Page 80 of M for Murder

‘No, we haven’t.’ Joel raised his eyebrows questioningly. ‘Why? Think maybe it’s time to call your lawyer?’

Parker shook his head. ‘I’ve already told you; I have nothing to hide.’ He had been offered a lawyer at the beginning of the interview but had refused, claiming he was innocent and could take care of things by himself. ‘I just wondered when you were going to start believing me.’ Joel let out a sardonic laugh. ‘Maybe when you start telling us the truth, pal.’

‘I am telling you the truth.’

‘Well, seeing as you’re being so truthful, do you mind telling us where you were Saturday night?’

Parker nodded. ‘Sure. I was home all evening with my wife.’

‘How about the Saturday before?’

There was a brief silence while Parker cast his mind back. He smiled. ‘We were out for the evening with friends. One of them is an officer who works here,’ he added dryly. ‘Vic Boaz. You know him?’

Joel exchanged a glance with Max before continuing. ‘What time did you get home?’ he asked, ignoring Parker’s question.

There was another pause. ‘It was early. Kylan had a headache, so before eleven.’

‘And you were home all night?’

‘I was.’

Joel nodded to Max who was making notes. ‘We’ll have to get your wife to verify your story.’

‘That won’t be a problem.’

‘Do you want us to call her for you, Mr Parker?’ Max asked. ‘Maybe we should let her know where you are.’

Parker looked hesitantly at him for a moment. ‘I think that would be a good idea,’ he answered eventually. He gave Max the number.

Joel waited until Max was out of the room before getting up himself. He walked round to the side of the desk where Lawrie Parker was sitting and leant against the edge. Folding his arms, he stared into Parker’s eyes.

‘So, Lawrie, does your wife know you mess around with your students?’

‘I don’t mess around with my students.’ Parker’s tone was sharp. ‘I have already told you that.’

‘Of course you did, I’m sorry. Does she know you get your kicks out of killing them and cutting them up?’

Parker didn’t answer. He leaned back in his chair and glared at Joel through black eyes. ‘Pretty wife you have. Kylan, that’s her name, isn’t it?’ Joel watched him carefully, hoping to provoke some kind of reaction. ‘Still, with a face like that, I doubt she’ll be lonely for long. Not once you’ve been locked away.’

‘Leave Kylan out of this,’ Parker snapped.

‘Hey, you’re the one dragging her into it. This isn’t gonna go away, buddy. You keep refusing to accept responsibility for what you’ve done and there’ll be a big, nasty trial. You think Kylan wants to be dragged through all that? Why don’t you just do everybody a big favour and come clean? It’ll save us all a lot of trouble.’

Parker gave an icy smile, still refusing to bite. ‘What part of “not guilty” don’t you understand, Agent Hickok?’

‘I’m not the one having a problem understanding…’

Joel was interrupted by Max as he re-entered the room. He looked up at his partner. ‘So what did Mrs Parker have to say?’

‘Not a lot,’ Max said, sitting down. ‘She wasn’t home.’

For the first time during the interview, Parker looked anxious. He leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. ‘What do you mean she wasn’t home?’

Max gave a casual shrug. ‘She wasn’t there. No answer.’

‘She must be there. Are you sure you dialled the right number?’

‘Hey, buddy, I know how to use a phone. Maybe she went shopping or something.’