Chapter Thirty

Martin was escorted to an interview room. He had been told why he had been summoned there, though he did not understand why the two detectives wanted to talk to him again.

‘Hello Martin,’ Terry said walking into the room.

‘Hello.’

‘We’ve just been to see your sister, and that’s why we’re a little late. Sorry for that.’

‘How is she? How’s Mandy?’

‘She is remarkably well and handling the whole thing very smoothly if you ask me. She wants us to tell you that she forgives you, and that she still loves you.’

‘At least she’s free, free from that fat bastard.’

‘How you’ve changed your tune. May I ask what has brought this on?’

‘I’m fucked aren’t I? I’m gonna get life for this, but at least I can serve my time knowing that my sister hasn’t got to put up with that bastard any longer.’

‘OK, calm down and listen please Martin. The real reason for our visit is to ask you if you’d be interested in an idea that we’ve had. As you know, you are the second person this guy has forced to kill. We have been talking with the first this morning. I must inform you at this time that she does have legal representation and if you’d like us to appoint you with a duty solicitor please let us know. If you’re in agreement, we would like to interview you both together at the same time. What do you think?’

‘What has her brief said?’

‘Mr Barnford is in agreement with our suggestion. I must also inform you that if you do agree, you must also agree that this remains strictly confidential. If this was to become public knowledge then the whole case would be thrown out and the orchestrator would walk free.’

‘What’s in it for me?’

‘OK, at the moment you are looking at a charge of murder. If we can catch this guy, there is a chance of your charge being reduced to involuntary manslaughter.’

‘About ten years, pal, but you’ll get out after about four if you behave yourself; keep your nose clean and your mouth shut,’ McFarland summarized.

‘Why would talking to us together help?’

‘There are definitely some similarities with both crimes. By sharing your information and feeding off each other, there is a chance that you might unearth something.’

‘I know how you lot operate, you’ll twist our stories and land us in the frame. The Old Bill have never helped me in the past, why should they now?’ Martin slouched back in his chair folding his arms and oozing arrogance.

‘OK Martin. Let’s put it another way, if you won’t help us, how can we help you? We’re doing the best we can here, but we need your co-operation,’ Terry said standing up, ‘without it, we’re snookered in this part of the investigation. I’m only trying to help you. Unless we catch this man, he will continue.’

‘I’ll take my chances thanks.’ Martin looked away.

‘OK Martin you’ve had your chance, fifteen to life it is then. Oh and I’ll make sure that the CPS knows how much you wanted to co-operate and help us during the investigation. Listen, the offer stands until midnight tonight; if you want to talk to us, you know where we are.’

‘Hold on a minute, if the girl’s willing to do this, I’ll do it for her. I’m not doing this to help you, I’m only doing it to help her and so you can catch this geezer.’

‘That’s the only way we think.’

‘OK, set it up,’ Martin growled begrudgingly.

‘Come on, McFarland, you owe me a pint,’ Terry announced.