Blood is Thicker Than Water by Paul Gitsham Read Free Book Online Page B

need.”
    * * *
    “Ian Mackay’s turned up.” Gary Hastings appeared at Warren’s door. “He’s in Addenbrooke’s Accident and Emergency receiving treatment for an assault.”
    “What condition is he in?”
    “He’s giving a statement to uniform as we speak. They reckon he’s suffering from cuts, bruises and a profound hangover but nothing too serious.”
    “When he’s discharged I want him back here for questioning. We need to know where he’s been going every night for the past month and exactly where he was the night his father-in-law took that tumble.”
    “Should we arrest him?”
    Warren thought it over for a minute, before reluctantly shaking his head. “We don’t have enough to justify it yet. But I think you should strongly imply that it would be in his best interests to come in to help us with our inquiries.”
    “Will do.”
    * * *
    Ian Mackay looked as if he just wanted to crawl under a duvet and die quietly. Adhesive plasters covered the edge of his swollen right eye and the wince elicited every time he shifted in his seat hinted at the bruising inflicted on his ribs by the group of youths who had decided to relieve the incapable man of his wallet and mobile phone.
    A potent combination of body odour, stale alcohol and urine wafted across the table towards Warren and Sutton.
    “I think we can guess where you’ve been for the past two days, but why don’t you tell us?” Sutton’s tone was sympathetic, but firm.
    “Mostly around the railway arches. I found somewhere I could be on my own to think.”
    “Why did you leave home? I imagine your wife could have done with your support right now.”
    Warren’s tone was non-judgemental, but the words had the desired effect. The man in front of them sank into his seat, his face a picture of misery and guilt.
    “I was ashamed,” he whispered.
    “Of what? The drinking? Or was there something else?”
    He nodded and Warren took that to mean the alcohol.
    “I’ve been sober five years and Kathy and the kids were with me every step of the way. I can’t face her. I’ve let us all down.”
    “So why did you start again, Ian? It sounds as if you were doing really well.”
    Mackay wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve. “Everything’s been getting on top of me, you know? And then Charles died. Kathy’s taken it really badly and suddenly it was as if all of the light was sucked out of the house.” He gave a short humourless bark. “Hell, you’d think she’d be glad to see the back of the miserable old bastard, but I guess she’s still Daddy’s little girl.”
    He coughed and wiped his face again.
    “I went into the Costcutter on the way home from work for some milk Wednesday morning. They were selling cans of lager, four for three quid.” His eyes lost focus as he thought back. “I stared at the display for so long the old man behind the till asked me if I was going to buy anything. I only bought the one can. Just to take the edge off, you know.” His eyes searched Warren’s face. Warren nodded in understanding.
    “I waited a full sixty seconds before I took that first swig, just to prove I could. But I knew the moment I pulled the ring I wasn’t going home that night. I finished the can in less than five minutes, then went back again.” He paused. “I bought a full four pack.”
    “What happened then?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know really. I know I went back again, then I went down to the railway arches. That’s it. Next thing I know it’s this morning and I’m back on the street outside the off-licence again, flat on my back with some little shit kicking me. Shop keeper reckons they followed me in and must have seen me take my wallet out.” He smiled tightly. “I guess they must have clocked me as an easy target. Apparently I could barely stand up and it looks as though I didn’t check into the Ritz and order room service last night.”
    “OK, Ian. I’m sure that uniform are doing everything they can to get your