Free Indian Summer by Elizabeth Darrell

exit. That would apply also if she had lost it during the row and killed Keane, either accidentally or in self-defence. Keane’s body would then still be in the house.’
    â€˜All right, you’ve made your point,’ agreed Tom. ‘So we can probably rule her out as the killer.’
    â€˜And as a victim, I suspect. Although,’ Max continued thoughtfully, ‘she could have gone off in good faith with someone she knew and trusted, only to discover her mistake. It happens. The same could apply to Keane himself.’
    â€˜Piercey says Keane’s clothes and shaving gear are there, which suggests he had every intention of returning. He almost certainly left the house fully dressed. There’s no sign of wallet, cash, keys or mobile.’
    â€˜Mmm, first thing tomorrow we’ll get a list of recent calls to and from their landline. There’s a strong possibility both of them were lured from the house by telephone contact. Once Keane’s mobile – and his wife’s – turn up we can vet all the calls on and before yesterday which will surely give us a lead.’
    Max finished his biscuit and washed it down with a gulp of coffee. ‘We really need to move on this, Tom. The Cumberland Rifles guys will be dispersing all over Europe on leave before we can question them. After the briefing at eighteen hundred we need to get out there and follow the info the team brings in. I particularly want to pursue my theory that Keane was involved in something over which he either reneged or double-crossed.’
    Seeing the scepticism written across Tom’s face, he said, ‘It makes sense, man. Keane’s away for six months. Soon as he returns he has to face the consequences from whoever he cheated or ratted on before he departed. Clear as daylight.’ He pondered further. ‘I’m sure that jellyfish is a strong indicator.’
    â€˜Keane had a thing going with a fishmonger?’
    â€˜Yes, very, very funny, Tom.’
    â€˜I’ll apologize if you’re right, but I’m certain there’s something classically military behind this killing.’
    â€˜Why, for Pete’s sake?’ he questioned in surprise. ‘The dumping of a man you’ve already killed into a tank of deep water that represents an ocean surely has no military overtones.’
    Tom’s face puckered up. ‘ Naval links?’
    â€˜No. Ocean depths link with deep sea divers. We need to grill the guy who performed in that tank. He’s the most likely person to put his victim in it.’
    â€˜I’ve already talked to him. He’s never heard of Keane, and the RE detachment has only been here two months. There’s no chance he and Keane could have been in cahoots.’
    Max was reluctant to abandon his theory. ‘So it needn’t be a recent connection. We should check both their records; find out where they might have served together before.’ He saw Tom’s expression. ‘Hit a button, have I?’
    â€˜The REs were in Afghanistan before this.’
    â€˜Ha!’ cried Max. ‘You can bet the solution lies with that diver. Who is he?’
    â€˜Sergeant Figgis, known as Roly. Not because his name is Roland, I’ve discovered, but it’s short for roly-poly.’
    Max considered that for a moment, then got it. ‘Figgy pudding, also known as roly-poly. Hmm, and Keane is Flip. More understandable. He probably called himself that when he first began to say his name, and it stuck. I congratulate your mother on her sensible choice. Not much anyone can do to Tom.’
    He grinned. ‘As a squaddie I was known as Blackie.’
    Max grinned back. ‘Pursuing that line, must we look for someone nicknamed Polyp?’
    The situation was too serious for extended levity, and Max returned to the need to contact Starr Keane. ‘We have a duty to inform her of her husband’s death, in addition to satisfying ourselves of