Design for Murder by Roy Lewis

I did inside made me realize there was a better life available. It was then I decided to become ajournalist. Took a correspondence course in prison. But it’s turned out to be a tough choice. I’ve still to prove myself. But I know what it’s like to be suspected, to be innocent when others say you deserve conviction. I’m drawn to Raymond Conroy. He’s had a tough deal. He has a story to tell.’ His eyes were fixed on Eric, earnestly. ‘And with my experience, I think I’m the man to tell it to the world.’
    He saw the determination in Eric’s eyes and he hurried on. ‘But I accept you can’t help me in the manner I would have wished. On the other hand, if you would be prepared just to put me directly in touch with Conroy. Perhaps explain what I’m after. Persuade him—’
    Eric shook his head. ‘I’m afraid I can’t even do that, Mr Fraser.’
    ‘But at least you must know where he’s to be found at the moment!’
    Eric hesitated. It was already public knowledge that there had been a fracas outside the hotel in Gosforth. Fraser should follow his own nose on the matter. Eric could suggest to him that he might follow the trail from the hotel. Then he demurred once again. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Fraser. Conroy is still my client at the moment, though that relationship is about to end. I regret I really can’t help you.’
    He moved towards the door and opened it. He could have offered Fraser a lifeline, the hope that he might succeed in his enterprise. But he could not bring himself to do it. Raymond Conroy had been charged with murder, had faced trial, had escaped conviction for the moment – the last thing he would want would be to be pursued by an obsessive who wanted to write his life story, peel back his emotional skin to determine his innermost feelings. A journalist with his own life problems.
    Disappointed or not, Fraser was not someone to whomEric owed a thing, and he had no intention of getting involved with a man who was seeking to make his own reputation by dredging into the sensationalism that had already surrounded the hunt for the Zodiac Killer. Fraser did not say goodbye as he left. He failed to meet Eric’s eyes. There was disappointment in the set of his shoulders as he made his way through Susie’s office. Eric closed the door on him with relief.
    Shaking his head, he picked up the phone and dialled Sharon’s chambers. After a brief conversation with the clerk, he was put through to her extension.
    ‘Hi. Look, I’ve been up to Alnwick and I’ve met the solicitor who was holding the papers. Strudmore. You met him?’
    ‘Damp hands, eye for the ladies.’
    Eric laughed. ‘That’s him. Anyway, he insisted on giving me the family history as well as the trust papers. Seems to me the papers at least are all in order. Your family … that’s another matter.’
    ‘Tell me about it,’ Sharon laughed.
    ‘Anyway, all I need to do is get your final written consent to the distribution of the funds in the trust. Can we get together to do that?’
    ‘Very businesslike,’ she laughed.
    ‘Doesn’t stop us having dinner afterwards,’ he suggested.
    ‘Instead of a fee?’
    ‘That’s a deal.’
    He had barely replaced the phone when Susie Cartwright tapped at the door and entered. She closed it behind her. There was a strange look on her face. Her lips were tight with disapproval. Eric raised his eyebrows. ‘A problem?’
    ‘There’s someone in reception who wants to see you.’
    ‘So?’
    ‘It’s Raymond Conroy.’
    Eric grimaced. He was silent for a moment. ‘Have you sent him the bill for our fees?’
    Susie nodded. ‘And he’s just given me a cheque.’
    ‘Very prompt,’ Eric murmured.
    ‘And now he wants to see you.’
    Hopefully, to say goodbye, Eric thought. He nodded. ‘All right. Tell him I’m busy, but can spare him just a few minutes.’
    Susie turned, and as she did so he recalled that Conroy had been attacked. It was possible he would want to ask Eric to start