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Gardener continued. “Well, before you go, you won’t mind supplying the name and address for us to follow up.”
Pollard stretched back in his chair and yawned. “Don’t think the husband will take too kindly to that, if you get my drift.”
“That’s not my problem,” replied Gardener. “Back to the shop. How long had you been out walking?”
“A few minutes. I was coming across the car park when I saw you lot arrive.”
“So you hadn’t been near the front of the shop?”
“No.”
“You never noticed that it was open?”
“How could I?”
“And you never went inside?”
Pollard shook his head, inched forward, and rested his elbows on the table. He was dressed in a plain black T-shirt, dark blue jogging bottoms, and black plimsoles. Standard issue custody clothing.
“This is getting boring.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” replied Gardener, picking up the file and pretending to study it.
Reilly turned to Gardener. “We can’t have that, now, boss. You must watch your manners and change the subject. With no solicitor present, we don’t want him claiming harassment now, do we?”
“Not at all, Sean.” Gardener switched his attention back to Pollard.
“Nasty scar you’ve got above the right eye. How did you get that, Mr Pollard?”
“You do know this is illegal?” said Pollard.
“What is?” Gardener asked.
“No solicitor.”
“No it isn’t, and it’s your choice. Let’s get back to the scar.”
“It was an accident.”
“How did it happen?”
“I slipped.”
Gardener noticed that Pollard’s answers were becoming shorter.
Reilly took over. “Have to watch those wet floors in Armley, son.”
Pollard said nothing, so Reilly continued.
“Ten-year stretch, you must have been a bad lad.”
“Five, actually.”
“Let’s cut to the chase, Jackie, lad. We know all about the stretch in Armley, so we do. You were sentenced to ten years for stealing drugs from the NHS. You were very lucky that you had a solicitor almost as bent as you who managed to knock it down to five with good behaviour, though God knows what that constitutes from a drug dealer.”
Gardener continued. “While you were in there, you thought you could continue with your nasty little trade. But then you met Lance Hobson.”
During the silence that followed there was a polite knock on the door. Sergeant Williams appeared and asked if he could have a word.
