Bloody Valentine - James Patterson [23]
‘Both are in the clear, but we should interview the cleaner for background information on Zee.’ Amy marked Sara’s name on her own list. ‘Michael Barnes and Anni Jones?’
‘Anni Jones was at the gallery until twelve thirty. We’re checking CCTV around the Hyde Park area for a sighting of Michael Barnes. Without it, he has no alibi.’ David scribbled a question mark next to Michael’s name. ‘But I can’t see what motive he’d have to kill his sister-in-law.’
‘Leave the motive for the moment,’ Amy ordered.
‘Leila and Mamie Barnes,’ Ben continued. ‘Mamie’s at school, so her movements should be easy enough to check. Leila was in all morning and didn’t leave the building until twenty to one. Count them out?’
‘Not Leila. Not until we’ve checked her computer and phone records,’ Amy said decisively.
‘Adrian Wills was at a market at six thirty a.m. He arrived at the restaurant at eight o’clock and left at twelve thirty-five. So he could have killed Bruno but not Zee,’ David said. ‘I sent a constable to the restaurant. According to the staff, Adrian was furious with Bruno for not turning up for work. At ten o’clock, Jack Barnes sent a messenger round to check Bruno was all right, but Bruno didn’t open the door to him. At ten thirty Jack sent a doctor who did gain admittance, examined Bruno and diagnosed a hangover.’
‘Adrian would have had to kill Bruno quickly, and there’s the sighting of the mystery figure in chefs’ whites,’ Amy said thoughtfully. ‘But I agree, whether Adrian killed Bruno or not, he couldn’t have killed Zee.’
‘The porters know the building, the residents and their movements. Both were alone for most of the morning.’
Ben added Ted Levett and Damian Clark’s names to his list. ‘That makes three people who had the opportunity to kill Zee and Bruno, and one who could have killed Bruno.’
Amy’s phone rang the same time as David’s. Amy’s conversation was short. She ended the call and said, ‘The blood on the knives found in the sink in Bruno Gambrini’s apartment is confirmed as belonging to Zee Barnes.’
‘The number plate on one of the vans in the basement garage has been painted with photo-blocker paint. I told them to wait for us before opening it.’ David left his chair.
Chapter Twenty
Amy looked around the underground garage. ‘It’s larger than I expected.’
‘It extends under the yard at the back as well as the building.’ David had studied the architect’s plans.
‘There have to be fifty vans here, as well as the cars.’ Ben eyed the Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, Alfa Romeos and BMWs lined up in front of the door that connected with Barnes Building.
‘Sixty-two vans and eighteen cars.’ David consulted the list a junior officer had drawn up. ‘The Rolls and three other cars belong to Jack Barnes. Zee drove the gold BMW. The rest belong to the other residents. Michael Barnes also owns a van.’
‘And the twelve-year-old Astra?’ Ben asked. The battered, rust-spotted car was parked some distance from the Barnes’s cars.
‘Belongs to the night porter, Damian. Ted Levett doesn’t have a car.’ David waved to an officer. ‘The van with the plates painted with photo-blocker is over there, ma’am.’
‘The darkest corner,’ Amy observed. The wall lights were low illumination and set more than five metres apart.
They headed for the van, which was parked in the furthest corner from the street exit. Spotlights had been set up around it. The bodywork glistened with fingerprint powder. Two officers – suited, booted with gloves and hats – were waiting, skeleton keys in hand.
‘Prints?’ Amy asked.
‘Only smudges, ma’am.’ The officer handed out sheets of paper. ‘Information on the van.’
‘It was reported stolen?’ Ben said.
‘Over a week ago.’
‘But it was owned by Jack Barnes?’ Ben checked.
‘His company, sir.’
‘Anyone notice it here before today?’ Amy moved close to a spotlight