There was the sound of a crash from the living room and a human voice saying “Fuck” very distinctly.
Neuberger narrowed his eyes. “I thought you said you were alone.”
I kept my gaze steady. “No. I didn’t.”
Neuberger got up and went to the door at the same time Simon opened it, and Kennedy took flight at being let out again. Rather a lot of Alsatian/Dobermann met middle-aged detective at full speed, and Neuberger became well acquainted with my floor.
Pandemonium ensued as Neuberger screamed blue murder while Simon and Maslin tried to sort out the kerfuffle.
“Kenny, bad dog. No, get off him. Very bad dog,” I said, blithely checking my nails.
Simon pulled Kenny off the detective before he licked him to death.
“Do you want a cloth? You’ve got dog slobber all over your gilet,” I asked.
Maslin helped his boss up and then stood back, trying – I swear – not to laugh.
Neuberger patted himself down. He was bright red and seeking to remain calm. Simon held on to Kenny’s collar with a firm grip.
Kenny panted loudly and strained at the bit, his tongue all the way out, clearly thinking he was playing a fun new game. “Mr Anson, how nice to see you. What an interesting place to find you. Mr Forrest’s company must be such a balm in your time of need.”
Great. Now he thought we were shagging.
“I hope you’re okay?” he continued, though his expression informed us all he couldn’t give a toss about Simon’s well-being. “Rest assured; we’re doing everything we can to find your fiancé’s killer.” He gave me a look.
Seriously? He thought I did it?
Neuberger turned to me fully. “Oh, and Mr Forrest. You’ll be glad to hear that we spoke to Mr Mottley. He confirmed your alibi. That you’d been together all night in his room at the Cock and Feather.” Neuberger smiled at me. I gulped and kept my eyes averted from Simon. Neuberger turned to him.
“Did you know about them? I wasn’t aware Mr Forrest and Mr Mottley had been dating. We were assured by both men that it was a one-time thing. But with Mr Forrest’s previous boyfriend, it makes sense to check.”
He nodded at both of us. “Thank you for your time. If we need anything else from you, we’ll call. Maslin,” he snapped.
They departed and I watched them go. Giving a big hearty wave as they left, though I wanted to give thebras d’honneur, but decided it wasn’t worth the aggro.
Their car drove off. I closed the door and turned to Simon. “At least they didn’t go in the living room and see all the bloody serial killer scribblings you put up yesterday.”
Simon stared into the middle distance, clenched his jaw. “I should go.”
“No, don’t,” I said. “We were talking about—”
Simon let go of Kenny, who instantly bounded around the house in an excited daze trying to jump on furniture and look out the window to catch a parting glance at his new friend.
He was avoiding my eye and shuffling his foot. “We should go see JedRev,” I blurted out.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” I demanded. “Because of Neuberger and his crackpot theories?” Simon said nothing. “Or because I fucked Errol? Really? You’re upset about that?”
“No!” He glared at me. “No!” he repeated even more vehemently. “Because this is stupid and you’re right about my serial killer scribbles. I’ve got myself all muddled up.”
He was looking everywhere but me. I sighed and rubbed my face.
“Then this has nothing to do with the police finding you here and trying to rile you? They were insinuating shit to try and get a reaction.”
“They don’t really have to insinuate with you,” Simon muttered.
“Excuse me?”
