that he didn't want her to go further. He was filled with sadness that he'd unthinkingly invaded a life she'd worked so hard to forget.
-Edrek," she said, -means regret in Cornish. Come along and meet my family."
JAGO REETH DIDN'T LOOK the least bit surprised. He also didn't look worried. He looked as he'd looked the first time Bea had come upon him at LiquidEarth: willing to be helpful. She wondered if they were wrong about him.
He said that they could indeed have a word with him. They could join him and his mate Selevan Penrule there in the inglenook or they could ask for a more private location.
Bea said she reckoned they'd have their conversation at the station in Casvelyn if he didn't mind.
He said politely, -'Fraid I do mind. 'M I under arrest, madam?"
It was the madam that gave her pause. It was the way he said it: with the tone of someone who believes he's sitting in the catbird seat.
He went on with, -Because 'less I'm mistaken, I don't need to accept your hospitality, if you know what I mean."
-Is there some reason you'd prefer not to talk to us, Mr. Reeth?"
-Not a bit 'f that," he said. -But if we're to talk we'll need to do it where I feel a comfort I'm not likely to feel in a police station, if you know what I mean." He smiled affably, showing teeth long stained by tea and coffee. -Get all tightened up if I'm indoors too long. Tightened up, I can't speak much at all. And I know this: Inside a station, I'm likely to be tightened permanently.
If you know what I mean."
Bea narrowed her eyes. -Is that so?"
-Bit of a claustrophobe, I am."
Reeth's companion was listening to all this agog, his gaze going from Bea to Jago to Bea. He said, -Wha's this about then, Jago?"
To which Bea replied, -Would you like to bring your friend into the picture?"
Reeth said, -They want a word about Santo Kerne. 'Nother word. I've spoke to them already."
Then to Bea, -And I'm dead chuffed to do it again, eh. Often as you like. Let's just take ourselves out of the bar...We c'n decide where and when we'll do our speaking."
DS Havers was about to say something. She'd opened her mouth when Bea gave her the look.
Hold off, it said. They would see what Jago Reeth was up to.
They followed him into the inn's entry, the bar door closing behind them. They left the barman wiping out glasses and watching curiously. They left Selevan Penrule saying to Jago Reeth,
-Have a care, mate."
When they were alone, Jago Reeth said in a voice altogether different from the one they'd heard him use not only a moment ago but also in their earlier conversations with him, -I'm afraid you didn't answer my question. Am I under arrest, Inspector?"
-Should you be?" Bea asked. -And thank you for discarding the persona."
-Inspector, please. Don't play me for a fool. You'll find I know my rights better than most.
Indeed, you can say I've made a study of my rights. So you can arrest me if you like and pray you've got enough to hold me at least six hours. Or nine at the most since you yourself would be doing the review after those first six hours, wouldn't you. But after that...What superintendent on earth will authorise a questioning period of twenty-four hours at this point in your investigation? So you must decide what it is you want from me. If it's conversation, then I must tell you that conversation isn't about to happen inside a lockup. And if it's a lockup that you want, then I'll have to insist on a solicitor's presence and I'm likely to employ my primary right at that point, one so often forgotten by those wishing to be helpful."
-And that is?"
-Don't please play ignorant with me. You know as well as I that I needn't say another word to you."
-Despite how that will look?"
-Frankly, I don't care how it looks. Now what would you and your assistant here prefer? A frank conversation or my kind and silent gaze resting upon you or the wall or the floor in the police station? And if it's to be a conversation, then I - and not you - will determine where it happens."
-Rather sure of yourself, Mr. Reeth. Or should I call you Mr. Parsons?"
-Inspector, you may call me whatever you like." He rubbed his hands together, the gesture one would use to rid the