Winterman pulled the Wolseley in to the side of road and gazed out at the large Victorian villa. He was still unsure about the wisdom of what he was doing. He told himself that technically he wasn't disobeying Spooner's orders. Spooner had told him not to bother Hamshaw, but hadn't said anything about Professor Callaghan. On the other hand, Winterman couldn't persuade himself that Spooner would be happy.
He climbed out of the car, adjusted his hat and reached back into the car to pull out his raincoat. It had been sunny earlier but the sky had clouded and was threatening rain.
As he made his way up the short front path to Callaghan's door, it opened to review Callaghan standing inside, wearing his hat and overcoat.
For a moment, Winterman felt he had succeeded in catching the older man off guard. Something in Callaghan's expression suggested Winterman's presence was more than merely unwelcome.
If this were the case, Callaghan recovered quickly enough. 'Inspector. What brings you here? I'm afraid it's not a good time, as you can see.' Winterman suspected the tone would have been much less amicable if Callaghan had not had a ready-made excuse to turn him away.
'I'm sorry, sir. I won't delay you more than a moment.'
'I'm afraid you won't delay me even for that, Inspector. I'm really in rather a hurry.' Callaghan was already moving past him.
'Of course, sir. I just wanted to speak to you about some break-ins that have been reported.'
It was a half-hearted attempt to delay Callaghan's progress – Winterman had concluded the chances of doing so were minimal – but, to Winterman surprise, Callaghan stopped and turned, a frown on his face. 'Break-ins, Inspector?'
'Yes, sir. We've had several in the area over the last week or so.'
'Really, Inspector? What does this have to do with me?'
It was a good question. Winterman decided to follow his intuition. 'You haven't experienced any incidents of that kind yourself, sir?'
There was a pause before Callaghan responded. It was only momentary but long enough to give Winterman the true answer to his question. He could sense Callaghan weighing up precisely what information Winterman might have.
'Not in the last week, Inspector. I must say, much as I appreciate your concern, this does seem a highly individualistic approach to policing. Are you proposing to speak to every local citizen?'
Winterman smiled. He now knew two things. First, that Callaghan had indeed suffered a break-in. Second, and much more interesting, that he was prepared to lie about it.
'Am I correct in thinking you did suffer a burglary a year or so ago, sir?'
'I'm sure you've consulted your files, Inspector. I can't recall exactly when it was, but yes, I was burgled.'
'Just over a year ago.'
'I don't pretend to understand the significance of this, Inspector, though no doubt you have your motives for accosting me in this way. Are you suggesting this burglary a year ago is somehow connected with the current spate of break-ins?'
'I'm just checking up on some facts, sir.'
'What kind of facts, Inspector? You'll find that the perpetrator of my particular burglary is safely behind bars.'
'So I understand, sir. I also understand that there was a suggestion he might not have acted alone.'
Callaghan blinked, clearly disconcerted by Winterman's level of knowledge. 'As I'm sure you're aware, Inspector, an accomplice was charged but acquitted because of lack of evidence. That might have been avoided if your colleagues had prepared their case more effectively.'
Winterman recalled that the colleague in question had been Paul Marsh. Callaghan obviously had few qualms about speaking ill of the dead.
'Can I ask what was taken in the burglary, sir. I understand there were some books and papers?' When in doubt, Winterman thought, follow your gut. It may not always bring you to your preferred destination, but it gives you an interesting journey.
There was another, almost imperceptible hesitation. 'There was some disruption in my study, if that's what you mean, Inspector. But I fear the burglar – or, as you say, burglars – were rather out of their depth. Some old books were stolen, but only one or two rather ostentatiously bound affairs. Far from the most valuable items in my collection, I'm pleased to say.'
'And papers, sir?'
'Not as far as I could tell, Inspector. I don't recall reporting any missing. Of course, it's possible that something might have been removed from the files but if so it couldn't have been anything of significance or I would have noticed its absence.'
Almost a denial, but not quite. Enough space to allow Callaghan some quick footwork if, for example, it were to turn out that Winterman had tracked down some missing document.
'I'm sure that's right, sir. It would be an odd thing to steal in any case, wouldn't you say, sir?'
'Quite so, Inspector. Which is one reason why I fail to understand the purpose of this conversation. As I said, I am in rather a hurry, so if we've finished…?'
'I think so, sir. I'm very grateful for your assistance.'
'I'm gratified you've found our conversation useful, Inspector.' Callaghan was turning away when Winterman spoke again.
'I don't want to detain you any further, sir. I wonder if you'd mind if I had a look around the exterior of your house? I can walk round by myself.'
There was another longer pause, as Callaghan turned back towards Winterman. 'Whatever for, Inspector?'
'Just to check your security, sir. We'd always much rather help prevent crimes if we can. If I have a look at your doors and windows, I can advise you how to reduce the risk of any further break-ins.'
'I'm very grateful for the offer, Inspector. But I'm afraid that's not possible.'
'Sir?'
'The gates to the rear of the house are locked. I don't have time to fetch the keys.'
'That's a shame, sir. Another time perhaps?'
'Another time certainly, Inspector. But now I must be going.'
Before Winterman could say more, Callaghan walked briskly down the path. Winterman lingered briefly by the house, noting that Callaghan glanced back as he made his way to his parked car. Winterman smiled in return, and walked slowly over to the Wolseley.
He was tempted to wait until Callaghan had gone so he could check the rear of the house. He had little doubt he would find some evidence of a break-in. The question was why Callaghan preferred to keep that evidence to himself.
That, at least, was one of the questions. There were plenty of others. Such as why Callaghan had seemed so uncomfortable in discussing the earlier burglary. Or why he was prepared to lie, not just about the recent break-in but also about what had been stolen by the previous intruder.
But the biggest question of all, Winterman thought, was quite who or what it was that had made Callaghan so transparently, nakedly afraid.