Kelly nodded. She had no clue who Waldo Dent was, but she knew that the minute she left this place she’d look him up and get her team working out the hierarchy of the company. A suspicious death was a fly in the ointment to any successful firm whose reputation was important. They’d no doubt want the matter dealt with quickly.
Tilda Dent was the more tight-lipped of the two, giving the impression of coldness, which might be unfair. The woman was built for business, that much was obvious. Her voice was staccato and factual as she saw it, but that could be shock.
‘Did you know Jamie well?’ Kelly asked.
‘Yes. Jamie was an excellent colleague.’
‘So, you’re in a good position to note his recent mood? What was his behaviour like? Did you witness his substance abuse first hand?’
‘No. Jamie was a charmer. He was always fun and happy, a little too casual perhaps.’
‘And recently?’
‘No change.’
There was a slight hesitation and Kelly picked up on it.
‘Nothing at all? Stress? Bad news? Erratic behaviour, something out of character?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Apart from his alleged drug addiction?’ Kelly asked.
Neither answered directly.
‘Did he have enemies?’
‘I thought he jumped,’ Tilda said.
‘The coroner won’t rule that until after a thorough investigation.’
‘But we all saw him fall.’
‘Tell me, are you familiar with Clem Allins?’
‘TheClem Allins?’ Tilda looked excited, as if she’d just mentioned a girlhood celebrity crush. It showed Kelly a more vulnerable side to the woman. It was curious that this softer side hadn’t naturally emerged after the death of a colleague; Tilda kept her true self concealed well.
‘The podcaster?’ Kelly said, sounding like she knew their world.
‘Yes, of course I do! I’ve met him. He’s incredible.’
‘I’m new to the party but I guess it’s people who are looking to be the best version of themselves who listen to him?’
‘Of course, that’s our whole ethos. Clem has done work for us. He’s the ideal advocate for wellness.’
‘Profitable, hey?’ she said.
Tilda’s mask slipped again, and Kelly saw a scowl.
‘So, did you see Jamie at all, before he fell?’
‘He gave the most incredibly affirming speech, in here, about three hours before he…’
Kelly looked around. The stage was set up for a presentation and she imagined a keen audience of fifty people packing in here to listen to a man tell them how to live their best life when he was planning on taking his own. She looked back to Tilda, who was wiping her eye.
‘Here,’ Kelly said. She’d picked up some tissues before coming in. Tilda took one and wiped her eyes, but Kelly noticed the tissue wasn’t wet. Hank stared at her with a puzzled look on his face.
‘What was the speech about?’ Kelly asked, hoping the answer wouldn’t be a sales pitch.
