The Things You Didn't See(35)

I’d forgotten that. It can’t have happened more than a few times, and that was before I went to Oakfield. It was before.

Ash grows desperate. ‘Then they wanted to know about your Anschütz, Hector, askin’ if I ever used it. I said no, on account of havin’ me own guns that you bought me.’ He puts his head in his hands and moans. ‘They found my prints on it.’

‘On the rifle used to shoot Mum?’ My breath catches, my hand clutches the glass. Holly moves beside me, sits on the edge of the chair and I feel her support. It gives me the strength to ask, ‘How could that have happened, Ash?’

‘That’s what I said!’ he says, as if I too am doubting the police’s expertise. ‘I never touched the gun, Hector, I’m sure I didn’t . . .’

‘Ash!’ Dad says sternly. Ash shuts up and blinks at Dad in mute surprise. ‘It must have happened when you were puttin’ my shotgun away on Friday afternoon – you went to the gun cupboard, didn’t you?’

Ash’s eyes roll up into his head, as if trying to remember this, but his face remains doubtful and I think: It’s a lie. Dad always puts his gun away himself. Then another thought follows: Ash shot Mum, and Dad is trying to cover for him. Just like before.

‘Where were you on Saturday morning, Ash?’ I ask.

He gazes solemnly at me through blond lashes. ‘You know where I was, Cass. I was with you at the farmhouse. Holly saw me too – we were all there.’

‘I mean before that – when Mum was shot!’

‘When she shot herself,’ Dad corrects. ‘He was workin’.’ He’s angry. I see his good hand clenching his knee to keep it steady.

‘That early? They say it happened just after six.’

Ash scratches his scalp. ‘Six ain’t early for me. I were in the copse when Mum came runnin’ across the field, screamin’ about Maya. I ran straight to the farm – I wanted to help. You remember, I wanted to help you.’

I do remember him being at the farm, but that was much later, after Holly and the other paramedics had arrived. His timings seem wrong and he keeps looking from Dad to Daniel as if to check he’s saying the right thing. Finally, his gaze lands on me and whatever my face reveals, he flinches back from it. He stands, wipes his hands on his trousers, his face still flushed with anxiety. ‘I need to get home to Mum.’

‘I’ll drive you if you like,’ says Holly, casting me a knowing look. She’s sending me a message: I’ll try to find out what I can. ‘I’m going that way anyway.’

‘I’ll see you both out,’ says Daniel.

An icy silence follows. It’s just me and Dad. He sits ramrod-straight, his breathing heavy, and shoots me a dark look, making me feel as if I’ve done something wrong.

As soon as Daniel returns, he too accuses me. ‘That was unfair, Cass. You can see Ash is devastated by what’s happened.’

‘What was unfair?’

‘Grilling him. Asking where he was, why his fingerprints were on the gun. And in front of Holly too. You may think you can trust her, but you haven’t seen her in twenty years.’

‘Those are good questions!’ I can’t believe this is being twisted back on me. The injustice stings.

Daniel shakes his head as if he doesn’t understand me. He runs a hand through his fringe and it falls back lopsided. ‘He’s on our side, Cass. So is Janet.’

I bristle at this, hands clenched by my side. ‘The police don’t seem to think so – they’ve interviewed him on camera. That must mean he’s a suspect!’

Dad erupts then, as if he’s finally lost his will to control his anger. He curves his spine back as if to pounce. His voice is directed at me and penetrates like a bullet. ‘That boy loves this family and this is very hard for him. Janet practically raised you when Maya was too sick to do it!’ His face is puce with indignation.

‘For God’s sake, Dad, that’s a bit of an exaggeration.’

‘You know nothin’.’ He’s standing now, pointing down at me from his full height. ‘We’d be lost without that pair. And Maya’s taken to Ash like he’s her own son. She’s seen him every day of her life for the past thirty years.’

I want to move away from the tip of his accusing finger, but the damned armchair is keeping me wedged in. ‘Of course she has, for fuck’s sake – he works for you.’

‘See what you know. He doesn’t just work for me, he’s workin’ for himself!’ His lips curl into a slight smile of pride. ‘He deserves to inherit. You don’t need the farm, Cass. You and Daniel already have the Studio, and this fancy idea of a spa is a fantasy. And it’s not fair: the Spa would mean Janet and Ash losin’ their home and their jobs. I’m fixin’ for Ash to take over. It’s what he deserves and what the farm needs.’

Daniel takes a step forward, his muscles flexed. I see how powerful he is, and how angry. Dad sees it too, and suddenly looks sheepish.

‘Hector. What have you done?’ Daniel demands.

Dad sits back down, creating more distance between himself and Daniel. Again, he nurses his right hand into his chest as though it pains him. ‘Godwin’s found a solicitor. I’m gonna fight Maya for my rights.’

‘If she wakes up.’ Daniel’s voice is steady, though I can hear the tension beneath, and I know he’s very close to breaking point. ‘And if you win, what then? The farm isn’t viable – you’ll go bust. You still need to look at alternatives.’