Then
The interview room smelt of cigarette smoke. From a previous occupant, not William Noble. He held a plastic cup of something lukewarm from the vending machine. From the doorway Carslake watched Noble swirl the liquid around.
Carslake wanted to leave the door open, to draw some fresher air in from the corridor, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want stray ears overhearing this conversation. The catch clicked shut. Noble half rose from his seat. Carslake waved him back down.
“Good to see you, Sergeant,” said Noble.
Carslake merely grunted in reply. Having the editor of the local newspaper turn up on your doorstep was never a positive sign. He had a nose for things, did Noble.
“You asked to see me,” said Carslake. He remained standing, making it clear that the discussion would be brief.
“I know you’ve been involved in the investigation into the Sunset fire, the guest house, right?”
“What of it?”
“I think it was deliberate.”
“Arson, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not what the official report says,” replied Carslake.
“I believe differently.”
“I didn’t know you were an expert on fires and their cause.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why are we having this conversation? Conclusions were drawn, the investigation is closed.”
“It’s Jake Armitage. He profited from the fire.”
Carslake let gravity take hold, and he sat down. This needed handling. “It’s well known Mister Armitage owned the building. It’s also well known the land has since been developed.”
“Yes, but did you know that until the fire, the Renishaws were refusing to sell to him? The whole redevelopment hinged on the guest house. If it fell through, everything did.”
“So?”
“So the deal was twenty-four hours away from collapsing. Don’t you think it’s remarkable the Sunset then burns down, salvaging the whole thing?”
“The only aspect which sounds remarkable is your claim, Will. What proof do you have?”
“I’ve spoken to the owner’s daughter. She told me all about the offer from Jake. Threats and harassment too, apparently, after it was rejected.”
“Again, do you have any proof?”
“Isn’t the daughter’s word enough?”
“No. Do you have anything else?”
“Not yet. I thought you’d be interested. Isn’t this what the police are supposed to do? Investigate?”
Carslake got to his feet and leaned on the table, knuckles on the scratched formica, towering over Noble. “I don’t hear anything worthy of my time, frankly. Now, if you have something solid, I’ll happily investigate. Until then I’d suggest you stop spreading malicious rumours about Mr Armitage, otherwise you and I could be having a very different conversation.”
Noble blinked at Carslake. His mouth flapped open a couple of times but no words came out. Carslake opened the door and stood by it for a few moments until Noble got up and wandered out.
“This isn’t the last you’ll hear of this,” said Noble as he passed by.
Carslake grabbed Noble’s upper arm and squeezed. “You want to be arrested for wasting police time, Will? Be my guest.”
Noble shook Carslake off and left.
Outside, Carslake took out his mobile phone, called Jake, and told him what had happened.
“Is it true?” asked Carslake.
“That’s not your concern, Jeff. Your job is to keep people like Noble at bay. I’ll keep a closer eye on him from now on.”
Jake rang off, leaving Carslake in the dark.