Daggers and Men's Smiles. Jill Downie

casting changes? Is this normal?”

      “Perfectly, particularly if there are changes to the script. Obviously, we pay the original actor, if he or she has a signed contract. You may have noticed we haven’t changed any of our leads — it would cost us a fortune.”

      “You say you were in Rome — we will, of course, be confirming that. Where were you when Mr. Albarosa was killed?”

      “Still in Italy, I think, or up in the air. Depends exactly when he was killed, but I got back to Guernsey very early this morning, as soon as your airport opened up. I am a qualified pilot and was on my own, but you could check that with the airport.”

      “How long were you off the island? Were you here when the incident occurred with Mr. Ensor?”

      “Unfortunately, yes, given our working relationship. I was only in Italy for just over twenty-four hours — possibly thirty-six.”

      “And where, precisely, were you?”

      “Here.” Monty Lord jabbed his finger downwards toward his chair. “Bella could confirm that. She was here with me taking notes that evening. I worked on my own for a while, and then called her back in to complete a couple of letters.”

      Moretti put his notepad away. He often wondered what useful purpose it served. “Thank you, sir. We’ll check that with Ms. —?”

      “Alfieri. Bella Alfieri. Highly competent and completely reliable.”

      “Good.” Moretti stood up. “I was hoping to speak to some of your lead actors, but I see from the schedule they’re filming right now. It will have to wait until tomorrow — oh, did you know that Mr. Ensor says his wife is missing?”

      “No, I didn’t.” Monty Lord seemed genuinely surprised.

      “Does she have a function of any kind?”

      “Apart from being Gilbert’s minder, you mean? Not officially. They’ve had some godawful fights since we started shooting, but there’s no doubt he behaves better when she’s around — or else she takes the crap he usually hands out to others. She is — was — a gifted woman. Gave it all up for that shit — what we do for love, as the song says, eh, Inspector?”

      “Yes.”