Outside the interview room, the tension was rising.
‘We've only got a couple of hours, then we've got to charge him or let him go,’ Wendy said.
‘I’m perfectly aware of how the policing process works, thank you, Detective Sergeant Knight. Now, if you'll stop wasting my fucking time we can use some of those precious moments to interview the cocky, shit-headed—‘ Wendy opened the door to the interview suite. ‘—lovely, adorable Gary McCann.’
McCann looked up at him, unsure of quite how to react.
‘Just one of my ways of calming down before an interview, Mr McCann. A bit like the old trick of imagining the other person naked, but I use this one for the fatties.’
The pair took their seats and Wendy switched the tape machine to “record” before Culverhouse stated the legalities.
‘Right. We've just been round to speak to Danielle Levy's step-dad, and he tells me you did know Danielle,’ Culverhouse continued.
‘Well he's lying, ain't he?’
‘Doesn't seem like it. He had quite a detailed story, actually. Said she used to work in one of your pubs and got the sack for nicking stuff. Ring any bells?’
‘Not especially. I've got a lot of pubs and a lot of businesses. People get fired every day. Way of the world, ain’t it?’
‘Well maybe this will ring a bell. For the benefit of the tape, I am showing Mr McCann a photograph of Danielle Levy.’
Gary McCann shook his head. ‘Nope. Like I said, I've got loads of girls working for me in my pubs. Don't even meet most of them. Just come and work for a few weeks then they're off again. It ain't exactly a job that demands company loyalty, Inspector.’
‘So you're saying that you don't remember employing or terminating the employment of Danielle Levy in the last few weeks?’
‘Like I said, Inspector. I've got a lot of girls working for me. I don't know all their names. Besides, it’s the licensees who manage staffing in the pubs.’
Culverhouse felt sure he knew differently.
‘Surely your payroll system would be able to shed some light on it?’
‘Don't have one. Pay them all in cash, don't I?’
‘Surely you need a payroll system for National Insurance contributions,’ Wendy added.
‘Nope. All my bar staff work part time hours. Don't earn enough to pay no National Insurance.’
‘Well, aren't you a responsible employer,’ Culverhouse said sarcastically.
‘Nothing illegal about it, Inspector. Anyway, are you questioning me for murder or money laundering?’
‘I think it's best to concentrate on them one at a time, don't you? Now, Danielle Levy's step-dad tells us that Danielle made some sort of remark about “getting you back”. Does that ring any bells?’
‘Said what, to me?’
‘No, to her step-father.’
‘Then how the fuck should I know? I don't have microphones in their fucking house. Look, what is this? Are you going to charge me with this girl's murder or let me go? You're running out of time, Inspector.’
‘Oh, I have all the time in the world, McCann. Now, tell me, what could a seventeen-year-old girl possibly have on you which would make you want to see her dead?’
Before Gary McCann could even formulate an answer, the knock on the door broke the uncomfortable silence. Pausing for a few moments and barely breaking eye contact with McCann, Culverhouse commanded the knocker to enter. It was Luke Baxter. He gestured for Culverhouse to leave the interview room for a moment.
‘Guv, we've just had a call from someone. Reckons he might have some information which connects Bob Arthurs and Danielle Levy.’