Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry (book recommendations .TXT) 📗

the guy who got a laugh, only Grant was far from being in the mood for funny.

‘As I said, this is an informal interview. I want to speak about the abduction of your nieces.’

‘A terrible thing. And with Ronnie passing away too.’ Philip shook his head. ‘I’m sure you know there was no love lost between me and my big brother except the rancour was on his side not mine. It’s dreadful, simply dreadful. How can I help?’

‘I’d like to know about the fallout between you and Ronnie.’

‘It’s water under the bridge,’ Philip said. ‘I phoned Alice yesterday to say how sorry we were. She was in a terrible state. Has there been any news?’

‘If you could answer my question please.’

‘Er, yes, of course. It was only a bit of friction between brothers. It was stupid how we let things get bad between us though I suppose you must be used to families acting like idiots, eh, Inspector?’

As Philip Hardman gave a false laugh, Grant could feel his patience wearing thin. Nothing of substance had come through from the Child Rescue Alert and if Philip Hardman couldn’t answer straight questions Grant would be damned if he could be bothered to hold his temper. Grant poked a finger down his own collar, loosened it a notch, and fixed cold grey eyes onto Philip.

Philip Hardman got the message.

‘Anyway to cut a long story short, I had my own business and I got into serious debt. Ronnie was doing great at that time and Hardman Construction was going strong. He lent me money with zero interest and the lot. Unfortunately, my business went down the pan and Ronnie’s money went with it. He was furious.’

‘You fell out over it?’

‘You’ve got to understand my brother. By then Ronnie was a successful man and he was livid I’d failed and he was angry I’d dragged him into it. He couldn’t understand how I’d, in his words, made such a balls-up. I was bankrupt so there was no way I could pay him back and he couldn’t forgive me. It was more a pride thing.’

Delaney cleared his throat. ‘Joan Hardman told me you weren’t on speaking terms after that.’

‘I know it sounds ridiculous. We never mended the gap between us. Of course, now I regret it.’

A fallout between brothers over money, was that all there was to it? Grant stared at Phil Hardman.

‘Ronnie and I weren’t speaking though I always kept in touch with Alice,’ Philip said. ‘She was born a year before Harry. I doubt anyone’s told you how Ronnie wasn’t exactly a model father. He spent more time at Hardman Construction than he did with his wife and child. When Alice was born it was me who brought Joan home from the hospital with the baby because Ronnie had a meeting he didn’t want to cancel, so don’t think it was all one sided with me asking and Ronnie giving. I stayed close to Alice when she was growing up – used to take her to the playground with Harry and to the cinema and spend time with her and things like that, which Ronnie never did. He barely knew his own daughter. Of course, my link with Alice faded a bit once she got older but I’ve always had a soft spot for my niece.’

‘And Alice’s children, do you know anything which could help us find them?’

‘I wish I did. I really wish I did.’

After a glance at Delaney, Grant slammed his notebook closed. Shortly afterwards, he slammed the door of the interview room behind them. He felt a heavy bad mood descending on him.

‘Pressure from all sides and the case isn’t cracking yet,’ Grant said.

Grant was plugged into the station gossip tree and he knew Treadgold was visiting Fox regularly. He could feel the man creeping up behind him, waiting for Grant to make a mistake. It was as if he hoped the outcome of the case would be a disaster. That Emily and Lisa would turn up dead and then he’d be able to blame Grant and hang him out to dry. The sick bastard.

‘Everything all right, sir?’

‘No it bloody well isn’t.’

Tom nodded. Though Grant had ordered him home to rest for a few hours, Tom had barely slept. He trailed behind Grant to the second interview room, recognising the steely determination which had settled on his boss’s face. He didn’t envy the person who got themselves on the wrong side of Grant today.

Harry Hardman jumped when they entered the room. ‘Gosh, you gave me a fright.’

Grant glowered. No kid gloves this morning, Tom thought.

‘Do you know anything which can help me find the children?’ Grant asked, fixing his stare on Harry.

The young man was startled. ‘What? I’d have come to you if I did.’

Harry wore jeans and a baggy shirt over a thin frame. He had a sullen air about him, Tom thought.

‘What can you tell me about the family rift?’

‘There’s not much to say. I mean Dad and Uncle Ronnie fell out years ago. It was over money Uncle Ronnie lent to Dad.’

‘Please don’t make me drag this out of you word by word. With two little girls missing and the clock ticking, I’ve much better things to do with my time. Like your father, I understand you had business troubles too and Ronnie Hardman refused to bail you out?’

‘Yeah, only that was ages ago.’

Grant cracked his knuckles and Harry hurriedly continued talking.

‘I mean, it wasn’t my fault. Me and two mates set up a burglar alarm installation company. It was legit and things went well. Then we expanded to include renovations on buildings. I thought Uncle Ronnie could help by sending contacts my way and all that but he was pretty reluctant about it. Anyway, things started to go south. We sort of overstretched ourselves and had to borrow heavily from the banks and I hoped Uncle Ronnie would lend me a hand and he didn’t.’

‘He wouldn’t lend money or he wouldn’t give you advice?’

‘Neither. I