Imposition (DI Gardener 5)

“There’s an awful lot of fucking nothing going on in your life,” added Reilly. “How do you cope with all the boredom?”

“I can’t work, see, because of my condition.”

“What condition?”

“My nerves. Shot to pieces. Good days and bad days, mostly bad. I’m on tablets. Can’t work, can’t hold down a job.”

“You seem to be able to hold on to everything else well enough,” said Reilly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Gardener pushed a pen and paper forward. “Name and address of your doctor.”

Manny wouldn’t pick up the pen. Rather than sign it, Manny told Gardener, who wrote down the details.

“Were you in or around Swansea Court in Bursley Bridge on Friday, 24 November?”

“I just told you, I was at home.”

Gardener leaned forward. “Are you sure?”

Manny also leaned forward, spreading his arms. “Are you?”

“Do you know where Swansea Court is?”

“Not really.”

Gardener’s pet hate for an answer. “You either do, or you don’t. Which is it?”

“I’m not sure.”

Gardener realised Manny’s years in and out of police stations had taught him well. Always evade questions, never answer directly, try and change the subject. But he would slip up soon.

“It’s on the outskirts of the town, heading towards Bramfield. Have you ever been to Swansea Court?”

“I don’t think so.”

Gardener changed subjects. “Does the name Robbie Carter mean anything to you?”

“Robbie who?”

“Carter.”

“Who’s he, then?”

“He’s the man who lives at Swansea Court,” offered Reilly.

Manny finished his coffee. “Sorry, why are you telling me all this?”

“Maybe you know his wife, Jane Carter?”

Manny placed his cup on the table, his eyes wide, his mouth open. “Here, is that the woman who was killed?”

“Might have been.”

“Might have been?” repeated Manny. “She either was, or she wasn’t. Which is it?”

Gardener opened the file, riffled through the paperwork. “Been a bit of a lad in your time, I see, Mr Walters. We’ve had you up before the judge on a number of theft-related charges. You have a record for selling stolen goods, dodgy Sky cards being one. Seems you also once had a problem with some fake Viagra tablets. You’ve been done for stealing cars and altering the number plates with black PVC tape.”