‘Oh, I swallowed it whole — the flattery and the flannel. Faithful Penelope! Ha! The tears, the confidences, the “brave little widow” stuff. And all the time she was using me as an unsuspecting source of inside information on the inquiry.’
‘Inside information? What did she wring out of you? You’d better tell me.’
‘I’m afraid I confirmed the existence of the third shooter, sir.’
‘Mmm … and she managed that with some skill. By raising the matter herself she diverted suspicion. An old trick … and we fell for it. Anything else?’
‘I mentioned your resignation, sir. She declared her intention of calling in a few favours to keep you in post.’
‘Ah! So that’s how it happened. I could wonder why she should bother.’
Lily looked away.
Joe’s grimace of a smile showed his discomfort. ‘Better the fool you know, I suppose. Keep in place the gullible young idiot you already hold in the palm of your hand …’
‘No! Loyal and gallant friend! She exploited you, sir, but the blame is entirely hers. Who wouldn’t want you in their corner? I would.’
Her innocent support surprised him. ‘Shall we agree, then, not to be too hard on ourselves? They’re both considerable performers.’