A Genuine Mistake by Ted Tayler (miss read books txt) 📗

We didn’t lose touch entirely, and when Gerry bought his place on Trowle Common and my godsons arrived, Gerry and I met up far more frequently. Evelyn stayed at home with the children. Gerry and I would play snooker in the club on Market Street. It was one sport where I could join in with him without embarrassing myself. Gerry loved the game, as I’m sure you have learned.”

“Whose idea was it to include a games room into the extensions to the Trowle Common property?” asked Gus.

“Not Evelyn’s, if that’s what you’re thinking,” said Nick Barrett. “She was happy for Gerry to see an old friend. Evelyn wasn’t the sort to keep her man tied to the home. Everyone needs a little space at times, don’t they? Gerry popped into Bradford for a few frames of snooker and a beer with me. Evelyn went upstairs to her studio and worked on her wildlife portfolio while Sean and Byron slept in the bedrooms next door. After I married, Ginny was probably glad of a few hours of peace while she looked after our infant daughter. Like you, Mr Freeman, I struggled to think of anyone who might wish Gerry harm. He avoided trouble in his teenage years; his behaviour in his business life was exemplary. Nobody had a nasty word to say about him. Gerry had a fine grounding in that regard working at Hargreaves Lansdown. I knew several of Gerry’s neighbours on the Common. He was a good neighbour too, never fell out with anyone. That was Gerry; he always wanted to be seen to do the right thing, not attract any dirt that might stick to him and cause problems later in his life. Gerry didn’t deserve to lose Evelyn as he did when she was doing something so worthwhile. Why do bad things happen to decent people? Then he found Rachel, and Ginny and I were pleased for him. He had a second chance to find happiness. When I heard about the shooting, it devastated me. Gerry Hogan was one of the finest men I’ve ever met. I miss his company.”

“Did you keep in touch with Sean and Byron?” asked Gus. “As their godfather?”

“A different generation, Mr Freeman, and a tricky situation. Belinda started throwing accusations around like confetti after the contents of the will got made public. We didn’t deal with that document. Gerry used a smaller firm on Market Street. Rachel was the major benefactor. Belinda received a lump sum, and Sean will get his inheritance next year when he reaches twenty-five. Byron has a further two years to wait. Rachel was less approachable than Evelyn. The snooker nights had reduced in frequency, partly due to Rachel, but Sean and Byron could play snooker with their father. Byron, more often than not, beat his father in the months before Gerry died. After Gerry’s murder, it wasn’t clear what might happen to the trio’s living arrangements. Sean was eighteen, and Byron sixteen. Rachel was a touch over thirty.”

“Was there any talk?” asked Gus.

“When isn’t there, Mr Freeman?” said Nick Barrett. “Far too many people have their minds in the gutter. Did the rumours have any substance? I didn’t think so for one minute.”

“How was the situation resolved?” asked Gus.

“Sean was due to go to university in September,” said Nick Barrett, “while Byron should have started his A-Levels. The boys lost their mother in 2002 and then their father ten years later. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they rebelled after such tragedies. However, Gerry instilled the same standards of decent behaviour in his boys that I had admired for so long. Sean’s A-Levels followed a similar path to his father. He was destined to join his Dad in the financial services sector. Byron was less academic and took after his mother. Rachel had no interest in the business that she inherited but was sensible enough to employ a manager to keep things running while Sean studied for his degree. No prizes for guessing where he studied. As for Byron, he is now a professional snooker player aiming to make it out of the Challenge Tour onto the World Snooker Tour circuit.”

“So, we can find Sean running his father’s old business,” said Gus.

“Sean is still only twenty-four. Only a handful of the many thousands of financial services firms have over five employees. Many firms are run by just one person. Sean kept the services of Daniel Braund, Rachel’s manager, and as far as I know, has no intention of flying solo in the immediate future.”

“Is there anything else you think we need to know, sir?” asked Gus.

“Byron is in Turkey this week at a hotel in Antalya, playing in a tournament. Other than that, I have nothing.”

“When was the last time you spoke with Rachel Cummins, sir?” asked Gus.

“Five years ago, possibly. I’ve had no reason to make contact. Sean Hogan plays snooker in the club that his father used. I see him there from time to time. It’s Sean that keeps me appraised of Byron’s progress.”

“I think that’s it for now, sir,” said Gus. “We need to interview family members as soon as possible. Perhaps they will throw a chink of light on what happened six years ago. I must admit the whole thing has me baffled.”

“Join the club, Mr Freeman,” said Nick Barrett.

Neil and Gus left Nick Barrett behind his desk, looking out of the window at the well-maintained lawn and shrubbery below.

“The bloke can certainly talk, guv,” he said.

“That man is an expert at speaking at length and saying nothing that helps.”

As Neil opened the front door and stepped back to allow his boss to leave first, Gus glanced through the glass partition into the inner sanctum. Daphne and Suzanne had stopped work and were staring straight at him. He gave them a friendly wave. They both stood up and made their way towards Mr