‘Oh yes, Lee Lovett, the conference and banqueting manager?’
‘Yes. We went for a walk around the lake, to the caves.’
‘Rydal Caves?’
Sandy nodded.
‘You said you were practising your speech.’
‘It’s not far; I needed a break.’
Kelly sensed a shift in the air. The room suddenly felt stickier and the atmosphere close. Why a scientist would go for a walk to a beauty spot with a catering manager was a mystery.
‘Was Mr Lovett off shift then?’
‘It was before he started.’
‘You got close during the conference? Sharing cigarettes, visiting tourist spots?’
Sandy smiled. ‘I’m a free woman. Lee is a gentleman.’
‘Of course. I’m just trying to place everyone. So, after the caves, you went back to your room alone?’
‘No, Lee came with me.’
Kelly watched the scientist. For somebody so measured and in control, her behaviour struck Kelly as risky, but the woman had an alibi. If they were working on an assumption that Jamie was pushed after a fight, then whoever did it had left clothing in the corridor and wore muddy boots too big for Sandy Cooper, who had been busy shagging the conference and banqueting manager. But it also didn’t escape her attention that whoever pushed Jamie would have left trace evidence on him, and Sandy Cooper had that covered because she’d thrown herself at him when he was dying on the floor.
Cute.
‘So, you gave your speech at three p.m. How did Jamie seem after?’
‘Snappy.’
‘Example?’
‘I saw him arguing with Tilda – she’s a CEO of Hampton-Dent.’
‘Yes, we’ve met. What time did your speech end?’
‘Four.’
‘Long speech.’
‘It was well received.’
‘Did Jamie congratulate you?’
‘Yes, he did. He said it helped his vision immensely. He wasn’t a man bent on killing himself. He was hungry for the future. You think you know someone…’
Kelly nodded in understanding. Enough people had told her exactly the same thing.
‘So, what happened after four o’clock?’
‘I was hungry so I thought I’d grab something from the buffet. That’s when I went downstairs.’
‘And that was what time?’
‘About five.’
