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“Apparently, something happened, because their records show that we canceled the appointment for them to come out and look at the car. They never drew up a policy. The last time it was insured was before World War Two.”
“That’s not the worst of it,” she said, drawing him toward the station. “They’re charging him with murder.”
15
Oliver stared at his sister for several long seconds before turning to Sam and Remi. “If you’ll please excuse me, I need to find out what’s going on.”
“Like I said, maybe we should go with you,” Sam said. “Just in case.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Allegra asked.
“My friends,” Oliver said. “Sam and Remi Fargo. They’re guests at Payton Manor.”
Her brows went up a fraction. “Not exactly the place to drag guests, Oliver. Is there even any furniture left?” She smiled at them. “Pleased, I’m sure. But if you’ll excuse us, this is a family matter, and we need to arrange for a solicitor.”
“Actually,” Sam said, “we are family.”
“His mother and Uncle Albert are cousins,” Oliver said. “He’s Cousin Eunice’s son.”
“It’s possible we can help,” Sam added, “if you can tell us what happened.”
She crossed her arms, her expression turning dark. “He’s in jail. Arrested early this morning for murder. I’m not sure what else to tell you.”
Oliver’s face turned pale.
“Did the police say who he was suspected of killing?” Sam asked. “Or where it happened?”
“It was a warehouse fire, and the man who died was a security guard.”
“A security guard? Murdered?” Remi asked.
She nodded. “The firefighters found the body after they put out the blaze. They say he was one of the security guards from the London Motor Show.”
Sam looked at Remi, who was doing an admirable job of appearing very neutral. Probably she was thinking the same thing he was, that the man killed was someone involved in helping to get the car out of the showroom during the false fire alarm. “And your uncle?” Sam asked. “Where was he when all this happened?”
“That’s just it, I don’t know. He says he has no memory of anything but driving off in the Gray Ghost.”
Oliver stared in shock. Finally, he shook himself, saying, “Uncle Albert can’t remember what he had for breakfast on a good day. How would he remember that?”
“I have no idea. The police are preparing search warrants for his properties now.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Oliver said. “Why on earth would he be murdering a security guard? Especially for a car he already owns.”
“They’re saying he did it for insurance,” Allegra said.
“For the last time, the blasted car has no insurance.”
“He didn’t know that, did he?”
“I have no idea. Even so, that’s a far cry from murder.”
“Where was this warehouse?” Sam asked. “London?”
“No. Here in Manchester. On Alberg Street.”
Oliver suddenly looked sick. “Our warehouse?”
“Uncle Albert’s warehouse, yes. They’re saying that he killed the security guard and set the fire as a distraction to steal the car.”