Free The Cloned Identity by David Hughes Page B

Miss Wood. No, sir, I can assure you we haven’t made a mistake.” There was a few minutes’ silence at the other end of the phone. “I am sorry, sir, but the Chief won’t be back until sometime next week. Goodbye.”
    I put the phone down. Oh, boy, did I enjoy that! Revenge definitely is sweet. I sat there for a few minutes gloating in my glory; then I suddenly had a thought. I got up from my chair and went out into the main office. Good – Joe was there.
    â€œJoe, where does the Bishop live?”
    â€œHe’s got a big place out at Wemsly, boss.”
    â€œHow long would it take him to get here?”
    â€œThirty to forty minutes, I should say.”
    I stood there thinking.
    â€œCan you let Custody know we will want to interview the vicar in about twenty-five minutes?”
    â€œOK, boss.”
    I went back to my office and sank down in my chair. I was feeling smug, to say the least. If the Bishop did turn up, as I thought he might, he wouldn’t be able to see the vicar until we had finished our interview, which could take a long time. A masterstroke, eh!
    When it was time for the interview, I collected Joe and we made our way downstairs. I filled Joe in on my thoughts regarding the Bishop, and Joe, being Joe, pointed out that the Bishop could turn up with a solicitor for the vicar and get to see him that way.
    We collected the vicar and returned to the interview room. Joe loaded the tape machines and explained their use to the vicar. I reminded the vicar that he was still under caution and asked if he would like a solicitor present.
    â€œNo, Inspector. I have no need for a solicitor, because I am totally innocent of these preposterous allegations – a fact that will soon become crystal-clear, even to you, Inspector.”
    The vicar sat back in his chair, arms defiantly folded. I looked at him. The spell in the cell seemed not to have had the effect on him that I had been hoping for. He looked confident and composed.
    â€œLet me assure you, sir, that the reason we are here is to establish the truth. Now, I want to go over the facts we have established so far so that they can be recorded. If we seem to be asking the same questions as before, please bear with us.”
    The vicar sat there, unmoved by my words.
    â€œNow, you have told us that the last time you saw Miss Wood was on the afternoon of the 12 th at about two o’clock. Is that correct?”
    â€œYes,” the vicar answered abruptly.
    â€œYou also told us that later that same day at about 7 pm you called at her house.”
    â€œYes, but she wasn’t in.” Again the vicar spoke abruptly.
    â€œYou then carried on to the park in Jacks Road and stayed there until after eight o’clock.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou say you then returned home, walking past Miss Wood’s house, but although you could see that she was in you did not call on her.”
    â€œYes.”
    The vicar just sat there, displaying no emotion, as though he was conducting a funeral service. I hoped to God it wasn’t mine.
    â€œAbout what time did you arrive home?”
    â€œI am not sure. Probably about a quarter to nine.”
    â€œSo you passed Miss Wood’s house at about eight thirty?”
    â€œYes, I suppose so.”
    â€œDid you notice anybody while you were walking?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhen you got home, did anyone call on you or phone you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhat was the first thing you did when you got in?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWell, did you turn the light on, put the cat out, phone somebody, check for messages… ?”
    â€œNo. The light was already on, the cat has a flap in the back door, and I didn’t call anyone.”
    â€œYou say the light was already on?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo you always leave the light on when you go out?”
    â€œNo, of course not – only if it is dark.”
    â€œBut when