Just as Emilia Cortez had done yesterday, when questioned about the company’s business dealings, O’Connell shook his head. ‘That’s classified.’
Virgilio wasn’t giving up. ‘This is a murder investigation, Mr O’Connell; you have to answer my questions.’
Once again, the Irishman shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, Chief Inspector, but I can’t. Like all my colleagues here, I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement that prevents me from discussing company business with anybody outside the company.’ No doubt realising that Virgilio wasn’t satisfied, he extended an olive branch. ‘All I can tell you is that Vince accused me of screwing up a big order. He was right, the customer received the wrong goods and was justifiably angry, but it wasn’t my fault.’
‘Whose fault was it, then?’
He shrugged. ‘Some clerk somewhere along the line inverted a serial number and the wrong things got delivered. Once Vince had calmed down, I showed him the original order and he could see that it hadn’t been my fault.’ He looked across at us and smiled. ‘So, he and I soon became the best of friends again.’
It all sounded quite plausible, but there was something about his slightly cocky air that didn’t sit well with me. It would be interesting to hear Vincent Archer’s version but, for now at least, I resolved to keep a very close eye on Mr O’Connell, but at least he hadn’t been in the Grenadier Guards.
The questions continued for another ten minutes or so but without producing any meaningful results. Yesterday morning, he had been in the duomo but he hadn’t seen his boss and he certainly hadn’t murdered him. Similarly, last night, he had gone up to his room at ten-thirty and claimed not to have stirred until the morning.
Finally, Virgilio thanked him and sent him off before turning to us. ‘Well, what do we think?’
Marco shook his head. ‘No sign of guilt, and his story about the argument seemed convincing enough. What do you think, Dan?’
‘I agree. He’s either a very cool customer, or he’s not our murderer. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him, but I’m not sure he’s our killer.’
Virgilio looked over at the sergeant. ‘Now let’s see how Alexander Murray reacts to being told he’s suspected of being a murderer.’
14
WEDNESDAY LATE MORNING
Alexander Murray came in looking understandably nervous. Whether this was because two of his close colleagues had been murdered or because he was being questioned by the police and he had a guilty secret remained to be seen.
Virgilio began the questions.
‘Your name is Alexander Murray? Please can you tell me your age, how long you’ve worked for TXA Supplies, and in what capacity?’
‘My name is Alex Murray, I’m fifty-eight and I’ve worked for the company since Tristan set it up thirteen years ago. I’m Head of Sales.’ He had a soft Highland Scottish accent that was a lot easier to understand than Liam O’Connell’s. I studied him closely. He was exactly the same age as I was, but he was carrying quite a few pounds more than the doctor would have ordered. I glanced at Oscar, reflecting that no doubt I had him and all those long walks to thank for keeping me reasonably in shape – and Anna’s take on the Mediterranean diet that had eliminated pies, doughnuts and burgers on all but the rarest occasions.
‘And what does your job entail?’ Virgilio was keeping his voice businesslike.
‘I have overall responsibility for ensuring that we sell the right stuff to the right people and that we target the right people in the first place.’
‘And who are the right people?’
He stretched out his hands expansively. ‘How long is a piece of string? We sell to all sorts, from large nations like Australia and Canada to small countries or subdivisions within them – particularly in Africa and the Middle East.’
‘And are any of these subdivisions, as you call them, terrorist organisations?’
A wary expression appeared on Murray’s face. ‘One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. We always stick within the rules but, ultimately, it’s down to the end user to see that what they buy from us is used responsibly.’
I had a feeling this wasn’t the first time he had trotted out this fairly sanctimonious justification of being an arms dealer. I could have asked him whose rules they followed, but I left the questions to Virgilio.
‘Are you worried, Mr Murray?’ A blank look appeared on the Scotsman’s face, so Virgilio elaborated. ‘Two of your close colleagues have been murdered in short succession. Aren’t you worried that you might be next?’
‘Are you telling me that Don was definitely murdered?’ He didn’t wait for an answer and there was sudden conviction in his voice. ‘I knew it. He wasn’t the kind to take his own life. As for me, no, I don’t see why I should be worried. Should I be?’
Virgilio ignored the question. ‘Can you think of any reasons why Angel and Hicks should have been murdered, unless it had something to do with TXA business? Our enquiries reveal that there are probably people all around the globe who’ll be only toohappy to learn that the top two people in your company have been eliminated. You’re a senior member of the company, so it’s possible you could be number three on the murderer’s list.’
By now, it was evident that this had definitely hit home, and the veneer of insouciance that Murray had been wearing faded from his face, to be replaced by a look of uncertainty. ‘Strictly speaking, the most senior staff member now is Vince, Vince Archer, but, in answer to your question about who might have killed Tristan and Don, I must confess that I’ve been asking myself the same thing. I can’t really think of anybody who might have wanted to see them dead unless, as you say, it’s to do with the company. Having said that, I genuinely can’t think of any customer with a grievance serious enough to produce this kind of reaction, but I suppose it’s the only explanation.’
‘Do you think the murders could have been the work of one of your colleagues?’ Virgilio asked the question, and we both waited with interest for Murray’s answer.
Murray looked up with a shocked expression on his face, but I had the feeling that, deep down, he maybe wasn’t as surprised as all that. ‘I find it hard to believe that anybody here could have been involved, so it’s a logical assumption that the murderer has to have come from a customer or a rival of TXA.’
