Page 52 of Gone in the Night
‘Oh dear.’
‘Oh dear, is right. My entire life is a shit show of the highest degree. I feel as if it’s all spiralled out of control and I don’t like not being in control.’
‘I’ve spoken to Leah.’
He had been staring out of the window but snapped his head around to stare at her.
‘And what did she have to say about the mess she helped to create? Because I’m not taking all of the blame. Did she tell you she practically threw herself at me?’
‘Not exactly.’
‘No, I bet she didn’t. We were drunk, she made the first move and me not being able to keep my own dick in my pants couldn’t resist. I bet you think I’m a total creep, sleeping with my daughter’s best friend, but it’s not like they’re teenagers; she’s a consenting adult.’
‘It has nothing to do with me. Leah said you weren’t with her all night when we think Sharon was murdered, she also said she didn’t see you much this past week because you told her you were busy.’
Morgan let that hang in the air, watching Stefan’s face closely. He closed his eyes and began to slowly shake his head. When he finally opened them, he stared her straight in the eyes.
‘No, I wasn’t with her all night, but it didn’t mean that I snuck off to murder my daughter. Is that what she was insinuating?’
‘I couldn’t tell you; she said that you were very angry with Sharon.’
‘I think I need a lawyer; I don’t think I should say anything else in case it incriminates me for something I didn’t do. We’re done here.’
He stood up and pointed to the door.
‘If you have nothing to hide why the change in attitude? Where did you go when you left Leah?’
‘Home to try and ease my guilty conscience, if you have to know. I realised that I was regretting the quick fumbles with Leah; they didn’t mean anything to me. She was a bit of fun, and I wasn’t going to mess things up with Beth. I love her more than anything, even though it’s too late and I should have figured that out before I slept with Leah. That is all you’re getting. If you want anything else then I’m not talking to you without legal advice.’
Morgan nodded. ‘Thank you, that’s okay. I can see myself out. One last thing, did you know Sharon was seeing a police officer called Jack?’
Stefan’s eyes were wide; he looked as if he was frozen in time at this revelation. Morgan realised this was news to him; he looked genuinely shocked.
‘No, I did not.’ He shrugged. ‘Did he kill her?’
‘We’re trying to find that out.’
‘I bet he’s not been arrested; you’ll all cover it up because that’s what you lot do. You take care of your own.’
Morgan shook her head. ‘He’s dead, so no we couldn’t arrest him.’
Stefan sighed. ‘How convenient.’ Then turned his back on her to stare out of the window again.
Morgan left him there, hoping to find the maid on her way out.
THIRTY-FOUR
Fin Palmer did not go quietly. Cain was in his element tussling the prat out of the Radio Cumberland building, whereas Stan stood to one side looking decidedly uncomfortable at the unfolding situation. Dave the DJ was filming everything on his phone until Cain threatened to smash it on the floor and arrest him too.
‘Get off me, I haven’t done anything,’ Palmer was yelling loudly to the small crowd that was forming outside of the building.
‘Shut up, Palmer, you know you’re not supposed to be chatting shit about an active investigation on a radio station.’
They were almost at the car and Stan ran to throw open the door. Cain pushed Palmer inside and slammed the door shut on him. Once they were in the car, Palmer stopped struggling and changed his demeanour as he sat very still.
‘You’re such a show-off, you know that, don’t you?’
Palmer was checking his reflection in the rear-view mirror and smoothing his hair down that had got a little mussed in the tussle. ‘It’s called showmanship, a good story needs a little drama.’
