A case of mistaken identity
Ten minutes went by and Paul (1) (get) worried. The two unsmiling police officers obviously (2) (not/believe) his story and one of them (3) (talk) quietly but urgently into his radio. From the look on their faces, they (4) (suspect) him of something serious. It was a grey London afternoon and Paul (5) (walk) back to the Underground station when a police car (6) (come) to a sudden stop right next to him. The two officers jumped out and demanded to know who he (7) (be) and where he (8) (be) earlier.
‘Paul Hughes,’ he replied. ‘I’m a photographer and I (9) (take) pictures of some buildings near here. Now I (10) (go) back to my office.’ It (11) (rain), Paul had a work deadline, and he wanted to get to the office quickly, but the police (12) (be) still suspicious.
‘So, where’s your camera?’ asked the younger police officer. ‘Here,’ answered Paul, carefully opening his rucksack. ‘Last week, I (13) (hire) by a film company (14) (look for) interesting industrial locations for a thriller. I (15) (give) a list of places to find — a warehouse, an empty-looking office block, that sort of thing. Since then I (16) (search) this part of London for suitable sites.’ ‘And did you see anyone suspicious today while you (17) _ (take) pictures for … the film company?’ asked the officer in a sarcastic voice.
‘Err. Yes, actually. There was a man.’ ‘What (18) (he/look like)?’ ‘Tall, skinny. He (19) (wear) a dark blue hoodie, and he had a rucksack.’ The police officers (20) (look at) each other for a second. ‘That’s interesting,’ replied the older officer. ‘A report (21) (receive) just after 2.00 p.m. that a warehouse in Bermondsey Street (22) (break into). A few minutes later a young man (23) (observe) walking away from the area. That person (24) (describe) as tall, wearing a blue hoodie and carrying a rucksack. Very much like you, in fact.’ Paul swallowed nervously, aware that the next part of his story (25) (make) him sound bad. ‘Look, my phone (26) (steal) earlier today but if I can call my office we can easily clear this up.’ The younger officer actually laughed in Paul’s face. ‘I think that’s enough. You’re in trouble, Paul, and we (27) (take) you to the police station for further questioning. When we (28) (get) there, we (29) (let) you make a phone call. But I suggest you (30) _ (call) a lawyer, not your office.’