Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(36)

There were many, many more girls out there, but only me and four others wanted to give evidence. One had written a statement that would be read out, but it wasn’t as useful to the prosecution’s case as being there in person. I couldn’t blame her though – I nearly hadn’t come myself.

I nodded, even though Linda couldn’t see me. I felt numb.

“Okay.”

“Sorry, but I’ve got to run, Oakley. I’ll call you tomorrow, but in the meantime if you have anything you want to ask, I’m free from six tonight.”

“Alright. Thank you, Linda.”

“Any time. Bye.”

“Bye.” I hung up and stared at the phone. How could he even pretend that he had nothing to do with it? I turned to Cole and tried to tell him what Linda had said, but no words came out when I opened my mouth. Letting go of my hand, he wrapped both arms around me.

“It’s okay. I heard what she said.”

My world felt as if it was shrinking.

“He’s going to get off, isn’t he?”

“No!” Cole was adamant. “No matter what happens at the trial he won’t get away with it.”

Pulling back slightly, I looked at him to get him to explain exactly what that meant.

“Don’t worry about anything.”

“You’re not doing anything stupid if he gets off.”

He smiled and stroked my cheek. “But it wouldn’t be stupid, Oakley.”

“Right, so you going to prison because of him wouldn’t be stupid? That wouldn’t be throwing your life away?”

I wanted to slap some sense into him. How could Cole think doing anything to harm Max would be justice when he would be the one that got locked up? I didn’t want anyone else to have their life ripped apart because of my father.

“I don’t think you have any idea how much I love you.”

Pushing his chest away from me, I stood up and glared.

“Great. Thanks for loving me so much! Send me a postcard from prison!”

Cole sighed and stood up. “You’re overreacting.”

“How am I overreacting? That’s what happens when you murder someone, idiot!”

“Oakley, will you calm down?”

“I’ll calm down when you stop being dumb!”

“I’m not being dumb.”

“Yes, yes you are! You’re beginning to make Jasper sound like Stephen Hawking!”

My eyes started stinging, and I fought to keep it together. The thought of Cole throwing his life away over my dad was awful. Dad wasn’t worth it. I wasn’t worth it.

Cole laughed and shook his head. He stepped forwards and caressed the sides of my face.

“I won’t let him walk away after what he did to you.”

Throwing my hands up in exasperation, I glared at him. Am I speaking Chinese or something!

“Fine. Go ahead. Do whatever the hell you want!” I spun around and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from you!”

Mum and Jasper looked up in alarm as I stomped down the stairs.

“Stupid, exasperating idiot.”

“What’s wrong? What’s he done?” Jasper asked. He looked accusingly at Cole who was coming down the stairs behind me.

“He hasn’t done anything, yet.” I turned to him. “I think you should go home. We’re done here.”

Cole stared at me. “We’re not done. Are you going to talk to me properly or just shout?”

“What’s going on?” Mum asked, looking between the two of us.

“He’s being stupid,” I replied, pointing at Cole like a child.

“Oakley, you can’t tell me you don’t understand.”

I ran my hand over my face.

“We’ve been through this before already. I thought you were over the let’s kill him thing.”

“This is about him?” Jasper spat. “You’re arguing over that bastard?”

“No, Jasper. We’re arguing because Cole can’t see how–” I growled in frustration, not even able to finish the sentence without punching one of them. Spinning around, I stormed out of the house and slammed the door closed.

Seconds later, the front door opened, and I heard Cole and Jasper argue over who should follow me. I didn’t want either of them to follow me. Swiping away the tears that fell down my face with the back of my hand, I pushed my legs faster to get away from whoever was running to catch up with me.

“Oakley, wait.” Cole grabbed my hand and spun me around. I guess he had won. “Look I’m sorry. I know we’ve had this conversation before but…” He shook his head and looked at me with the saddest expression I’d ever seen.

“I just… I love you so much, and I hate that there’s even a possibility of him getting off. I don’t want you to live your life being scared that he could turn up at any minute.”

I didn’t know what to say. He stepped closer, stroked my cheek and wiped the fresh flow of tears away. I closed my eyes.

“Cole, please don’t. Promise me you’ll drop it and if he gets out you’ll stay away. Please? I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. I need you. Please?”

He sighed in defeat.