Page 106 of Marble Hall Murders

‘Roland—’

‘You should never have got involved with my family. Just piss off out of here.’ He pushed me out, slamming the door behind me. Quite honestly, I was glad to leave.

New Evidence

‘Elaine? It’s Susan …’

‘Susan? Oh my God! Where are you? Are you OK?’

‘I’m at home …’

‘I can’t believe what’s happening. I can’t believe any of it. Eliot’s dead! And the family … they’re all blaming you.’

‘They’re horrible, Elaine. All of them. When they’re not at each other’s throats, they’ll bring down anyone who gets in their way.’

‘But it’s not just them. The police were here. They were asking me questions about you.’

‘What questions?’

‘They wanted to know about you and Eliot. They know all about the party, of course. But they’re also saying that the two of you had an argument at that club of his. Boon’s. They asked me about the dinner you had here.’

‘What did you tell them?’

‘I didn’t want to tell them anything, but of course I couldn’t deny that we were all here together. I said you and Eliot weregetting on fine, that you were helping him with his book and couldn’t have been more supportive.’

‘Thanks for that. You heard Eliot fire me at the party?’

‘He was drunk. He didn’t know what he was saying. But they think that may be the reason why …’

‘I killed him?’

‘It’s ridiculous, Susan. I told them that. I’ve never heard anything so stupid.’

‘I told them – I wasn’t even driving that night. Did you see Detective Inspector Blakeney?’

‘There were two of them. He had a nasty, smirking girl with him.’

‘DC Wardlaw.’

‘I’d watch out for her. She’s really got it in for you.’

‘Elaine – did you talk to Eliot at the party? Were you there when he left?’

‘I spoke to him very briefly. I asked him about Gillian.’

‘You know who it is she’s been seeing. The father of her child …’

‘I think I do know. Yes.’

‘Roland.’

‘That’s what I thought.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Because I didn’t know for sure, Susan. I only suspected. I’m sorry – but I couldn’t come out with an accusation like that when I only had my feelings to go on. There was no proof.’

‘Elaine, I’ve got a favour to ask you.’