Jack in the Box by Hania Allen Read Free Book Online

but she didn’t intend to be the one to break it.
    ‘You see, Yvonne, my brother was experimenting. That’s what he told me, and I believed him.’
    ‘What happened after he left Cambridge?’
    ‘He married shortly after he took his MA. But it didn’t last.’ A vein pulsed in his temple. ‘His wife discovered him in bed with their neighbour’s teenage son.’
    ‘And did your brother come out?’ she said, after a pause.
    ‘If you mean did he broadcast his homosexuality, then the answer’s no. But nor did he hide it. After his divorce, I saw even less of him. Until a few weeks ago, when he rang me out of the blue and told me he’d be coming back to London to direct his play.’
    ‘What was your reaction?’
    ‘Hard to say. In an odd way, I was proud of him.’ A wistful expression came into his eyes. ‘He was, after all, leading exactly the sort of life he’d always wanted, doing what he loved.’
    ‘Were you envious?’
    The expression vanished. ‘Of course not,’ he said, contempt in his voice.
    ‘We’ve not been able to establish a permanent address for your brother. Did he own a house?’
    ‘He had nothing material. No house. No car. He lived out of a suitcase.’
    She thought of the Chief Super’s London flat, with its silk wallpaper and French furniture. The two men couldn’t have been more different.
    ‘Can you tell me anything about his friends, sir?’
    ‘I don’t know who they were. As I said, I rarely visited him at Sydney. When I did, he took care to, how shall I put it, shield me from them. Nor can I tell you who his current friends are.’ He corrected himself. ‘Were.’
    ‘Have you any idea who might have wanted to kill him?’
    ‘None.’
    She wondered how far to go, but the Chief Super would have read the old case file. ‘Sir, are you aware that your brother was DCI Harrower’s prime suspect for the Jack in the Box murders?’
    ‘Only because Harrower thought he was gay, Yvonne. Tom Harrower was looking for a gay man because the victims were all male prostitutes, and the only survivor admitted to having sex with his attacker. But he found no material evidence it was my brother.’ He dismissed the idea with a shrug. ‘London is full of gays.’
    ‘So why did he single out your brother?’
    ‘It was the play. The dolls were the link to the play, and from there to my brother. Not only were the dolls left behind at the crime scenes, the period of the killings coincided almost exactly with the play’s run. Read the file. It’s all there.’ He ran a hand over his eyes. ‘I’m not convinced of my brother’s homosexuality, Yvonne. He liked women.’
    She was tempted to point out that even homosexuals have female friends, but she’d get nothing useful if she antagonised him. ‘Were you involved in the investigation?’ she said.
    ‘Good God, no. Conflict of interest.’
    She hesitated. But she’d have to ask, he’d be expecting the question. ‘Could your brother have murdered those boys?’
    ‘My brother was not a killer, Yvonne.’
    Jesus, if I could only have a pound for every time I’ve heard that . She closed the notebook. ‘Thank you, sir. If you can think of anything else that’s relevant, please let me know.’
    ‘There’s one question you haven’t asked.’
    She looked into the slack face with its deep-set eyes. ‘Where were you on the evening of Tuesday, September 12th?’ she said.
    The answer came back quickly. ‘At my club, Boodle’s.’
    ‘Thank you.’ She got to her feet. ‘Sir, the press—’
    ‘I’ll handle the press.’ He inclined his head. ‘In consultationwith you, of course. I’ve arranged a conference for first thing tomorrow. Please be there.’
    She was about to suggest there might be a conflict of interest, but his expression silenced her.

    Von paused in the corridor, glancing at her watch. 4.45pm. Not worth calling Kenny. He’d understand, being late was an occupational hazard for both of them. And Steve would have brought