Learning English

INTERVIEW ROOM

Arthur
(Jamie called me, said that his business had been hacked. He was concerned that his devices were being monitored and would I meet him at the cliffs. We met,) I told him I couldn’t bail him out – he seemed to be broke - and I’m afraid he jumped.

Callie
He jumped?

Arthur
Yes. Well, stepped off really. Cowardly thing to do.

Callie
And you didn’t think to mention this when we spoke to you on Tuesday?

Arthur
Well that was an error, but, I wanted nothing to do with it. Stuff like that… leaves a nasty smell.

Nikesh
Mr Montgomery, did Jamie Phelps’ body hit the water? Or did it land on the sand.

Arthur
I don’t know. Didn’t look. Rather squeamish.

Nikesh
So then, after witnessing this… suicide, you came back down, met a fan, took a selfie, hopped back into your car and drove off?

Arthur
That’s about right. Look, the selfie… these people… it’s always easier to just do it. They badger you otherwise and take one anyway and it can get… rather unpleasant.

Callie
You were smiling in the photo.

Arthur
One does.

Nikesh
Mr Montgomery, you don’t need to waste your time making up a story. We know you killed Jamie Phelps. We know you pushed him off the cliff, sent a text to his wife and chucked the phone after him. The phone was dry, you see. The body was wet. We also suspect, that it was you who paid the ransom for the malware. Taking the details from Jamie’s phone.

Callie
Why did you do it Mr Montgomery? Was Jamie Phelps a threat to you?

Arthur
I have nothing more to say.

Callie
Well that’s a shame. After all that talk of cooperation. I wonder… was there something in the file that was hacked? Something you didn’t want made public? Perhaps Jamie Phelps maybe look after something else for you. Something other than money?

THE STORY CONCLUDES IN ACTIVITY 5.