A Tapping at My Door: A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller (The DS Nathan Cody Series) by David Jackson

going anywhere.

11
    They show Garnett into the interview room. Already Cody can feel a distaste for this man rising within him. He finds it a struggle to appear amiable.
    He thinks he might find it easier if Garnett were in uniform. Something that would foster instant respect. But Garnett is in a black leather jacket and jeans. He’s wearing a flash watch and huge gaudy rings. He looks like a spiv instead of a police officer. And it goes further than his clothes and ornamentation. There’s a cockiness to him. An arrogance. A look on his face that shouts at you that he thinks his time is being wasted.
    Cody gestures towards a chair, and while Garnett sits down he tries to talk to him like a member of the same side: ‘Thanks for dropping in on your day off. We want to get moving on this case as quickly as we can, so we really appreciate it.’
    ‘Sure,’ says Garnett, and the way he delivers it makes it sound almost like ‘whatever’. He could say it’s not a problem, or that it’s the least he can do, but instead he chooses to express his disgruntlement.
    Cody exchanges glances with Webley. Her slight rolling of her eyes tells him he’s not the only one to have picked up on the attitude problem.
    They take their own seats at the table, opposite Garnett. And while their posture is upright and respectful, Garnett is practically slouching. He looks about ready to put his feet up on the table and crack open a beer.
    Earlier, Blunt had offered to conduct the interview, suggesting that the presence of somebody more senior might help to head off any antagonism. Cody assured her there would be no antagonism on his part. Now he’s not so certain. Garnett hasn’t opened his mouth yet, and already Cody wants to close it permanently.
    ‘This must have come as quite a shock,’ he says.
    This causes Garnett to sit up a little, as though he needed a gentle reminder of what this is all about, and how he might be expected to react.
    ‘Of course it did. She used to be my partner. We got close, as partners do. When they go suddenly and unexpectedly like that, it hurts.’
    ‘Did you see much of Terri before her death?’
    ‘No. Hardly ever since we were reassigned. And maybe if we hadn’t been reassigned, I wouldn’t be here now.’
    ‘How do you figure that one out?’
    ‘It sent the wrong signals. We did nothing to be ashamed of. And it’s not just me saying it; the inquest said it too. They didn’t have to split us up, but they did it anyway. That made it look like we were guilty of something. And that’s why you’ve dragged me in here before Terri’s body is even cold.’
    ‘Is that what you think we’re doing here? You think we’re accusing you of something?’
    ‘Not in so many words, but I know what’s going through your minds. I haven’t worked with Terri for ages, but strangely enough I’m still the first one you pull in for questioning. Tell me, how many of her current team have you spoken to?’
    ‘Webley and I aren’t the only ones on this case. We’re talking to everyone we can think of, and that includes her most recent colleagues.’
    ‘Yeah, right.’
    Cody wants to snap at Garnett, but he knows it won’t help the situation. He bites his tongue. Waits for a few seconds before opening his mouth again. But Webley beats him to it.
    ‘Listen, Paul,’ she says. Cody notices her use of Garnett’s first name. An attempt to tell him that they are all in this together. ‘You’re right. The Vernon case is on our minds, and there’s no point in denying it. But there’s no point making it the elephant in the room either. It needs discussing. We’re not supposed to reveal details of how Terri was found, but I know how these things work. My guess is that you’ve already heard some of it. Am I right?’
    Garnett looks at her again, but this time the burning has gone from his eyes. Webley has pulled the thorn from the bear’s paw.
    ‘I’ve heard rumours. If they’re true, someone did quite a job