“Hello,” she spoke softly.
“Yes, it is,” her tone was cautious.
Lydia studied her sister’s facial expression as she continued to listen to the caller. She pursed her lips and screwed her eyes tight causing her brow to wrinkle. Resisting the urge to ask a question, Marney spoke to the caller.
“So, what happens now?”
A few more agonising minutes passed as Marney listened and nodded her head, until she finally spoke again.
“Thank you,” she replied quietly and replaced the receiver in the cradle. Turning to her sister, she took Heidi from her arms and headed towards the kitchen with Lydia in tow.
“Who was that sis?” she asked casually.
“I’ll make Heidi a sandwich, then we can talk. Do you want a drink?” she asked taking a bottle of wine from the rack.
“Wine?” Lydia frowned.
“Yes, wine, do you want one?” Marney held the bottle up.
“O.K. Just a small one.” Lydia forced a smile.
A few minutes later, Marney placed a plate of animal-shaped sandwiches and cheese straws on Heidi’s tray. Taking two glasses from the cabinet, she opened the wine with deliberate indifference as Lydia watched on with an apprehensive expression on her face. Although Marney was aware of her sister’s increasing angst and curiosity, she was not going to hurry the delivery of her news. Placing the two glasses on the table, Marney drew out a chair and sat opposite her sister who was watching her every move.
“Well?” Lydia could hold her tongue no longer.
“Well what?” Marney teased allowing a smile to escape from her lips.
“Please tell me,” Lydia pleaded.
Marney kept eye contact with her sister as she picked up her glass and took a small sip of wine. Determined not to force her to reveal the source of her complacency, Lydia leaned back in her seat, crossed her arms tightly across her chest and stared at the wall.
“Stop sulking sis, I’m going to tell you, I was just waiting for the right moment,” she continued to smirk.
“Perhaps I don’t want to know now,” Lydia continued to stare at the wall.
“O.K.” Marney stood up and headed towards the door. Her action prompted Lydia to look up.
“Sit down sis and tell me what’s happened,” she attempted to smile, but only managed a grimace.
Realising she had pushed it too far, Marney re-took her seat and leaned forward to speak.
“That phone call,” Marney paused and took a sip of wine before continuing.
“It was the result of the D.N.A. test,” her voice was shrill with excitement and her eyes widened.
Lydia felt heart thud in her chest in anticipation of what was coming next.
“They said it’s conclusive,” she continued to disclose snippets of information.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Lydia broke her silence.
“No Lydia, you don’t.” Marney leapt to her feet.
“She’s Dan’s daughter, isn’t she?”
“Of course she is, but I wanted to tell you,” she whined.
“You didn’t need to. If Dan wasn’t Heidi’s father, you’d be sobbing and hysterical by now.”
“Maybe, but I still wanted to tell you myself,” she continued to protest.
“I’m sorry Marney, but you’re so predictable.”
“No I’m not; I’m spontaneous and adventurous. You’re predictable and too scared to take chances,” Marney’s euphoria turned to dismay.
“Is that what you really think of me?” Lydia was hurt by her sister’s words.
“No, I’m sorry Lyds, but we have different outlooks on life. You dip your toes in the sea while I dive in head first and swim away.”
“Oh, is that your way of saying I’m boring?”
“Of course it isn’t Lyds.”
“Then what are you trying to say Marney?” she asked attempting to conceal her impatience.
“I don’t really know sis,” she sighed and sank down into her seat.
“Why don’t you tell me about the test results?” Lydia asked steering the conversation away from her own personality traits. Marney remained silent for several minutes before looking up at her sister.
“You knew she’s Dan’s daughter didn’t you Lyds?” she began.
“I think I knew all along, but we needed proof. It really is fantastic news sis.”
“Heidi doesn’t have the gene for that disease that Earnest has,” she finally revealed.
Lydia sprang from her seat and hugged Marney who was sobbing with relief.
“That’s even better news sis; I’m so happy for you,” she stroked her back as she cried.
Pulling away, Marney dabbed her eyes with a tissue and glanced at her daughter who was still nibbling away at her cheese straws.
“I don’t know why I’m crying; Perhaps it’s relief.”
“You and Heidi are going to have a wonderful life sis. Heidi will be privately educated and have everything money can buy.”
“Money isn’t everything sis. I know it makes life easier, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness, it can’t be bought,” Marney’s expression was serious.
“You’re right; but it must be comforting not to have to worry about paying the bills.”
Before Marney had time to answer, her mobile rang, and she answered without looking at the caller’s name. A smile flashed across her face however, as she recognised the voice.
“This Saturday?” she asked as she toyed with her hair.
“Just a sec,” she turned to Lydia.
“Can you look after Heidi for a couple of hours on Saturday night?”
“Of course.” Lydia nodded.
“I’ll see you there,” Marney ended the call.
“That was Will, he’s booked a table at The Candles restaurant in town; it’s only just opened,” she smiled. Lydia recognised the expression on her face; the one that only appeared when there was a man in her life. There had been many of these ‘man faces’ over the years, but each time, after a failed relationship, the expression disappeared. Hopefully, Will Barrett would be the one to keep her smiling for a long time.
“I hope he’s the one sis,” Lydia raised her eyebrows.
“We’ll see,” she replied lifting Heidi from her high-chair.
“Oh, I forgot to mention mum has asked us to come for tea tomorrow night,” Marney added.
“That’s fine; you’ll be able to tell her your good news.”
“Do you think I should Lyds?” Marney was concerned.
“Why not; you’ve got nothing to hide.”
“I haven’t told her anything about it. She thinks Heidi’s father is dead,”
“He is Marney!” Lydia smiled.
“Yeah,” Marney paused and changed the subject.
“Remember when we were in the café and you asked me to turn the deep fat fryer on?” she began.
“Oh yes,” a smirk spread across Lydia’s face.
“Why did you want me to do it?”
Lydia picked up her bag, took out her purse and unzipped it. From the middle compartment, she placed a shrivelled flat item into Marney’s hand.
“What is it?” Marney dropped it onto the coffee table.
“That’s what a deep-fried SIM card looks like,” she laughed out loud.
“I didn’t think you could be so devious; nice one sis.”
“There’s no evidence now that he had a phone; it’s just his word against ours.”
The conversation came to a halt as the land-line rang out. Rising to her feet, Lydia went to answer it while Marney read a story to Heidi as they sat on the carpet together. When Lydia returned to the room a few minutes later, her face was ashen and her expression grave.
“What’s wrong Lyds?” Marney asked as her sister sank down onto the sofa.
“That was the police,” she looked up.
“What do they want?”
“He’s dead Marney; Guy Phillips has died from his injuries.”
&
nbsp; “Oh my God. He didn’t seem that bad to me; what did they say?”
“The knife penetrated a major organ and he bled to death. They said it was an occult injury.” her words were barely audible.
“That’s witchcraft, isn’t it?” Marney was confused.
“Yes, but it also means an injury that isn’t apparent, or something like that. I didn’t quite understand what the inspector was saying.”
“What’s going to happen now?” Marney continued to fire questions at her shocked sister.
“I didn’t want to tell you this sis, but the police know about the rape and they want us to go the station to make a statement,” she turned to look at her sister’s shocked expression.
“What are you trying to say Lydia?”
“They suspect that you stabbed Guy Phillips in revenge for what his cousin did to you,” she spoke softly avoiding Marney’s stare.
“What? Did he actually say those words?” Marney lowered herself into a chair.
“Not those exact words, but he said they were inconsistencies in what you told him, and the evidence found at the scene.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Marney sprang to her feet.
“I don’t know sis; why do you think I know the answer to everything?”
Marney cringed at her hurtful words and remained silent. Sensing her mood, Lydia placed an out-stretched hand on her forearm and apologised for her harsh tone.
“What does inconsistencies mean?” Marney looked up at her sister.
“Well, if Phillips was able to speak to the police before he died, he may have given a different account of what happened. Or the police may have found some evidence in the café that contradicts what either of us has said.”
“I can’t go to the police station, I won’t know what to say,” she pleaded with her sister.
“We’ll go together, but we need to get our story straight,” she breathed out deeply.
“But we haven’t done anything wrong,” Marney persisted.
“We didn’t tell the truth sis. How could we?” she took a seat opposite her.
“What are we going to do?”
“First we need to change our clothes and put them in the washer. That means everything, including underwear. Change Heidi as well,” she ushered Marney out of the room and took Heidi out of the playpen.
Fifteen minutes later, Lydia turned the washing machine on and sat down at the kitchen table next to Marney.
“Right,” Lydia placed her hands on the table and leaned forward.
“We tell the police exactly what we told them earlier. Try not to look worried or guilty. We’re not responsible for Phillips’ death.”
“That’s easier said than done,” Marney whined.
“Just remember he broke in demanding money and threatened us with a knife. He pushed you and you grabbed his jacket to steady yourself,” she glared at Marney.
“Why did he push me?” Marney butted in.
“You tried to take Heidi from her pushchair to protect her,” Lydia replied.
“But I didn’t say that earlier,” she argued.
“You were in shock, you forgot to mention it.”
“The police won’t believe me. What if Phillips has spoken to them?” she continued to procrastinate.
“There’s no evidence to implicate us Marney, just trust me. If you get flustered, just cry.” Lydia stood up and pulled on her coat.
“Come on let’s get it over with.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Half an hour later, Lydia pushed open the doors of Becton Police station and followed Marney to the enquiries desk. The desk sergeant instructed them to take a seat and picked up the phone. A few minutes later D.C. Scott popped his head around the door and spoke to the desk sergeant.
“If you’d like to follow me ladies,” he beckoned with his hand.
Marney pushed Heidi along a narrow corridor and followed Lydia into a side room. Sitting a table was a young P.C. who was introduced as P.C. Owen Banks.
“Take a seat please, ladies,” Scott spoke.
“I’m sure you’ve been informed of Guy Phillips death,” he began.
Both Lydia and Marney nodded.
“I need to interview you separately, so if you’d like to follow P.C. Banks Mrs. Nevin, he’ll show you to the relative’s room. It would be better if you took the child with you,” he added.
Trying not glance at Marney’s alarmed expression, she stood up and pushed Heidi through the open door. When P.C. Banks returned, he re-took is seat and picked up a pen.
“Mr. Phillips did not regain consciousness before he died, so unfortunately, he can’t relay his version of events. Marney didn’t reply but smiled nervously.
He flicked through a pile of paper-work on the table and selected the one he needed. After a quick perusal, he looked up.
“Where did the knife that killed Mr. Phillips come from?” he asked.
Swallowing hard, Marney replied.
“From the cutlery tray.”
“Who puts the cutlery in the tray?” he continued.
“Me and my sister, Lydia,” she replied confidently.
“I assume you have a dishwasher in your premises?”
“Of course, we couldn’t possibly wash be hand, and it’s not hygienic.”
He nodded and asked. “What happens to the crockery and cutlery when they have been through the dishwasher?”
“They get put away,” Marney was confused.
“Don’t you have to dry them when they come out of the dishwasher?”
“Some things yes.”
“Does that include cutlery?”
“Yes, we like to give them a polish with a glass cloth. It looks better,” she smiled.
“So, would I correct in saying there would be no fingerprints on any of the cutlery?”
Marney realised what he was saying and shook her head.
“After we’ve dried them we place them on the trolley, so either mine or my sister’s prints would be on the handle,” she smiled again.
“The knife that was removed from Guy Phillips had smudged prints on it. So, we can’t match the prints to anyone who was in the café when Phillips was injured.”
Marney felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realised what he was saying.
“In your own words, can you tell me exactly what happened this morning when you went to the café with your sister.
“I’ve already done that,” Marney sat upright in her seat.
“It’s just a formality Miss Stephens.”
“We arrived at about twelve I think, I can’t remember. Lydia picked up the post and we sat at a table where I had a view of the front door. Sometime later, I don’t know at what time, I saw a man with a hood pulled over his head, looking in through the glass on the door. I went to investigate, and the man pushed his way in. I was scared and ran back to my sister. He asked for money. When we told him we didn’t have any to give him, he threatened to harm my daughter. Lydia told him to get out or she would phone the police. He kept on demanding money and grabbed a knife from the tray. I pulled my daughter’s pushchair closer to me and he grabbed me. I lost my balance and tugged his jacket to break my fall. We both fell to the floor and I landed on top of him. My sister was in shock, and I,”
“Can I just stop you there?” he interrupted.
“So, you are saying that you landed on top of the deceased?” he leaned forward.
“That’s what I just said,” she sighed.
“Are you sure you didn’t push him?” he asked in an intimidating manner.
“No, no, I didn’t. He pushed me, and I lost my balance, how many times do I have to tell you? There was a trail of blood beneath him. You must have seen that,” she was becoming alarmed.
“O.K. Now let’s talk about your relationship with a Mr. Ewan Phillips. You are familiar with this person Miss Stephens?” he stared directly at her.
“Relationship? I know of this person because he stalked me, and then attacked
and raped me,” anger was welling up in her.
“So, would it be fair to say that that Guy Phillips would not have been welcome in the café for more reasons than demanding money?”
“I didn’t know his name Inspector.”
“It’s Detective Constable actually,” he corrected her with a smug grin.
“Why do you think Guy Phillips came into your café when there were far bigger establishments in the vicinity with the potential of possessing larger amounts of cash?”
“You’re the Detective Constable; you figure it out,” she replied angrily.
“I have figured it out, but I have no proof Miss Stephens.”
“What you are saying isn’t true. He broke in and demanded money, that’s the truth.” Marney folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in her seat.
“The Coroner has verified the death was caused from a knife wound which penetrated a major organ. Unfortunately for the victim, the extent of the injury was not apparent until it was too late.” He looked up at Marney.
“Why are you telling me this? My sister and I are the victims, he chose to force his way into our café and demand money to pay for his drug habit.” Marney leaned forward in her seat.
“I’m aware of the circumstances Miss Stephen’s, it’s the coincidences that are nagging at me.” He shuffled his papers and stood up.
“I don’t think we need to detain you any longer Miss Stephens. If you could read and sign the statement compiled by P.C. Banks, you are free to go.”
Taking the paper from the P.C., Marney read it carefully and quickly signed her name. Rising to her feet, she walked towards the door.
“Thank you for your assistance,” he smiled as she closed the door behind her and walked back along the corridor where Lydia was waiting.
“Well, what was it like?” Lydia was eager to know.
“He as good as accused of killing Phillips,” she bent down and kissed Heidi.
As she stood up, the door opened, and D.C. Scott stepped into the room.
“You’re both free to go, we won’t be requiring your assistance Mrs. Nevin.” He closed the door and walked back down the corridor.
“Come on Lyds, let’s get out of here.” She pushed Heidi along the corridor with Lydia trailing behind trying to catch up with her.
“Slow down Marney,” she called out, but he sister strode ahead.
The Truth: sequel to I Will Find You Page 17
