Tell the Truth Read Online Free

Detective Ella Marconi,’ she said.
    â€˜Rowan John Wylie.’ He recited his address and date of birth without being prompted.
    â€˜You’ve done this before,’ she said.
    â€˜Paramedics get to be witnesses a lot.’
    She nodded. ‘How did you come to notice Stacey’s car?’
    â€˜I glanced across the car park and saw it,’ he said. ‘I see it parked at work. With the numberplate and the sticker on the back window, it’s familiar.’
    â€˜What did you do when you saw it?’
    He told her about looking in the window, calling Stacey’s mobile, checking inside Playland, calling James.
    â€˜Why did you look in her window?’
    â€˜I’ve never seen her car here before,’ he said. It sounded weak. ‘It seemed out of place.’
    She studied him, then she said, ‘When you called James, how did he respond?’
    â€˜The first time he said she was probably around here somewhere. The second time he was worried and came straight over.’
    â€˜When did you last see or speak to Stacey?’
    â€˜Last Thursday, at eight o’clock in the morning. I was going off duty and she was starting an overtime shift.’
    â€˜You’re certain?’
    He nodded, but Marconi watched him as if she expected more. Unnerved, he glanced away to where Simon was saying something to the male detective about James calling the bank.
    â€˜Mr Wylie,’ Marconi said, but before she could go on, cars pulled up on the street and people who he guessed were plainclothes police got out. She excused herself and went to speak to them, leaving him glad of the respite from her stare, but the police rapidly fanned out along the street and through the car park, and too quickly she came back.
    He steadied himself. You know nothing about this, you have nothing to hide.
    â€˜Mr Wylie,’ she said again. ‘Have you ever been to Bicentennial Park?’
    â€˜We took Emelia there last summer.’
    â€˜What about recently?’
    He felt uncomfortable under her gaze. ‘No.’
    She made an abrupt note. ‘How long have you known Stacey?’
    â€˜Eight or nine years,’ he said. ‘We met on the job. I played soccer with James back then and when my wife turned forty, seven years ago, we had this big party and invited them both. Turns out James and Stacey knew each other as kids – James went out with her sister Marie a couple of times apparently – but they hadn’t seen each other for years. They got together, then a couple of years later got married.’
    Marconi raised her eyebrows. ‘Happily ever after, huh?’
    â€˜From what I’ve seen, yes,’ Rowan said.
    â€˜So how long have you known James?’
    â€˜Ten years, thereabouts.’
    â€˜And your son works for him?’
    Rowan nodded. ‘For the last ten months or so.’
    â€˜And Stacey’s niece works with you?’
    â€˜She’s my current trainee, yes.’
    â€˜It’s quite a little circle, isn’t it,’ Marconi said.
    He couldn’t read her tone. ‘I guess so.’
    She went on without pause. ‘Has Stacey ever told you about problems she’s been having?’
    â€˜We’ve talked about annoying patients, or issues at work with rosters and so on, but that’s it.’
    â€˜Nothing personal?’
    â€˜Nothing that stands out in my mind.’
    That gaze again. ‘Would you say you and Stacey are close?’
    â€˜Not close exactly. Good friends.’
    â€˜Good friends aren’t close?’
    â€˜To me close means something more.’ He felt sweaty. ‘Good friends are . . . friendly.’
    Marconi nodded. ‘Has she seemed normal lately? Happy? Sad? Angry?’
    â€˜She’s been her normal self,’ he said. ‘She’s cheerful. She’s got a black sense of humour, and she’s smart and she’s funny.’ He felt he was babbling, but couldn’t