Free A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries Page A

should not learn about her promiscuity. He will not have gained revenge for something of which he was ignorant.’
    â€˜There has to be the possibility he did know about it, but his wife did not know that he knew.’
    â€˜You can imagine he would accept such knowledge with equanimity?’
    â€˜Perhaps he gained an advantage from his wife’s affair.’
    â€˜A sick possibility which could only occur to a sick mind. And in your eagerness, you overlook the fact the husband, if there can be one so perverse in character, would be unlikely to bring to an end a relationship which benefited him.’
    â€˜Suppose she had persuaded him that what they were receiving was only a fraction of what they could gain if she divorced him and Señor Gill wanted to marry her? She should continue the affair until marriage was offered. But her husband realized the truth – she was certain the offer of marriage would be given and since she would be divorced, she could marry Señor Gill, enjoy all his wealth, and forget her first husband. He was so outraged by her moral scheming and infidelity that he murdered the señor in revenge.’
    There was a long silence.
    â€˜Are you there, señor?’
    â€˜I strongly doubt I have ever had to listen to someone to whom depravity comes so naturally.’
    â€˜It has to be best to consider all possibilities.’
    â€˜Not when proposed from a mind such as yours.’
    â€˜I think . . .’
    â€˜I do not wish to listen to any more of your obnoxious thoughts. When this call is ended, you will consider Señor Gill’s niece as the prime suspect and question her concerning details of the señor’s will and of his finances. Have you identified the poacher?’
    â€˜I may have done.’
    â€˜You have not questioned him to find out if for once you have succeeded in your job?’
    â€˜Señor, it will take a long time to do all you have asked.’
    â€˜When I was an inspector, I never expected to be in bed before midnight.’
    The stone-built caseta had one bedroom, one main room which doubled as a kitchen, a primitive bathroom with no running water, and a long drop outside. Decades before, many lived in such confined quarters, now Velaquez, whose features displayed years spent working in sun, wind and rain, was one of a very few. He was in the field using a cut-down can to pour water into one of the irrigation channels drawn through the earth, on either side of which vegetables grew.
    â€˜They look nice,’ Alvarez said, indicating a bunch of tomatoes beginning to turn red.
    Velaquez emptied the tin into the channel, stood upright. He looked briefly at Alvarez, walked over to a well and manually pumped up water to fill the can. He returned, began to empty the can. ‘You’re Dolores Ramis’ cousin.’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜Interested in tomatoes?’
    â€˜When they have some taste . . . I’ve come to have a chat about Barca and the land around it.’
    â€˜Where?’
    â€˜Where you often like to walk.’
    â€˜Who says?’
    â€˜Everyone who knows you.’
    â€˜Ain’t no harm in that.’
    â€˜Depends why you’re there. Likely you find something special about the place?’
    â€˜It’s quiet.’
    â€˜But not always peaceful?’
    â€˜Can’t say.’
    â€˜Seems there was a violent row below Barca not so long ago.’
    â€˜Was there?’
    â€˜Señor Gill found someone there he reckoned was netting thrushes.’
    â€˜No one does that now it’s illegal.’
    â€˜Doesn’t make much difference to some people.’
    Velaquez began to move away. ‘Got to keep watering.’
    â€˜When I say. You knew Señor Gill died from a fall?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜It’s possible someone pushed him over. Why should anyone want to do that?’
    â€˜Why ask me?’
    â€˜Thought you’d be able to