Read Online Blood Money by Julian Page - Free Book Online Page A

interruptions to your busy day?”
    â€œOf course…please” Alexis acknowledges that his delaying tactics have failed and he now knows he must resign himself to the necessities of a police interview, “we can use this room over here.” Alexis shows them to a small meeting room on the other side of the hallway and emphasises with a degree of venerable authority “But I do hope this won’t take too long?”
    Bill is ‘an old sweat’ and won’t allow Alexis to take charge again. His response is decisive, “That totally depends on how well you answer our questions Mr Vasilakos.”
    DS Gibson is impressed. Bill is doing what he imagines few men have ever done to Alexis, -he’s not allowing the Greek to be top dog. Now…and only now, does John Gibson choose to look at the bodyguard. It’s a slow, measured look and it’s straight in the eyes.
    â€œMr Slater, please wait outside. We will interview you presently.” The bodyguard remains silent, like a prize-fighter at a weigh-in, revelling in the knowledge that the two policemen are intimidated by his presence.
    Leaving the thug outside, Alexis, Bill and John enter the small meeting room and shut the door behind them. Once the three men have taken their seats, Bill puts a small cassette recorder on top of the table and after unwrapping two new audio tapes he loads them both into the machine.
    â€œAre you comfortable and ready to begin?”
    Alexis replies tersely “Of course I am, now can we please make a start?” his response makes it clear that he’s got a microscopic amount of patience.
    There are two tapes used during every police interview. At the end, tape ‘A’ (the master tape) is sealed and signed by both the interviewee and the interviewing officer. Tape ‘B’ will be used to produce a transcript of the tape and for security purposes the tapes are numbered and get logged into a police register.
    Once the tape machine is switched on, John Gibson is first to speak. “This interview is being tape recorded. I am DS John Gibson. Also present is…”, Bill speaks into the microphone “DI Bill Warren”
    â€œWhat is your full name?”
    â€œAlexandros Demitri Vasilakos.” His tone of voice emphasises his frustration at having to endure a period of police-enforced boredom.
    â€œThe date is Tuesday 26th April 2011. The time by my watch is 11:20am, and this interview is being conducted at 60 Lombard Street.” Now John’s eyes settle their gaze on the fat businessman sitting on the far side of the table. “At the end of this interview, I will give you a notice explaining what will happen to the tapes and how you may gain access to copies of them.”
    John Gibson then cautions the interviewee with the time-worn phrase:
    â€œYou do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand the caution?”
    â€œYes, yes.” replies Alexis impatiently.
    â€œYou do understand that you have the right to speak to a solicitor in private at any time and the interview can be stopped in order for you to do this.”
    â€œPlease don’t patronise me Detective, I know my rights and there is no need for a solicitor. I have been the victim of a well planned, violent attack. I’ll tell you all I can if it helps you to stop the men responsible before they try and harm me again.”
    Alexis goes on to explain that prior to Monday morning he hadn’t had any warnings or threats from anyone. Also, he hadn’t observed any suspicious behaviour in the weeks leading up to the incident. Nothing had occurred on his journey into the City on the morning of Monday 25th of April that was in any way out of the ordinary. He had seen the truck obstructing access to the bank’s garage and had