Maggie nodded and cleared her throat. “Margaret Jane Simms.”
Donna smiled and patted the girl's arm. “Good girl. Now, you know why we’re here. You made an emergency call early this morning stating you’d killed your father.”
“He’s not my father,” Maggie snarled.
“I see.” Donna took a deep breath. Now she had the girl talking, she didn’t want to mess it up. “My mistake, sorry. Could you tell me who he was to you?”
“My mum’s husband.” Maggie’s voice cracked at the mention of her mother.
“And, correct me if I’m mistaken, but it was your mum’s funeral yesterday?”
Maggie nodded.
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. Now, I know it will be difficult, but can you tell me what happened last night?”
Maggie pressed her lips firmly together.
“Maybe we can talk about your mum for a while. What did she die of?”
“Cancer. Breast cancer.”
“I see. And was she sick for a long time?”
Maggie’s eyes filled, and she shook her head.
Donna knew she should stay impartial, but she was beginning to feel an immense sadness for the girl. She got to her feet and took a box of tissues from the windowsill, placing it on the table.
Maggie pulled a couple of tissues from the box and poked at the corners of her eyes. “Just a few months. She found a lump. But when she got it checked out, it was too late.”
Donna winced. “That’s terrible. It must have hit you hard.”
Suddenly, Maggie sobbed, squeezing her eyes shut.
Feeling wretched, Donna raised her eyebrows at Evie. She waited until Maggie calmed a little before continuing. “Can you tell me about your stepfather?”
Maggie blew her nose and shrugged. “What do you want to know? He’s an accountant.”
“Tell me about your relationship with him.”
Maggie scratched her neck, her eyebrows furrowed. “He was a bully. An ignorant pig who used to torment and beat my mother.”
“Did he bully you?”
“Sometimes.”
“Did he beat you?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Did he force himself on you?”
Maggie looked back down at her hands.
“Maggie, I’ll tell you what I noticed as a seasoned detective, shall I?”
The girl lifted her eyes to Donna’s.
“The first thing that struck me was you were both naked. Yeah, some people sleep naked, but I noticed your pyjamas were on your stepfather’s bedroom floor. I also noticed the top had been ripped off, the buttons were scattered over the floor too.”
Maggie glanced at Evie, then back at her hands.
“Upon examination of the bed, I saw a pool of semen mixed with blood. Your blood, I’m betting. And your bedroom door had been forced open.”
Maggie wrung her hands together.
“Then, I find you, covered in blood and bruises, cowering in your bedroom. I know what’s happened, Maggie. And I’m pretty certain Evie knows as well, but we will need you to tell us, love.”
She shook her head. “I c-can’t.”
“Let me be honest with you, Maggie,” Evie said. “If you don’t tell us what happened, you will be charged with murder. Do you understand?”
Maggie nodded.
“That means you could get twenty-five years in prison. Is that what you want?”
Still nothing.
Evie stretched out on her chair, sighing deeply, and shaking her head in sheer frustration.
Maggie bristled at Evie’s obvious displeasure.
“Maggie. What are you frightened of?” Donna asked. “Make a statement, then we’ll need to get you checked over by a doctor, which I’m positive will corroborate what I think has happened. But if we’re to help you, you have to tell us, love.”
“I can’t.” Tears continued to stream down her face. “Nobody will believe me. Just like Jake.”
“Screw Jake,” Donna said. “He’s a friend of your stepfather’s. His opinion doesn’t count.”
“Promise?”
“I promise, Maggie, I will look after you. Jake Stuart will not be allowed to work on this case.”
“Okay. I’ll tell you.”
I hadn’t told them everything. Donna had been so kind, but I just couldn’t. What I was telling them wasn’t anything they didn’t already know.
I then had to have a physical examination. The grey-haired lady doctor took swabs of my privates as well as scrapings from underneath my fingernails. She also photographed all my bruises. I was terrified, but knew there was no way to avoid it. I closed my eyes and tried to block out what she was doing to me.
Then, I stood under a hot shower and allowed the water to wash away Kenny’s stench from my body.
Back in the interview room, Donna sat me down again.
“Now, don’t be alarmed, Maggie, but I’m going to have to charge you with manslaughter. However, considering the evidence we have, I’m certain the charges will be dropped. Do you understand?”
I nodded. “Will I go to prison?”
“I’ll call the duty solicitor shortly. Hopefully, you should be released on bail later on today.”
“But where will I go?”
“You don’t have any other family?”
I shook my head. “No, none.”
“Who’s the woman who called over to you when we left the house?”
“Claudia Green. Our next-door neighbour. She’s lovely.”
“She’s been in reception since you arrived. She clearly cares about you. Do you think you could go back with her?”
I nodded. “Possibly.”
“Okay, let’s get the technicalities over with, and then, I’ll go and have a chat with her for you, all right?”
I nodded. I was so tired, I hadn’t slept since the day before Mum’s funeral and then only briefly.
When I’d been formally charged, my fingerprints were taken, and then, Donna apologised as she put me in a cell.
I was so relieved I didn’t have to share it with anybody else. It was just a bare room with a bare mattress and a stainless-steel sink and toilet.
Donna handed me a blanket. “Try to get a little sleep. I’ll come back with an update soon.”
4
There was no chance of getting any sleep, my brain was on fire. I kept going over and over things in my mind. Kenny had blamed me – said I was a tease. Had I been? If I had, I didn’t mean to be. He’d been all I had left. Now, I had nobody. Not a soul. And I had no means to support myself. But that was the least of my worries, really. After what Jake said earlier, I could see I would have a fight on my hands. Kenny was popular. A man’s man. A lady’s man, too, apparently.
What if they found me guilty? I could end up in jail for years.
The only positive thing to come out of it was putting an end to Kenny’s abuse. I hadn’t told the detectives everything. As far as they knew, last night had been the first time Kenny had touched me. At least then nobody could blame my dear mother. I didn’t give a shit what Kenny had said. There was no way she would have allowed him to lay one finger on me. I was certain of that. If it meant his lies had died with him, I was glad I’d shut him up. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Donna completed her paperwork and then called to arrange a duty solicitor. She was relieved when the operator put her through to Matt Pierson, a relatively new and passionate solicitor. She knew that, unlike his colleagues, Matt preferred pro-bono cases. He’d worked his arse off to get where he was. Born on the Ordsall estate in Salford, he knew how it felt to go without. And instead of making him greedy, now he could afford a few luxuries in life, he preferred to help less fortunate people instead.
“Oh, Matt. I was hoping it would be you.”
“Hi Donna. Why, what have you got for me?”
“A sixteen-year-old girl, Maggie Simms. She knifed her stepfather to d
eath last night. He’d raped her.”
“Okay, I’ll finish up here and be with you within the hour.”
“Great. See you then.”
True to his word, Matt strode into her office forty minutes later and placed his briefcase on her desk.
Donna handed him the file she’d just been working on. “Take a look at that while I fetch us a cuppa. Tea okay?”
“Perfect.” He pulled up a chair and opened the folder.
When she returned with two steaming mugs, he looked up and smiled sadly. “Sometimes, I despair at what human beings put each other through. Fancy just burying your mother and then having to endure such an attack from your only remaining family member.” He ran a hand through his gingery-blond hair.
“I know. Only, between you and me, I have a feeling last night wasn’t the first time.”
“Did she say that?”
Donna shook her head, her mouth turned down at the corners. “No. But you don’t work for years in a job like this without developing a sixth sense.”
“I guess not. But looking at this evidence, we shouldn’t need to humiliate the poor girl any more than necessary.”
“That’s what I figured. Are you ready to meet her?”
“Whenever you are.”
They finished their drinks, and Donna led him to the interview room before going to fetch Maggie from the cell.
Donna found the girl sitting on the edge of the bed as though she hadn’t moved in hours. “The duty solicitor’s here to see you, Maggie. Hopefully, when he’s done his bit, you’ll be able to go home.”
“Home?”
Donna could have bitten her tongue off. “Sorry, love. I meant you can leave this place. I spoke to Claudia Green a while ago, and she’s more than happy for you to go home with her. She’s gone off to prepare your room.”
Maggie nodded. “Okay, thanks. Will I be allowed in my house? I’ll need my things.”
“It’s still a crime scene, I’m afraid, but we should be able to get some of your belongings for now. Enough to tide you over, at least.”
They headed to the interview room where Donna introduced Maggie and Matt. She left, to give them some privacy.
After the initial formalities, the solicitor took a seat opposite me and clicked open his brown leather briefcase.
“Firstly, I’d like to offer you my condolences for the death of your mother. That’s a terrible thing to have to deal with, without all this added stuff.”
I swallowed down a sudden surge of bile and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Now, I’ve read the file, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a straightforward case of self-defence. The police won’t contest bail. I believe Detective Sullivan has spoken to your neighbour, Mrs Claudia Green, and she’s happy for you to stay with her for a while. Is that okay with you?”
“What choice do I have?”
“We could speak to Social Services and see if we can find accommodation in a crisis centre or women’s refuge.”
I didn’t want to go into a kid’s home. I’d read awful things about kid’s homes. “No, it’s okay. I’m happy to stay with Claudia, for now.”
“The thing is, if we apply for bail, it’s likely there will be conditions. A nominated address will probably be one of them. So, wherever you choose to go, you will need to stay there until the court date.”
I shrugged. “Okay. If that’s all right with Claudia. I’ve nowhere else to go.”
“Leave it with me, then. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He left, and Donna reappeared moments later. She took me back to the cell to wait. I hadn’t slept the night before. I was beginning to feel dizzy, and my eyes stung. I pulled out the blanket Donna had given me and snuggled down on the hard vinyl mattress.
The events of the last few days played over in my mind as I drifted off to sleep. The loss of my mum had been bad enough, but to have to deal with everything else without her telling me I was going to be all right, made me feel lost and vulnerable. I had nobody but Claudia in the whole wide world.
The sound of the door unlocking made me force my eyes open. I struggled to sit up, expecting Matt or Donna to be bearing good news. But my heart dropped to the cold concrete floor when I saw Jake.
“Nice to see you’re catching up on your sleep, young lady.” He sneered. “God forbid you’d feel a little guilty or anything.”
My ears felt hot, and a pounding began in my head. “I…I haven’t slept since it happened.”
“Another lie – you’re becoming quite the expert. I looked through the slot before I came in. You were out for the count.”
“What do you want, Jake? Where’s Donna?” I meant for my voice to be strong, but it sounded the opposite.
“Donna? She’s not your friend, or how do the kids say it nowadays? BFF? She’s DI Sullivan to you. And I’m DS Stuart – got it?”
I gulped and nodded, suddenly aware of a warm sensation in my pants and down my legs. I was horrified as I realised I’d peed myself.
Jake jumped backwards, an amused expression on his face as he looked at the puddle surrounding me on the floor.
“You have no business being in here, Detective,” Donna said, suddenly appearing in the doorway.
“I was just checking on our guest. Seeing if she needed anything, wasn’t I, Mags?” He glared at me defiantly.
“Don’t call me that,” I snarled.
He arched one eyebrow, clearly amused. “Seems I hit a nerve. Anyway, I was a little too late, by the looks of things. Your guest has just relieved herself all over the floor.”
“Leave, Detective,” Donna snarled, “or I shall have no choice but to lodge a formal complaint.”
Jake held his hands up and backed out of the cell. “Be seeing you – Mags.”
I was seething. The only person who called me Mags had been Kenny. But I was more annoyed with myself for letting Jake know it bothered me.
“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
The humiliation caused my cheeks to flush. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey. It’s fine.”
She led me to the toilet and told me to get undressed, then she handed me a pair of overalls over the top of the cubicle.
“Better?” she asked as I stepped into the corridor.
“Much better. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” She stroked my arm. “I’ve got good news. You’re free to go. Your neighbour has been informed and is on her way over to pick you up.”
Tears suddenly filled my eyes and spilled over onto my cheeks. I’d been certain she was going to come back and tell me I was going to prison instead.
Ten minutes later, I’d been read all the bail conditions by the Desk Sergeant, collected my belongings, and escorted to the main entrance. “Thanks for everything,” I said to Donna. “When can I get some of my things from the house?”
“If you can make do for tonight, I’ll come over first thing.” She gave me a half smile and was still watching me when I looked back at her from the doorway a minute later.
5
“Oh, there you are, duck. I’ve been beside myself,” Claudia said as she hauled herself from the faded green BMW she’d owned as far back as I could remember.
I didn’t talk. Seeing the sympathy in her eyes brought a rush of emotion and it settled as a huge ball in my throat.
“Come on, let’s get you home. Sandy’s more than a little anxious as to who we’re expecting.” Sandy was her scruffy but cute little dog that she treated like a human.
Maybe I’d need to get a Sandy equivalent now I had nobody else, a little dog to love me unconditionally. It was a terrifying thought for a sixteen-year-old to consider – to be totally alone. I was grateful for Claudia, but I knew she was helping me from a sense of decency – nothing more.
Five minutes into the twenty-minute journey, Claudia startled me from my daydream. “Steak and kidney pie for tea. Is that all right?”
I nodded and turned to stare out of the window at th
e huge, imposing city buildings. The thought of food made me want to hurl. I would need to enlist Sandy to help me out when Claudia wasn’t watching.
When we turned onto our street, my heart almost stopped. Blue and white police tape had been stretched across the doorway of my house in the shape of a huge X. I started to cry as I stared at the only home I’d ever known. A tightness in my chest prevented me taking a breath, and I became lightheaded.
Claudia rushed around the car and yanked my door open. “Come on, I’ve got you.” She eased me from the car and, with a protective arm around my shoulders, led me to the house next door.
Sandy launched himself down the narrow staircase and performed a series of twirls when he saw us.
“Not now, you little show off. Go on, go and lie down.”
I laughed a little through my snotty tears as the silly dog turned dejectedly and skulked up the hall and into the kitchen.
“That’s better. Sandy never fails to cheer me up when I’m feeling low too.” Claudia led me through to the peachy coloured lounge room and settled me down onto the sofa. “Now, put your feet up, and I’ll make us a nice cup of tea, and I’m sure I could rustle up a slice of Madeira cake, if you’re hungry.”
“Thank you,” I managed as she got to the door.
Claudia wasn’t as overpowering as I’d expected. She showed me to her cosy spare bedroom, which was the mirror image of my room next door, except the woodchip wallpaper had had so many coats of pink paint that it looked almost flat. She told me to make myself at home, and when I hadn’t appeared by dinnertime, she brought a huge portion of steak and kidney pie, mashed potatoes, and broccoli up to my room. I had no choice but to eat the food, considering Sandy was still downstairs.
At around eleven p.m., I heard Claudia climb the stairs and go into her bedroom. I sat up as the sliver of light coming under my door suddenly went out, and I reached to turn on the bedside lamp.
A feeling of emptiness washed over me, and I wasn’t sure if I felt sick or hungry. I tiptoed from my bed and out onto the landing. I could hear Sandy snuffling behind Claudia’s bedroom door, and I hoped he wouldn’t bark.
Maggie: a gripping psychological thriller Page 3