Page 114 of A Game of Lies

‘Ah yes, today …’ George flicks back through her own book. ‘Today you went for a walk up Pen y Ddraig mountain. You became disorientated when the police helicopter flew overhead, and you started running …’ George pauses and consults her notes. ‘“In case you were in the way”.’

‘I don’t appreciate your sarcasm, DC Kent, and neither does my client.’

‘I thought the helicopter might be looking for someone,’ Henry says.

‘How very perceptive of you.’

‘DC Kent, I must insist—’

George ignores the solicitor’s protestations. ‘When we found DC Morgan, she was locked in the confession pod.’

‘I was shocked when I heard that.’

‘Indeed.’

‘DC Kent!’

‘Someone had barricaded the door and turned on the flood tap.’

‘Appalling.’

‘But that wasn’t you,’ Leo says.

‘It most certainly wasn’t.’

‘Because if it was, you’d be looking at a charge of attempted murder,’ George says. ‘In addition to the murder you say you didn’t commit.’

‘I had no involvement in either of those things,’ Henry says.

‘Officers, do you actually have a question for my client, or do you simply intend to keep going over the – frankly, very expansive – account he has already given you?’

‘We just want to make sure we haven’t missed anything,’ George says. ‘It’s important your client has every opportunity to tell us what happened.’

‘I appreciate that,’ Henry says smoothly. ‘But I have nothing else to say. Everything I’ve told you is the truth. I didn’t kill Miles, and I was nowhere near your colleague today, at the time of her unfortunate accident.’

Leo places a clear plastic evidence bag on the table. ‘What’s this, Henry?’

‘I’ve got no idea, I’m afraid.’ Henry’s voice is confident, but there’s a faint tremor by his left eye.

By the time Jim and his dog Foster came free from their previous job, Henry was in custody and Ffion had been found. Foster was put to work anyway, leading Jim to a rabbit hole, where he began digging furiously.

‘It’s Miles’s running jacket, beanie and sunglasses, and a pair of pink socks,’ Leo says now.

‘If you say so.’

‘I do. But to be doubly certain, we’ve fast-tracked forensics, and sure enough—’ Leo pats the bag ‘—Miles’s DNA is on all of the items except the socks.’

George leans across the table. ‘Guess whose DNA is also on them.’

Henry blinks. ‘I’m sure I don’t—’

‘Yours, Henry.’ Leo folds his arms. ‘Why would your DNA be on Miles’s jacket?’

‘I – I might have borrowed it. Now that I think about it, I did ask him if—’

‘Don’t bullshit me,’ Leo says, his voice growing louder. ‘Your DNA is on there because you disguised yourself as Miles after you climbed in through his window wearing the socks on your hands – which, by the way, happen to match marks found on the window frame – and strangled him with this.’ Leo reaches into his bag and produces a smaller exhibit bag containing a single shoelace. ‘This was seized from the trainers you were wearing when you were arrested. A forensic pathologist has confirmed the pattern and size match the ligature marks on Miles’s neck, and I have no doubt we’ll find both his DNA and yours when we submit it for analysis. So …’ Leo leans forward. ‘Are you quite certain you’ve told us everything? Because remember: it may harm your defence if you do not mention now something you later rely on in court.’

‘I’m quite certain.’ Henry smiles apologetically. ‘I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.’

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