24. Past Loves

An interview with a pop star speaks volumes.

DI Glumpy, in what could best be described as an emotional state was sent home to recuperate, by Superintendent Williams, who, until their return with the actual murderer had quite contentedly left the case to Glumpy, who he trusted in much the same way as he might trust his grandson playing with matches in a room filled with very inflammable stuff. But the case seemed cut and dried, and that was enough for the Superintendent to delegate it.

Rather than have to concentrate on what he saw as a self-opinionated young woman who liked to sing and parade about half naked on stages across the kingdom, he insisted that Amelia, only a mere DC but trusted by him and with the maturity of someone older,, to interview Alice Pinkerton. They had, he pointed out, youth in common, and anyway whatever she had to say was only peripheral to the main case..

Amelia was perfectly happy. She’d been to Alice’s concert the night before, one of the police presence, and had really enjoyed it, and she was excited by the notion that she might find out more about a talented song-writer and hypnotic performer. So she contentedly sat with the pop star in an interview room, produced two coffees to lighten the atmosphere because quite clearly the girl wasn’t herself in any trouble, and smiled warmly at her.

“Thanks for coming in. You didn’t have to, but what you say may help us with a gnarly situation,” she began.

“Gnarly? I like that! I’ll put it in one of my songs,” smiled Alice, “I write all my own, you know.”

“I was very impressed last night,” smiled Amelia, “and some of your lyrics are really quite telling. Now, you insisted that the man you pointed at in the other car yesterday had murdered your mate, and we’d like to know a little bit more.”

“I was at teachers training college,” Alice told Amelia, “some years back, you know, and I had a best mate called Sophie. Sophie Barnet, to give her the full name that she deserves. Can I be really honest with you, officer?”

Amelia liked being called officer though that made no difference to her reply. “Of course,” she said, “in fact, I insist.”

“Well Sophie and I were a little bit more than just friends. We were close, you know what I mean?”

“Of course,” smiled Amelia, and she glanced at PC Deadbeat who was sitting in a third chair at the table, “we girls always need a close friend. It helps us keep sane in a world of men who think they can lord it over us! So you became a teacher?”

“No. It wasn’t for me. We did a teaching practise and I was useless. Worse than useless, the kids could tell that I didn’t have my heart in the job. So at the end of the first year I left, and the fact that I was going back home miles away from where Sophie lived really upset her. And it was when she was spilling her heart out in the students’ common room about losing me that the lad David Rozelle drifted by. The look on his face was pitiable as he soaked up qhat she was saying. I think, well I know, that he fancied me!”

“Did you fancy him? Daft question, I know, but one that I really have to ask.” smiled Amelia.

Alice shook her head. “I never have found men worth spending a moment of my life with unless there’s something in it for me, which is why I have a male agent because he does all the stuff I can’t be bothered to do, and he does it well, and gets paid in money rather than friendship. But if you look at some of my followers, or fans if you like, they’re just about all female. And not every one of them is a teeny bopper!”

“So he resented the fact that you were leaving?”

“That’s only part of it. No, he overheard Sophie telling me just how much she’d miss me, and me almost sobbing because I was moving away from the love of my life, and that was what I thought she was, and he realised that I was never going to be available for him to move in on, so to speak, and that Sophie had enjoyed the sort of relationship with me that he wanted, and when she was found dead next day, someone had plunged a knife into her, I knew it was him. I told the police about us, but they couldn’t find any evidence…”

“We’ll check on their files,” smiled Amelia, “it can’t have been pleasant for you, having to go over those days again, Alice.”

She nodded and wiped an almost-tear from the corner of one eye. “Tell me, Officer, if you’re allowed, but why was David in handcuffs in that other car?

“He’d been arrested. I can tell you that much, but I’m afraid I’m not allowed to go into any more details than that. But I can say that your information may prove to be most helpful in the future.”

“I hope it is. I’ve been truthful, anyway, and I’d appreciate it if your discovery of my personal, what shall I call them, tendencies, aren’t broadcast too widely. I keep my love life to myself and don’t suggest in my stage act that I’m anything but a raunchy heterosexual woman!”

“You came over as an ace entertainer with a shedload of talent,” smiled Amelia, “and to answer your question neither I nor Constable Dedbeat here will let one syllable of your private life into the public domain. I can promise you that, and I know that he’ll say the same.”

“Of course,” smiled PC Dedbeat, “you need fear nothing from my big mouth!”

“Thanks so much,” smiled Alice and both police officers had identical thoughts as she stood up to leave. Alice Pinkerton was a lovely young woman and it would be criminal if either of them released any information about her that they had discovered during a brief but enlightening interview.

“That’s about all I need to know,” concluded Amelia, “that a college friend was murdered after the killer may have learned something about her romantic life that he didn’t like when he overheard a private conversation.”

“That’s about it anyway,” smiled Alice, “you know, when I gave up the idea of teaching I briefly considered joining the police force. But then I had a hit record, and the rest, they say, is history.”

“Constable Dedbeat will show you out, the back way so that any passing fans don’t know you’ve been here. I believe your car’s in our car park? Take her to that, constable…”

“Thanks again, and if David was responsible for the death of the lovely Sophie I hope what I’ve said puts him where he ought to be,” said Alice as she made her way to the door and a slightly blushing PC Dedbeat.

“I’ll let you know when anything is in the public domain,” Amelia assured her, “that might help put you at ease.”

And At that Alice Pinkerton, smiling despite a past grief, left Brumpton police station. On her way she noticed David Rozelle being escorted to the cells, and he caught a glimpse of her, staggered, and went quite white. All of which told a watching DC Amelia Pincher quite a lot.

© Peter Rogerson 12.06.24