The Silent Ones: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller(24)

She followed him down a corridor and into an office. He closed the door behind them, gesturing for her to sit the other side of the paper-strewn desk.

‘Before we start, I just want to say thanks. For taking the case, I mean.’ He pinched the skin between his eyebrows and squeezed his eyes closed momentarily. ‘I know you’ve had it rough yourself and this is going to be a difficult one—’

It was painful, witnessing him walking on eggshells like this. Trying to select the least offensive words. It wasn’t his style at all.

‘It’s fine, Conor. Honestly. I can’t remember the last time I’ve thought about anything apart from that damn inquiry, but since your call, I’ve been absorbed in researching events so far online. It makes sober reading.’





Fifteen





Neary leaned forward, lacing his fingers together and resting his elbows on the desk, and began his brief on where the investigation stood thus far. Dana took out a pad and pen from her handbag to make some brief notes.

‘Our only hope is to get the girls talking. When forensics come back it will be all too easy for the powers-that-be to insist we arrest both of them. This really is our last chance to make a breakthrough.’ He sighed. ‘We’ve told the parents not to say anything to the girls about Bessie dying for now. It could scupper our chances of getting them to open up.’

Dana tipped her head to the side and studied the detective.

‘Interesting,’ she murmured.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ The colour in his cheeks rose and he assumed a playful tone, but there was a slight edge to it. ‘If you’ve got something to say, Dr Sewell, then say it. Don’t go using your special insights on me.’

Dana had known Conor long enough to see that something was bothering him. It was as plain as the nose on his face.

‘In all the time I’ve known you, I can’t say you’ve ever dithered once a case seemed tied up, but despite placing the girls firmly at the scene, establishing they were both covered in Bessie Wilford’s blood and now having a reliable witness to boot, here you are giving them one more chance.’

Conor Neary was a fair man, and in Dana’s opinion, a good man. He’d told her once that his job boiled down to something quite simple: he had to ensure that justice was done. Namely, that the right person paid for whatever crime had been committed.

The fact that he’d pleaded with her to take this on so soon after the inquiry spoke volumes to Dana about the profile of the case.

But somewhere along the line, he was troubled by the apparent guilt of the girls. That much was obvious.

‘I suppose what I’m saying is, how about you tell me what you’re really thinking?’

A sardonic smile played around Neary’s mouth.

‘I feel like I just got a timely reminder why I’ve stuck my neck out to get you in here,’ he sighed. ‘And I admit I’m guilty as charged. Something doesn’t add up, though it’s just a gut feeling at the moment. The evidence against them is the only thing the boss is going to be interested in when I meet with her later today.’

He picked up a pen and tapped out a staccato rhythm on the desk before laying it down again.

‘We’ve got to find out from the kids exactly what happened in that house, Dana.’ He fixed his red-rimmed eyes on her. ‘The super isn’t going to let me wait around forever. The press are frenzied, the locals are already baying for blood. I’m not going to be able to shield the girls for much longer.’

She nodded, understanding. He slid two slim brown wallet folders, each with a typed white sticker on it, across the desk to her.

‘There’s one for each girl. It’s everything we’ve got on them so far, their families too. There are official records in there, and observations provided by the school, plus additional notes from preliminary interviews.’

Dana pressed her lips together and slid the folders back over to him.

‘I’ll let you know when I need these,’ she said.

He frowned. ‘Surely you want to avail yourself of—’

‘I will read them, but not yet. These folders are filled with other people’s thoughts and opinions. I’d rather start by meeting the girls myself, make my own first impression of them.’

As the detective nodded in understanding, Dana silently acknowledged that her intuition had got her into trouble more times than she cared to recall, including that last case, which had brought about her suspension from duty. She also knew that despite there being right and wrong procedures to follow, her powerful gut feeling was rarely wrong.

‘Point taken,’ Neary said. He gathered up the folders and placed them in a pedestal drawer, out of Dana’s sight. ‘Let’s go and meet the families.’





Sixteen





Juliet





DS March’s words ricochet around my head.

I’m afraid we’re now looking at a murder inquiry.

I don’t feel the heat of panic like my sister. I feel cold and detached when I think about how this situation could escalate.

I’ve seen it so many times on television as I’ve sat on the sofa with coffee and a biscuit, watching as the family of the accused proclaim their relative’s innocence.