‘It’s a bit early for conclusions, sir. There’s a lot of evidence still to come in. But I have one or two thoughts.’
‘Go on.’
‘There’s something not quite right with all this. Someone at the centre of it is telling you naughty lies.’
Joe had decided as much himself in the early hours. ‘You think so? But it’s perfectly straightforward, isn’t it? A shooting occurred and the killers were apprehended, guns still smoking in their hands. And we have a confession from both of them.’
Lily produced Hopkirk’s sketch. ‘Where exactly had these men concealed themselves to lie in ambush? They must have been laid up there for ages. No one could have predicted to the minute — or even the hour — when the Dedhams would fetch up home at the end of their evening. I don’t suppose they knew themselves. And these thugs weren’t just passing by. This was not their territory. They wouldn’t have been comfortable here.’
‘And regular police patrols would have picked up — at the very least recorded — any doubtful strangers,’ Sandilands confirmed.
‘According to Lady Dedham the cab driver checked the shrubs nearest the house before she alighted and gave her the all clear. She had her wits about her but tells us that she too saw nothing of concern near the house. And yet, less than a minute later the gunmen emerged from these very bushes …’ She pointed with the end of her pencil. ‘Did the cabby look properly? Was he mistaken? Or was he lying and leading them into a trap?’
‘What a pity he’s unable to speak for himself.’
‘Is it known, sir, how they engaged his services? How they came to be riding in that particular cab?’
Joe noted her foresight. ‘Yes. I asked Lady Dedham. All above board. The cabs were lined up outside the hall when the meeting turned out and the Dedhams took the next in line. They weren’t the first and they weren’t the last out. Luck of the draw.’