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When Pollard made contact, he asked to be put straight through to Ronson. There was a pause before his expression changed again, to one of concern.
“Well, where is he?” he asked. “When’s he due back? Wednesday’s no good to me, sweetheart, I need him now.”
Whoever he was speaking to had obviously explained why that was not possib
le, and Pollard ended the conversation by demanding that Ronson call him first thing Wednesday morning. He replaced the receiver and was about to make another call when Gardener interrupted him.
“Not so fast, you know the regulations. One call only.”
“You’re wrong, I’m allowed at least two.”
“Unless I believe that we may be able to prevent injury or death to someone else. Now put the phone down.”
Gardener switched on the tape recorder and introduced everyone in the room.
“I’ve told you, I’m not talking without my solicitor.”
“Who isn’t available,” replied Gardener. “Would you like a duty solicitor?”
“You must be joking,” smirked Pollard, continuing to tap on the table. He seemed fairly cool, but Gardener suspected that feathers were about to be ruffled.
He rose from his seat. “In that case, you can stay here until Wednesday morning and we’ll talk to you then. If he returns.”
“You can’t do that!” Pollard was on his feet.
“Sit down,” ordered Reilly.
“Yes we can,” said Gardener. “We’ll apply to the Superintendent for an extension.” He headed for the door.
“I haven’t done anything,” shouted Pollard.
Gardener turned. “Talk to us, then. Last chance!”
Reilly also stood up, prepared to leave.
Pollard sat down and sighed. “Okay, you win. I’m innocent, and you’ll soon see that. Quicker we get this over with, the quicker I get out of here.”
Both detectives sat back down, and Gardener once again introduced everyone for the benefit of the recorder.
He placed Jackie Pollard’s file face down on the table. He also removed Pollard’s phone from his suit pocket – sealed in an evidence bag – and dropped it onto the floor near his seat.
“Right, Mr Pollard. What were you doing outside the shop?”
“I’ve told you, I was out for a walk.”
“That’s right, you said you couldn’t sleep.”
“So why do we need to go over it again?”
“Because I’m having a geographical problem,” replied Gardener. “You see, you say you were out walking in Bramfield at four o’clock in the morning, yet you live about eight or nine miles away in Holt Park.”
“I didn’t say I lived in Bramfield, I just said I was out walking. I’d been staying with friends.”
“You’ve actually got some, then?” asked Reilly.
“Unlike you, I haven’t blown all mine up.”
Reilly laughed. “Quite the comedian,” he said to his partner. “Let’s see if he’s still cracking jokes when we’ve finished with him.”
