Page 78 of Stolen Ones

Kim didn’t add that she needed one or the other by teno’clock or Steven Harte would be leaving this station a free man at exactly five minutes past ten.

He nodded his understanding.

‘Any progress on the property searches?’

Penn groaned. ‘It’s like a maze, boss. I’ve found two corporate umbrellas: one in Jersey and one in Portugal. Each header company splits into six divisional operations, and each needs to be searched separately with Land Registry. I’ve done two so far and ruled out anything that’s more than thirty miles away.’

‘Keep at it, Penn.’ She turned to her right. ‘Bryant, see what you can find out about Butler Building Limited as a company. There’s something about that guy that’s not ringing true.’

‘On it, guv,’ he said, turning to his computer.

Bryant wasn’t a natural data miner but right now it was all hands to the wheel.

Finally, she turned to Alison, who was mushing three Weetabix into a muddy, milky pool. Today, she had come prepared.

‘You got anything for me?’

Alison put the bowl aside. ‘Oh yes, I definitely have some observations if you’d like to pull up a chair.’

Kim did so, hoping Alison had something she could use. Right now she needed every one of her team to be at the very top of their game.

Forty-Four

‘Shoot,’ Kim said, wheeling her chair next to Alison.

‘Inappropriate choice of word for a police officer, no?’ Alison asked, opening up her notebook.

‘You’ve been busy,’ she observed, seeing all the hastily written notes.

‘I’ve watched the interview ten times now – normal speed, slow speed, with sound, without sound – and every time I discover something new.’

‘I was in there ten minutes.’

‘Yes, but they were quality minutes for deducing real and faked emotions. I’m going to point out some things, but if I try and show you everything we’re still going to be sitting here way past your 10a.m. deadline. So here we go, and although you’ll find it hard, try not to interrupt.’

Kim snorted.

‘Firstly, Harte is brought into the room by a constable and before he fixes the blank expression on his face, there’s a brief flash of warmth. It’s the first of many micro-expressions I’m going to mention but he is genuinely pleased to see you.’

‘He didn’t look at Bryant once,’ Kim noted, watching the video.

‘Bryant’s not even there. He’s totally inconsequential.’

‘Er…guys, right here,’ Bryant said, waving across the desk.

‘There’s no one else in this game but you and him. Even when Bryant is reading him his rights, Harte never takes his eyes off you. He’s relaxed at this point and is showing no sign of tension.’

‘Did he really expect to be arrested?’

‘Okay, clearly the “no interruption statement” fell on deaf ears. The answer is yes. He was definitely expecting this. His palms are open, and his mannerisms are in line with his speech. As we move on and you talk about his home, we see genuine happiness. The involuntary movements cause crow’s feet and narrowed eyelids. At the same time, the corners of the mouth curve up. As brief as it was, it was the only time I’ve seen it on his face, and that’s what I mean when I say some genuine emotions will seep out without his knowledge. When you talk about his home and he rebuts you for not asking a question, we see a flash of contempt.’

For this Alison went to the marker she’d noted on the video.

‘See here. Unlike the other basic expressions, contempt is asymmetrical. One lip corner is pulled in and back. He feels that that line of questioning is beneath you.’

Kim would never have spotted that had she not been shown.

‘His responses to you about partners and his need for one all appear to be genuine, but look at this little leaker.’