I make my way into the living area as Darra swans into the room. Her eyes are red and swollen, although her make-up is otherwise perfect. Even her lipstick is intact.
“Where’s my daughter?” she says loudly, her eyes clashing with mine.
“Mrs Frazer,” one of the police officers says, coming up to her. “If you’d like to come with me. I’ll be happy to fill you in on what we know so far.”
“Who?” I say, my voice cracking slightly. I cough, needing to clear the blockage that’s formed. “Who Darra? Who did you sleep with? WhoisLottie’s father?”
Darra’s colour drains visibly, even under all her makeup. She straightens her spine, her shoulders back. A stance I recognise when she’s about to go into battle.
“What? What do you mean?” she says, looking around her, eyes wide.
When her gaze meets mine, she scowls.
“You’re her father,” she lies, dabbing at her eyes, fluttering them at one of the police officers.
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Everyone here knows, and we don’t have…time for this.”
I thrust my clenched fists deep into my pockets. I’m not and never have been, a violent man, but right now, I want to strangle my ex-wife for all her games.
“I’m talking about Lottie’s biological father. It will save us a lot of time if you just tell us who you slept with. Lottie has run a DNA test on everyone who was there that week. She’s found something out. Our best bet in tracking her down is if we know who to contact.”
She folds in on herself and drops onto the sofa. A nearby police officer guides her, but I’m out of patience.
“Cut the crap, Darra. I know she asked you over the summer, and you stone-walled our daughter. I’ve never wanted to know, but now is the time for you to come clean. Who the hell did youfuckthat week?”
“Mr Frazer, please.”
I shoot the officer in question a look that has him stepping back.
My siblings and the police officers in the room all turn and stare at Darra expectantly.
“Mrs Frazer, please. If you have information that can help us find your daughter, I would suggest you share it with us.”
Darra looks at me, the fight gone out of her eyes. Her indiscretion is out of the bag. Her dupe is now known. She can no longer act the victim.
The poor wife of a workaholic, someone who turned their back on her for his career.
I know what’s been said about me, about our relationship. I let it lie to protect our daughter, but I’m tired of taking the blame.
“Mrs Frazer?”
Darra snaps out of her trance and looks at the officer. Her eyes move to my sister. Is that guilt? No.
Oh shit!
I take a step towards Kat, who’s currently in a staring match with my ex.
The doorbell chimes.
Pen makes her way past me to the door.
“Lottie, thank god,” I hear her say.
I’m in motion before I realise it.
Lottie looks at me, her eyes filled with tears as she takes in my appearance.
