Running Blind by M. J. Arlidge

Author:M. J. Arlidge [Arlidge, M. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781405926997
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2017-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

22

‘Who is he?’

Gary Raynor cast his eyes up to the ceiling, determined to avoid answering Whittaker’s question. The pair had been at it for a couple of hours already and so far the truculent farm owner had refused to cooperate, insisting that he was a law-abiding citizen who had been unlawfully assaulted by a police officer.

Helen had a bird’s-eye view of proceedings. Having left the health centre, she’d headed straight for Southampton Central, having given up on getting any sleep tonight. The CID officers had been cool in their welcome and begrudging in their praise of her actions – she had bagged the man they were supposed to bring in – but they nevertheless allowed her to watch Raynor’s interview through the two-way mirror. Helen was happy to accept this as their acknowledgement of her contribution to the case.

‘We can do this all day,’ Whittaker continued, eyeballing the taciturn Raynor. ‘And the next day. And the one after that if you want.’

‘I’ll be out of here before that.’

‘You think so? We’ve got you on charges of kidnap, unlawful imprisonment, attempted murder –’

‘Fuck off!’

‘Well what do you call setting the dogs on someone? Chasing them to their death.’

This seemed to silence Raynor, so Whittaker followed up his advantage.

‘Maybe we’ll even throw in a couple of animal cruelty charges. British juries hate that.’

Raynor turned away once more, but Helen could see that Whittaker’s shot had landed.

‘You’re looking at a long, custodial sentence. But here’s the thing. It’s not you I’m after.’

A slight pause, then Raynor resumed eye contact.

‘You’re just the end user. I want the supplier.’

Raynor didn’t look away. Helen sensed he was weighing up his options.

‘We know these men were not the only illegals brought in. They were part of a bigger group. So I want to know who you bought them from. I want to know where, when, how much, how often you’ve used him.’

Helen watched Whittaker lean forward, engaging Raynor at close quarters.

‘I want to know everything,’ Whittaker concluded quietly.

There was a long pause as Whittaker waited for a response. Helen watched intently as a change seemed to steal over Raynor. He seemed less assured, less certain now.

‘Look, mate, I’d love to help you, but I can’t,’ Raynor eventually stuttered.

‘Course you can. Way I see it, you don’t have much choice.’

‘Maybe I’ll take my chances.’

‘And spend the next ten years behind bars? Who’s going to look after the farm? Be a shame to let the homestead go to rack and ruin? How long has it been in the family? Three generations …?’

Raynor shrugged.

‘And what about your little boy? I know he doesn’t live with you, but do you think he’d like to see his dad in the slammer?’

Raynor dropped his eyes to the floor, shamed by the thought. Whittaker rose a notch in Helen’s estimation. His tactics weren’t subtle, but they were effective.

‘I don’t want that, you know I don’t want that … but I can’t risk it,’ Raynor answered suddenly.

‘Because you’d be in danger?’

‘Because I’d be in danger, my boy.

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