“It’s all right for you, Ly. Just keep your head down, stick your headphones in, and listen to music,” I said, watching her tune out the world. “What’s this? Where’s the prizegiving?
” Kit asked, glancing at the invitation. “Oh, is that tonight? ” I replied. “No.
Swerved it. ”
“Thank God Lily’s a loser,” someone laughed. “There’s a swing band show now. Ary Papadopoulos playing Fly Me to the Moon.
”
“He could be the next Robbie Williams, for all you know. ”
“Yeah, right. And he’s the next Gary Barlow. ”
I laughed, but I couldn’t shake the knot in my stomach.
Kit had been quiet all day, which wasn’t like him. I’d been called in for questioning about Theo Silverton’s death weeks ago, and even though they’d let me go, the shadow of it never really lifted. “Right, I’ve got to go,” I said, grabbing my bag. “See you, love.
All right, Kate. I’ll just clear this table for you. ”
Kate gave me a knowing look. “Are you picking up tips?
”
“They’re profiled under fantasy. The detectives think it’s all a game of cat and mouse with the villains. Well, they never know. ” I shrugged.
“Comment? ”
“Well, speaking of villains, any progress on Silverton? ”
I shot Mark a warning glance. “Oh, come on, Mark.
Polite conversation till my table’s ready. No comment. ”
“Right, I’ll stick to the weather then. ”
“You’re cute.
”
I headed back to the table, trying to keep my voice light. “I mean, obviously, full disclosure, these are old underworld stock, but they did have drawstrings, so I got fizz to, you know. ”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be like that.
It’s just a temporary blip. All right? Your whole life’s not mapped out in stretchy waistbands and slip-on shoes. Even though your mother has made quite a look of it over the years.
”
I rolled my eyes, but before I could reply, Kit’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then at me. “What time’s your speech therapist due? ”
“Well, she runs on hospital time, don’t she?
You need to adjust your watches. ”
“Go,” he said, nodding toward the door. “Have you thought any more about that? ” I asked, lowering my voice.
He shook his head. “No, you haven’t had any more thoughts. And I also know you don’t want to press charges. ”
“Um…”
“Lisa, go to work,” he said gently.
“We’ll be fine. Honestly, we’re just going to work on our possib…”
I laughed despite myself. “Right. Well, I suppose we can have a little browse, can’t we?
Get you some new bits once today is out the way. ”
“Right. What’s today? Oh, no.
Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. Go and catch some crooks. That’s what we can watch.
Queen Tina F. ”
“You can’t sit with us,” I said, grinning. “You can’t sit with us. ”
“I love you.
”
“I love you. ”
—
I met Kate outside the school hall. The prizegiving was dragging on, two hours that felt like twenty. “Why them school chairs?
” Kate muttered. “And some of the prizes they give? Individuality. ”
“Is that actually an award?
”
“I think it’s more of a sympathy vote, isn’t it? You’re a Billy Nomates with funny-tasting fashion. So, yay. Actually, come to think of it, I probably would have won that one.
”
“Oh gosh, I think I’ve actually dodged a bullet. I thought that Bessie Street Wizard of Oz was like pulling teeth. But hey, just saying it’s Wy High awards tonight? ”
“All right, at least Jake’s prize is actually proper,” Kate said.
“He’s got the top goal scorer in the whole school. Gary’s buzzing. First wind has ever won a coconut. ”
“Shame Gary won’t be there to cheer him on.
Poor kid. ”
I stopped. “Baby. S them toes in.
Why would he not be there? He’s a great dad. ”
Kate looked away. “He’s getting pulled in for questioning again.
For charging. ”
“You’re joking me. But what? You took his phone.
You said he’d be okay. ”
“I said it might help. ”
“Is this your doing? ”
“What?
When I’m not even on the case, sir? ” Kit said, appearing beside us. “Well, let’s not stop you before. ”
“Right.
Stop spinning out. There’s no links to you. There’s no DNA. There’s no weapon.
There’s no digital proof of contact. ”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Gosh. ”
“What?
”
“Oh, no. ”
“What? ”
“The outfit that I was wearing the night of the wedding. They bagged it up.
They took it away. ”
“The testing? ”
“Yeah. When I got back from the hospital, I mean, they… well, I’ve not had it back, but maybe they’ve not home now.
”
Kit’s jaw tightened. “Hey, I’m really sorry. I don’t feel long enough to go. ”
I shook my head, trying to think.
“That trolley pulling it fine. Pushing all over the shop. ”
“Annoying. ”
“Pull.
Perfect. Push. Pathetic. ”
Kit tried to lighten the mood.
“Right, Kirk. Do you know what? You want to escalate this? Take it right from the top.
”
“Tomy’s monkey-minded. ”
“I’m being serious. That was a booty call. ”
“No way.
”
“Okay. Right. Kick rocks up. Flashes us.
Come to bed when we eyes. 2 minutes later. Sarah’s…”
I forced a smile. “He could have just picked up the phone.
”
“Yeah. Well, you know, some women need a bit of wooing. ”
“Mr. Love Man here.
No, she had a right face. ”
“Hang on. What have we missed? ” Kate asked.
“Sarah has been struck down. ”
“She’s fine. I was literally just talking to her. ”
“Don’t shoot the messenger.
Mystery virus. ”
“Oh, actually,” I said, clearing my throat. “Oh, I feel one coming on the sound. ”
“Oh, it’s not catching, is it?
I can’t afford to go down with all my responsibilities. ”
“Will you cover for me, please? I’LL BE QUICK. ”
“HEY, DON’T ASK ME.
I’M ALREADY ON A STICKY WICKET. If Carla gets wet…”
“It’s not a booty call. Swear down. ”
“You just… How stupid can you be?
”
“I’m so sorry. I… It just did not even cross my mind. ”
“But every stitch you had on taken and it didn’t occur to you? ”
“Procedure.
You didn’t ask. ”
“Look, they… You’re always complaining. You’re saying that there’s no budget for evidence testing. ”
“Yeah.
Yeah. Well, that certainly isn’t. ”
“All right. Well, like surely though, they’d wait until they got the burglar, till they had something to test the clothes for.
”
“Can you find out when I’m not on the case? ”
“I know you keep saying that because it’s true. I’m out the loop. Just… Do you not understand that?
”
I looked at him. “Kate, I need to know. Am I done for? And if I’m done for, does that mean you are?
”
“No. ”
“Maybe you’re right. Maybe they’ve not sent it off yet. Or maybe it’s stuck in some backlog in the lab.
But if people find out I’ve been asking, that’s a big red flag. ”
“But you can ask. ” I started reading up on it, trying to understand the pressure points. “It’s crazy.
Like the slightest bit of pressure in the wrong place. And well, who knows where the right place is? Unless you’re a doctor or a nurse. ”
“I mean, I’m sure you’ve never done it, but why does everyone think I’m like the Virgin Mary?
I’ve done it. I won’t be doing it again. ”
Kate stepped in. “Well, we’ve spoken to Liam and Jake about it.
”
“Well, I mean, we want to, but…”
“I know it’s cringe, but it’s better coming from you. ”
“No, I don’t. I just don’t want it to sound like we’re gossiping about some girl’s sex life. ”
“Well, some girl’s life.
Thing is, it could just as easily be Dylan in that hospital or Liam. Maria. ”
—
Later, Maria found me in the corridor. “Sorry, someone.
What’s up? ”
“Why won’t Gary be at Jake’s prizegiving tonight? I mean, like, what would stop him from going? ”
“Nothing.
He’s been bragging for England. ”
“I know. So, why would Kit be telling Sarah that Gary definitely won’t be there? ”
“What are you on about?
I don’t know. I might be overreacting. It just seemed really weird for him to be sure about it. I mean, he’s not even made to Gary, is he?
”
“Mate? No. No. He’s been gunning for him for months.
Both of us. ”
“And he definitely said that Gary won’t be there tonight? ”
“Mhm. ”
Maria’s face went pale.
“Right. I’m going to have to go. I’m sorry, Summer. I’ll put you in again.
”
“Maria, you can’t just…”
“Was it something I said? ” Summer asked. “It’s just kid stuff. ”
“Wait, is she coming back?
Cuz I’ve got a date tonight. ”
I sighed, pocketing my phone. “Hey, got a job to do, aren’t we? ”
“Big job.
Hey, I’m the one who cracks the funnies around here. What major world event happens this Thursday? I get to be a good grandson for once. Gran’s birthday.
”
“So, I thought we’d all go around to ours and we’ll do like a little family video. Send it over. ”
“I’m not well,” I said, feeling a headache coming on. “We’ll just neck two paracetamol.
”
“It’s going to take more than paracetamol. But I wanted to go to Lily’s. ”
“Well, we’ll do you here now then. At least stick some lippy on first.
Where’s Big Toner? ”
“16th Hall Lobo. That was on retirement day. ”
“Lucky yet.
Must have missed the memo. Anyway, the Gaffer wants an update on an evidence bag. Could be in a lab marked down as low priority. ”
“Oh, man.
Still be here. So, let’s have a look. ”
I watched as Kit pulled up the file on his screen. “Uh, victim’s name is Platt.
Burglary with violence requested by DC Mclaughlin. ”
I felt the world tilt. “See you. ”
“Have a good time.
”
“Thank you. Bye. ”
—
I ended up at home, trying to calm down. Bethany was filming a birthday video for Granny Audrey’s 86th.
“Well, you’re through to judge’s houses. You, however, I’ve seen cabbages with more charisma. ”
“Bethany. Oh, I see you, too, mother.
Go and get your own parcels in future. ”
“Oh, we’re doing a video for Granny Audrey. The show new boyfriend. ”
“How do you know that?
”
“I know everything. ”
“Well, best watch myself. ”
“This new boyfriend, is he French and is he rich? ”
“What do you think?
”
“All right, guys. Are we doing this stupid video then or not? ”
“Yeah, jump round. It’s happy birthday for Granny Audrey 86th.
All right, take three. An emphasis on the happy. ”
As they sang, my phone buzzed. I ignored it, but it kept ringing.
“At least answer your phone. ”
“Yeah, it’s me. Ring me as soon as you get this. ”
The door crashed open.
I froze. “Oh, you’re here. I thought your phone was fixed. I’ve been ringing you.
I was worried I was too late,” Kit said, breathless. “Oh, what’s up? What’s going on? ”
“You need to ring your solicitor.
”
“Why? ”
—
Then the front door burst off its hinges. “PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE. HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK.
Anyone else in the…? ”
I saw the uniforms flood in. “Suspicion of the murder of Theo Silverton,” one of them read. “You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questions…”
“What do you think you’re doing?
” David shouted. “You wonder why people think feds are a joke? ”
“It’s all right, sweetheart. They’re just making a mistake.
Don’t worry,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady for the kids. “It was a joke. Really gave your dog a heart attack banging the door down like that. ”
“For real.
Soft, old man. ”
“Yeah. Talk about being a kid on rent day. ”
“You’d have been not winding us up.
”
“Yeah, but even David wouldn’t sink that low. ”
“Who are you kidding? Sarah, what’s she done? ” Gary asked.
“Dad, got no idea, mate. ”
“Leave on to it, eh? ”
“Yeah, she doesn’t need people rubbernecking, does she? ”
“Doing what?
”
“Sarah, you just tell Harry not to worry. Just say that these are your friends. Okay. ”
“Hurry, it’s all right.
I’ll be over in a second. ”
“Nothing, mate. Anyway, look, we need to go and get some good seats, don’t we? To see our chunk in action.
”
“Available for autographs and selfies off. ”
“Are you for real? ”
“Can I remind you I’m your senior officer and this is a public place? ”
“Senior or not?
This is a shambles. You’re making us a laughing stock. Go just drop it, DC Green, if you know what’s good for you. ”
“Kit, did you know about this?
”
“Oh, Sarah a murderer? Keep your voice down. No, I didn’t know. ”
“We can sort it, can’t you?
”
“Well, the WhatsApp boots been popping off. Sir left earlier with Kate and we were joking that it was a booty call. Now we don’t know what to think. ”
“Tell you what, there’s some bad gossips in that factory.
”
“I hope you’re not including me in that. ”
“Hey, Sean’s not been chipping in, have you? He, after Dylan, you mate? ”
“Yeah, he knows exactly what it’s like to be on the receiving end of gossip like that.
”
“So, you don’t think there’s nothing in it then? This business, cuz they’re saying it’s to do with Theo. ”
“I’m as in the dark as you are. ”
“I just don’t get it though.
Like two police cars and handcuffs. It was as if they thought that she was going to put up some sort of big fight. ”
“Of course, there’s nothing in it. ”
“You seem pretty confident.
Do you know something that lay down? ”
“Look, all I know is that Sarah’s not some menace to society that needs sweeping off the street, is she? She’s just a mom. ”
“Just… Anyway, come on.
What we here for, eh? You know, the youngest ever recipient of the Tommy Opington trophy. That’s what we’re here for. Jake Wendas is there in black and white.
Come on. ”
“Oh, boy. ”
“Yeah. This is all that matters now.
”
—
At the police station, I sat in the interview room, trying to keep my composure. “You didn’t do it,” Kit said, sitting across from me. “What? ”
“Most of the young ones asked to check their photos.
”
“Thinking of a retake? ”
“No. Sounds like something my daughter would do. Not that she’d ever be in a place like this.
”
The door opened, and DS Connor Swain walked in. “And our youngest ever winner is Jake Winder. ”
I blinked, confused for a second, then realized he was reading from a file. “At the wedding.
You were at the wedding. You went home. ”
“It’s in my original statement. ”
“You don’t have to answer,” Kit said.
“I know. They’re trying to contradict what I’ve said on file and I’m just trying to put them right. Was her party I was at, by the way. They didn’t have to do a photo fit.
They just flicked through the wedding album. ”
“That’s a good one. Did you go straight home from the venue? ” Swain asked.
“I went to my brother’s house at Coronation Street. I lived there for years. I still have a key. I disturbed a burglary.
I was bashed over the head and I was left for dead. That’s where I gave my original statement at the hospital and I’ve still not caught him. ”
I looked Swain in the eye. “That’s the one good thing about being attacked.
It proves that I did not kill Theo. ”
Swain snorted. “For the tape, DS Connor Swain is showing Sarah evidence bag LCS011072026. Is that the blouse you wore on the day of the wedding?
”
“Yep. ”
“Are you absolutely sure you didn’t go to Theo’s flat? ”
“No. Yes, I am sure.
”
“Okay. You do not have to say anything. However, I must ask you to account for the presence of Theo Silverton’s blood on your blouse, trousers, and shoes. If you fail or refuse to do so, a court may draw proper inference.
”
“No comment. ”
—
After the interview, Kit found me in the corridor. “You were very emotional in there. ”
“I didn’t make a show of myself, did I?
”
“No. Look, growing up the…”
“No, forget it. You won’t get it. ”
“I’m trying, man.
”
“Look, growing up, the wind is with a muck on everyone’s shoes. I don’t know. Just seeing my lad up there. Yeah.
Seeing everyone clapping and cheering for him, parents, teachers… I don’t know. It just got to me a bit. ”
“Well, as long as that’s all it is. ”
“Do you think she’ll gray rock the whole thing?
” Kit asked. “No. She’s listening to the solicitor. I don’t see any hint she wants to unburden.
”
“We’re not in public now. What are you playing at? Skull him behind my back. ”
“We’re only going to tell you.
”
“Zero motive. Nothing to gain from bumping Silverton off. Plus the size of her. Think I could bench press twice her weight.
”
“I know this is humiliating. ”
“You said your piece. Back off. There is a clear conflict of interest.
”
“Read that in one of your books, did you, Mac? ”
“Enough. ”
“No, I’m not humiliated. I’ve got bigger worries like reassuring a 10-year-old kid that his mom’s not a killer.
”
“He fancies himself, don’t he? Roy Keen, Weatherfield, and Nick. ”
“He cares. He’s a good copper.
”
“Oh, so good. He missed the clues. Is Mrs. Off to Ronan.
Yeah, he’s in it up to his oxers from the word go, probably. I don’t want to believe it. ”
“I’m not saying it was planned. ”
“Horrible accident, most likely, but Green helped cover it up, 100%.
”
—
I was led to a holding cell. I had one phone call. “I know you can’t speak. I just wanted to hear your voice.
I won’t be able to hold you. You’re innocent. ”
“I keep seeing his face. ”
“Who’s carries?
”
“Oh, I can’t do this. I just can’t. ”
“We’re just in shock. You’re tired.
You know, things won’t feel so bleak in the morning. Babe…”
“That’s it. Time’s up. ”
“Saying I’ve got a hang up.
”
“I love you. ”
“I love you. ”
—
Later, Kit came to see me, looking grim. “How is she?
”
“Doing cartwheels. How do you think? ”
“You know this is on you. If you’d only just run me.
”
“You’re having a laugh. She was trying to save your skin. ”
“She was traumatized. Just had to dial 999 straight away.
”
“What? Dober in? ”
“They would have believed it was self-defense. ”
“It was self-defense.
”
“Jury is going to think that now. ”
“A jury with eyes. Look, now you listen to me. I’m not your punch bag.
All right. You can’t control the plots around you. Don’t take it out on me. It won’t end well.
”
“Well, I’m scared, Gary. ”
“You should be. Right. ”
“Well, you can tell me that again.
From your jail cell. ”
