Chapter 7 – Further Questions

Patrick and Gemma finished their encore and mingled with the audience to sell CDs. As the square emptied and they began to pack up, Gemma looked over and her face fell when she caught sight of Jack and Florence approaching.

'Patrick…' she alerted her husband.

'Oh bollocks!' he cursed under his breath.

'Mr and Mrs Buchanan, may we have a word?' said Jack.

'What about now?' enquired Patrick, who continued to carefully place his guitar into its designer case.

'Some developments in the murder case…I must say, that's a very stylish guitar and case you have?!'

'Yes, gives the perfect sound' he replied business style.

'Must have cost quite a bit?'

'Well, when you're a professional, you know!'

'Whatever. Anyway, shall we sit over there?' Jack indicated one of the tables that had been set up for the audience that afternoon. Patrick and Gemma shrugged and they all went over.

'Well, I'll get to the point' began Jack. 'It has been brought to our attention that the two of you had words with Mrs Munro in Catherine's bar yesterday afternoon. And then, Mr Buchanan, you were heard having another exchange with her just after the concert'

'Yes, so?' queried Gemma.

'And that you were not exactly on the friendliest of terms?'

'Who told you that!' asked Patrick, raising his voice.

'It doesn't matter. It just seems suspicious that Mrs Munro was found dead shortly after an unpleasant discussion with yourself!'

'Oh for goodness sake, we were never really friends with her but that doesn't mean we would kill her. We had been drinking, and anyone who was around at the end of last night will tell you how wasted I was, not exactly sober enough to kill someone!'

'So what was it you were talking to Mrs Munro about?' enquired Florence, giving Patrick a stern, warning look, and also making eye contact with Gemma.

'A song both Heather and I liked to sing' Patrick answered. 'We have never agreed on its origin'

'Really? We were told that Mrs Munro seemed irritated by what you were saying. Why would that be the case? What is it about this song?'

'It's very popular in Scotland and Ireland. Both nations claim it as their own'

'Really, what song is it? I'm Irish in case you hadn't noticed!' exclaimed Jack.

'Um…The wind that shakes the barley. My Irish mum taught me it when I was little but Heather said the same about her Scottish father'

'Oh yes, I'm sure it's Irish, but I wouldn't fall out with someone who believed it was Scottish! And certainly not threaten them!'

'Threaten? Where on earth did you hear such a thing?'

'A witness advised us you were threatening Mrs Munro with consequences if she repeated something!'

'There must have been a misunderstanding. I was referring to the possibility of a court ordering researchers to investigate where the song really came from and one country losing the right to include it in their tradition'

'And why would that be such a bad thing?'

'Well, you're not out marketing the music of your nation!'

'True I guess. But there is one more thing' continued Jack. 'A witness tells us you were not sitting typing on your phone when you were alone in the hall, Mrs Buchanan. Lying to the police is a serious offence, you know. Care to tell us what you were really doing?'

'Um…well…you're right' admitted Gemma. 'I was trying to get a look at Heather's set list to find out whether she sang the song before we got there. So that we could put the crowds right on the origin when we did it today!'

'Why didn't you just ask somebody that was at the concert from the beginning?' asked Florence.

'I didn't think people from 'round here would know the song I was talking about'

'So, you didn't touch the CD player on the sound desk while you were up and about?' asked Jack.

'You will see when the forensic analysis comes back that I didn't!' Gemma stated firmly.

'OK, that is all for now. Thank you both for your time' Jack concluded. Patrick and Gemma got up and went back to their tidying-up without any further words to Jack or Florence. The two detectives moved to another table where the Buchanan's could not hear them.

'I don't know about you but I'm not convinced by their story' stated Jack.

'Me neither' agreed Florence.

'From what I know about traditional musicians, they do often have banter about issues like song origins, but that's usually all it is. Why on earth would it cause such tension between them?

'Yes, they often sing each other's songs as well, don't they?'

'Patrick did make one good point there, though. I do recall seeing him walking about quite drunk when I was leaving the centre with Siobhan. It would have been difficult to administer poison to someone in that state as you need to get the concentration right. I think it just about gives him an alibi!'

'Unless he administered it earlier in the evening before becoming drunk. But yes, I'm inclined to suspect his wife a bit more, but then again, they could both be involved'

'True. Let's get back to the station and see how Dwayne and J P have got on with the checks'

Having worked hard for two hours, Dwayne stretched and addressed J P

'You know, I think Darlene could be the singer!'

'Really? She sings?'

'I'm sure she can hold a tune…the audience would fall in love with her personality anyway!'

'Then you could be famous together!'

'That's just what I was thinking!'

At that instant the door opened. 'I hope that laughter means you've finished your task' smiled Jack.

'Oh yes, Chief. We've got everything we can get on the Buchanan's anyway' answered Dwayne, coming back down to earth.

'Good. What have you got?'

'Well, it looks like Patrick has been a bit of a naughty boy' Dwayne went on. 'He has had two charges of being drunk and disorderly, one for fighting, and furthermore he is wanted in St Lucia. So is his wife Gemma'

'What for?' asked Florence.

'It doesn't say, but it looks like they are not people to trust'

'Yes indeed, some countries don't disclose details of incomplete investigations' Jack confirmed. 'We'll have to call St Lucia'.

'Their joint account is very healthy' Dwayne went on 'They seem to be better off that you'd expect for touring musicians playing specialist music'

'Interesting' agreed Jack.

'There is something else very strange though' continued J P'. 'I looked up George Lambert but the passport does not appear to be genuine. Did you say he arrived in Sainte Marie on Saturday afternoon with the victim?'

'Yes, that's right, confirmed Jack.

'Well, I also checked the passenger list for the flight that came in from Paris on Saturday but there is nobody by that name listed. I checked every other flight too and nothing'

'So it looks like this young man may not be who he says he is then?' said Florence.

'I think we'll need to have another chat with him' agreed Jack. 'I think he said he'd be at Catherine's at some point today but we can check at the hostel on the way. Anything else before we go?'

'Not really' said Dwayne. 'There is not much on Claire Rostant, no record, identity checks out, nothing unusual in her graduate account'

'Herve Picard has no recent convictions either' continued J P, 'just theft of a vehicle thirty-five years ago when he was young and stupid, and a speeding fine in two thousand and five. Nothing obvious financially'.

'OK, good work gentlemen. You can write up what you have and call it a night. Florence and I will finish up at the hostel and possibly Catherine's' said Jack.

'Oh great, sir. I was hoping to take Darlene out for dinner' smiled Dwayne.

'Well, enjoy but be here bright and early in the morning. Goodnight'

'Goodnight Chief'

'Did you solve the case already?' enquired Catherine when she saw Jack and Florence coming in.

'No not yet. This is not a social visit' explained Jack. 'Has George Lambert been in today, you know the young man that was here with Heather Munro yesterday?'

'No he hasn't but Siobhan said he planned to come in'

'OK. Can I talk to my daughter for a minute please?'

'Yes, sure, Siobhan!' Catherine called and Siobhan quickly appeared from the kitchen.

'Hi dad!' she smiled.

'I'll get Florence here a drink while you have a break and sit down over there with your dad' Catherine indicated an isolated table at the far side of the bar.

'What's wrong?' Siobhan looked worried as she sat down'

'Have you heard from George today?' he asked her.

'No, why?'

'Well, I can't say too much, but please promise me you won't go anywhere alone with him?'

'Why not?...you don't think he killed the singer do you?!'

'No, well, I don't know who did it, but listen, people are not always what they appear to be and I would worry about you getting too friendly with him'

'Dad, I talked to him a lot yesterday and he was nothing but kind and gentleman-like!'

'What did he talk to you about?'

'Just about the family history he is researching, places he has travelled to, the TV programmes and music he likes…'

'Where did he say he had been?'

'All over France, Spain and Italy…and oh yes, St Lucia'

'St Lucia?'

'Yes, it sounded like he had spent a lot of time there. He knew Sainte-Marie well too considering he hadn't been here for so long'

'Interesting. And did you hear any of his conversation with Heather when they were eating together?'

'Bits and pieces. Catherine gave them both her 'special curry' and they were both good sports when they inevitably choked on it!' Jack smiled as he thought of the time he was given the curry. 'I didn't go to their table again until Heather was leaving. George wished her well with the gig and they parted on friendly terms'

'OK Siobhan, I'll let you get back to work, but please promise me you won't go off anywhere with George until this case is solved?'

'Well, OK but I don't believe he could have done it'

'Well take care and work hard for Catherine and I'll see you when you come home later'

'Bye dad' Siobhan hung her head as she headed back to the bar.

In the meantime Florence had been talking to Catherine about her dealings with the victim and the suspects.

'Did you hear anything significant in any of the conversations Heather had with either George Lambert or Mr and Mrs Buchanan at the bar?'

'Well, the Scottish couple bumped into Heather as they were leaving the bar. They said they were friends but I wasn't sure I believed them as Mrs Buchanan seemed to be exaggerating her friendliness, if you know what I mean, and Heather didn't exactly seem happy to see them. They seemed a bit competitive'

'What do you mean?'

'Mrs Buchanan said she and her husband had been well received in the Caribbean, almost braggingly, and Heather said the same. That was about it – they left after that. George, well he seemed decent, but I would have to say rather nervous and distracted'

'Really? How?'

'Well he kept looking around him as if he was afraid of seeing someone. And when the Scottish couple left he kept looking after them'

'That's interesting! Did they appear to know each other?'

'Well George seemed to be very interested in the Buchanans but they didn't seem to notice him at all'

'OK'

'And you know what? I don't know if this is significant but I…I almost felt as if I knew George from somewhere. He reminded me of someone but I can't think who!'

'That's interesting. You're not the first person to have said that!'

'Really?'

'Yes. And when you took Heather over to the community centre, did you notice anything unusual over there? Did Herve Picard or the barmaid Claire appear to know her or did they do or say anything out of the ordinary?'

'Not really. The only thing that seemed unusual was that Herve was at the community centre so early. He usually just gets there about an hour before a performance starts. The bar is not normally open at the time I went over either'

'OK, that you Catherine. You have been very helpful'

'No problem Florence, you know I am always happy to help the police'

At that point Jack re-joined them 'Well, that's your assistant back Catherine, thank you again'

'No problem. Can I get you another drink?' Catherine asked.

'Yes, one tonic water and whatever Florence would like' He then turned to his partner 'and since it is so late would you like to have something to eat here or do you have plans?'

'No I wasn't doing anything, so why not?' Florence agreed. 'I'll have your fish stew and a diet coke, Catherine'

'Do you have any of that roast beef left that you were serving at dinner time?' Jack enquired.

'For you, yes' Catherine smiled. 'Shall I bring your order to the table you were at with Siobhan?'

'Yes please'

Fifteen minutes later, Jack and Florence had shared what they had learned from Siobhan and Catherine and were tucking into their meals.

'That's very interesting about George having been in St Lucia' Florence remarked after swallowing a mouthful of her fish stew. 'Do you think he is somehow involved with the Buchanans? It would explain why he seemed so interested in what they were doing?'

'I don't know. It could certainly be a clue as to where he might have really come from yesterday, and also why he stayed on at the community centre after Siobhan and I left' said Jack before taking a sip of his tonic water. 'And I can't believe Catherine said the same as Dwayne about thinking she recognised him! There must be something in that!'

'I suppose we will need to pay Herve another visit at the community centre to ask about this unusual early opening?'

'Yes, definitely. I don't think they have anything on there tonight so it will be closed, but we will go round there in the morning. We'll have to try the hostel one more time to see if George has returned, and if not we'll get Dwayne and J P to do a stakeout all day tomorrow, and all night if necessary!'

'I'm sure they'll be chuffed with that plan, especially Dwayne!'

'Yes, well, needs must!' they both laughed.

'Shall I get the bill?'

'No don't worry I will. And I'll speak to the Commissioner about getting this on expenses anyway since we were here late on business'

'Have you had a chance to get to know our beloved Selwyn better since the award ceremony?'

'Goodness, no! I asked him if he would like company at the Sainte-Marie – Guadeloupe cricket match last Sunday but he said he'd be busy writing up match statistics!'

'Oh well, at least you tried!'

They chuckled and stood up to leave.