Dead or Alive Read Online Free Page B

spoke to him. Under normal circumstances the IPCC investigation wouldn’t have troubled him overmuch given the witnesses who could testify to Johnstone’s accidental demise. He paused in his step and spoke as he concentrated his gaze on the exit door, speaking to them all and yet focussing his attention on the door, ‘My wife says I beat her up. I’m saying I did no such thing. I have no idea why she said it, but I know it was Cope who set you lot against me.’ Still with his eyes on the door he shook his head and added, ‘I’m truly amazed he’s managed to take you all in so easily. And you call yourselves coppers!’
    Without sparing any of them a glance, he picked up his step and left the room. This wife thing had him baffled. Their marriage had had problems; their separation hadn’t been a permanent thing – just a couple of weeks or so apart to give each other time and space to think. Sep had harboured hopes of reconciliation, if only for their daughter, Phoebe’s, sake. He’d certainly never hit his wife. What the hell was all that about? And he wasn’t even allowed to speak to her. And who was looking after Phoebe? She’d presumably be at school right now, due out at half past three. Presumably he wasn’t banned from picking her up. Or was he?
    He sat in his car within sight of the school gates. It was a distinctive car, a bright red classic 1985 Audi Quattro. Phoebe would spot it straight away and head for it. There was a mass of children and parents blocking her from his vision for a while, then he saw her standing at the gate, looking directly at him. Small for her eleven years and a pretty girl in Sep’s eyes, but possibly not in anyone else’s. Phoebe was a girl who might well grow into her good looks one day, but that day had yet to arrive. Apart from his mother she was the only female Sep had ever loved, and that included his wife and five sisters.
    He raised a hand to acknowledge he’d seen her but she didn’t head his way. She crossed the road and got into a late model black BMW which was parked facing him. It set off and passed within a few feet of him; close enough for him to recognize the driver – Detective Inspector Lenny Cope. What the hell was all that about?
    Fifteen minutes later he parked outside his marital home. Cope’s car was in the drive. Sep opened the front door and went in. He heard Cope shout out, ‘Who’s there?’
    â€˜The owner of this house,’ said Sep, coming into the living room. ‘What are you doing here?’
    â€˜He stays with us sometimes, Daddy,’ said Phoebe. Sep noticed there was no affection in her voice. It was cold, almost on the verge of tears.
    Cope got to his feet. ‘Come to take a swing at me have you, Black? It won’t be as easy hitting me as hitting your wife.’
    â€˜I imagine it would be a lot easier, but I never touched my wife and you know it.’
    â€˜That’s not what she says.’
    Sep looked at Phoebe. ‘When did this happen, darling?’
    â€˜You know,’ said Phoebe.
    â€˜But I don’t know. I know that
you
didn’t see me hitting Mummy.’
    â€˜I was in bed. I heard you though.’
    â€˜I don’t know who you heard, but it wasn’t me.’
    â€˜Mummy said it was.’
    Sep sighed; he didn’t want to have an argument with his daughter. He looked at Cope. ‘What’s all this about you staying here?’
    â€˜I stay here sometimes. I know Rachel told you because that was what your argument was about.’
    â€˜I didn’t know, and there was no damned argument!’ said Sep, angry at this man’s lies.
    Phoebe spoke up. ‘When I came home last night I went straight to bed and I heard you and Mummy arguing.’
    â€˜Phoebe, when I dropped you off, I didn’t even come in the house. I brought you to the door as I always do, then I drove straight