Free Murdered by Nature by Roderic Jeffries

main area and into the manager’s office.
    â€˜You have an appointment?’ Pagés spoke sharply. His was a frustrating life. Many of the customers were wealthy, a few were rich, but he was in a strained financial position since he had an extravagant wife and four children.
    â€˜Inspector Alvarez, Cuerpo.’
    â€˜What is the trouble?’ He foresaw trouble with ease.
    â€˜I doubt it means any for you.’
    He seldom trusted another man’s judgement; faulty optimism was widespread.
    â€˜D’you mind if I sit? It’s tiring weather with unusual heat and humidity for the time of year.’
    â€˜Statistics show that over a twenty-year period, it is not unusual.’
    Alvarez, accepting he wasn’t going to be asked to sit, sat. ‘Statistics remind me I read recently there are many fewer five-hundred notes in circulation than a year ago.’
    â€˜They are not popular.’
    â€˜Not with the holder of one?’
    â€˜You have reason for speaking to me?’
    â€˜I’m investigating the death of Colin Kerr, the man who died in the bay and whose identity we have only just determined.’
    â€˜How does his death give you cause to be here?’
    â€˜Indirectly. First, I need to confirm the late Señor Ashton had one or more accounts with you.’
    â€˜With the bank for whom I work.’
    â€˜Then did he make any large withdrawals in cash during the last six months?’
    â€˜You have an authorization for being given this information?’
    â€˜I thought we could avoid all the trouble that sort of thing causes. And Señora Ashton will not object to my knowing.’
    â€˜As I understand from your unusual request, you would like me to give details of the late señor’s account, even though, by law, it is now under the aegis of the state until probation is granted.’
    â€˜I’m not trying to alter anything . . .’
    â€˜You will require the necessary authorization before I may provide any information.’
    â€˜There would be no need for me to mention how I obtained it . . .’
    â€˜I must express my great surprise that a member of the Cuerpo should seek to subvert the law.’
    â€˜All I’m trying to do is save both of us unnecessary trouble.’
    â€˜The road from improbity to perfidy is short. If you have nothing more to say, inspector, you may leave.’
    Pagés had no idea how and why the world continued to turn rather than grind to a halt. Irritation led Alvarez to a nearby bar.
    â€˜Señor,’ Alvarez said over the phone, ‘I need an authorization addressed to Señor Pagés, Banco Llueso, to allow me to examine Señor Ashton’s accounts.’
    â€˜Why do you require to do that?’ Salas asked.
    â€˜The manager is so wedded to conformity, he isn’t willing to slip me the figure I need.’
    â€˜It is always difficult to understand what you are attempting to say. Salvaging what is available in your jumble of illogical words – a man can only be wedded to another human – it would seem you have asked the manager to provide information which he is forbidden to do without legal authorization. Have I translated correctly?’
    â€˜It would have saved everyone trouble.’
    â€˜One incurs, not saves, trouble by ignoring the rules.’
    â€˜It would save in this case.’
    â€˜A rule is to be observed, not bypassed, especially by those whose duty it is to uphold the law.’
    â€˜Señor, I have every regard for the law; I was just trying to nudge it along.’
    â€˜An absurd remark.’
    â€˜This may provide the motive for Kerr’s murder.’
    â€˜How?’
    â€˜I have been examining the details of the case from all angles . . .’
    â€˜I asked for information, not elaboration.’
    â€˜Kerr may have visited Son Dragó at a time when there was every probability he would not be observed because Señor Ashton may