Condemned by R.C. Bridgestock (love books to read TXT) 📕

Mike and Wilkie remained silent.

James Thomas took a clean, neatly folded handkerchief out of his suit pocket, and held it to his cheek, then he mopped his forehead, before putting it back in his pocket. ‘I was absolutely terrified. The whole thing was just surreal, like something out of a play. Next thing I heard was a gun going off, and I saw the stranger fall to the floor. I turned to look at Mr Raglan, and he was holding the gun that was pointed in the direction of Brad Dixon. I didn’t know what to do. I panicked. I can recall Mr Dixon saying the man was dead. After that, it all seemed slightly crazy. Mr Dixon told me that I had to keep quiet about what I’d witnessed, or else—’ Thomas put his hand over his face. ‘—his nose was pressed against mine,’ he said. Thomas’s hand shook. ‘Mr Raglan appeared to be in shock. I promised them that I wouldn’t say a word if they let me leave. Under duress, and in fear for my life, I helped to hide the body, after which I hastily left. I remember my heart was beating so hard against my ribcage that when I got into my car and had locked the doors, I was trembling so badly that I couldn’t put the key in the ignition.’

‘How did the others appear to be immediately after the shooting?’

James considered the question. ‘That’s just it, when I think back, they were all quite calm, matter of fact. A man had just been shot in front of their eyes, and they didn’t really bat an eyelid. They appeared to be only concerned about being caught.’

‘Did you want the building to be demolished as soon as possible to get rid of the body on their behalf? Is that why it was set alight?’ continued Mike.

‘No, not at all! I had enough on my plate trying to carry on and act normal after what I had witnessed. I could only surmise, when the bodies were found in the house, that one of them was the stranger I had seen shot dead that night. I did want Crownest to be demolished for one thing, and one thing only, and that was to get the job done, so that the builders could start.’

‘If you want us to believe that this is the truth, tell me, why didn’t you come forward before now? You had time before the human remains were discovered, and plenty of time since,’ said Mike.

‘God’s honest truth? I was petrified that they would kill me. I still am.’

‘You’ve heard of Crimestoppers haven’t you?’ said Mike.

Thomas nodded.

Wilkie’s eyes became suspicious. ‘Why didn’t you make an anonymous call?’

James hand flew to his mouth. ‘Why didn’t I think about that? Although… now I am thinking about it, I was the only person who knew about the shooting, other than Jonathan Raglan and the Dixons, so it wouldn’t have been hard for them to work out who the grass was, would it?’

‘Are you involved in the drugs scene, in any way?’ asked Mike.

James shook his head vehemently. ‘No, no, never. You’ve searched my house by now, I guess,’ he smiled wanly. ‘Give me a test, right here and now if you want.’

‘I didn’t ask if you were a user. I asked if you had any dealings with drugs. You grew up on an estate, you know how to handle yourself, you’re a self-made man, you come across as being astute and intelligent, so what puzzles me is why you would be dealing with someone like Raglan, who’s presently acting irrationally. And let’s not forget, through him you’ve met a pair of armed robbers who are wanted by the police, and a murder has taken place while you are in their company. How do you think all that looks to us?’

‘What I’ve told you is the truth.’

‘Then why don’t I believe you?’ Mike said. ‘I don’t deny you have a business buying and selling different investments, but I also believe that you have been dabbling with the selling and distribution of drugs, which you know is a global money-making business, and from which you can make a substantial profit.’

‘My client is not under arrest in relation to any drug charges, and I must object to this line of questioning,’ interjected Mr Kane, Thomas’s solicitor. James Thomas’s face was unreadable.

Mike was quick to answer back. ‘You can object all you want, but we know that the Dixons and Raglan were involved in the drugs scene and in money-laundering, so the question is relevant for us to understand whether your client has been using his entrepreneurial skills in the drugs world.’

James Thomas broke the silence. ‘Sergeant, let me assure you that is not the case. Have you found anything in my home or my car to suggest otherwise?’ Mike and Wilkie remained silent.

‘No is the answer, because I know you won’t,’ James said with some finality.

‘You’ll be telling me next that the Mafia are God-fearing individuals. I think it is time to terminate this interview to give you some time to reflect,’ said Mike collating his paperwork from the table in front of him.

Mr Kane followed Mike out of the interview room. ‘I suggest that maybe my client is willing to make a statement, if he isn’t charged with any offence.’

‘I’m far from satisfied that your client was simply on the periphery. Even if he wasn’t the one that pulled the trigger, he knew what went on and assisted the others, and you know as well as I do that for assisting offenders he can be tried and indicted as a principal,’ Mike told him, letting him know there were going to be no deals. Mike saw the solicitor’s jaw drop. He turned and briskly walked away.

It was the end of a shift, and the corridor was noisy with the banter of officers and support staff leaving