The Wanderlust Lady and the Door to Door Salesman - 21 - More on Helping with Inquiries

Stan's interrogation at the police station continued.

“I find it incredible that you could have lived in Marple for two weeks and have never realised that the woman whose house you were staying in was dead. You knew she was gone. Did you really think she had gone off to visit friends?”

“I didn't know where she was. I kept expecting her to come back. When I went there, I knocked and knocked and shouted for her. But since she told me where the key was, and because I had nowhere else to go, I let myself in. But that was only for a night at that time. That was all I intended staying there.”

“Why did you go back – what was it – a week later?”

“Not quite. I couldn't get any money out of the bank to pay for my room, because the bloody NatWest bank had made a mess of things. So I got kicked out of my room, and had no money and no job and nowhere to go.”

“You signed on at the job centre, I presume.”

“Yes. I'm entitled.”

“I'm not saying you're not. So did you get some money once the bank had sorted out its problems?”

“Yes.”

“Did you look for another job?”

“I called a few places. Most of the jobs weren't suitable for me.”

“I suggest that you had a cushy life all lined up and had no need for a job. You were going to live rent free at your victim's house, and bit by bit take out all her savings from her account.”

“No, it wasn't like that.”

“You didn't decide to live in her house.”

“Yes, but...”

“You didn't take money out of her savings.”

“Yes, but....”

“You didn't intend doing it forever.”

“No. I always thought she'd be coming back again. I was going to pay her back.”

“I have witnesses who say you spent a huge amount of money in Manchester last week.”

“Who said that?”

“I'm sure you know that I don't need to reveal my source. Did you go to Manchester?”

“Yes.”

“Did you go to the Caso Benito Club?”

“Yes.”

“It was said that you shelled out over £100 that night.”

“It wasn't nearly that much.”

“Where did that money come from Stan?”

“It was mine.”

“I think if we rewind this interview, you'll find that you said you had no money. Which is it, Stan? Did you have money or did you not have money?”

“Okay. I found it.”

“In the coffee cannister?”

“No.”

“Where was it?”

“In the bookcase – in a fake book that she used to keep small change in.”

“Did she tell you about it?”

“No.”

“Did she say you could spend all her spare change?”

“No.”

“Did you steal the money?”

“I intended paying it back.”

“That doesn't make it all right. You stole that money, just like you stole the money you took out of her account. The amount is rising. Maybe about £120 now. Maybe more. Is it more Stan?”

“No.”

“Where did you find her cheque card?”

“In another one of those fake books in her big bookcase.”

“Did you look through all her books?”

“Yes.”

“Did you find any more money?”

“No.”

“What was in the coffee cannister, Stan?”

“Nothing.”

“Not even coffee?”

“She didn't drink coffee.”

“What did she drink, Stan?”

“Tea, without milk.”

“So let's get this straight. You're admitting to me that you took from Miss Jones on two occasions – around £100 of loose change, and £20 from her bank account. Is that right?”

“Yes.”

“And you're saying that you did not drive the white van at speed into Miss Jones and kill her.”

“I did not. I swear it.”

“Well, that's enough for one day, I think. If you wait outside, the secretary will write up these notes and you can sign them. You also admitted to staying in Miss Jones' house without her permission, although you didn't actually break in. As she did seem to have given you bits of information about her house, I think we can let you by on that one. You'll be formally charged with petty theft – to which you have already admitted your guilt. You'll have to face charges in the Magistrates' Court for those petty thefts. So don't leave the area and get yourself a solicitor. We'll want to talk to you again.”

“What will happen to me? Will I go to jail?”

“Highly unlikely being a first offence. But Magistrates have the power to give up to six months' sentences. Most likely it will be a fine or a community order – where you have to work eight hours a day for nothing in the community for a period, depending on what the magistrate thinks is appropriate.”

“Can I go back and stay in the house?”

“No way. With your admitted history of thievery, chances are you've got something else in mind to knock off before you leave there. So when we're done here, I will escort you home, wait while you pack up your stuff, and take the key off you.”

“But I don't have anywhere else to go?”

“I expect your parents would take you in for a night or two, until you can get yourself sorted. They're rather worried about what sort of trouble you've got yourself into.”

“Did Minnie have a will? Who'll get the house?”

“I really don't think that's any of your business, Stan. Anyway, I don't know. She might not have had close family, but if she didn't have a will, there'll be remote cousins somewhere who'll inherit in the course of time, when they've been uncovered.”

“Can I ask you something? Do you think Sadie did it? I mean running her over.”

“I think there's a pretty good chance she ran her over, but I very much doubt that she knew who she was. There were no witnesses. There's a pretty good chance that we won't be able to prove a thing. We couldn't find any blood or DNA on her van.”

“Can I go to Hyde tomorrow to sign on at the job centre and get out some money?”

“Yes. You can carry on as normal, but we need to know where you are at all times, and then you'll have to be around for your visit to the court.”

So P C Reilly drove me back to Minnie's house, and I picked up my clothes and put them back in the plastic grocery bags with him watching me. The unframed picture was still in my jacket pocket. I handed him the key.

“Can I go now?”

“Do I take it you're going to your parents' house?”

“Yes, I guess I'll have to. But not for long.”

“We'll need to know how to get into contact with you, so if you get another address, you must keep us informed.”

“Okay.”

“Yes, off you go. Oh, by the way Stan.”

“Yes.”

“Her funeral's at the Crem on Tuesday morning.”

“Thanks.”