property back and arrest your attackers.” Mackay’s expression suggested he wasn’t pinning much hope on their success. “In the meantime, we would like to ask you a few questions about your father-in-law’s death.”
Mackay blinked in surprise and for the third time in twenty-four hours, Warren found himself explaining that it was his job to investigate the circumstances behind all unexpected deaths. Mackay gave a short nod; it was clear from his expression that he just wanted the whole thing to be over so that he could seek out the duvet he so clearly craved. Warren suspected that his wife might just be standing between him and that bed. He didn’t envy him that discussion.
“First, could you just confirm your whereabouts on the night your father-in-law died?” Warren’s tone was casual, almost bored.
Mackay licked his lips.
“I was at work; I do the night shift.”
“That’s interesting, because according to your supervisor—or should I say former supervisor—you were laid off a month ago. They haven’t seen you since.” Sutton’s tone was hard, all traces of sympathy gone.
“Shit…” Mackay’s voice was soft.
Sutton held up a computer printout. “And according to your bank statements, you haven’t had a regular income since then.”
Now it was Warren’s turn. “So try again, Ian. Where were you really in the early hours of Tuesday morning? And where have you been going every night for the past month?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Interesting…
Warren smiled disarmingly. “Come on, Ian, help us out here. We just want to tick all the boxes and write this up as an accident.”
Mackay shook his head again.
“OK, Ian. It isn’t important. We just need to ask a few more questions, then you can go and get your head down. You look done in.”
A look of relief passed across the man’s face.
“We’ve been speaking to some of your father-in-law’s acquaintances, building a bit of a picture.” Warren smiled slightly. “Forgive me, but he doesn’t strike me as the warmest of characters.”
Mackay snorted. “You could say that.”
“Kathy tells me he could be quite stubborn. For instance he didn’t want to pay for a carer when she lived so close by.”
“Yeah. ‘Blood is thicker than water’ he kept on saying.” Mackay leant back slightly in his chair, the minute shift in body language telling the two officers that he was relaxing and warming to his subject. “The way he saw it, Kathy didn’t work so what else was she going to do all day when the kids were at nursery or in school? She even used to go around when she was pregnant.” He scowled. “It never occurred to the selfish old bastard that he was the reason Kathy didn’t work. She has secretarial skills. She used to work in a solicitor’s office before she gave it up to look after Charles. There was a vacancy at the kids’ school last year for a receptionist. Term time, school hours, it would have been perfect but she wouldn’t apply because Charles needed her during the day.”
“That’s bad luck. I imagine the money would have been helpful.”
Mackay shrugged his agreement.
“What about her brother? Tommy?” asked Sutton.
“He works full time in Stevenage. There’s no way he could come in during the day. Not that he doesn’t do his bit,” he added hastily.
“I guess if Kathy had taken the job, she’d have had to take the kids around to Mr Michaelson’s after school.”
“I guess so.”
“But that wasn’t possible, was it? What with Callum refusing to visit his grandfather? Why was that?”
The flash of surprise across Mackay’s features revealed that he hadn’t seen the change of topic coming. “I’ve no idea. You know how kids can be.”
Warren leant forward slightly. “Tell me, Ian, were you aware of the rumours that were circulating about your father-in-law before his stroke? About his behaviour around young people?”
Mackay’s eyes
Mackay blinked in surprise and for the third time in twenty-four hours, Warren found himself explaining that it was his job to investigate the circumstances behind all unexpected deaths. Mackay gave a short nod; it was clear from his expression that he just wanted the whole thing to be over so that he could seek out the duvet he so clearly craved. Warren suspected that his wife might just be standing between him and that bed. He didn’t envy him that discussion.
“First, could you just confirm your whereabouts on the night your father-in-law died?” Warren’s tone was casual, almost bored.
Mackay licked his lips.
“I was at work; I do the night shift.”
“That’s interesting, because according to your supervisor—or should I say former supervisor—you were laid off a month ago. They haven’t seen you since.” Sutton’s tone was hard, all traces of sympathy gone.
“Shit…” Mackay’s voice was soft.
Sutton held up a computer printout. “And according to your bank statements, you haven’t had a regular income since then.”
Now it was Warren’s turn. “So try again, Ian. Where were you really in the early hours of Tuesday morning? And where have you been going every night for the past month?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
Interesting…
Warren smiled disarmingly. “Come on, Ian, help us out here. We just want to tick all the boxes and write this up as an accident.”
Mackay shook his head again.
“OK, Ian. It isn’t important. We just need to ask a few more questions, then you can go and get your head down. You look done in.”
A look of relief passed across the man’s face.
“We’ve been speaking to some of your father-in-law’s acquaintances, building a bit of a picture.” Warren smiled slightly. “Forgive me, but he doesn’t strike me as the warmest of characters.”
Mackay snorted. “You could say that.”
“Kathy tells me he could be quite stubborn. For instance he didn’t want to pay for a carer when she lived so close by.”
“Yeah. ‘Blood is thicker than water’ he kept on saying.” Mackay leant back slightly in his chair, the minute shift in body language telling the two officers that he was relaxing and warming to his subject. “The way he saw it, Kathy didn’t work so what else was she going to do all day when the kids were at nursery or in school? She even used to go around when she was pregnant.” He scowled. “It never occurred to the selfish old bastard that he was the reason Kathy didn’t work. She has secretarial skills. She used to work in a solicitor’s office before she gave it up to look after Charles. There was a vacancy at the kids’ school last year for a receptionist. Term time, school hours, it would have been perfect but she wouldn’t apply because Charles needed her during the day.”
“That’s bad luck. I imagine the money would have been helpful.”
Mackay shrugged his agreement.
“What about her brother? Tommy?” asked Sutton.
“He works full time in Stevenage. There’s no way he could come in during the day. Not that he doesn’t do his bit,” he added hastily.
“I guess if Kathy had taken the job, she’d have had to take the kids around to Mr Michaelson’s after school.”
“I guess so.”
“But that wasn’t possible, was it? What with Callum refusing to visit his grandfather? Why was that?”
The flash of surprise across Mackay’s features revealed that he hadn’t seen the change of topic coming. “I’ve no idea. You know how kids can be.”
Warren leant forward slightly. “Tell me, Ian, were you aware of the rumours that were circulating about your father-in-law before his stroke? About his behaviour around young people?”
Mackay’s eyes
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