Neil opened the door and rolled his eyes.
Riddick forced back a smile.
‘Seriously?’ Neil said. ‘Are you having a laugh?’
‘I’ll tell you what’s serious, Neil. Mandy has lied. She wasn’t with you between nine and midnight the day before last.’
‘Really. Says who?’
‘Not relevant… Now, can I come in so you can be straight with us?’
‘And if I tell you to piss off?’
‘Then I’ll charge Mandy with obstruction of justice, and I’ll apply for a warrant for your arrest.’
‘For?’
‘The murder of your son.’
Neil laughed. ‘Behave.’ He stood back to allow Riddick access. ‘Can I expect more police brutality?’
Riddick waited until the door was closed behind him before answering the question. ‘Depends.’
‘On?’
‘Whether you take your frustrations out on Mandy again.’
‘She isn’t the one talking to you lot. That’ll be her bitch of a daughter upstairs.’
‘Well, she’s pregnant. So, lay a hand on her, and you’ll remember the brutality as little more than a pleasant appetiser.’
They went through into the lounge and sat side by side. Neil spoke while Riddick got out his notepad. ‘D’you realise what my son and that slut’s mistake is going to cost me? Who do you think is going to end up footing the bill?’
‘Let’s get to the point, Neil. Your son is dead. The circumstances are suspicious. Did you kill him?’
‘No.’ He pointed at his mouth as he said it. ‘Why in God’s name would I do that?’
‘Well, in all honesty, you don’t seem that bothered that he’s dead.’
‘Because I’m not in tears? Give me a break. Listen, Bradley was a pain in the arse, and did he cause me problems? Yes. He was also too bloody emotional, and so he was never going to be of use to me.’
‘With what? Breaking cars?’ Riddick said and sneered.
‘Among other things. Man’s work in general. However, he was still my son, and I still loved him. I may not seem it, but I’m gutted.’
‘Gutted, but you can’t even shed a tear?’
‘I’ve never been the crying type.’
‘Well, at least get angry then. Shouldn’t a man like you be out for revenge?’
Neil smiled. ‘How do you know I’m not?’
‘Well, if you are, I suggest you stop right there. It’s easier to talk to us, and have it dealt with properly—’
‘Properly! You’re as heavy-handed as the next man, Paul. You just demonstrated that earlier.’
Riddick ran a hand over his head. ‘Where were you between nine and midnight the day before last? And, if your alibi doesn’t check out this time, we’re coming back for you. Guns blazing.’
Neil sighed. ‘The Worlds End.’
Riddick felt his blood run cold. ‘That pub’s right next to the bloody river. Fifteen minutes, if that, from the bloody crime scene.’
‘Precisely!’ Neil said. ‘Why do you think I didn’t tell you? Better to keep it simple. I can see it in your eyes already. I’ll give you two reasons why I didn’t kill my boy. Number one – I’ve already gone down, and don’t fancy it again. Ever. Number two – he was my boy.’ His voice began to crack. ‘My bloody boy for Christ’s sake.’
You’re a good actor, Neil. There’s only one person in this room you’ve ever cared about, and it isn’t me! ‘Who were you with at the Worlds End?’
‘Simon Turner and Nick Foley.’
Riddick guffawed. ‘Two people that’d happily lie for you.’
Neil shrugged. ‘I’m sure you’ve got other means. Ask the bar staff. Check the CCTV.’
‘What time did you leave?’
‘About eleven.’
‘Who with?’
‘I walked with Si down Waterside. All the way down to Abbey Road, out onto Wetherby Road. Then I headed off left to Fountains Way where Si lives.’
‘Why?’
‘We fancied more drinks.’
As well as the rest, Riddick thought. ‘Was there anyone else there?’
‘His wife. She can vouch for us. We must have been there from half eleven.’
Riddick made some notes.
‘Did you and Si head up to the castle via the steps?’
‘No. We never went to the bloody castle! We walked right past those steps.’
‘Will you consent to a DNA sample?’
‘Hardly any point when you already have it, but yes.’
‘Okay, we will be speaking to Simon Turner, his wife, Nick Foley and the staff at the Worlds End. Anyone else who will be able to confirm your account of events?’
‘Not that I can remember, no. I’m sure someone must have seen me through the window of one of their houses?’
He thought of the witness who’d seen someone arguing loudly on the phone. ‘Were you wearing a hoodie?’
‘No… a jumper.’
‘Will you be happy to submit this jumper for a fibre test if required?’
‘Wouldn’t be great if I said no, would it?’
‘Probably not. You want a suggestion, Neil?’
Neil growled. ‘I’m all ears.’
‘Head to the station in Harrogate and deliver a detailed statement. I’ll let them know you’re on your way. Get ahead of this.’
Neil shook his head. ‘I’ve done nowt. This is precisely why I lied in the first place.’
Riddick shrugged. ‘Look. It seems as if Mandy has been through a lot. What with the black eye, and everything. You get to the station, and make that detailed statement, and I’ll see what I can do about the obstruction of justice charge.’
‘Do you enjoy your job, Paul?’
Riddick stood. ‘Beats breaking cars for a living.’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Neil stood. ‘I could have a use for a dogged fella such as yourself. You might even find it rewarding.’
‘Rewarding how?’ Riddick raised an eyebrow.
Neil winked. ‘Let me know when you’ve finally told your superiors where they can stick their job.’
‘And why would I do that?’
‘They shat all over you, Paul. Have you forgotten?’
No, that’s not something I’d forget. ‘They had their reasons.’
Neil winked again. ‘Loyalty. I like that in a man too… yes, you really could be so useful.’
‘Are you trying to involve me in some kind of crime, Neil?’
‘Whatever gave you that idea? Besides, not everyone has to be squeaky clean, do they? You could still be the hero. Your old boss, Anders, was hardly squeaky clean, and he was the toast of the town.’
For saving kids from a burning building. You could pretty much get away with anything after that. Not that Anders had been a bent copper. Old school, yes. Bent, no. ‘I’m not interested in how you see things, and I’m starting to feel rather irritated.’ He clenched his fists.
Neil held his palms up. ‘Easy now, Paul. One beating is enough for me today. I’m just trying to help you. You’ve fallen. I’m simply offering to pick you back up.’
Riddick took a step forward, and Neil took a step back.
I may have fallen, but I’ve not hit the bottom yet.
‘Go to the station,’ Riddick said. ‘And deliver your statement. I’ll let them know you’re coming.’
* * *
He delivered the results of the interview to Gardner in her car.
‘Well done, Paul. What do you think?’
‘I think he’s an absolute dick, and guilty of many things, but murdering his son? I’m not so sure. First, let’s find out if he’s telling the truth this time.’
‘I’m going to give it to DS Phil Rice and some of the others to look into,’ Gardner said.
Riddick raised an eyebrow. ‘Phil’s a prat.’
‘The chief thinks he’s okay,’ Gardner said.
‘The chief told you I was okay,’ Riddick said.
‘Yes. And you are. Sort of,’ Gardner said. ‘Look, I have to start trusting people, sooner or later, Paul. We can’t do all this on our own, you know.’
Riddick nodded.
‘I think it’s best you contact Phil with everything you just found out, in case I get anything wrong,’ Gardner continued. ‘Tell him to investigate this timeline of events to within an inch of its life. We are not ruling out Neil until we are 100 per cent certain that he didn’t take those steps up to the castle. Phil can also take his detailed statement at the station, so if Neil lies to us again, we’ve got him on record.’