Jack in the Box by Hania Allen Read Free Book Online Page B

were attacked in the early hours, but not over when Gilly and Charlo were killed. As DCI Harrower assumed the same Mr X was responsible for all the attacks, he concluded it couldn’t be a cast member, as no-one could leave the Garrimont, pick up Gilly and Charlo, have sex, attack them and then get back in time for curtain call.’
    ‘That’s fine as far as it goes,’ she said impatiently, ‘but what about the interval? Do we know when it was and how long?’
    ‘We don’t, but how long are intervals? Half an hour, tops. Yet look where Jimmy Porteous’s house is. South of the river. Charlo died between 10.00pm and 11.00pm. The play would have been into its second half by then.’
    ‘Too many ifs, buts, and maybes. We need to get a handle on the timings. Let’s see if we can track down a programme from 1985.’ She examined the map. ‘What about the director? Is he around once the play starts?’
    ‘I’ve got Max Quincey’s statement,’ Zoë said, leafing through her file. She handed Von a sheet. ‘He claimed he always stood inthe wings throughout performances. Problem is that the stage manager and staff said they were so used to his presence they could neither confirm nor deny it. It didn’t help that they were interviewed several days after the first two murders.’
    ‘And the two late attacks? Manny’s and Liam’s? Did Quincey have an alibi?’
    ‘He claimed he was alone in his digs. You’ll note, ma’am,’ Zoë added wryly, ‘that in 1985 he lodged with Mrs Deacon.’
    ‘Did he indeed? She told us the first time she saw Quincey was two weeks ago.’
    Larry was playing with his mouse mat, a slight frown on his face. ‘You’ve been unusually quiet,’ Von said to him. ‘What’s your take on this?’
    He cleared his throat as though he’d been caught napping. ‘Max Quincey was arrested but not charged.’ He tossed the mat aside. ‘Maybe the fact he was a suspect was enough to seal his fate. Maybe Quincey was murdered out of revenge by someone who thought he’d killed the rent boys.’
    Von smiled encouragingly. He was thinking along the right lines, searching for a motive. ‘You’re saying the co-incidence of the play’s return could be nothing more than the co-incidence of Max Quincey’s return?’ she said.
    ‘Quincey’s arrest in 1985 was widely covered. Everyone knew he was the prime suspect.’
    ‘But who knew he was returning to London this month?’ Zoë said quietly.
    ‘His brother,’ said Von. ‘And everyone who attended the National Gallery reception last Saturday.’
    ‘The posters advertising Jack in the Box are all over the underground,’ someone chipped in. ‘It’s billed as “The Play Of The Year 2000”. Quincey’s name is everywhere.’
    Steve rubbed his face. ‘I don’t get it. Who would want to revenge themselves on a group of rent boys?’
    ‘And why?’ Von said. ‘It’s a possible motive, though, and we can’t afford to ignore it.’ She paced the floor. ‘Right, find out what you can about the boys. Start at the Iron Duke. Show photos of them, Quincey as well. There might be someone still there from 1985. While you’re in Soho, double-check the CCTV. I can’t believe there’s none in that area.’ She stared at the photographs of the rent boys, pinned up on the incident wall. ‘Manny Newman is still alive. Find out where he’s living. Okay, there’s more to be squeezed from the old case, but that’s it for tonight. Before you leave, I need to tell you there’s a press conference first thing tomorrow.’
    There were groans from every part of the room. Zoë caught her eye. ‘Ma’am, after this story leaks, there’ll be no end of crank calls.’
    ‘It can’t be helped. Draft in more clerical to deal with them.’
    The detectives left, some singly, most in groups. Their excited voices reached her from the hall. They’d be off to a pub to talk over the case, and possibly her handling of it. She smiled. It was how she’d behaved as a junior