll cost twenty-three pounds. These searches will show mortgages of the boats and—"Anna sighed. "Just do it, Gordon, and get back to me.""Okay, I just wanted your permission to pay them.""You've got it. Now go on, get moving." A minute later Anna snatched up her briefcase and was leaving the office, when her desk phone rang. She hesitated and then answered.It was Gordon again. "Look, this is going to take some time. Any ship used outside UK waters, or over twenty-four meters, has to be registered, but it's quite a haul, as any ship can be owned by up to five people or companies. Those five can be divided up into as many as sixty-four shareholders."Anna closed her eyes. "Gordon? Are you saying that you've traced the boat?""No, not yet, but I am just saying it might take a lot longer if there are, say, sixty-four shareholders and maybe four or five owners.""Just do it, Gordon, and also check out Fitzpatrick's previous boats listed on his Web site. One was a big power cruiser—see who bought it from him.""Okay, I'll get cracking.""Thank you!" Anna slammed down the receiver and walked out.David Rushton's offices were located on Jermyn Street, on the fifth floor of a small, but smart office block. Anna noticed how much security there was, from the CCTV cameras to the double locking device on his reception door. She had to wait to be buzzed in by a receptionist who was very guarded, as Anna did not have an appointment. Anna said she would wait until Mr. Rushton was available.She sat in the reception area on a gilt-and-leather chair, having a good look around. Mr. Rushton was obviously very successful; numerous smart young men passed to and fro, and two attractive girls, carrying mounds of files, and wearing tight black skirts and high heels clicked past, flicking back their blond hair. Anna was pleased she had taken time dressing. Then she saw Rushton guiding out a young man in a bomber jacket and jeans. Rushton glanced at Anna and ushered the man out before he acknowledged her."Sorry not to have made an appointment," Anna said, standing.Rushton glanced at his large gold-faced wristwatch and told the receptionist to ask his next client to wait. "I am very busy," he said coldly."So am I," Anna said, picking up her briefcase. She was led into a large, comfortable office with a leather sofa and matching armchair. The desk was oak with carved legs; the top was covered in thick glass and rows of telephones. On the walls were many certificates in gold frames, listing Rushton's credentials and awards."Do sit down.""Thank you." Anna perched on a leather chair in front of his desk; Rushton moved around to sit in a large swivel office chair. "We can do this informally here, or at the station. I need verification of exactly how your client Julia Brandon came to be such a wealthy woman.""That is a preposterous invasion of privacy. Mrs. Brandon pays her taxes; her wealth is no one's business. If you require details of her various companies, then you could do that without my help. Just go to Companies House and check—it is all legitimate.""We have her bank statements from the time she lived in Oxford."He shrugged."You have given us the name Anthony Collingwood as Mrs. Brandon's previous partner, and told us that he had engineered her finances—is that still correct?""Yes.""Did you ever meet Mr. Collingwood?""No.""But if you never met Mr. Collingwood, how did he do that?"Rushton sighed. "Telephone, e-mail, fax ... I never knew where he was contacting me from.""Did this Mr. Collingwood arrange for Mrs. Brandon's finances?""Yes. She was left a considerable fortune by him.""Is he deceased?""Not that I am aware of, but my association with Mrs. Brandon is as her financial adviser. We do not have any social connections." "How did you become her financial adviser?""She contacted me. I chink she may have met one or two of my clients.""When was this?"He rocked in his chair. "About ten years ago.""You have handled her fortune since then?""That is correct.""Did she ever disclose where this money had come from?""She was given it. but that is really governed by client confidentiality.""So this very wealthy lady just contacts you?""Most of my clients have considerable wealth, some far more than Mrs. Brandon. She required my assistance in protecting her finances.""From what?""Taxes.""So when Mrs. Brandon contacted you she had what, this money in a bank account?""Yes, various accounts.""We would like access to these accounts." "They are dormant. I have, as I have already said, as Mrs. Brandon's financial adviser, ensured that her monies are in the most productive and beneficialaccounts. Added to that, her investments are substantial."Anna crossed her legs. "But didn't you ever inquire where these monies came from?""That is not my job. There did not appear to be anything illegal; I am obviously aware that is exacdy what you are trying to imply. All 1 know is Mrs. Brandon was left this fortune, I believe, by a Mr. Collingwood. As I have said, I did not meet him, but he did very early on make contact with me. He basically left everything to Julia and me to deal with.""You say you are not on social terms with Mrs. Brandon?""Yes, that is correct.""Then why did she contact you, before anyone else, to be with her at the mortuary to identify her husband, the late Mr. Frank Brandon?"He shrugged. "She appeared to be very dependent on you, and you were very protective of her.""Under the circumstances, that is understandable; her husband had just been murdered.""You also arranged a substantial life insurance policy for Mr. Brandon.""Yes," he hissed angrily."Why did you do that?""I also arrange her house insurance and pay her household bills, so therefore it would only be natural that she would approach me with regard to her husband. Again, this was all done in the proper manner, with medical tests, et cetera.""But why would she want her husband to have such a large life insurance policy?""It may appear to be a large amount to you, but it isn't. Her children also have life insurance policies, as does she.""Her children?""Mrs. Brandon travels a lot; they all have medical insurance. This really is a waste of my time. I truthfully cannot understand why you want to know about my client's insurance policies.""Because her husband was murdered.""And Mrs. Brandon had nothing whatsoever to do with that tragic event.""What is she afraid of?""I'm sorry?""I said, what is Mrs. Brandon afraid of?""I really couldn't say, but if her husband was murdered, perhaps she is fearful for herself and her daughters.""Mr. Brandon was working as a chauffeur when they met.""I believe so.""He was also acting as a bodyguard?""I believe so.""Why do you think she required a bodyguard?"Rushton sighed. "She has a lot of money, she has valuable jewelry, she is a careful lady and very protective of her family. In this day and age, I can't really see that it is unusual—far from it. The fact that Julia then married Mr. Brandon is her private business.""Not approved by you?""I never said that. I had only one meeting with him and he seemed a very pleasant man, very caring.""Did you meet her sister?" "No.""Her sister's husband. Professor Damien Nolan?""No—my relationship with Mrs. Brandon was, as I have stated, purely a business one.""Had she recently asked for any of her monies to be released?"For the first time, she saw a flicker of hesitation. "Mrs. Brandon's finances arc carefully constructed. To take out any lump sum—any large amount—would take time.""Did she ask for any large sums?"Again, there was hesitation. Eventually, he conceded that Julia had asked him to release some money. He explained that he had warned her that she would lose a considerable amount by withdrawing money from the companies."How much?"He was uneasy, loosening his tie. "I advised her not to do so."Anna had taken enough of the pompous man's attitude and she leaned forward. "Mr. Rushton. you know I can get this information and I could also get a warrant...""That won't be necessary," he said immediately. Picking up the phone, he asked for Mrs. Brandon's file to be brought in. He then went to a water fountain and poured himself a small cup of water.Anna could see he was sweating. One of the blondes she had seen pass in the reception area tapped and entered, carrying a file; she put it down on his desk.He waited until she had left before he opened it." As I said, I advised Mrs. Brandon against withdrawing any monies, particularly as I have spent many years building up her profile so she would live comfortably off her substantial investments."Anna waited as he sifted through the file and eventually withdrew two sheets of paper. He put on his glasses and read through the information. "Mrs. Brandon requested two substantial withdrawals. The first was nine months ago.""How much?""Four million."Anna sat back, stunned. "The next?" she asked quietly."Six months ago, she requested a further two million. I was unable to complete the transaction.""Why?""It was actually a mutual decision.""Did she say why she needed this amount of money?""No. she did not.""Didn't you ask her? It's a lot of money.""I obviously said that it was not advisable, as I have explained, and she then agreed with me."Anna leaned back in her chair, trying to calculate the time frame of when Julia married Frank Brandon. It added up: she was married to Frank around the time of the second request for money."So when she agreed not to go ahead with the next withdrawal, did she seem worried? I mean, are you saying she never explained to you why she would want so much money released? I presume it was cash?""Yes, cash, but she did not disclose to me why she needed the money. I don't recall her being worried, though.""Did she at any time say to you that the fortune she had when she came to you as a client was not actually hers?""No, of course not.""But would it be possible that the sums she had accrued did not actually belong to her, but were someone else's? That she may have just been looking after them?""She did not at any time give me reason to believe that her money was not left to her by her ex-partner. She simply said that it was to take care of her and her children." "But when she first came to see you, she did not have children!"She'd got him again; he loosened his tie as if it was throttling him. "It was obviously after her relationship with her partner had broken down and she was very distressed about it.""How much of Mrs. Brandon's money was in cash when she first approached you, Mr. Rushton?"He swallowed. After a beat, he said he recalled that there was a considerable amount in cash, but he could not recall the exact sum.By now, Anna had heard enough to gain a warrant for access to Julia Brandon's accounts and business dealings. Mr. Rushton knew he could be in a shedload of trouble; he was a very different man ushering her out. He was sweating and exceedingly nervous, repeating that he had never done anything illegal and if necessary he could prove it."I am sure you can, Mr. Rushton. Thank you so much for your time."Anna was buzzing as she collected her car from a meter a short distance away from Rushton's office. It was after eleven, but she decided she would drive straight to Julia Brandon's home in Wimbledon. Phil had spent two hours with the Drug Squad, sifting through all the known dealers arrested from the Chalk Farm area. They were mostly young kids. They had on record a previous bust of the squats over a year ago. Phil had to tread on eggshells as he questioned the squad about how the squat, even after a bust, was still active when the murder had occurred. He was told that they no sooner cleaned up a squat on the estate and boarded up the flat, than within weeks another group had set up dealing. The empty high-rise blocks earmarked for demolition were anathema to the squad. They thought that the area had been used by heavy dealers of heroin and cocaine, but they could not be certain.The flood of class-A drugs coming onto the streets was a constant nightmare. Phil asked if any of them had ever come into contact with, or knew, the infamous Alexander Fitzpatrick. He virtually got a repetition of his own feelings. The Drug Squad knew of Fitzpatrick, but queried why such a kingpin would bother with a smalltime drug squat. They doubted he would have been there, and doubted that he was even in the country. Rumor had it that Fifepatrick had upped his drug trafficking in the U.S. and was stashing millions, working with cartels in Colombia—that was, if he was still active. They doubted it: he was still on the USA's Most Wanted list. More than likely, Fitzpatrick was sunbathing on some glamorous yacht in Barbados. As he would be around sixty odd, he might have retired from the high life. They wondered if he was living in Spain, or even the Philippines. There had been no sighting of him for over twenty years. They also knew the man had numerous aliases, and more properties than even he could probably count. Phil left as they started swapping stories about the audacious Fitzpatrick. Although it was of some concern to the Drug Squad, it was generally agreed, with some resignation, that Fitzpatrick had got away with it. Julia Brandon was none too pleased to see Anna. She was just entering her house as Anna drew up. This was good, as it meant that Rushton might not have been able to contact her. She waited at her front door as Anna parked behind her Mercedes in her drive. Anna followed her inside and helped her carry some of the groceries. "Mai Ling is picking Emily and Kathy up for me, so I had to do the shopping." Julia dumped the bags down on the kitchen counter. "Do you want anything to drink?" "No, just a few minutes of your time." Julia walked past Anna back down the hall. Anna saw her lock the front door and switch on the alarm, before she returned to the kitchen. Anna also saw her checking the back door, and then she made herself a cup of mint tea. Julia carried her tea into the drawing room and gestured for Anna to sit down. "What is it now?""I want to clear up a few things.""They still haven't released Frank's body for his funeral.""I'm sorry.""Yeah, well, so am I." Her foot was twitching as she sat perched on a hard-backed chair.Anna opened her briefcase and took out her notebook. Julia was sipping her tea, but her foot kept on twitching. "I met your sister."Julia suddenly got up and put her tea down."I went to her farmhouse."Julia looked away. "We don't get along. I hardly ever see her. I think she is envious about the kids. She can't have any, so maybe that's why she's always so difficult.""I liked her.""Yes, everyone does."There was a pause as Anna searched for a pencil."Why did you go to see Honour?""Just making inquiries.""About Frank? She never met him.""I know, but I was there just to check over a few things.""Like what?""Did your partner own a boat?"Julia blinked and then nodded her head."Did you know the name of it?""No. I always get seasick on boats, so I only ever went on it once.""Where?""It was anchored in Cannes. His crew used to take it wherever he wanted it but, like I said, I get seasick, and with two small children, I don't like the risks.""Did your sister ever go on it?""No.""How about your brother-in-law?""Well, if Honour never went on it, I doubt Damien would; they're joined at the hip. It was he, you know, who made her change the way she spelled her name. It used to be just Honor, with no u in it, but then she started spelling it with one, as in 'honour thy husband' shit.""I saw a painting of a boat at her farmhouse."Julia shrugged."So I just wondered if perhaps they had been on the boat—maybe when you weren't around?""I doubt it.""But why paint a boat?" "I have no idea. She paints all sorts of things—cows, hens, sheep, fields .. .Why are you asking me about my sister?""Just checking out a few things.""Like what?""Really, it's connected to you. You see, we are trying to trace your ex-partner."Julia stood up. "Why?""Because it's part of our inquiry.""But he has nothing to do with Frank or me! I just don't understand.""Well, we don't understand quite a few things either,Julia.""This is ridiculous. My relationship was over years ago—not that I can see why it has anything to do with Frank.""Would he have been jealous?""Of what?""Your relationship with Frank.""I have told you, it was over many years ago. The last time you were here you were asking me about him. I explained then he left me, it broke my heart.""He left you very well provided for, though, didn't he?"Julia pressed her hands down her sides, as if smoothing her tight black skirt. "So what? That is my business.""But it could also have been Frank's; it could be a motive for his murder.""No way. They never met."Anna watched Julia as she picked up her cup. Her hands were shaking. "Why did you need to liquidate so much money?"The tea spilled as Julia spun around to face Anna. "What?""Why don't you sit down, Julia. I think you heard what I said, and I need some answers from you."Julia moved to sit on the arm of a large easy chair. "I have had a lot of extra expenses because of moving house. I'm shocked that David Rushton has spoken to you about it. It is of no concern to anyone else but myself. What I do with my money is my own business.""It was a lot of money and you wanted it in cash." "Yes, because it's still the best way to make deals.You'd be surprised what builders and decorators will accept, and then, of course, there are all the furnishings."Anna looked around the room. It was certainly beautifully furnished and the house was very elegant. For a brief moment, she even wondered if it could possibly be the truth. But four million and in cash? The property wasn't that sumptuous. "So that was what you needed the first withdrawal for. But what about the second?""Well, as it turned out, I didn't need it, so I didn't bother.""I don't believe you.""Really? Well, that's your problem.""Do you have one?""Do I have one what?""A problem. That is a great deal of money. Is someone putting pressure on you? Is that why you needed Frank Brandon to look after you?"Julia gave a nervous laugh. "I just can't believe what you are asking. No one is putting any pressure on me to do anything. I loved Frank; that is why we got married.""I think you are lying. I am trying to fathom out just why.""Well, do tell me what you fathom out, because I am bored and I really don't have the time to waste."The doorbell rang and Julia froze. It rang again twice. She hurried out of the room. The bell sounded again two times in rapid succession, as if it were some kind of a code. Anna heard her letting the children in with their au pair. The girls were rowdy and screeching as they were led to the kitchen for their lunch.Julia returned. "I feed them at home, as I like to monitor what they eat. Nursery food consists of chicken nuggets and french fries, or fish fingers and french fries, so if you don't mind, I'd like you to leave."Anna paid no attention but flicked over a page in her notebook. "Fifteen years ago, you had a small bank balance in an account in Oxford.""Jesus Christ, you people make me sick. Just what business is that of yours? My husband has been murdered and you appear to be incapable of finding out who did it to him. I have given you all the information possible. I have been at all times totally cooperative and willing to speak with you, but this is nothing more than harassment and I won't stand for it. I would like you to leave.""Do you have a forwarding address for your ex-partner Anthony Collingwood?""No, I don't. I told you I have not seen him since he left me.""Did the money belong to him?""He gave it to me.""In cash?""Some of it, yes, but mostly in properties and companies.""And you don't have any contact with him?""No, I have told you.""He must have been a very rich man.""He was, and very generous.""Do you have a photograph of him?""No, I do not. When he left, I tore everything up. He walked out on me.""Leaving you a fortune?""Yes," she hissed.Anna folded her notebook. "Could I see the pictures of your wedding to Frank Brandon?""No. I don't have them anymore.""Why not?""Because I destroyed them; they were too painful."Anna gave a soft laugh. "You really are an exceptional liar, Mrs. Brandon. I think you needed Frank to act as a bodyguard. Why you actually married him is confusing; maybe as some kind of extra protection? Because I think your ex-partner wants his money back! Is that true?" Julia's mouth was a thin tight line. "Please go away, just leave me alone." "If I am correct ..." "You are not!" "I will go, Mrs. Brandon, but I will keep on returning until I get to the truth.""You just try it. 1 am going to call my solicitor and make a formal complaint.You have no right to come to my home and make these accusations. The money I have is mine. No one is threatening me or trying to take it from me. I can look after myself.""Frank Brandon was murdered, working for you. Doesn't that frighten you?""It had nothing to do with me. I don't even know who he was working for.""For you, wasn't he? You benefited from his life insurance policy: that's half a million.""I also paid the premiums. I've already told you this, so we are now repeating ourselves."Anna took out her card and passed it to Julia. "If you want to talk to me, here's my direct line."Julia tapped the card against her teeth. "I don't think you will be hearing from me. Detective Travis."She stood in the hallway, hands on hips, waiting for Anna to join her. As they reached the front door, she pressed the security codes and unlocked the door.Anna looked at the lock. "You are certainly taking precautions.""I have to. 1 have spent so much of my money on the house, it's a precaution against burglary."Anna smiled and walked out. The door shut so fast behind her it almost clipped her briefcase. She heard the locks being put into place as she went to her car. Bleeping it open, she turned back to look at the house. She was certain Julia was lying. From Rushton she knew that Julia had needed a lot of money: four million. She got into her Mini, tossing her briefcase onto the passenger seat.She wondered if she was right—whether Julia's ex-partner needed money, or wanted some of his cash back. But if he was the kingpin drug dealer Alexander Fitzpatrick, surely he already had megamillions? If Anthony Collingwood was Fitzpatrick, which she was presuming, then he must have been in and out of England, forming a relationship with215Julia. Could he really have been that audacious? Or was she becoming, as Phil had implied, so preoccupied with her own theories that she was losing the plot?Her mobile rang: it was Gordon. "Can you talk?" he asked."Yes.""Okay, this has taken me all morning.""Fire away. 1 presume it's about the boat?""Talk about the ownership being submerged in so many different companies and shareholders.To sell a ship, you have to have a bill of sale. The bill of sale is in a special format and copies are available from the registry. Alexander Fitzpatrick's first big yacht was sold over twelve years ago to an Italian; the bill of sale was handed over to this guy. Carlo Simonetti. He was the sole owner, and the boat was anchored in Florida. There is a second boat, also from Florida and called Dare Devil, which was owned by five different people."Anna closed her eyes, wishing Gordon would get to the point."All five are names that had at one time been used by Alexander Fitzpatrick; his name is not on the registry. The boat cost a staggering fourteen million dollars. Joint owners are considered as one party—are you with me?""Yes, Gordon, I'm just about keeping up.""Okay—and this is the same boat—it has been divided up into twenty-two shareholders. A single shareholder could be at least five people. It's a plethora of names, which makes it very hard to trace.""Where's the boat now?""Well, this was a hard one; it was last docked in the UK at Southampton in 1997, and that took me over an hour to find out. It was also docked in Puerto Banus, Spain, in 1997. I'm still trying to find out more about any ports in the UK.""Who was on the boat—do you know?"Gordon huffed and puffed at the end of the phone. "Well, it was chartered—that is, rented out—and I'm still trying to find out the people who handled it.""Go for the crew and see if you can get anything from the Spanish authorities. They would have to have had passports.""I'm trying! It's taken me all morning to get this far and I have a feeling the boat might have been sold."Anna shut off the call. Gordon's tracking of the boat was yet another possible wild-goose chase but, at the same time, it could also mean that, in 1997, Alexander Fitzpatrick, using any one of his numerous identities, could have been in the UK. Anna started to back out from Julia's drive. She was forced to brake as a Mercedes-Benz drove up behind her.Simon Fagan got out and rapped on the window. "Detective Travis, I have already made a complaint regarding the surveillance vehicle positioned outside my client's premises—"Anna said that, as far as she knew, it was no longer present."But you are harassing my client. I want to know exactly why you are persistently questioning Mrs. Brandon and causing her great distress."Anna got out of the Mini to face him. "I have every right, Mr. Fagan. We are still investigating the murder of her husband and certain information has arisen that required me to reinterview Mrs. Brandon.""I'd very much like to know what this is.""Your client has withdrawn very large sums of money. My concern is that she may possibly have been blackmailed or, if not, this has some connection with the death of her husband."Fagan stepped back from the Mini and said aggressively, "If you wish to speak to Mrs. Brandon again, then you will do so in my presence, is that understood?"Anna shook her head, smiling. "It will then be a formal interview at the station. Mrs. Brandon may of course request you to accompany her."Fagan glared and returned to his Mercedes. He backed out into the road to allow Anna to drive past. His presence made Anna even more suspicious; she reckoned that Julia had put a call in to him as soon as she believed Anna had left. Fagan had certainly got to the property fast; she would have liked to have been a fly on the wall to overhear their conversation.Anna drove into Wimbledon village, parked in a pub car park, and went to get a coffee and a sandwich. Sitting outside, in front of the pub, she had only just taken a bite when she saw Simon Fagan s Mercedes pass, only a few feet from her. Julia Brandon was in the passenger seat, obviously crying: she had a handkerchief to her face, wiping her eyes. She had shown no emotion while being questioned by Anna, which made her wonder just what the woman had learned from Fagan that had upset her so much. Anna could see the silver Mercedes at the traffic lights. They were waiting as four horses and riders passed, heading toward Wimbledon Common.Anna grabbed her sandwich and, ramming the lid on her coffee, ran to her Mini. She drove out of the car park, turning right onto High Street; she could still see, four cars ahead, the Mercedes. She tailed them about a mile up the road before she saw they had turned left onto Old Windmill Lane. Still keeping her distance, afraid that Fagan would recognize her car, she drove slowly up the lane. The lane branched out into a large car park. Worried she would easily be seen, she quickly parked between two stationary cars, and used her wing mirror to look for Fagan's car.He was parked at the far side of the car park; both he and Julia remained inside the car. Heading into the car park, and passing Anna, was a navy-blue Range Rover. She could clearly see the two burly occupants looking around; then Fagan got out of his Mercedes and waved toward them.The Range Rover parked alongside Fagan's car. He bent inside to talk to Julia, as the two men got out of the Range Rover and joined him. Fagan was clearly introducing the two men, Julia leaning across the driver seat to acknowledge them. They wore cheap gray suits and ties; both were muscle-bound and looked like ex-army. Anna jotted down their license-plate number and then had to duck down as Fagan appeared to look directly toward her, but she was mistaken; instead he walked around to the passenger side and helped Julia get out. The two men shook her hand, and one guided her to the passenger seat of the Range Rover. She got in; the two men talked for a few more moments to Fagan, before they got back into the Range Rover. Fagan drove out, passing Anna, as did, shortly afterward, Julia and the two men in the Range Rover.Anna waited awhile before she left the car park and drove past Julia Brandon's house. The Range Rover was already parked outside. The men beside Julia took a covert look around before they stepped inside her house. Their presence confirmed to Anna that Julia might well have hired Frank, and now these two goons, for protection. The question was,from whom?Anna knew she was stepping on Phil Markham's toes but, before returning to the station, she decided to see if she could talk to someone from the Drug Squad. She needed to know more about Alexander Fitzpatrick, and she hoped they could help her. She was, yet again, certain that he was behind Julia Brandon's fear.