The Silent Ones: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller(41)

Family dynamics were fascinating things, and in Dana’s experience, they best revealed themselves when there was a balance. The dynamic between the sisters, Juliet and Chloe, was of great interest to her, and would have been skewed if Maddy’s father had also been present.

She placed her notes and pen on the low table in front of her and sat back in a relaxed manner.

‘I spoke to your teacher, Miss Barr, earlier, and she wanted me to tell you that she’s thinking of you both and sends her love and best wishes.’

Both girls stared into the space ahead.

‘Miss Barr tells me that during lessons, you are both so good at speaking up. You, Brianna, aren’t afraid to put your hand up and have a go at answering when the teacher asks a question. Maddy, you have a quick brain for remembering facts and nearly always get the answer right when asked.’

Chloe Voce tapped a fingernail on the side of her hand.

‘So your teacher was quite shocked when I explained that neither of you had said a word yet.’

Dana left a pause, and Juliet Fletcher filled it with a small cough.

‘Miss Barr asked me what the reasons behind your silence could be.’

Brianna Voce shot a lightning-fast glance at the viewing window, but it didn’t escape Dana. Sitting behind the mirrored glass, the detectives were watching and listening. Both girls had been told this.

‘You know, there are lots of reasons why people stop speaking,’ Dana continued. She sat back in her chair, looked from one girl to the other. ‘Sometimes, when they feel very afraid, it’s easiest to say nothing at all, because they think it might make things even worse for themselves… or for others.’

Chloe Voce bit her lip.

‘But that’s very rarely the case. Talking about a problem often helps, because it provides an outlet for all that stress bottled up inside. Have you ever seen anyone blow up a balloon at a party? If you just keep blowing and blowing and filling up the balloon with air, what do you think happens?’ She paused for a moment or two and then carried on as if the girls had reacted anyway. ‘That’s right, the balloon bursts. All that air will find a way out in the long run, and it’s exactly the same with fear and stress. Saying nothing might feel like the answer right now, but in the long run it can just make things so much worse.’

She picked up the water jug from the table and poured herself a glass. The trickle sounded like a thunderclap in the small, airless room.

‘Another reason for keeping quiet might be because someone else has told you to—’

‘What are you trying to say?’ Chloe Voce snapped before pressing her lips together.

Dana completely blanked her interruption.

‘Sometimes we do things for other people that we know aren’t right. Usually we know it’s wrong because we feel it here.’ Dana tapped the waistband of her trousers, level with her solar plexus. ‘But we do it anyway because we’re scared or worried or just confused.’

She stretched her legs out and crossed them at the ankles.

‘I’m going to let you into a secret. Last year, I made a mistake in my job. I did something that broke all the rules and I did it because I wanted to help someone who was in serious trouble.’

The girls both looked at her.

‘It all went horribly wrong because the person I tried to help died and I found myself in quite a dilemma. I couldn’t take back what I’d done and I knew the right thing to do was to tell the truth, even if my bosses didn’t understand. But I was afraid of being blamed for the death and I felt so bad for the family of the person who died.’

The girls were actively listening now, interested. Dana took a breath and continued, trying to keep her voice relaxed and praying that neither mother intervened at any point.

‘I couldn’t sleep properly, I couldn’t eat. I didn’t want to leave the house, I didn’t even want to visit my family and I didn’t want to speak to anyone if I could help it. I felt so miserable, as if I’d caught myself in a trap. And then I suddenly thought, anything is better than this. I made a decision. It was a brave decision, I think. I decided I would just go to my bosses and tell the truth and let the consequences take care of themselves. And that’s exactly what I did. I was truthful, but I also explained exactly what happened and why I did what I did.’

Dana looked at the girls. Maddy Fletcher’s chest rose and fell with increasing speed.

‘It’s called accountability,’ Dana explained. ‘Facing up to your actions and working hard to try and put things right.’

Brianna suddenly sprang to her feet and kicked the metal leg of her chair, causing the whole thing to skitter back.

‘It was Maddy’s fault!’ Her screeching voice seemed to bounce around the walls as she staggered back towards the door. ‘Maddy was the one who hurt Bessie!’

In seconds, the tension dissolved from Brianna’s body and the girl seemed to deflate in front of Dana’s eyes. Her shoulders slumped and she wrapped her arms around herself as she leaned against the wall, apparently shocked at her own outburst.

Chloe leapt up and rushed over to her daughter, wrapping her in her arms. Seetal shifted in her seat but didn’t say anything.

The room fell silent again. Dana held her breath and looked at Maddy, who had barely moved. Juliet had grasped her daughter’s hand, her expression a mask of pure dread.