‘I’m happy doing what I’m doing,’ Roger leant on his desk and took a surreptitious peek at his Rolex. ‘Speaking of which, what can I do for you, Kenny?’
‘Did your father fill you in on why I’m here?’
‘You’re a private detective he’s hired to look for Harry?’
‘More or less,’ I said.
‘And you want me to answer a few questions.’
‘If you don’t mind.’
‘Fire away.’
‘Your father said you had lunch together the last day she was in the office.’
‘That’s right. Harry and I rarely see each other, so we try to make time once a month for a natter and a catch up.’
‘You’re not close?’
‘It’s not so much that as we have different lifestyles.’
Roger’s eyes strayed to the only picture in the office that didn’t show him hanging with the quality. It was of a girl around eight who would probably blossom into a woman as beautiful as the one holding her.
‘I’m a family man,’ he said. ‘Harry spends most of her time working.’
‘Being MD must be a big responsibility.’
I’d lobbed this into the conversation to see if it created any waves. There was barely a ripple on Roger’s face.
‘Very,’ he said. ‘I’m happier taking a back seat.’
‘How would you describe her mood at lunch?’
‘Has Dad told you anything?’
‘About what?’
Roger leant back in his chair and stared at the Newton’s cradle on his desk. He was trying to make his mind up whether to share something. Or at least that was the impression he wanted to give. The silence ended in a heartfelt sigh. ‘Dad and Harry were usually pretty feisty with each other about how the business should be run. That morning, they’d had a real showdown.’
‘About what?’
‘Dad’s trying to buy the Post. It’s costing a fortune and Harry’s dead against it. She thinks it’s a vanity project. Things got pretty heated, apparently.’
‘Your sister was upset?’
‘Furious.’
‘Did this happen often?’
‘Fairly often, although I think this one was off the Richter scale. Harry and Dad both have a hell of a temper.’
‘I don’t suppose she said anything about taking time off?’
‘No, but I bet that’s what’s happened. Last time they had a bust-up, Harry spent a week in Paris.’
‘D’you know which hotel?’
‘I’ve checked. She’s not there.’
‘But you think Paris might be where she’s gone?’
‘It’s possible. I love my little sis, but if she’s got her faults then one of them is flying off the handle. The other’s a tendency to sulk.’
‘So, your dad’s worrying about nothing?’
‘I think Harry’s making a point and he’s feeling a bit guilty. That’s why he got in touch with you. You used to know each other years ago, apparently . . .’
Roger’s turn to do some fishing.
‘I spoke to Rocco Holtby this morning,’ I said. ‘He seems to be of the same opinion as you.’
‘That Harry’s lying in the long grass?’ I nodded. ‘Well, Rocco and I probably don’t agree on much, but there’s a first for everything.’
‘He’s a colourful character.’
Roger grunted. ‘You mean he’s a total arse.’
‘Did Harry have many boyfriends before him?’ I asked.
Roger squinted at me as though I were a borderline candidate for a job on one of his telesales teams. ‘Somehow I think you already know the answer to that question.’
‘How long have you known Harry’s gay?’ I asked, hoping to God he did.
‘As long as I can remember. It’s not something she ever made a big declaration about. We both just knew that was how it was.’
‘How about other people?’
‘Harry wasn’t out, if that’s what you mean.’
‘Did she talk about specific girlfriends?’
‘God, no.’
‘And Rocco? Why did she choose him?’
‘My theory is that Harry married the biggest tosser she knew. Then Dad would see the error of his ways and stop banging on about marriage.’
‘Seriously?’
‘It sounds crazy, but you don’t know my sister. If she wants to teach you a lesson, she teaches you a lesson.’
‘It’ll cost a few quid when they divorce.’
‘They were only married six months. And Rocco’s the kind of guy that if you wave twenty grand under his nose then he’ll grab it rather than wait a year for a settlement to come through.’
I suspected that Roger was overestimating the amount of cash it would take to get Rocco to walk away. He gave a slightly less surreptitious glance at his watch.
‘Just one more question,’ I said. ‘Does Harry have any friends she might have confided in?’
‘Not that I know of.’
‘Anyone here?’
‘I’d be amazed if there was. Although I didn’t really know much about her personal life, so I could be wrong about that.’
‘Thanks for your help,’ I said, getting to my feet.
‘No problem. Trust me, it’s only a matter of time before Harry surfaces. Hopefully you’ll be able to speed up the process, though.’
‘We’ll see,’ I said. ‘Where did you have lunch, as a matter of interest?’
‘Cube in the Fitzrovia Townhouse Hotel.’
‘Did Harry go there often?’ I asked.
‘It was her favourite restaurant.’
‘Okay, I’ll check it out.’
‘Really?’ Roger said. ‘What’s the point?’
‘Your sister may have been there recently. If she has, then we know she’s still in the country, at least.’ Roger frowned. ‘One of the waiters might recognise her,’ I added. ‘It’s worth a shot.’
‘Really? Have you ever been to Cube?’
‘Bit out of my price range.’
‘Well, it’s big and it gets bloody busy.’
‘No harm checking it out.’
Roger’s lips tightened and I thought he was about to further dispute the wisdom of this. Then he exhaled heavily and held up his hands. ‘You’re the expert, Kenny. The most important thing is that we find Harry and my dad gets back to focusing on the Post.’
‘Absolutely,’ I said. ‘Is he in the building today?’
‘As far as I know,’ Roger said. ‘Would you like a word with him?’
‘A word would be good,’ I replied.
EIGHT
I took the lift to the seventh floor and marched straight into Frank’s office. Two guys were with him. One was in his late sixties with slicked-back grey hair and perma-tanned features. His colleague was younger, paler and as bald as a cue ball.
‘Hello, Kenny,’ Frank said. ‘Any chance you could give us a few minutes?’
‘No,’ I said. ‘This can’t wait.’
Frank asked his visitors if they’d mind taking a break. On his way out, Cue Ball gave me a sideways glance, no doubt wondering who I was that I could demand the great Frank Parr’s time at such short notice.
‘What is it?’ Frank asked after the door had closed.
I dispensed with the preliminaries and got right down to it. ‘Just before she went missing, you and Harry had a massive set-to.’
‘Who told you that?’
‘Never mind who told me. It’s true, isn’t it?’
‘We had a difference of opinion, but that’s—’
‘And the last time the pair of you went at it, she buggered off to Paris for a week.’
‘She isn’t there now.’
‘How d’you know?’
‘I found her passport.’
‘And you didn’t think to tell me that?’