The Doll's House

It wasn’t long before O’Connor reappeared, gesturing to her to follow him. Inside, the building was as impressive as the terrace, reflecting sophistication and history, a place for the rich élite. James Devoy brought Kate and O’Connor into a second dining room. This time it was an empty one.

Devoy was a small man, no more than five foot two, and looked even smaller alongside O’Connor. He had dark Italian features, and Kate figured him to be in his late thirties. The second dining room was elaborate, its dark solid wood panels carved with floral designs. Again the tables were dressed in a combination of blue and complementary shades. This time the pale yellow was replaced by dark navy, contrasting with white candles and napkins.

‘Mr Devoy.’ O’Connor’s voice sounded strangely out of place.

‘James, Detective Inspector, call me James.’ Kate could tell the manager was already too friendly for O’Connor’s liking.

‘James,’ O’Connor replied, not offering the same instruction back, ‘my colleague tells me you were on duty the night of Keith Jenkins’s murder.’

‘Yes, that’s right.’ Devoy looked uncomfortable with the word ‘murder’. ‘I started my shift at eight, and continued until three the following morning. I have already given your colleague a list of those who attended the club.’

‘Was there anything unusual about Keith Jenkins’s behaviour, or anyone he came into contact with?’

‘We had a full house, Detective Inspector. Mr Jenkins, Keith, drank in the private members bar.’ His voice weakened as he mentioned Keith Jenkins’s name, as if he’d lost someone close to him.

‘So it was a busy night? The drink flowing, was it?’

‘It was a long night, Detective Inspector.’

‘How would you describe Mr Jenkins’s mental state during the evening?’

‘He was his usual cheery, chatty self.’

‘Was there anyone in particular he spent time with?’

‘Only Pete.’

‘Pete?’

‘Pete Moore, the DJ.’

‘Buddies, were they?’

‘You could say that. I think Pete wanted more out of their friendship, if you get my drift.’

‘Really?’ O’Connor made no attempt to hide his curiosity.

‘Don’t get me wrong, Detective Inspector, all our gents behave with discretion. It’s something we pride ourselves on at the club.’

‘Well, in my book, Mr Devoy, the avoidance of discretion usually gets to the truth faster.’

‘All I’m saying is, they were good friends.’

‘I see Siobhan King wasn’t on the list of visitors that night.’

‘No, Keith tended to enjoy certain nights with the boys. She hasn’t been here for a while. The last time must have been over two weeks ago.’

‘And how was their mood on that occasion?’

‘Good. They had dinner downstairs, the public section.’

‘And did they stay for long?’

‘No. They left in rather a hurry, quite surprising.’

‘So what spooked them, James?’

‘“Spooked” might be a bit dramatic, Detective Inspector, but I will admit Keith’s demeanour changed rather quickly.’

‘Maybe a friend of his wife saw the two of them. It’s never good when the little wife catches you out.’

‘Perhaps you’re right, Detective Inspector,’ a degree of hostility had come into his voice, ‘but it’s not like their relationship was secret. Either way, if they wished to remain, we could have brought them to dine upstairs. There’s always a private table for special members of the club.’

Kate, who had taken a back seat up until this point, decided to take it gently with the club manager. ‘Mr Devoy?’

‘James, please.’ He turned his attention from O’Connor to Kate.

‘You seem to imply that Keith Jenkins felt uncomfortable in the public restaurant. Otherwise, why suggest the private one upstairs?’

‘Well, when he asked for the bill early, I asked him if there was anything wrong.’

‘And what did he say?’ Kate kept direct eye contact with James Devoy, knowing O’Connor was also waiting to hear the answer.

‘I thought it strange at the time, but then I forgot about it.’

O’Connor stood forward. ‘Forgot about what, Mr Devoy?’

‘Keith said everything was fine, then muttered something about old friends best forgotten. It was a strange thing to say, but you get used to hearing a lot of strange things around here. You learn not to bat an eyelid, one way or another.’

O’Connor, who had been taking everything down, turned another page in his notebook. ‘The diners in the public restaurant that night, you would have a list of them, Mr Devoy?’

‘Oh, yes. We’re very careful when it comes to taking bookings from non-members. I’ll get it for you.’

‘Most kind of you.’

When Devoy had left, Kate couldn’t resist taking a swipe at O’Connor. ‘I see you’re already getting used to this high life, “most kind of you”!’

‘Ah, get off my case. This type of place messes with your head. Ten minutes into it, and I’m already acting like a performing monkey.’

‘Would you put Keith Jenkins into that category?’

‘I don’t know, Kate. Like me, apparently, he came from humble beginnings. The only difference is, I stayed there.’

‘My heart bleeds for you.’