Research by Philip Kerr Read Free Book Online Page B

dogs?’
    ‘If she was going to kill herself she might have reasoned that John wasn’t likely to care for them himself. I’ve already told you about those dogs; he was none too fond.’
    ‘And the sleeping pill? How do you explain that?’
    ‘She takes a pill out of habit
before
she decided to do it. And maybe she shoots herself in bed in order to embarrass her husband. To put him in a tight spot, if you like.’
    ‘For what reason?’
    ‘John would have given her plenty of reasons. Other women, perhaps. He was always a bit of a pussy-hound.’
    Savigny frowned and spoke in French to Amalric, who provided what I presumed was the translation; my French isn’t bad but the Chief Inspector was too quick for me.
    Savigny smiled. ‘It’s an interesting theory but for one thing: the gun is missing.’
    ‘I see. But that still doesn’t rule out suicide. Not entirely. How about this, for example? John takes the gun when he finds out that Orla has killed herself. He takes it because it’s his gun. Or at least one he’d purchased. I’m not sure if heowned a Walther 22, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised. He owned quite a few weapons.’
    Amalric nodded. ‘Yes, he owned a Walther 22.’
    ‘Anyway, he leaves Monaco because he recognizes that he’s in a tight spot and takes the gun with him so that there’s less evidence against him other than the mere fact of his flight.’ I shrugged. ‘Tosses it into the sea from the car window as he drives along the Croisette.’
    ‘I can see how it is that you are a writer, Monsieur Irvine,’ said Amalric.
    ‘I have my moments. But to be honest plotting is not my strong suit. That was John’s particular forte.’ I finished my champagne and sat back on my chair. ‘Or how about this? Someone else killed her while John was asleep. They didn’t always share the same bed. Sometimes he slept alone. So maybe John wakes up after hearing the shots – although the shots from a 22 aren’t so very loud. And it’s a big apartment. He gets up. Finds her dead. Reasons that he’s the most obvious suspect, panics and decides to take off. Can’t say I blame him. Because in spite of all I’m saying I admit the case against him is strong.’ I shrugged. ‘But you know, from what he had told me they’d had some problems with the CCTV in that building, so it’s going to be hard to prove he didn’t go straight out again after they came home from Joël Robuchon.’
    ‘Not problems. Issues. The residents of the Tour Odéon objected to their being filmed. They felt that the use of CCTV in that building invaded their privacy and so the system was switched off a while ago everywhere but the garage. Many of the other residents had bodyguards, of course, some of whom also lived in the tower. Others like Monsieur Houston made do with the security on the front desk.’
    ‘Isn’t that convenient for whoever shot Orla Houston? Doubtless her murderer was aware of this, too.’
    ‘This is typical of people who live in Monaco, of course. They are very private people.’
    ‘Those are the ones who usually have something to hide,’ I said.
    ‘Yes. You’re right. And without them I would be out of a job.’
    I shrugged. ‘And that’s it? This is all you have?’
    Amalric smiled sheepishly. ‘There were other forensics, which I can’t go into right now. But it’s already quite a lot, don’t you think? A murdered wife. A missing husband. It’s only in books that one can afford to ignore the convenience of such an obvious suspect as Monsieur Houston. And until we find him we have to go about building a picture of their marriage and what might have made him kill her. That’s fair, surely?’
    ‘Which is why we’re here in London,’ said Savigny, tucking into his scallop starter.
    ‘
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
, with better cars,’ I said. ‘That’s a picture of their marriage.’ I shrugged. ‘At least it’s the only one I ever saw. I don’t know what else I can tell you