become erratic of late, according to the firm’s lady receptionist. She didn’t like to say outright, but I gathered Mr G. sometimes returns from lunch the worse for drink, and sometimes doesn’t return at all.
She didn’t of course note down such times. She said she’d heard two of the other partners discussing Mr G., saying he’d lost his nerve and was selling his clients only gilts. They thought that too much playing safe was bad stockbroking. She had no qualms in denigrating Mr G., who she said has a filthy temper when things don’t go his way, and never appreciates how hard she works (!)
I requested to interview Mr G. at his place of work. I was shown into his office and explained who I was. He said he knew. I said as a preliminary that I understood he was the illegitimate son of Mrs Alicia Pembroke, and the interview ended immediately. He physically hustled me out (bruise on left arm). He said I’d insulted him. Perhaps I did! I managed to say that if he could produce office records - letters written, brokerage transactions - for the Tuesday in question, he would be in the clear. He said to consult his secretary, which I did. Mr G. went into the office that morning, she confirmed, and dictated two letters. Mr G. told her he was going to see a new client, and left at 10.30 am. She didn’t know who the client was, he was not listed on Mr G’s office diary. It was more usual for new clients to come to the office, but not invariable. Mr G. didn’t return to the office that day, but returned Wednesday in bad mood (with a hangover?).
Mr G. left the office the previous Friday (secretary’s notes) at midday, didn’t return. (Mr G. worked normally all day Monday.)
Mr G. commutes by train, leaves off-white Rover in station carpark. His car clean and unmarked when I saw it.
Visited Mr G. at his home to ask about the client on Tuesday re solid alibi. Mr G. said none of my business. Guess: client was either a mistress or a bottle, or else Mr G. wants me to believe that.
Mr G.’s alcohol problem is serious (my opinion) but not incapacitating. He has strong masterful manner, but must have insecurities (illegitimacy??) to make him drink and treat people badly. (His secretary does not love him.) Mr G. appears to make good income, no sign of financial straits.
Attentive to Mrs Alicia. Bossy and possessive with his wife and children. Jealous of Mr Ian and (my judgement) fears him. (I don’t know why this is. Something in the past? Mr Pembroke’s preference?) Despises but also fears Mr Pembroke. (A lot of bluster when he talked of him.)
Mr G. is physically strong but getting less so, I’d think. Takes little exercise, somewhat overweight. Difficult personality. A bully.
End of enquiry.
I paperdipped Gervase together with a sigh. Norman West, for all his ineffective appearance, had a way of getting to the heart of things pretty smartly.
What had he made of Ursula, I wondered. Ursula, the quiet wife, who had talked in tears to Joyce. Pretty enough in an insipid way, she was like an unfinished painting, without highlights. Pleasant enough to me whenever Gervase allowed, she had never told me her thoughts. I turned with unexpected interest to the West view of Gervase’s wife.
Mrs Ursula Pembroke (35) wife of Mr Gervase, lives with him at 14 Grant St., Maidenhead. She has no employment beyond looking after children and household. A cleaner comes in Monday to Friday mornings, 9 am to 1 pm, stays Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4 pm, also baby-sits whenever asked. (I had to make two visits to Mrs U. On the first occasion she had been crying and wouldn’t talk. On the second she was cooperative.)
The daughters’ school is at the other end of Maidenhead. Mrs U. shares the school-run with a family nearby; Mrs U’s mornings are Tuesday and Thursday; afternoons Mon., Wed. and Fri. Mrs U’s car is a cream Austin. Clean.
On the Friday of the attack on Mr Pembroke, the daughters were invited to tea by the other school-run family (the mother corroborates). Mrs U. left the daughters there after school (4 pm). Picked them up about 6.30.
On the following Tuesday, Mrs U. arranged for the cleaner to stay and give the daughters their tea as she wanted a day out in London. The cleaner told me Mrs U. did the school run, came back