The Passengers(54)
‘I’m just frustrated because it’s unlikely I’ll see or hold my kids again,’ he continued. ‘They’re my world. And I appreciate that it’s Heidi who spends the majority of time with them. But given half a chance, I’d swap places with her in a heartbeat. Like millions and millions of other dads out there watching and listening to me right now, I contribute towards my children in different ways to their mum – but they’re equally important ways. And now it looks like I’m going to die because of it. Why would your God put me in a position where I don’t have a fighting chance?’
‘Um, perhaps even though you have created life together, it’s because a woman has the biological means to feed and nurture that child. That’s why she’s judged by some as more valuable …’
‘Now I’m being penalised because my body can’t feed a baby? Really?’
‘That’s not what—’
‘So not only is society against me but so is my biology, the same one that God created? I’m truly shafted, aren’t I?’
Muriel attempted several more lines of questioning, from Sam’s occupation to his interests and what motivated him. But each time, he returned the subject to the bias against men. He had done all that he could. Now his only hope was that his argument had resonated with the rest of his sex. Suddenly he became aware of the time – he had just ninety seconds left to complete his defence.
‘May I ask your social media person a question?’ he asked, but didn’t await permission. ‘Up until my ten minutes began, how popular was I with the public?’
Surprised to be addressed, a ruffled Cadman recovered fast and reached for his tablet. ‘Just give me a minute to make a clean sweep of the data,’ he muttered.
‘Unfortunately, a minute is about all I have.’
‘Well, in terms of popularity, in first place was Heidi, in second it was you, third place was Sofia – although she’s dropping like a kitten down a well, then Jude followed by Claire.’
‘And now?’
‘While various incarnations of #killSofia are currently the most trending hashtag, you have the highest number of new votes and positive comments for a Passenger. Most of your support appears to be coming from the UK, US, Denmark, France and Sweden where there are higher densities of single father households.’
Sam’s instinct was to punch the air in victory but he held back. In less than ten minutes, he had completed what he had set out to achieve. However, it had come at Heidi’s expense. He didn’t want to look at her for her reaction, but he couldn’t stop himself. Her expression was no longer just frosty, it was ice cold. Her eyebrows were drawn tightly together, her lips narrow and shut. Her chest rose and fell quickly like she was trying to suppress her rage. A part of him wanted to mouth ‘I’m sorry’ to her but he knew that he couldn’t, because he wasn’t sorry.
He had more to live for than her.
‘And that brings us to an end,’ came the Hacker’s voice. Sam watched a wave of relief wash over Muriel’s face, her role now complete. He braced himself, because if the next few minutes followed the same pattern as Claire and Sofia’s, the Hacker was preparing his parting shot. And he hoped that when it was fired, he had been persuasive enough to retain some of that support.
‘That’s quite the turnaround in public opinion, Sam,’ the Hacker continued. ‘It was very cleverly played.’
‘I’d like to add that it wasn’t ever my intention to try and take support away from my wife,’ Sam added with as much sincerity as he could muster. ‘I’m willing to die for that woman.’
‘A fine sentiment, I’m sure, if only it were true. But you’re not, are you? Because you had the opportunity to do just that and you chose to survive. I wonder if there is anyone else you might choose to die for instead? Perhaps Josie, the woman you married a year after marrying Heidi? Or maybe the son and the daughter you and that wife have together? Does this previously undisclosed family mean more to you than your first?’
Chapter 39
HEIDI COLE
Heidi was aware that millions of eyes were now upon her; the public and jurors all on tenterhooks waiting to see how she would react.
She began slowly, with a shake of her head. ‘No, you’re a liar,’ she told the Hacker. ‘I don’t believe you.’
‘I have no reason to lie to you, Heidi,’ he replied, his voice infused with phony sympathy. ‘Of the nine years you have spent married to your husband, for eight of them, he has also been married to another woman. And in that time, they have had two children together.’
‘Am I just supposed to take your word for it?’ she hit back. ‘You’ve made accusations about us all but you never offer any proof. I don’t take anyone’s word for anything without seeing evidence first.’
‘Spoken like a true officer of the law, DS Cole.’
A ten-minute countdown clock appeared in the corner of her screen along with a video clip. It was of Sam playing with two children, around the same age as her own, in a theme park. He was with a blonde-haired boy and a red-haired girl travelling inside a log flume. Suddenly it dropped down a steep section, drenching them with water. They exited the carriage giggling and wringing water from their clothes. ‘Daddy, you’re soaked,’ the girl directed towards Sam as he rubbed her wet matted hair. Whoever was holding the camera turned it on themselves. It was a woman with short, dark hair and pale skin. ‘Oh, Daddy is going to regret his soggy bottom on the journey home,’ she laughed before the screen faded to black.