“Same thing for Jimbo.” He laughed as Jim re-entered the room with two other men.
The first was about forty-years-old, shorter than Jim by four or five inches and stocky with dark hair, peppered with grey at the sides and very dark brown eyes that looked around suspiciously. The other man was younger, maybe only twenty-five and taller, almost standing eye to eye with Jim and quite athletic looking with thick sandy coloured hair and big blue eyes. Jim introduced the two men, the older one was Sargent Nick Masterson and the younger man was introduced as Detective Pete Murphy.
“Nice to meet you at last, Miss Winters,” said Masterson, giving Jim a sideways glance.
“Sorry I've kept you waiting.” Smiled Tasha, extending a hand towards the now smiling Masterson.
“Under the circumstances I think I can forgive you.” He smiled warmly then looked to Bobby. “Counsellor.”
“Sargent,” replied Bobby as the detectives sat down and looked on.
“Would you like a drink, tea, coffee, a soft drink?” offered Tasha attempting to get up.
“Coffee would be great, thanks,” said Murphy speaking for the first time.
“Sit down, baby. I'll get it.” Jim rushed into the kitchen and returned quickly to find the detectives trying to establish some facts with Tasha.
“Miss Winters, tell us why your father would get involved in Miss Adams' plan to stop you marrying Mr Maybury?” asked Masterson.
“Money, I think,” replied Tasha honestly.
“Why though?” he persisted. “I have daughters and I could never imagine being party to anything that might hurt them, so why would your dad?” asked Masterson.
Tasha could feel panic and bile rising as she wondered how much he already knew and how much she should reveal about her past, her past with her parents and in turn with Liam. Even if she told them, would they believe her? After all, by the older detective’s own admission, he was confused by her father wanting to hurt her.
“Why don't you ask him?” Jim was irritated that Tasha was being put in this position but more than that he sensed her unease and wanted to put an end to it.
“We have,” replied Murphy curtly. “And now we're asking Tasha, for some background, to establish a motive. That's our job.”
Tasha could see that Jim was seething at the young detective’s audacity to take such a stand, speaking so dismissively towards Jim and referring to her as Tasha.
Jim first spoke to Masterson, “Sargent, I appreciate the difficult job you have to do, but you must appreciate that my job here is to keep my fiancée safe, physically and emotionally. I know you think I’ve been uncooperative in giving you access to her, but I won’t apologise for that because she almost died, several times, and your interview was very, very low on my list of priorities.”
The Sargent nodded his understanding of what Jim was saying as he turned to the younger detective.
“Now, detective, you seem to be under some illusion that whilst I have the utmost respect for the law and its officers, that I am going to allow you to speak to me as though I’m a kid who has just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I'm not. My fiancée is my only priority here and I understand what your job is, and I even understand the need for you to establish motive and corroboration, even with a confession, but not at her expense. I’m fairly sure if this case ever gets to trial my fiancée’s opinion on why her father would or wouldn’t do something and any thoughts she might have on his thinking behind it would be inadmissible,” said Jim flatly, holding Murphy's stare. “Oh, and as far as I know you and Tasha are not family, personal friends or colleagues, so that would make her Miss Winters to you.”
Tasha wasn't surprised by Jim's comments, but did feel uncomfortable until Bobby spoke.
“Guys, can we get this done, please? Tasha is still recuperating, and I am due in court later this morning.”
“Of course,” smiled Masterson.
“I should explain that Tasha is happy to answer any questions you have regarding the night of her crash and her whole relationship with Miss Adams. She will take questions about her parents under advisement from me because there are younger siblings involved, minors no less, and there are some legal arrangements already in place in the U.K. So now we have established that, continue.” Bobby sounded the consummate professional before turning to Murphy and adding with a smile, “I am personal friends with Miss Winters, in fact, the angry tall guy over there is my brother, so that would make her Tasha to me.”
Tasha smiled while Jim rolled his eyes at his brother. She couldn’t be certain, but Tasha was fairly certain he’d called Bobby an ass. The young detective blushed slightly as Masterson took control again.
“Sorry if we’ve ruffled feathers, but it was unintentional to offend so let's get on.” He looked down at his notebook and launched into his questions.
“Of course.” Tasha smiled weakly.
“So, Miss Adams and you were not on good terms as I understand it,” said Masterson softly.
Tasha shook her head and began to explain, “No. She didn't like me and as a consequence I didn't like her.”
“Why?” chipped in Murphy.
“Simply? Because she was in love with my fiancé,” replied Tasha honestly.
