“Er,” the lawyer said. “It’s not relevant.”
“It would make sense, right?” May said. “And perhaps you were angry about having to do that, or worried she might ask for more money down the line?”
That would be a clear motive for murder, she thought.
There was a long, uncomfortable silence.
Kerry smiled. “Bank statements, please. I’d like the McGees’ bank statements for the past six months. From all their accounts, and I will check up on that. Providing full bank statements is going to be one of the conditions of their release from being detained by us. Of course, it will be pointless if you can’t provide the other conditions.”
“And those are?” the lawyer asked nervously.
“Alibis,” Kerry said firmly. “If you have them, we need them. If not, I’m afraid charges are in your clients’ future. The immediate future.”
“How can you do this to innocent citizens?” he demanded, looking from Kerry to May.
“We can,” Kerry said, looking very serious. “Your clients are both now suspects in a criminal investigation. They don’t have many rights at the moment. If they want to stop being suspects, then help us to find the real killer before any more people get hurt.”
“Look, they have alibis. They do. I can give you the details, but I must ask for a guarantee of privacy.”
“Why’s that?” Kerry asked.
“Because unfortunately, both alibis for yesterday afternoon involve activities that are somewhat irregular,” he said.
“You can’t go telling her!” Mr. McGee blustered.
“I have to,” the lawyer said apologetically.
“Fire away,” Kerry challenged.
“Callum was at a bar the whole of yesterday afternoon, in Southridge. I know he’s underage. He went drinking with a friend, Michael Evans, who will confirm the alibi if needed. The barman will recognize him and can confirm he was there. Callum used his father’s car and I believe there are cameras outside the bar to prove this.”
The lawyer sighed.
“And where was his father while this played out?” Kerry asked.
“Mr. McGee was in the next street, visiting with a close friend. He was with her all afternoon. Her husband was out of town for the day. They do have proof, in that some photos were taken. These I have, with the time stamps on the phone.”
The lawyer stared expressionlessly at Kerry. Mr. McGee stared at the floor.
“We’ll check the alibis,” Kerry said. “I’ll look at the photos too. If these are genuine, and you provide the bank statements, then you can have your clients back.”
She smiled at the lawyer. “I’m sorry if we’ve caused any inconvenience,” she said.
“We’re innocent,” Callum blurted out. “You’re looking in the wrong direction. If you ask me, you should be talking to my team manager.”
“Your team manager?” May asked, surprised.
“Mr. Jessop. He’s the manager for the sponsored junior and young adult state teams. He knows both the missing girls. He’s the one who didn’t want them around me. In fact, I saw Emily get into the car with him on the afternoon she disappeared. It was at the sports ground where the state team does the training. She climbed into his Mercedes there.”
Having delivered his bombshell, he stared at them defiantly.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Chanel South trailed out of the school grounds. It was eleven thirty a.m. At this hour, only bullies and losers got sent home. It was a Chestnut Hill policy that bullies got kicked out of the school grounds, but only after they’d been ignored for long enough to make sure they caused damage.
She was not a bully, but with the bruise on her cheek, she sure looked like one who had gotten into a fight.
And if she was a loser, then so what? Nobody wanted to have anything to do with losers. She felt sore, stiff, and angry, mostly at herself.