‘We disclosed that we had video evidence,’ Ramouter replied. ‘Now, this is video doorbell footage from the house opposite. As you can see, its 9.18 a.m. on Tuesday 12 October.’
‘I was teaching that day,’ Larry said quickly.
‘Keep watching.’
The minutes dragged painfully as the video footage played. A postman walked past pushing his trolley and a UPS van came into view followed by a Skoda Octavia.
‘You own a Skoda Octavia, don’t you, Larry?’
Larry didn’t reply but he looked across at Kalia who had leaned forward in her seat, watching the screen intently. The Skoda disappeared from view.
The video continued to play. The UPS van now back but moving quickly down the street.
‘You said you were teaching that day?’
‘Um … yes, yes. I was,’ Larry replied.
‘What time?’
‘Time?’
‘Aye. What time did you start teaching?’
‘I can’t remember.’
‘You can’t remember?’
Larry didn’t reply and Ramouter pressed pause.
‘For the benefit of the tape, I’m showing Laurence Durant footage of himself outside the Ashcrofts’ home on Tuesday twelfth October at 9.18 a.m.,’ said Ramouter. ‘Would you like to explain why you lied to my colleagues about not being at the Ashcrofts’ house?’
‘That’s not me,’ Larry said meekly.
‘If I’m not mistaken, you’re wearing the same jacket now that you were wearing on this video footage.’
Larry looked down at his arm as though realising for the first time that he was wearing a jacket.
‘This is you going up to the Ashcrofts’ front door. You then goacross to the windows and then you go to their car and crouch down. You’re out of view. Why did you slash the car tyres?’
‘No. I didn’t,’ Larry said. ‘That wasn’t me. I wasn’t there.’
‘You’re saying that this person, that we’re all looking at, isn’t you?’ Ramouter clarified.
Larry shook his head.
‘You need to speak,’ Henley said. ‘We’re only recording the audio.’
‘No, that’s not me,’ Larry said quietly.
‘Fine,’ Ramouter said brightly. ‘Let’s talk about your car then. You told my colleagues that you sold your car. A 2012 Skoda Octavia.’
‘That’s correct. It was my wife’s car. I thought that it was time to get rid of it. To move on,’ said Larry. He picked up his cup and water dribbled down his chin as he drank clumsily.
‘When did you sell it?’
‘Erm … a few months ago.’
‘Did you advertise it, sell it to a car trader?’
