Make Believe by Cath Staincliffe Read Free Book Online

like, it’s none of my business.’
    ‘You got that right.’
    ‘As long as it doesn’t affect your professionalism,’ she said.
    He gasped, was about to object but she overrode him.  ‘Fine, that’s sorted.  Here.’ She passed him the flyer and the parking ticket.  ‘Get someone onto that.  We’ll schedule the meeting once we’ve more information on why on earth Clive Wray was at Sport City.’
    ‘Yes, boss,’ he flung the title at her and swung off in the other direction.  Was she losing his friendship now along with everything else?
     
    Shap’s trip to the Sport City stadium paid dividends.  The place was state of the art.  Built to host the Commonwealth Games back in 2002 and now home to Manchester City football team, it included impressive security with comprehensive CCTV coverage.  Shap was made comfortable and shown the rudiments of the console so he could view the relevant CCTV footage. The parking ticket was timed for 10.55 and activities had been focused around the playing fields.  So he began from that time and concentrated on that location.
    Forty minutes later he found film of Clive Wray, Clive being given the bum’s rush by a very attractive, young competitor.
    ‘ Naughty boy,’ Shap murmured and went to see about e-mailing the file across to the inquiry.
    Now he sat with the others in the incident room as they all watched the scene: an under-16 girls’ hockey match stopped for half-time; a digital time counter on the screen showing 11.45; All Saint’s v Marsh High School visible on a scoreboard.  Spectators and players milled about as Clive Wray approached a player, a young woman with long dark hair and tried to draw her into a hug.  She pushed him away and began shouting at him.  Clive Wray appeared to be pleading with her but moved away as people glanced at them.
    ‘ Jailbait,’ said Shap.  ‘Not the sort of roving his missus had in mind when she filled his flask.’
    Richard said, ‘Could explain why he gave us the false alibi.’
    ‘ Hang on,’ said the boss, ‘if you were having an illicit relationship would you be that upfront about it?  It couldn’t be more public.’
    It was obvious to Shap, crystal clear.  ‘He’s shagging her, she’s dumped him, he can’t take no for an answer.  He’s just a saddo with a gymslip fixation.’
    The boss pulled a face, like she was not convinced at all , and said, ‘Bring him in for questioning.’

Chapter 8
     
    Janine had made the introductions for the tape and then asked Mr Wray to account for his whereabouts on the day Sammy went missing.
                  ‘I’ve already told you,’ he said, ‘I drove to Hayfield and—’
    ‘ We know you weren’t hill-walking,’ Janine said crisply.  ‘At the very least I could charge you with wasting police time.’
    ‘ There’s no-one can vouch for me, that’s all,’ Clive Wray said defensively.
    Had the man no conscience?   ‘We can prove you were not where you claimed to be,’ Janine said.
    ‘ That’s ridiculous,’ he blustered but she saw the fear in his expression.
    Janine indicated that Richard should play the recording.  ‘DI Mayne is now playing Mr Wray a CCTV recording, item number AS11.’
    Clive Wray stared at the laptop screen and Janine saw the blood drain from his face, saw his shoulders sag.
    ‘ School finals up at Sport City,’ she said.
    On the screen the girl was yelling at Clive, he tried to reach her and she moved sharply away.   ‘Your child went missing and you lied to the people trying to find him.  For what?  To cover up some seedy affair?  Or was it more than that?  What else are you lying about?’
    ‘ She’s my daughter!’ he looked at Janine aghast.  ‘My bloody daughter, Phoebe.’  That was the last thing Janine expected though it did answer her doubts as to the public setting for the liaison.
    ‘ How dare you imply … and then you think I hurt Sammy!’
    ‘ You lied to us.  You’d better have a very