‘Guv?’
Kay replaced her desk phone in its cradle at the sound of Barnes’s voice to see the detective sergeant hurrying towards her.
‘Whatever it is, Ian, it’s going to have to wait. We’ve got Mark Redding in for questioning downstairs and his solicitor’s just arrived.’
He held up an evidence bag. ‘Thorngrove’s wallet was found by Harriet’s team a couple of metres from where Nancy Allen picked up his phone this morning.’
‘Anything in there to help us?’
‘Unfortunately not. There were just some bank cards and a driving licence. A bit of cash – not much.’
‘In that case, I need you with me.’ She gathered up her notebook and a folder containing Mark Redding’s previous statement, and thrust them at her colleague. ‘Andy Grey confirmed the phone call Thorngrove received last Monday morning was with Redding. His number appears in the recent calls list on the phone at the same time his boss––’
‘Gerry.’
‘Yeah, him.’ Kay waited while Barnes signed over custody of the wallet to Debbie for logging into the system, then headed towards the door. ‘The timing matches up with when Thorngrove was seen arguing with someone on the phone.’
Her colleague pulled his tie from his jacket pocket and looped it over his head before adjusting his collar as they took the stairs. ‘Who’s representing him?’
‘Andrew Gillow from Blake Arrow.’
‘Christ, if he can afford him then that business of his must be doing better than I thought.’
‘Which also means he’s got a lot to lose.’
Barnes held his arm across the door to the interview suites before she could reach the security panel. ‘Motive?’
She shrugged and said nothing.
‘Okay.’ He dropped his arm and stabbed the key code into the panel. ‘Let’s find out what he’s got to say.’
When Kay led the way into interview room four, Mark Redding broke off his conversation with his solicitor and waited until Barnes started the recording equipment and recited the formal caution.
‘My client is a busy man, detectives,’ said Gillow brusquely. ‘I hope this matter can be sorted out in a timely fashion.’
‘That depends upon Mr Redding’s willingness to cooperate,’ Kay replied.
Dressed in a light grey suit and a blue shirt, Redding ran a hand along the side of his head, smoothing down his hair before raising his gaze to meet Kay’s.
‘Tell us about Dale Thorngrove,’ she said.
‘The chap from Harlington’s garage?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘He looks after my car.’
‘Do you socialise with him?’
Redding glanced at his solicitor, who gave a slight nod, then cleared his throat. ‘Only on one occasion. I’d been out shooting that weekend and bagged a bird for a friend. I was on my way to his place when I dropped into the garage to book the car in for an MOT. Dale saw the bird on the passenger seat and we got talking. He was interested in having a go, so we made arrangements for him to come with us one Sunday when he wasn’t working.’
‘When was that?’ Barnes asked.
‘About, oh… four weeks ago.’
‘What were you using?’
Redding smiled indulgently. ‘Only a small .22 rifle. Anything else, and there wouldn’t be much of a bird left to cook.’
Kay opened the folder, pulled out a single page, and spun it around to face Redding and Gillow. ‘Care to explain how you were using that rifle given that your firearms licence was revoked when you were caught drink driving?’
Redding spread his hands. ‘Look, I only go shooting these days if I’m invited to do so on private land, and I know for a fact that the two people who invite me have firearms certificates. That’s not wrong, is it?’
‘It is, if you’re claiming responsibility for another person you invited along with you,’ said Barnes.
‘They vouched for Thorngrove as well. Ask them – they’ll tell you themselves.’
‘I will. What are their names?’
Kay waited while her colleague took the details, then eyed the man in front of her once more, ignoring the glare from his solicitor. ‘Remind me where you were last Wednesday night between eight and midnight.’
‘I told you. I was in business meetings. Video calls. Both in different time zones in the US. My wife brought me a light meal at nine o’clock because I’d missed dinner.’
‘What time did your second call end?’
‘Around ten to midnight.’ He gave a weary smile. ‘Needless to say, I was shattered the next day, especially as I had to meet with a new client based in Singapore at seven that morning.’
‘Why did you phone Thorngrove last Monday?’
‘Pardon?’
‘Dale Thorngrove’s mobile phone and wallet were found earlier today in the lane between the White Hart pub and your house,’ Kay said. ‘Your number was in his recent calls list, and ties in with an argument his colleagues overheard last Monday morning. What were you arguing about?’
‘God, I don’t remember.’
‘You can do better than that, Mr Redding. You’re currently our only suspect.’
He paled. ‘I was querying the invoice for the car service, that’s all.’
‘Wasn’t that the sort of conversation you should’ve been having with Gerry Harlington?’
‘Dale did the work. I wanted to query it with him.’
‘What was the problem?’
‘He replaced the exhaust manifold without asking permission.’ Redding snorted. ‘I could’ve done without the nasty surprise on the bill, that’s all. He got quite irate – to be honest, I wish I had spoken to Gerry. He’d have been much more understanding.’
‘We’re currently processing Thorngrove’s wallet for fingerprints. Now would be a good time to tell us if yours are going to be present when we do.’
‘Why on earth would my fingerprints be anywhere near his wallet? I’ve told you – I had nothing to do with that man’s murder.’ He turned to his solicitor. ‘This is getting preposterous.’
Gillow sighed, capped his fountain pen and closed his notebook. ‘I believe we’re finished here, Detective Hunter. My colleague has reiterated his previous statement, provided you with a clear explanation regarding his telephone call with Mr Thorngrove, and moreover has provided you with the names of two colleagues who can vouch for Mr Thorngrove’s invitation to use firearms under their supervision. I believe we’re done here.’
Barnes ended the recording and led the way from the interview room, his eyes downcast while Redding and his solicitor marched towards the exit.
Kay switched on her mobile phone, her heart sinking as she read the new message that appeared on the screen.
‘Shit.’
‘What’s up?’ said Barnes.
She held up the phone to him in response. ‘Laura phoned Redding’s wife while we were speaking to him. She’s confirmed what he said about taking in his supper that night while he was in meetings, and the time he came to bed. She couldn’t sleep so she was watching a film.’
Barnes growled under his breath. ‘Fuck it, we’re back to square one.’