In Search of Murder--An Inspector Alvarez Mallorcan Mystery (7 page)

Rosalía sat. ‘I can't spend any time here.'

‘I want—' Alvarez began.

‘And needn't expect to get.'

‘Tell me about the marriage.'

‘Whose?'

‘If you're determined to be un-cooperative, we'll have to go down to the station.'

‘I'll be so frightened, I'll do whatever you ask?'

‘How frequent were the rows between the señor and señora?'

‘How long is a piece of string?'

‘Carry on like this and I'll have to arrest you for trying to pervert the course of justice.'

‘Perversion attracts you?'

‘How long had they slept in different beds?'

‘You're fascinated by other people's sex lives?'

‘It's a simple question.'

‘Not made for a simple reason.'

‘Have you remembered the names of some of the women he entertained?'

‘Not having heard names, I can't remember them.'

‘Some were married?'

‘As I've said previously.'

‘You can remember that much? How can you be certain they were?'

‘They didn't take off their rings or had a circle of white around the third finger.'

‘And some of them were English?'

‘You can believe a married Spanish woman would behave so openly?'

‘Why do you think so many women came here?'

‘You need it explained?'

‘He doesn't seem to have had a charming manner.'

‘He had the charm of wealth. He could have been ninety and the women would still have been along. I've a niece who works in a jeweller in Inca. She mentioned an Englishman who frequently came into the shop and chose a necklace, ring, or bracelet which looked more expensive than it was. It turned out he was Señor Picare.'

‘If they received jewellery, they were little more than putas.'

‘Are you trying to sound shocked? He wasn't paying them, he was giving them gifts for the pleasure they had given him.'

‘You mentioned the señor was friendly to you.'

‘Did I?'

‘How friendly?'

‘He'd have a chat in his impossible Castilliano.'

‘You've said he often nipped your bum in the morning. Was that friendliness?'

‘What else?'

‘Depends where else he nipped.'

‘You can't lift your mind off the subject.'

‘He tried to get too friendly with Marta.'

‘You're quite old so will know youth can become irresistible to you.'

‘I'm not old.'

‘It's your looks and manner which makes you seem so? But perhaps that does not need to trouble you too much. The word “inspector” makes women uneasy, yet willing because they like to be slightly in awe of a man.'

‘I doubt you've ever been in awe of any man. How angry would the señora have been when she learned about the señor's entertaining habits when she wasn't at home?'

‘How often are you going to ask the same question?'

‘Until I get a straight answer.'

‘She's not someone who'd make a spectacle of herself by anger.'

‘Carolina would disagree. Did he ever try to become too friendly with you?'

‘I haven't made you understand that if he'd tried anything, I'd have told him what I thought and then quit the job. Why d'you go on and on asking?'

‘Because of the possibility his drowning wasn't accidental.'

‘I still don't believe that.'

‘Someone may have pulled him under the water.'

‘When the water wasn't a metre sixty even at the deep end?'

‘Done suddenly and unexpectedly, he'd have lost his balance.'

‘He would have kicked himself free and stood up.'

‘He could have been dead within seconds of his head being dragged under the water because of an automatic bodily response.'

‘You believe he was murdered?'

‘Trying to find out if he was.'

‘The thought makes me … I need a drink.'

‘To prevent you drinking on your own, I'd welcome a coñac with ice.'

She left the room, soon returned with two glasses, one of which she handed to him before she sat.

‘You've said the señor entertained widely.'

‘He was the last man to behave like a monk.'

‘You've told me you don't know any of their names. By now, perhaps you have been able to recollect one or two?'

‘If I could, I wouldn't tell you what those names are.'

‘Why not?'

‘Let the husbands keep their self-respect.'

‘He'll know nothing unless she admits the affair to him.'

‘And after you turn up and question her about the señor, he won't be suspicious?'

‘I'll make him understand the reason is a totally different matter and then insist on speaking to her on our own.'

‘Your lips may lie, but your eyes don't.'

‘Eyes can't speak.'

‘When you look at me, what they say makes me blush.'

‘Very unlikely.'

‘Names?'

‘And if I refuse to answer, will you seize me and threaten me with dishonour if I remain dumb?'

‘I would never consider such a thing,'

‘It might be exciting for both of us.'

‘You can find your excitement some other way.'

‘Suggest one.'

‘The names?'

‘I'll have to whisper them.'

‘Why? Who else is here but Marta?'

‘She's at home.'

‘Then you can shout, not whisper.'

‘Despite that look in your eyes, I've been mistaken?'

He said nothing.

‘Deborah Crane; Giselle Dunkling.'

‘Carry on.'

‘That's all.'

‘I don't believe that.'

‘You're being cruel. I can't think of any other names now, but I'll try and try and the next time you come here, perhaps I'll be able to tell you more.'

‘Where do those two live?'

‘I don't know, but Giselle probably locally. The señor collected her and drove her back and was never away for long.'

‘And Deborah?'

‘He was away much longer.'

‘The señor wasn't worried about your seeing them?'

‘He used to say the woman was a cousin, here on holiday. It seems the English would rather be thought fools than immoral.'

‘Over-developed consciences.'

‘You've heard there are such things?'

‘What's that supposed to mean?'

‘I'd whisper the answer, but you're so determined to keep away from me.' She stood. ‘I want another drink. Would you like another coñac or is there something else you'd prefer? Your eyes tell me there is, but I'm a good girl.'

There was a knock on the door. ‘Yes?' she said.

Marta entered, spoke nervously. ‘I think I heard the señora call out.'

‘I'll go and find out if she needs something. The inspector is thirsty, so show him where the drinks are.' She left.

‘How are you now?' he asked Marta.

‘All right,' she listlessly answered. Then said shrilly, ‘He died because of me!'

‘You weren't in any way responsible for what happened.'

‘If I'd … but I … couldn't.'

‘You must understand that what happened was no fault of yours, that you had no responsibility whatsoever. You should be proud, not troubled, that you had the good sense, the character, not to give in to his ugly suggestions.'

She briefly looked at him, then back down at the floor. ‘Do … do you mean that?'

‘I have never spoken more truly.'

She turned suddenly and hurried out. He hoped he had managed to afford her some emotional relief.

Rosalía returned. ‘The señora must have cried out in her sleep. Your glass is empty again. You are very thirsty?'

‘I didn't refill it.'

‘Marta didn't show you where to go?'

‘I didn't ask her to. I've been trying to convince her she was in no way responsible for the señor's death by refusing his advances.'

‘She's so very naive. I'll get the drinks and whilst I'm up, is there anything else you'd like?'

‘What are the options?'

‘Vinegar and salt crisps or Dutch cheese crunchies.'

S
lightly breathless, despite having climbed the stairs slowly, Alvarez sat at his desk. As if by pressure contact, the phone rang.

‘You have managed to reach the office this morning after being delayed by many problems?' Ángela Torres asked. ‘Or perhaps you have been too busy to answer on the two previous occasions I have tried to phone you?'

‘I was delayed by questioning witnesses in the Picare case, señorita.'

‘The superior chief will speak to you.'

That she was not married was no cause for surprise. Only a man with masochistic tendencies would have ever considered the possibility.

‘Alvarez,' Salas said sharply. ‘Why have you not reported the result of your questioning of Señor Russell?'

‘I haven't yet had the chance to speak to him.'

‘You consider his evidence to be of no account?'

‘On the contrary, señor. I decided it was best first to speak to Rosalía who is the cook at Vista Bonita.'

‘You consider it necessary constantly to remind me who she is?'

‘On a previous occasion, you have blamed me for not identifying the persons concerned.'

‘With reason.'

‘I have questioned Carolina Pellisa.'

‘You have made no reference to her before. You expect me to know who she is by divination?'

‘The daily who works at Vista Bonita.'

‘Identify someone before you talk about him or her.'

‘But you've so often …' He stopped. A mouse did not argue with a cat for long.

‘What has she told you?'

‘There are two versions regarding the state of the Picares' marriage. Carolina's impression was that it had settled down into the usual rut.'

‘What do you mean by that?'

‘A couple quieten down over the years and prefer to watch television rather than have fun.'

‘I believe you are not married.'

‘No, señor.'

‘Leave to others judgment on the behaviour of those who are.'

Rumour said the Salas' marriage was far from vibrant. ‘Rosalía suggests that at first the marriage was normal but then it deteriorated and arguments were frequent and at times so fierce that violence seemed likely.'

‘How do you reconcile the two descriptions?'

‘At the moment, I find that difficult.'

‘You will determine which is accurate.'

‘It may be rather difficult …'

‘Were I to record the number of times you have said that, I might well run out of numbers. You will also question, as you should have done at the beginning, Señor Russell.'

Hotel Tamit had no claim to stars. It was two roads back from the sea front and would not please those who sought luxury in the bedroom, the public rooms, or
Pilotes amb safrà
with a bottle of Vega Sicilia in the dining room.

Alvarez spoke to the receptionist who sat behind a semi-circular counter desk. ‘Señor Russell? I think I saw him go out so he may be on the beach.'

‘Can you suggest whereabouts he might have gone?'

‘It's a long beach.'

He knew that. It could take a long time to find the man. ‘When's lunch served here?'

‘Half past one.'

To wait for Russell to return for a meal would avoid having to search amongst tens of dozens of sunbathers and swimmers and he might not return home in time for his lunch. The thought of missing the meal was too unwelcome to consider. Dolores might be cooking
Llengua de xot amb salsa
, not only one of his favourites, but of Jaime's and the children's. He would be left an inadequate portion for his return. ‘I'll try to contact him another time.'

‘If it helps, he often eats at Café Mar along the beach. Do you know him?'

‘Not by sight.'

‘Red, curly hair. You can't mistake him.'

Ignoring the prohibition of vehicles along the front road, he drove a few hundred metres along it, passing the large houses once owned by the wealthy from Palma who had spent much of the summers in them. The beach café had expanded from its makeshift beginning and now served simple meals at tables on the sand, each shaded by a sun umbrella. He heard Russell before identifying him; a booming laugh guided his gaze to a red-headed, bare-chested man, wearing multi-coloured swimming trunks, who sat opposite a blonde, younger than he, who wore a bikini which would not survive even a mild trimming.

He walked across the sand, which became caught up in his sandals, irritated his toes and him.

Russell had raised his glass when he noticed Alvarez approach. He lowered it.

‘Señor Russell?'

He put the glass down. ‘That's me.'

‘Inspector Alvarez, Cuerpo General de Policia.'

‘How's that?'

‘A detective,' said his companion.

‘Oh … Why?'

‘I need to learn if you can in any way help me with regard to the unfortunate death of Señor Picare?'

‘It was a hell of a shock to learn what had happened, but I—'

She interrupted him. She stood. ‘I'll leave you two on your own.'

‘No need to move,' Russell hastily said.

‘I need to freshen up. See you at our table in the dining room.'

They watched her until she became lost amongst other people.

‘You … you think I can help?' Russell asked uneasily.

‘You may enable me to understand better the circumstances of what happened. Had you known Señor Picare for long?'

‘Several years ago; from time back in England. I went into the local pub and he was sitting at the bar and talking to Cecily inbetween her serving drinks.'

‘You became friendly with them?'