Chapter 26 #2
‘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.’
‘Her speech was three until four o’clock. You said you went to the caves before that, while they were both speaking; why so long?’
‘I got mixed up.’
‘You should watch what you drink,’ Kelly said. She tapped his water bottle. ‘Which was it? Morning or afternoon?’
‘I can’t remember.’
‘How long were you at the caves?’
He scratched his head.
‘Did you have your boots then?’
He looked genuinely perplexed. ‘I think I did.’
‘Tell me, Paul, you are, or were, Jamie Robbins’ partner, and this product is going to get you those share options you need to retire before forty, so why would you miss his presentation?’
‘I’ve seen it a thousand times; we wrote it together.’
‘Doesn’t that look bad though? You’re both the face of YouthBlast aren’t you?’
He didn’t answer.
‘It’s an odd time to go sightseeing when your partner is trying to impress influencers who will make it go viral. It’s a pivotal moment of the conference.’
‘We had a few issues with the product I was trying to iron out.’
‘Such as?’
‘The chemical profile is delicate. There is some evidence that the balance of the diuretic and testosterone can lead to side effects.’
She eyed his water bottle. ‘Like what?’
‘We don’t know.’
He wiped his brow.
It was bewildering trying to make sense of Paul’s erratic behaviour.
She suspected he did know, and it wasn’t good.
‘Sweating? Irritability? Lack of concentration?’ she asked. He didn’t answer. ‘So, on the back, where it lists fruit and vitamins and compounds which sound natural and healthy, actually there’s some alchemy going on which doesn’t have to be declared.’
‘Not quite, we abide by all laws dictating the supplement industry.’
‘Do you suffer any side effects? You seem jumpy.’
He paused. She waited.
‘There’s a compound called Neurohydroxy-14. It’s new. It changes mood regulation. I actually love the way it makes me feel.’
She studied his face. More sweat droplets had appeared on his forehead and he looked stressed.
More so than one might expect in a casual interview.
She recognised the name of the chemical; it was the one that was hidden in the small print, denoted by an asterisk.
She didn’t even attempt to pronounce it.
‘How does it change mood regulation? Does it behave well with – what did you say – testosterone and a diuretic? How do they behave together?’
‘We’re not sure.’
‘But in your experience?’
He looked down. ‘If I’m in the gym, it’s cool.’
‘And if you’re not?’
‘I get pretty angry.’
‘Angry?’
‘Furious, actually.’
She looked up to the hotel and back to Paul. ‘Were you angry on Tuesday, Paul? Is that why you didn’t attend the speeches?’
He grimaced. ‘I…’
‘Are you sure you didn’t see Jamie after four o’clock on Tuesday?’
Paul’s eyes darted quickly to the balcony then he recovered himself. ‘No. I didn’t.’
She’d lost him.
‘There’s something else I must ask you about.’
‘Of course,’ Paul said. He was relieved to be off the hook for now but Kelly logged him as a person of interest.
‘Did you know Jamie’s sister?’
‘Angelina?’
‘Yes. You knew her?’
‘Erm, kind of. I mean we had a few drinks when Jamie was in London. That kind of thing. Why?’
‘So, she had a property in London?’
‘I don’t know. Jamie was private. The last time he told me, I think she was in London, yes. Is everything OK?’
‘Angelina was staying in a hotel near here, paid for by Jamie.’
‘Really? He was incredibly generous.’
‘Her body was found on Monday. She was murdered.’
Kelly thought Paul might throw up.
It was a visceral, overwhelming and violent reaction that could have been true. It seemed natural and honest. But she had yet to decide if he was a good actor or not. Or if he’d just drunk too much YouthBlast.
‘Do you recognise this man in the photo with her?’ she pressed on, seizing the moment.
‘Him?’
‘Yes, you know him?’
‘That’s the guy who we’re suing.’
‘The podcaster?’
‘Yes, Jesus, why is Angie with him?’
‘Angie? You knew her well?’
Paul stared at her. ‘I think if you want to take this further, I’ll need Hampton-Dent to arrange a legal representative. Excuse me.’
He stood up and she watched as he walked into the hotel and didn’t look back.