Philip trusted the police more than any other authority in the land. It was only natural, given his wife’s stellar career as a serving officer. So he had no doubt that turning to Maggie for help now was the correct course of action. No other option made as much sense: Maggie was more empathetic than Walker in her approach and she would understand why it was imperative that he cleared up the misunderstanding about Johnnie being in the photograph before Clive took it to the local police. This was his godson and he needed to protect him.
Maggie would also, he’d decided on his way to find her, understand why he’d chosen not to tell Patricia about the picture. He wanted to be able to sort it out himself, like any husband would, before involving her.
Unfortunately, Maggie was not complying with the version of events he’d mapped out in his mind, which involved her rushing off with him to prove Johnnie’s innocence.
‘You need to tell me what’s going on. I can’t just leave without letting DCI Walker know,’ she protested as Philip tried to steer her away from the restaurant.
‘I have something important to talk to you about, but I can’t do it here,’ he said, his voice still lowered to a fierce whisper. ‘It’s about Johnnie.’
Her manner changed abruptly then, her expression shuttering at the mention of his godson’s name. With a firm nod, she followed him across the road and back onto the seafront where Philip quickened his pace. The sooner they sorted this out, the better.
‘What’s the rush?’ Maggie asked, walking fast to keep up.
‘We need to find him before it’s too late.’
‘Meaning?’
Philip didn’t answer and kept walking, but Maggie ground to a halt.
‘Mr Pope, I won’t come with you unless you tell me what you mean,’ she called after him.
Exasperated, Philip stopped and waited for her to catch up.
‘What is going on with Johnnie?’ she asked.
‘Someone took a photograph of him near to where the Reynolds girl’s sarong was found and now Clive Reynolds has put two and two together and has come up with six. He’s saying it looks like Johnnie is involved and I know he isn’t and we should talk to him, you and me, to prove that he isn’t before the photograph causes terrible trouble for him.’
‘Whoa, slow down! I’m sorry, you said that so fast I didn’t get any of it. Start at the beginning . . .’
Philip heard voices and saw a large group approaching them: a young couple, two children in buggies, three older children trailing behind carrying an assortment of beach equipment, and a couple of elderly people, presumably grandparents, bringing up the rear. Philip gestured at Maggie to sit down on the sea wall, out of their way.
‘Right, tell me again about this photograph,’ she prompted him.
In a low voice, Philip recounted Clive’s evening in the hotel bar with Stephen and Paula from Scotland and the discovery of the photograph that showed Johnnie with the hire car moments after loading it with a heavy suitcase. By the time he’d finished, Maggie looked shell-shocked.
‘Stephen believes he saw Johnnie near the gate that leads to the back of the disused cafe?’
‘That’s what Clive said he said. But it’s a mistake, it has to be.’
Maggie gazed past his shoulder out to sea, her brow furrowing as she became lost in thought. Philip felt a stab of relief: she was obviously trying to make sense of it all so she could help him clear up the misunderstanding. After a few moments she returned her focus to him.
‘Did Johnnie hire a car when he arrived on Majorca last week?’
‘I don’t think he can even drive.’
‘But you don’t know for sure.’
‘Well, no,’ Philip blustered, ‘but he’d have said if he had hired one.’
‘Did you know Johnnie’s been making enquiries about buying a villa in the hills?’
Philip was baffled. ‘Whatever for?’
‘That’s something he will need to explain.’
‘Wait, are you suggesting you should question him about this? But that’s preposterous, Maggie. He hasn’t done anything wrong.’
To his horror, she got to her feet.
‘I need to bring this to the attention of DCI Walker and Inspector Jasso.’
Philip was close to tears.
‘I came to you for help, not to get my godson into trouble.’
‘I’m so sorry, but I have to tell them.’
‘Patricia will be furious with me,’ he whimpered.
‘I think your wife will understand more than anyone. She knows we can’t ignore a suspect, even if it’s someone she cares about.’