“We have to have something that can link him to the crime scene. There’s got to be something linking him to it all,” May said.
Kerry checked her phone.
“I see Adams has just messaged,” she said, sounding hopeful. She opened it and read the text. Then she made a disappointed face.
“No people in the home. No trace of anyone being held or imprisoned. The workshop is used for metalwork. They make wine racks, wrought-iron shelves, and the like. No evidence of woodworking. Owen has arrived there and they’re on their way here.”
May sighed.
For a despondent moment, they stood together in silence. May felt deeply worried that they had the right person in the room, but that they were not going to be able to prove it. This could stall the case. It could be disastrous.
“I suppose we could go back in and try again,” Kerry said after a moment.
“I don’t think they’ll say anything,” May said.
“We’ll see,” Kerry said, but her voice sounded grim. Then she glanced at her watch. “Actually, I think we have to let them stew for a while. Mr. McGee is too defensive now. He needs some time to cool down and start regretting his actions. Maybe he’ll realize how much money the lawyer will cost him. Then we’ll go back and try again.”
May nodded. She knew they couldn’t give up yet. Even if he did insist on a lawyer, they could still go back in when the lawyer arrived. Perhaps the lawyer would encourage Mr. McGee to be more reasonable. He couldn’t actually make him any less reasonable, May acknowledged.
At that moment, Adams and Owen walked in and May felt her heart give a flip-flop of relief as she saw her tall deputy arrive.
“Morning, May,” Owen said cheerfully.
“Morning, Owen,” she replied, feeling like she might actually want to smile for the first time that day.
Adams looked less pleased.
“I wish we’d found some evidence in the house or the workshop. But there was nothing. I couldn’t find anything. No woodworking equipment. No sign of anything that could have been used to subdue or sedate the victims, and no sign of anyone being held there. There was barely even a lockable door in the place,” he said.
Kerry stared at him, and May thought she looked frustrated.
“It seems to me that we’re stalled for now. We’re going to have to wait until this lawyer arrives because the McGees are simply refusing to talk.”
“You’ve tried everything?” Adams asked, frowning.
With her lips pressed together, Kerry nodded.
“Even that technique you used to break Menzies in that case a while ago? I mean, he was a criminal kingpin and he crumbled, right?”
“I didn’t get far with that at all. It didn’t work with these two.”
“You want me to go in and speak to them?”
“They are firmly refusing to say a thing till they get their lawyer,” Kerry insisted. “It’s a waste of time going in there. But I don’t know how long this lawyer will take to get here. We need to think of another direction to pursue this in the meantime.”
They were quiet for a moment, all staring at each other despondently.
Then Owen cleared his throat.
“You could always interview Mrs. McGee,” he suggested in a helpful voice.
“Mrs. McGee? Did you not hear what I said earlier?” Kerry said, sounding irritated.
“He wasn’t there,” Adams said.
“Oh, yes, that’s right. You weren’t there. The McGees are divorced, and Callum lives with his father. So speaking to the mother might not be very helpful.” Kerry tossed her head disparagingly.
“I think it will be,” Owen insisted. “After all, she lives in the house next door.”