‘That isn’t what happened.’ My teeth are gritted. The only reason he knows this is because Amy’s told him.
‘That’s not what we’ve been told. And you still haven’t really answered my question. Why have you never told anyone?’
I sigh. ‘Emily’s grandmother took the blame – she felt it was her responsibility to ensure the jars weren’t accessible. They didn’t prosecute her, because it wasn’t her fault. But you don’t forget something like that. The reality stays with you. Forever.’
‘Is it true she found the bottle labelled DARKNESS in your pocket?’
Startled that he knows about the bottle, I shake my head. ‘I don’t remember. But if she did, it doesn’t mean I put it there.’
Clearing his throat, DI Lacey looks at the papers on the table in front of him. ‘Emily was punished for her part – eventually, after her grandmother’s death. She left Emily the house, but in the intervening years, she’d planted a memorial garden to Kimberley, so that each day Emily lived there, she would always be reminded of what she’d done.’ He pauses. ‘There was another proviso in her will, that Emily could never sell. If she did, your secret would have been out. Her grandmother had left a letter with her solicitor, addressed to the police, explaining Emily’s involvement in Kimberley’s death.’ He leans towards me. ‘My question to you, Ms Rose, is what punishment did she mete out to you?’
My first instinct is to say none, because I wasn’t guilty. ‘She didn’t need to. She told my parents what happened to Kimberley. They sent me away to a vile school where I was bullied. Then they cut me off. I never went back home again. From the moment she told them, I was on my own.’
‘But at least you were alive.’ This time, the DI speaks quietly. Then he shakes his head. ‘While Kimberley wasn’t. And when you met Mr Roche, you had no idea it was Amy who he was living with?’
‘None whatsoever.’ This time, I’m completely straight. Glancing at my watch, I’m unable to believe how much time has passed. It’s early afternoon already.
DI Lacey notices. ‘We’ll take a break. Twenty minutes. There’s still something I don’t understand.’
*
Outside the police station, I have a cigarette for the first time in years.
‘I’ll go and get us sandwiches.’ Bill looks up and down the street for a shop.
I shake my head. ‘Don’t worry on my account. I won’t be able to eat anything.’
‘This is a mess, Fiona.’ Bill’s voice is quiet, urgent. ‘Your word against Amy’s, no proof on either part …’
‘I know.’ I exhale slowly. ‘There is one factor in this. Emily – Amy – is completely unstable. I wish I knew what she’d said to the police. She’s probably sent them all around the houses before finally coming up with her version of events – a version she believes, even though it’s wrong, because she can convince herself of anything.’ There’s a bitterness in my words that comes from knowing the way she works, her ability to play the innocent victim. ‘We’ve both come across those types of people, Bill. They’re completely unreliable – a nightmare. You can’t believe anything they say. I wouldn’t mind betting Amy’s pushed the police to that point. She’s been charged with Matt’s murder, so they already know what she’s capable of. That has to strengthen my case?’
Bill’s silent for a moment. ‘Let’s hope you’re right.’
*
As we return to the interview room, Bill nudges my elbow. ‘Don’t worry. If all they have is an unreliable witness, it isn’t going to be enough.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ I mutter as we walk inside. After standing outside, the staleness of the air in this room is suffocating. ‘I need to open the window.’ But when I go over and try to, it’s firmly locked.
‘I’ll see if I can get someone to sort that.’ Bill heads for the door, but before he reaches it, it’s opened from the outside as DI Lacey and PC Page come in.
‘Could we open the window?’
DI Lacey glances towards me. ‘Someone was looking for the key the other day. They didn’t find it.’ Pulling out a chair he sits down. ‘Shall we continue?’
Irritated, I sit down next to Bill, but this time, it’s PC Page who speaks. ‘All evidence so far points to your involvement in Kimberley’s death. You’ve even admitted it.’
As she says that, Bill interrupts. ‘My client has admitted to no such thing. She had no knowledge of the poison, nor of Emily’s intention.’
PC Page is silent for a moment. ‘As I was saying, until we have conclusive evidence that proves that either you did or didn’t administer the poison to Kimberley, we have no choice but to hold you in custody. Ms Rose, I am arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Kimberley Preston. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’
Speechless, I turn to Bill. They can’t do this. But he’s ahead of me.
‘Just a moment.’ Bill sounds angry. ‘You can’t hold my client. You already have another suspect in Kimberley’s death.’
‘That’s correct, Mr Merton. But in this case, potentially, we have two.’
Chapter Thirty-Seven
After the paperwork is completed, my fingerprints and DNA sample are taken. Before Bill leaves, he assures me we can work out how we’re going to tackle this.
‘This shouldn’t be happening.’ He looked grim. ‘I’ll do my best to find someone or something to back up your story.’
But as I suffer the indignity of being escorted by a uniformed officer to a cell, Bill’s determination doesn’t stop the feeling of claustrophobia that consumes me. As I step inside, the door is closed behind me. It’s hours until tomorrow. I wonder if Amy is still here or since being charged, she’s been moved somewhere else, as I curse
