Devil in the Detail A.J. Cross (read full novel .TXT) 📖

‘So highly valued that you were considering handing over your company to him?’

If Engar was surprised, he wasn’t showing it. ‘Not quite accurate, Detective Inspector.’ He glanced down at his hands. Watts eyed them, seeing glossy, manicured nails. ‘Michael was excellent at his job. Extremely talented. He also had an easy manner with clients. He listened to their needs. Gave them what they wanted’ – he looked up, smiled – ‘or subtly persuaded them to accept what he judged to be a more suitable alternative. So subtle that they hardly noticed. That’s a great skill, you know.’ He gave Watts a direct look.

‘I was not handing over this company to Michael on my retirement, just the day-to-day running of it. I would, of course, have retained control.’

Watts nodded, thinking that whatever else Engar was, he was no pushover.

‘Mr Lawrence was pleased about your plan?’

‘He was giving it consideration.’

Aware of Judd’s interest spiking along with his own, Watts said, ‘That doesn’t sound like the keenness I was anticipating.’

Engar gazed out of the window at greyness. ‘Michael loved his work. The design aspect. He knew that if he accepted my offer, he would be much more involved with the daily aspects of the business, although he would continue to do some design.’

‘And that wasn’t to his liking?’

Engar looked back at him. ‘Michael wasn’t a particularly ambitious person. As I said, he loved the work he did and he was finding it difficult to contemplate the change involved in what I was suggesting.’

‘Given what you’ve said about Mr Lawrence’s strengths, I’m struggling to see why you’d want him to change to what sounds like a management role.’

‘One offers one’s employees opportunities for personal growth, Detective Inspector.’

‘Did Mrs Lawrence have a view on it?’ asked Judd.

‘That, I don’t know.’

‘Do you know her well?’

‘I wouldn’t say well, but on the odd occasions when we met, I found her to be very pleasant.’

‘We’d like to talk to your staff about Mike Lawrence, Mr Engar,’ said Watts. ‘They may have information about him which could help our inquiries.’

‘Of course. We’re a relatively small set up. Five design staff. Four admin workers.’

‘Was Mike Lawrence particularly friendly with any of them?’

‘I don’t believe so, although Michael was a very sociable kind of person. He got on well with all of his colleagues, but his focus was the work.’ He reached for the phone. ‘I’ll inform my PA that you need to see each of them.’

‘Before you do, is Damien Alphon available?’

‘He’s not here right now, but he will be this afternoon.’

‘What can you tell us about Mr Lawrence and Mr Alphon as colleagues?’

Engar studied him. ‘You’ve made some inquiries already, Detective Inspector.’

‘It tends to save time.’

‘When Michael joined the company, Damien was already here. He’s good at his job but he doesn’t have the flair that Michael had. Fortunately for the firm, they were able to put their differences to one side and work cooperatively.’

‘What differences?’

Engar gave a cool smile. ‘I’m assuming all police officers have a forensic style of conversation. Is it innate, or the result of training?’

Watts waited.

‘The differences to which I referred were around one issue to which I’ve already alluded. Damien had anticipated that when I retired, he would take over the running of the company. He was disappointed at my plan to ask Michael.’ He stood. ‘I’ll show you to my PA’s office. She can introduce you to the staff you wish to speak to.’

An hour later they were alone inside a formal meeting room dominated by a large table. ‘Want a rundown of what we got, Sarge?’

‘Is it worth it?’

She shrugged. ‘Probably not. James Tanner, accountant, said he liked Mike Lawrence but they didn’t socialize outside of work. Described him as always prompt with his expenses, very organized. The other three admin staff have worked here for less than two years and, according to each of them, they didn’t know Lawrence that well but found him likeable and helpful. The gist of what we got from the other designers, Dominic Ames, Charlotte Benner and Ross Davies was that they didn’t socialize with Mike Lawrence either but regarded him as excellent at his job and a good colleague. Hard working but good for a laugh.’ Watts looked up at her. ‘I’m paraphrasing, using my own words, Sarge.’

‘Don’t.’

The door swung open. Engar’s PA came into the room carrying a large tray. Watts stood.

‘Sit down, Detective Inspector. Mr Engar thought you might like some lunch. We’re expecting Mr Alphon in about forty-five minutes.’

She put down the tray and left the room, quietly closing the door. Their eyes moved over the sandwiches, crusty bread, olives and the cups of coffee she had delivered.

‘Look at this!’ said Judd. ‘I wish this happened every day, and I’ve still got my lunch back at headquarters.’ She reached for a hefty slice of bread, a sandwich, some olives.

Watts selected a sandwich, opened it, peered inside. ‘Knowing you, you’ll eat it when we get back.’

‘I might leave it in the fridge for tomorrow.’

One of the things he knew about Judd was that she watched her finances like a hawk with a rabbit. Small wonder she was upset when her car disappeared. Chong was right. He wouldn’t get on to her about what had happened, nor push her to officially report the thefts, although it went right against all he stood for. Nor would he get on Julian’s case for not keeping an eye on Judd. She wasn’t his responsibility. What he’d learned in the last few days was that she was resilient. She had to make her own decisions. Hopefully, learn from them. He looked up to find her studying him.

‘What’s up?’

‘None of my business, Sarge, but if I were you, I’d give up on that SAD group you were on about earlier.’

‘When I was twenty, Judd, everything looked simple—’

‘I’m twenty-one.’

He looked at her. ‘You never said.’

‘Like, I’d come into headquarters, going, “Hi, guys, it’s my birthday!” You’re unreal sometimes, Sarge.’

‘When was it?’

She shrugged. ‘Last week