And then she knew where she’d seen it.
Chapter 58
When Nel left the station, she went straight to the Marshalls’ place.Faye opened the door.
‘Nel,’ she said softly.‘Come in.’
Geoff stood up from the kitchen table as Nel stepped inside.She hadn’t expected him to be there, in the last days before the election.
‘Jimmy told us what happened at the lighthouse,’ he said.‘How’s your niece?He said she was injured.’
‘She’s okay, thank god,’ Nel said.‘Jimmy said he told you about the ring.’
‘Yes,’ Faye murmured.
Geoff nodded.‘It’s extraordinary news, after all these years.It’s shaken us a little, to be honest.’
Faye sighed heavily and turned to the sink.There was a clunk as she pulled a plate from the soapy water and placed it on the drying rack.
‘We’d come to accept that we would never know,’ Geoff said.‘But now …’
Nel nodded.‘It’s a big development, but Jimmy says without evidence that the ring belonged to Maddie, it’s not enough to bring charges.’Her eyes flicked to the display of framed photos that covered the sideboard.The reason she’d come.‘I think I saw aphoto of Maddie and me here, taken on her birthday …’ She let her words trail off.‘Do you mind if I have a look?’
‘Of course,’ Geoff said, gesturing to the photos.
Nel went over, her eyes moving from one to the next, and then she saw it.Her breath caught in her throat as she reached for the frame.
The photo showed the girls sitting side by side at the best table at Romeo’s Italian, radiating teenage exuberance, all white teeth and sparkly eyes, celebrating Maddie’s birthday with Geoff and Faye.Her left arm was slung tightly around Nel’s neck, pulling her in so their cheeks were pressed together, her hand hanging over her friend’s shoulder.Clearly visible, on her ring finger, was the black and silver ring.It was unmistakable.
‘This is it,’ she said trembling.‘Can I take this?’
Chapter 59
Nel stood under the hot steady stream, watching the water run down her legs and pool at the drain, waiting for relief to come.She’d done all she could.She’d delivered the photo to Jimmy as soon as she left the Marshalls’ place.It was out of her hands now, but impatience thrummed inside her.
As she turned her face to the showerhead, her thoughts turned to Sophie.Nel had felt elated when she’d read her letter, but leaving was just the first step.It was the end of one part of Sophie’s story, but the beginning of another.What would she do?Where would she go?How would she make a new home for her three children and her unborn baby?She would need housing, a job, school for the kids, perinatal care—
‘Nel!Come!’Cath’s voice was just audible over the rush of the water.
Nel jumped out of the bathtub, wrapped herself in a towel and rushed down the hall, dripping on the floorboards.Cath was standing in front of the TV.
Text at the bottom of the screen read,Carrinya Man Charged in Relation to Madeline Marshall Case.
‘I understand there’s been new developments this afternoon in the case of Carrinya teenager, Madeline Marshall?’the anchor said.
The shot cut to a blonde reporter standing in front of Carrinya Police Station.‘That’s right, Ross.A 35-year-old man is facing two charges tonight relating to the death of local teenager Madeline Marshall in 2010.The Carrinya local has been charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice in the original investigation into the teenager’s death, following the discovery of new evidence.It’s my understanding, Ross, that this man was charged in relation to a separate matter yesterday, relating to the assault of a local woman and a fifteen-year-old girl.A bail hearing is scheduled for 9 am tomorrow morning.’
The shot cut back to the anchor.‘Madeline Marshall was the daughter of National Party leader, Geoffrey Marshall.Has he spoken publicly about these unexpected developments?’
‘We’re yet to hear from Geoff Marshall, who is just two days out from the federal election.We’ll stay on this developing story as more news comes to hand.Back to you in the studio, Ross.’
Nel’s phone beeped on the coffee table.Jimmy.
Sorry I didn’t get the chance to call, but you’ve probably heard by now.Charges laid.You did it.
Chapter 60
‘How many tyres on this one, Harvey?’Sophie said as she pulled out to pass a road train, dust swirling in the late-afternoon sun.The steering wheel shuddered in her hands as she pressed down on the accelerator.
