Finding a spot to park in Rathdowne Street, Carlton proved more difficult than the detectives first thought. The Sunday morning breakfast set were massing around the various cafes that Carlton was famous for. Branson had phoned Alex Pinkton who had informed them he was in the office working.
Walking up to the head office of Firth & Pinkton it was obvious that the firm had done well over the years. The office was modern and well appointed. Being a financial planning and investment firm it reeked of opulence designed to give clients a sense of certainty they were in the right place.
Steve rang the bell and within a few minutes a tall lean figure dressed in gym gear appeared at the doors to grant them entry.
‘Good morning detectives.’ Alex Pinkton greeted them. He had an air of confidence and gracefulness about him that usually accompanied successful business men.
‘Good morning Mr Pinkton, I’m Detective Steve Rickets and this is Detective Sarah Branson’ Steve informed him flashing his badge.
‘Yes follow me’ Mr Pinkton replied and lead them into a small meeting room. The room was filled with a round table and four chairs. They took their seats around the meeting table.
‘Now how can I assist you detectives?’ Pinkton asked matter of fact.
‘Well as we briefly discussed over the phone, its about your partner James Firth. His body was found this morning and it looks like he may have met with foul play.’
Pinkton sat back in his chair and folded his hands behind his head and looked towards the ceiling like he was searching for heaven above.
‘Yes well I guess it was only a matter of time before he wound up dead in the streets of Collingwood!’. It was a throw away line and Pinkton may not have realized what he had just said. Steve shot a side ways glance to Branson.
‘You were expecting him to wind up dead?’ Branson queried.
‘Dead? No not exactly. But in some sort of trouble, yes absolutely’
‘Why is that?’ Steve jumped in.
‘It just stands to reason detective. I’m sure you would agree that if you mix with unsavory types you will pay the price eventually. Surely you see that all the time in your job?’
‘True we do, I’m curious though Mr Pinkton. What was your relationship with James like?’ Steve asked taking back control of the conversation. Years of experience had taught him that some of the smarter suspects would try and control the conversation. When they did the easiest way to wrestle back that control, short of asserting your authority, was to control it by being the one who asks the questions.
‘We had a solid relationship’ Pinkton said rather coldly. ‘The firm had been running for 11 years now and for the most part we got along well. James was a good man, good business partner and from all accounts a good family man as well’.
‘What about in recent times?’ Branson asked. ‘Any recent troubles between the two of you?’
‘Oh, let me think, not really. I mean, apart from the usual disagreements that business partner might have from time to time. We had some recent financial issues we were trying to work through but nothing major’ Pinkton explained.
‘Anything else?’
‘Well lately James seemed somewhat distracted, like he always had something on his mind.’
‘Any reason why that might be?’ Branson continued the line of questioning.
‘No, nothing he discussed with me’ Pinkton said starting to sound worried. ‘Why, surely you don’t think I had anything to do with this?’
‘Right now we are drawing no conclusions Mr Pinkton. Just gathering information’ Steve explained sensing that Pinkton was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute. It was the small details that Steve noticed that made him a great detective. He had noticed the skin tone of Pinkton’s forehead and cheeks beginning to flush red.
‘But I take it you are not ruling me out as a possible suspect then?’ Pinkton asked nervously.
‘At this stage we are not forming any conclusions, just keeping an open mind!’ Steve informed him.
‘I see’ Pinkton said assessing the situation.
‘Mr Pinkton, what were your movements last night between nine pm and midnight?’ asked Steve.
‘Well I was home, why do you ask?’
‘Just trying to establish your movements is all. Home alone?’
‘Yes alone, I live alone. I was watching a movie on Netflix. Fell asleep around ten thirty ish I believe and went to bed.’
‘Can anyone verify that you were home?’ Branson asked.
‘Agghh no. I was alone. If I was alone how could anyone possibly verify I was home alone?’ Pinkton said raising his voice in frustration. A bead of sweat broke out across his forehead at the hair line. Steve sensed it.
‘Yes I understand Mr Pinkton. Thanks for your time’ said Steve standing up to leave. Branson followed suite and walked to the door and out to the hallway. Pinkton followed them to the front door.
Steve was about to step through the front doors when he turned back to face Pinkton. ‘What was the name of it?’ he asked unexpectedly.
‘Of what?’ Pinkton replied with a tone that indicated his frustration.
‘The movie? You said you were watching a movie?’
‘Oh right, let me think, it was ahh Crying Game I believe. A murder thriller. Can’t speak to highly of it as I fell asleep’
‘Crying Game. Ok haven’t seen that one. Well, thanks for your time Mr Pinkton’
With that the two detectives headed back to Steve’s Ford Falcon.
‘So what did you make of all that then?’ Steve asked once inside the car.
‘Guilty as sin I would say’ Branson was quick to answer.
‘Why would you say that?’
‘It’s obvious, the wife had told us that there was financial troubles. Pinkton confirmed that, so thats the basis for a possible motive. He has no alibi, and ...’
‘Good, what else?’ Steve pressed her.
‘And he knew the body was found in Collingwood. How did he know? We didn’t mention where the body was found at all!’
‘Exactly what I was thinking. Good job Sarah’
‘Well let’s go and arrest him now’
‘Easy, we don’t have any hard evidence on him yet. As soon as we get that we will arrest him for sure’ Steve said as he pulled the Falcon away from the curb and into the busy Carlton traffic.