The Secret of Annexe 3

From the doorway Sergeant Phillips, who had never previously been present at such an interrogation, watched events with a touch of embarrassment. The prolonged period of silence seemed (as Phillips saw things) particularly to affect Wilkins, whose hands twice twitched at his hip pocket as if seeking the solace of a cigarette, but whose will-power appeared for the minute in adequate control. He was a large-boned, fairish-haired, pleasantly spoken man who seemed to Phillips about the last person in the world who would suddenly display any symptoms of homicidal ferocity. Yet Phillips was also aware that the two men in charge of the case, Morse and Lewis, had great experience in these affairs, and he listened to Lewis's further questions with absorbed fascination.

'When did you first meet Mrs Margaret Bowman?'

'You know all about that?'

'Yes.'

'I met her when I was working at the Locals. We had the use of the canteen and some of us used to have a meal there and that's when I met her.'

'When did you first meet her outside working hours?'

'She had a night-school class, and I used to meet her for a drink afterwards.'

'Quite regularly, you did this?'

‘Yes.'

'And you invited her back to your house?' Yes.’

'And you made love to each other?' ‘Yes.'

'And then she got a bit fed up with you and wanted the affair to stop - is that right, Mr Wilkins?' That's not true.' 'You were in love with her?' ‘Yes.'

'You still in love with her?' ‘Yes.'

'Is she in love with you?' (Morse was delighted with such a beautifully modulated question.)

'I didn't force her along, did I?' (For the first time a little hesitancy - and a little coarseness - had crept into Wilkins's manner.)

'Did you write this?' Lewis handed over a Xeroxed copy of the letter found in Bowman's jacket. 'I wrote it, yes,' said Wilkins. 'And you still say you weren't forcing her along a bit?’ 'I just wanted to see her again, that's all.' 'To make love to her again, you mean?' ‘Not just that, no.'

'Did you actually see her that day - in South Parade?' ‘Yes.'

'And you took her to your house?' ‘Yes.'

'Was anyone following you - in a car?' ·What do you mean?'

'Mr Bowman knew all about you - we found that copy of the letter in one of his jackets.'

Wilkins shook his head, as if with regret. 'I didn't know that -honestly, I didn't. I always said to Margaret that whatever happened I never wanted to - well, to hurt anybody else.'

'You didn't know that Mr Bowman knew all about you?'

‘No.'

'She didn't tell you?'

'No. I stopped seeing her after that day I met her in South Parade. She said she couldn't cope with the strain and everything, and that she'd decided to stay with him. It was a bit hard to take, but I tried to accept it. I hadn't got much option, had I?'

‘ When did you last see her?'

For the first time in the interview, Wilkins allowed himself a ghost of a smile, showing regular though nicotine-stained teeth, ‘I saw her,' he looked at his wrist-watch, 'just over an hour ago. She was in the house when you called to bring me here.'

Morse closed his eyes momentarily in what looked like a twinge of intolerable pain; and Lewis began 'You mean...?'

'She came about a quarter to six. She just said she didn't know what to do - she wanted help.'

'Did she want money?'

'No. Well, she didn't mention it. Not much good asking me for money, in any case - and she knew that.'

'Did she say where she was going?'

'Not really, but I think she'd been in touch with her sister.'

'She lives where?'

'Near Newcastle, I think.'

'You didn't tell her she could stay with you?'

That would have been a mad thing to do, wouldn't it?'

'Do you think she's still in your house?'

'She'd be out of there like a bat out of hell immediately we'd gone.'

(Morse gestured to Sergeant Phillips, spoke a few words in his ear and dismissed him.)

'So you think she's off north somewhere?' continued Lewis.

'I don't know. I honestly don't know. I advised her to get on a boat or something and sail off to the continent - away from everything.'

'But she didn't take your advice?'

'No. She couldn't. She hadn't got a passport, and she was frightened of applying for one because she knew everybody was trying to find her.'

'Did she know that everybody was trying to find you, as well?'

'Of course she didn't! I don't know what you mean.'

‘I’m sure you know why we've brought you here,' said Lewis, looking directly across into Wilkins's eyes.

‘Really? I'm afraid you're wrong there.'

'Well she did know that everybody was looking for you. You see, Mr Wilkins, she went back to her own house in Chipping Norton, at considerable risk to herself, to remove any incriminating evidence that she thought might be lying around. For example, she took the postcard you wrote to her from the Lake District.' -

There was a sudden dramatic silence in the interview room, as though everybody there had taken a sharp intake of breath -and was holding it.

‘It's my duty as a police officer,' continued Lewis, 'to tell you formally that you are under arrest for the murder of Thomas Bowman.'