False Witness

by Michelle Davies

  For now, though, she needed to focus on practical matters.

  ‘Does anyone know you’ve run away to Mansell? Did you leave a note?’

  Jude looked puzzled. ‘I haven’t run away. We’ve been here all weekend and I didn’t want to go back so I came here. Mum thinks I’m at Toby’s house, saying bye.’

  Maggie reeled at his comment.

  ‘You’ve been here, in Mansell, this weekend?’

  ‘Yeah, we came up to see our friends. Mum’s kept us off school today so we could stay an extra day.’

  Maggie didn’t want Jude to see how hurt she was but failed miserably.

  ‘Auntie Maggie, why are you getting upset?’

  ‘I miss you guys so much and I can’t believe you’ve been round the corner this whole time and I didn’t know. Are Scotty and Mae here too?’

  ‘Yeah, they’re with Mum.’

  ‘Is this the first time you’ve been back?’

  Jude looked sheepish. ‘No.’

  Maggie thought being estranged from her family was painful enough, but this was something else, like a punch to her guts with a sledgehammer.

  ‘Where’s your mum right now?’

  ‘Denise’s.’

  ‘What, that woman she worked with years ago? I didn’t know they were friends still.’

  Jude shrugged. ‘That’s where we’ve been.’

  Maggie weighed up what to do. If she agreed to let Jude stay even for one night Lou would go mental. But if she rejected his request, when would she get to see him again? It could be years.

  But, ultimately, she had to do what was right.

  ‘I need to tell your mum that you’re here.’

  Jude was crestfallen. ‘Really?’

  ‘I’m afraid so. I know it’s not the answer you want, but she’s your parent and I’m not. As much as I’d love you to stay with me, I can’t decide where you live.’ She held out her hand. ‘Give me your phone. I don’t have her new number so I can’t call her from mine.’

  ‘If she comes to get me maybe you two can make things up.’

  ‘I would like nothing more,’ said Maggie, ‘but it’s up to your mum.’

  ‘Did you love my dad?’

  The question was so unexpected that she fumbled the phone and dropped it into her lap.

  ‘I – well, I don’t –’

  ‘Did you or didn’t you?’

  She studied his face, which was so like his father’s, especially his eyes. For a second she closed hers, remembering. When she opened them again she smiled.

  ‘I loved him very much. He was my first love.’ She hesitated; there was only so much detail she should burden her nephew with. ‘What I did was wrong, so wrong. I should never have gone behind your mum’s back like that, nor should your dad. The thing is, he loved us both. He was so excited about being a dad and starting a family with your mum. With me it was –’ she let out a huge sigh, her body loosening cathartically – ‘different. He wasn’t a bad man. He just couldn’t decide between us.’

  Jude nodded but Maggie could see he was getting upset again.

  ‘Let me ring your mum.’

  Lou picked up immediately.

  ‘Where the hell are you? I’m outside Toby’s and he’s saying he hasn’t seen you all afternoon. The car’s packed and ready to go.’

  ‘Lou, it’s Maggie.’

  The silence was deafening, so Maggie spoke quickly to fill it.

  ‘I got home from work to find Jude on my doorstep. He’s here with me now.’

  ‘Let me talk to him.’

  That was it. The full sum of what her sister was prepared to say to her. Maggie handed the mobile to Jude.

  From the squawking she could hear as he spoke to his mum Maggie could tell Lou was apoplectic with rage. Jude, on the other hand, said nothing, letting the tirade wash over him.

  Then he put his hand over the receiver.

  ‘She wants me to walk into the town centre so she can pick me up.’

  Nearly fourteen, Jude was perfectly able to get himself to their meeting point – the walk would only take him a few minutes. But that would let Lou off the hook and, even though she might not care what she thought, Maggie felt a duty to warn her about her new fiancé.

  ‘Tell her I’m not letting you leave. She needs to come and get you.’

  Jude relayed the message and the squawking got louder. Then he passed the phone over.

  ‘She wants to talk to you.’

  Maggie’s hand trembled as she held the device to her ear. Regularly in her job she came up against people who were aggressive and behaved alarmingly but none of them ever intimidated her as much as Lou did when she was angry.

  Yet to her surprise, Lou didn’t let rip.

  ‘I’ve got to get Mae in the car, then we’ll come round to get him.’

  ‘Oh, okay. See you in a bit.’

  Ten minutes later Lou, Scotty and Mae ascended the three flights to her flat. Scotty threw himself at her with the same enthusiasm Jude had but Mae, now walking confidently, hid behind her mother’s legs. It killed Maggie that she didn’t seem to recognize her.

  ‘She’s grown up so much in a few months,’ she smiled, unable to take her eyes off the little blonde girl.

  ‘You look tired,’ said Lou.

  Their eyes met and it took every ounce of Maggie’s self-control not to burst into tears and beg her for forgiveness. But she’d already done that seven months ago and it didn’t work then and, knowing her sister, it wouldn’t now. When Lou put her mind to something she was as stubborn as a grass stain on silk.

  ‘I’m fine. How are you?’

  Jude and Scotty watched the awkward exchange with furrowed brows. It must’ve been as strange to them to see the sisters talk so stiltedly to one another as it was to Maggie.

  ‘Good. We like living by the sea, don’t we, Mae?’

  Maggie’s niece peeped out from behind Lou’s legs, then shot back again.

  Seaside life did seem to suit Lou. Her hair, previously in a bob and dyed bright red, was now cropped short and back to its natural blonde, and her face was softer, her skin plumped with rude health. She looked younger, fitter and markedly less weary.

  ‘How are Mum and Dad?’ asked Maggie.

  ‘Oh, you know, the usual.’

  A wry look of understanding passed between them briefly, the familiarity of which made Maggie ache with sadness.

  ‘We have to go,’ Lou said to Jude. ‘It’s a long drive.’

  ‘I don’t want to,’ he said, exhibiting the same stubborn streak as hers.

  ‘Me neither,’ said Scotty. ‘I want to live in Mansell.’

  ‘This isn’t your home any more,’ said Lou.

  ‘I’m not going back!’ yelled Jude.

  In the row that ensued no one noticed Mae step out from behind Lou and shuffle across to Maggie. The first she realized was when she felt a tiny hand in hers.

  ‘Oh, hello, sweetheart,’ she said, smiling down at Mae. ‘Do you remember me now?’ She crouched down and the little girl beamed at her.

  ‘Aun-tay Maggie!’ she giggled.

  ‘Jude, enough, we’re going,’ said Lou.

  Maggie decided she had to say something, even if it made Lou even angrier with her.

  ‘Jude’s worried about your fiancé. He’s been threatening to hit him. Scotty and Mae too, by the sound of things.’

  Lou’s eyes narrowed. Maggie braced for the onslaught her interference was bound to provoke but instead her sister turned to her kids.

  ‘Is that true?’ The boys nodded. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘Because we didn’t want you to be sad again,’ said Scotty in a small voice. ‘You were really sad before Terry came to live with us.’

  A huge pregnant pause filled the room before Lou punctured it.

  ‘I like Terry a lot but not as much as I love you three. If that’s what he’s been doing, he can pack his bags and do one.’

  Maggie’s surprise must’ve shown. Lou glared at
her.

  ‘What? You don’t think I’d put my kids before a bloke? Been there, done that and I’ll never do it again.’

  ‘You’re a great mum,’ said Maggie softly. ‘No one could love them more.’

  Now it was Lou’s turn to be flustered. ‘Um . . . thanks. Right, come on, kids.’

  ‘Mum, can we come and see Auntie Maggie again, please?’ Scotty begged.

  ‘Aun-tay Maggie!’ said Mae, clapping her hands in delight.

  ‘Yeah, I wanna see her,’ said Jude, sticking his chin out defiantly.

  Maggie could tell Lou was feeling hemmed in but didn’t want to say no in front of the kids. ‘Maybe next time you’re up,’ she fibbed.

  ‘Actually, yeah, we could sort something,’ said Lou. ‘Just because you and me aren’t – well, there’s no reason the kids can’t see you. I could drop them round.’

  ‘Can we come and stay for a whole weekend?’ asked Scott excitedly.

  Maggie laughed and gave him a cuddle. ‘One visit at a time, eh.’ She gave her sister a searching look. ‘Do you mean it?’

  Lou’s eyes met hers and they glistened with unshed tears.

  ‘Yeah, I do.’

  74

  Tuesday

  Mrs Pullman had offered to let Poppy come into school via a side entrance used exclusively by staff. Julia was concerned that skulking in would make people think they were ashamed or had something to hide, but Ewan felt it showed the school was fully supportive of their daughter – and them – and overruled her. But as they entered the playground Julia’s legs threatened to give way on her and suddenly she was grateful they didn’t need to hang around. The looks being thrown their way as they moved steadily towards the side entrance ranged from curiosity to outright hostility.

  In her peripheral vision she spotted Siobhan standing with a group of mums that included Tess, the one who loved to gossip. She’d be having a field day with this.

  Poppy suddenly stopped.

  ‘I don’t want to go inside,’ she said morosely. ‘Why can’t I stay out here until the bell goes and our teacher comes, like I always do?’

  ‘Mrs Pullman said it was probably best if you went straight inside today,’ said Ewan. ‘Come on, you don’t want to be late.’

  Poppy dropped her rucksack on the ground in protest. Julia’s face burned red, acutely aware of the audience they were attracting.

  ‘Please, darling, don’t be difficult,’ she said in a low voice.

  ‘I want to stay out here with my friends,’ she whined.

  While Julia and Ewan tried to placate and cajole Poppy, they didn’t notice someone approaching them.

  ‘Hi. It’s good to see you all.’

  Julia turned to face Siobhan. To her astonishment the mum stepped forward and hugged her.

  ‘I’m sorry I was so hard on you the other day,’ she said as she pulled away. ‘I should’ve been more understanding. I can see how tough this has been on you all.’

  ‘Thanks. It’s nice to see a friendly face,’ said Ewan.

  Julia was grateful she hadn’t told him about her confrontation with Siobhan: he wouldn’t have been half as receptive to her apology had he known about it.

  ‘Right, let’s get inside,’ said Ewan.

  Siobhan was puzzled. ‘Aren’t you waiting in the line?’

  ‘The head thinks we shouldn’t.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ said Siobhan. ‘Poppy, isn’t that your friend Samira over there? Why don’t you go and wait with her?’

  Julia glanced warily at Ewan, who didn’t seem happy at being undermined but wasn’t about to cause another row.

  ‘I guess there’s no harm,’ he said.

  Poppy skipped off to join her friends, who greeted her as normal with giggles and smiles.

  Julia didn’t fully relax until the bell went and the children were indoors, but she had to admit it hadn’t been half as bad as she’d feared.

  Her happiness lasted until they got back to their car – and found a sullen-faced DS Renshaw leaning against its bonnet, her arms folded. Julia’s pulse spiked.

  Now what?

  ‘How did drop-off go?’ the detective asked, no trace of warmth in her voice.

  ‘Fine,’ said Ewan tersely. ‘Can I ask why you’re here?’

  ‘Just checking up.’

  ‘You couldn’t wait until we were home?’ said Julia as a line of parents passed them on the way to their own vehicles.

  ‘How’s Poppy?’

  ‘She’ll be doing a lot better when you lot leave her alone. This is harassment. I’m calling our solicitor.’ Ewan went to get his phone, then stopped. ‘Hang on, you’re not even working on the case any more.’

  Renshaw’s expression shifted, apprehension replacing the belligerence.

  ‘When I got to the station yesterday to collect Poppy I asked for you on the front desk and they said you were on indefinite leave and off the case,’ said Ewan. ‘So why the hell are you here now giving us grief?’

  ‘Poppy needs to answer for what she did,’ said Renshaw falteringly. ‘A violent act has been committed and needs to be investigated.’

  ‘But not by you,’ sneered Ewan.

  Renshaw had no comeback for that and moved out of the way to let them get in the car. As they drove off Julia peered in the wing mirror and saw her watching them, arms still folded, face still fixed in a frown.

  75

  Maggie was running late. Four cars had rear-ended in the middle of a roundabout junction that even on the calmest days was a nightmare to negotiate and now the traffic was backed up in three directions. She gave it twenty minutes in the hope that the traffic would shift before calling Umpire to let him know she was stuck.

  ‘There’s no briefing until later so you’re fine. We detained four of Violet Castle’s clients for questioning this morning and I want statements from them first. In fact, I’d rather you went round to have a word with Benji Tyler’s mum instead of coming here,’ he said.

  Maggie was confused. ‘Yesterday you told me to keep my distance.’

  ‘That was before she got herself plastered all over the Internet.’

  Maggie’s stomach plummeted to her feet. ‘What?’

  ‘She gave the Echo an exclusive interview for their website that’s already been picked up by the Mail, the Mirror and the BBC. Would you like to know what the headline is?’

  Maggie didn’t, sensing how bad it was, but Umpire enlightened her regardless.

  ‘It’s “Why won’t they arrest my son’s killer?” next to a fetching picture of Imogen holding up Benji’s school photograph and clutching a sodden tissue. Goes right for the heart strings.’

  Maggie slammed the heel of her hand against the steering wheel. Fucking Jennifer Jones. And bloody Grace, pushing her agenda.

  ‘I’m sorry, we should’ve known.’

  ‘Yes, you bloody well should.’

  She knew Umpire was bollocking her as her boss, not her boyfriend, but she still found it uncomfortable. Likewise, she wanted to tell him about Jude turning up yesterday and how happy she was that Lou was going to let her see the children, but felt it inappropriate to mention when he was briefing her as SIO.

  ‘What does she say in the interview?’

  ‘Someone informed her that Rushbrooke was reopening today and Poppy was being allowed back, so she thinks it’s disgraceful the child involved in her son’s death is being given free rein by us to continue her life.’

  ‘I can’t believe the Echo has named Poppy,’ said Maggie. A horn tooted behind her and she inched her car forward as a small gap appeared between her bumper and the one in front.

  ‘It hasn’t, and it’s been careful not to mention her gender either – it describes her as “the child” or “them”. Then there’s loads of guff about Imogen’s grief.’

  ‘Don’t call it guff, Will – she is devastated.’

  ‘I know, but I wish she’d kept it to herself.’

  This was why Umpire didn’t get family liaison.
His focus was always more on the offender than the victim and it meant he sometimes lacked empathy when their relatives got in the way of him investigating. He would view the Echo report as a spanner in his works rather than a grieving mother venting in frustration.

  ‘The Chief Constable wants an explanation as to why we didn’t know.’

  Maggie bit back the answer she wanted to give: that had she still been their FLO she might’ve got wind and put a stop to it, because she had a far better idea of what Grace was like than Carmichael did after only twenty-four hours on the job.

  ‘I can’t even think when she could’ve done the interview,’ she mused.

  ‘Carmichael says it must’ve been yesterday evening, after she’d clocked off.’

  ‘I categorically told Imogen and her mum that we should handle the press because we didn’t want it to impede the investigation.’

  ‘Well, it’s certainly done that. We’re going to be under huge pressure from the media and public now to show that we’re taking Benji’s death seriously. We need a result, Maggie.’

  ‘What have you decided about the second post-mortem?’

  ‘You said yesterday that you thought Poppy was close to confessing. I want you to have another crack at her first. If we can avoid the PM, we should. I can only imagine what his mum would say to the press if we forced that on her.’

  ‘I’ll have to get Poppy from Rushbrooke if she’s gone back today,’ said Maggie.

  Umpire paused. ‘While it’s tempting to think that frogmarching her out in front of her classmates might shock her into talking, I think you should speak to her parents first and get them to collect her. Their solicitor’s just been on to complain about the Echo story and also about Renshaw harassing them and I don’t want to rattle his cage again.’

  Maggie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. ‘Anna’s been harassing them? When?’

  ‘Outside the school just now. I don’t know what the hell she was playing at. She’s not answering her phone.’

  ‘She hasn’t answered any of the texts I’ve sent to see how she’s doing either,’ said Maggie, concerned.

  ‘Keep trying. I like Anna, she’s a good officer, but she’s going to land herself in serious trouble if she interferes in the investigation when she’s meant to be on leave. Right, you need to get round to Imogen’s and do some damage limitation before she talks to anyone else. If the Chief Constable sees her popping up on the bloody news we’ll be back in uniform before the lunchtime bulletin.’