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“But surely he trusted you,” I protested.
“Not where handbags was concerned. He knew somebody could get round me with a bigger one.”
“And did anybody ever offer you a bigger one?” Holms asked casually.
“The newspapers have more money than even Jimmy Henderson. They offered me huge ones.”
“And yet you did not divulge anything.”
“Jimmy would have chucked me and I wouldn't be a WAG any more. There's more important things than handbags.”
“I'm glad you realise that,” Holms offered warmly.
“So you don't think I'm stupid?” Cynthia asked meekly.
“Far from it, Miss La Crème,” Holms gave, “You are one of the wisest women I have ever met. You have taken an attractive exterior and a vacant interior and translated them into an excellent method of survival.”
This seemed to please the WAG for she said, It's very kind of you to say so. I forgive you.”
“Thank you. Now, to return to business, were there any signs that he had outside interests?”
“Like what?”
“Perhaps you noticed him buying gifts suitable for an older woman.”
“Jimmy only bought gadgets.”
“What type of gadgets?”
“Oh, all sorts. His electric shaver could play MP3s.”
Holms seemed disappointed. “Ah, let us turn then to his other interests. Did he express an interest in any particular actresses.”
“He fancied that Charlize Theron.”
This went over the great detective ‘s head and he turned to me.
“A stripling,” I explained. “Older than Henderson, but only in her 30s.”
“There was no mention of Helen Mirren, or Judi Dench, perhaps?
“Naah, he didn't like any famous old boilers.”
Holms seemed to sense that this tack was taking him nowhere. He moved on to different territory. “Tell me this, did Jimmy ever talk of his family?”
Cynthia sniffed briefly. “He didn't remember his real folks, United was his family.”
Holms jumped from the table with a cry and slapped the table making the crockery dance. “Precisely. And with those words, Miss La Crème, I believe you have brought this matter to its conclusion.”
The young WAG seemed surprised by this and could only utter a “What?”
The look of triumph on Holms’ face was overwhelming. He turned to me and asked, “The facts are before us in their entirety, Wilson. What are your conclusions?”
He had me stumped, of course, but this was nothing new, so I humoured him. “Conclusion? I haven't the remotest idea where you've led me, Holms. As far as I'm concerned we're still looking for some older woman.”
“Not some older woman, one particular one.”