Paul looked embarrassed. ‘On a walk. Tuesday night.’
‘A night walk?’
‘It was cooler.’
‘I see.’
‘I took them off to go for a swim in the lake and couldn’t find them after.’
‘Fair enough.’
It wasn’t fair enough. It was too convenient.
‘When did you last see Jamie before he fell?’
‘Only after his speech.’
‘And?’
‘He went back to his room.’
‘Alone?’
‘I think so.’
‘Are you sure?’
Paul examined his fingers. Kelly got the impression he was losing concentration as he zoned in and out of reality.
‘This feels like an interrogation. I thought he killed himself. Is this all necessary?’
It was a curious question from a man who was supposed to be a partner and dear friend of the deceased. She ignored him.
‘Where were you when Sandy and Jamie gave their speeches? You were reported as absent for those events. And afterwards, I might add.’
He gaped at her. ‘Asleep.’
‘In your own room?’
‘No, wait a minute. I wasn’t. Yes. I went for a walk, around to the caves. Sandy told me about them; she said they were amazing.’
‘She’d seen them before?’
‘Yes, she said she went at the weekend with Jamie. So, yes, that’s where I was. They’re beautiful.’
Lee Lovett had said they visited on Tuesday before her speech. Sandy hadn’t mentioned the weekend. Now it appeared Sandy had been to the caves with Jamie too. The dynamic between these people was intriguing, and Kelly struggled to keep up. She wondered how they had time to make any money at all when all they did was run around after each other. Why were the caves important? Something tugged at her memory.
‘Did you take photos?’ Kelly asked.
‘Sorry?’
‘Come on, you must have taken some photos for Instagram?’
He froze.
‘I can look on your socials for myself. Sandy sure likes those caves. When did she tell you about them?’
‘I can’t recall.’
