‘Yes.’
‘Oh, right… What’s her name?’
I pause, reluctant to tell him. Thinking about it though, what does it even matter if I do? It’s not like Malcolm’s going to know where she is, is it?
‘Her name is Samantha Valentine.’
‘Oh yeah! You’ve got onto that too, huh? Can I smoke?’ He pulls his boxer shorts on as he stands.
My heartbeat rapidly quickens.
‘Sorry? You too?’ What do you mean by, “you’ve got onto that too”?’
He pulls his head through his T-shirt, begins searching for his cigarettes.
‘That woman the police are looking for… I read about it, it’s gone viral…’
‘The police? What do you mean,gone viral?’ My heart is now a piston in my chest, pumping painfully hard against my ribs. ‘Where? When…? Where did you read this?’ I snatch my phone up from the table.
He’s staring at me, his brow wrinkled.
‘Tell me, Malcolm! Where did you read about this?’ My voice is shrill and loud and urgent, bordering on shouty. I’m trying to remain calm but my hands won’t stop shaking and my phone keeps slipping from my fingers as I try and unlock it.Damn bloody thing!
‘It was on my Insta feed this morning… the Met Police put something out about a domestic stabbing in London… they were asking her to come forward as a witness or something. I’m sure it said her name was Samantha Valentine… it stuck in my head for some reason. Why?’ he asks, his brow still fixed in confusion. ‘Do youknowher?’
TWELVE
DAN
Tilly Ward’s face is an eruption of fear and relief as I enter the interview room.
‘Oh, Detective Riley, you’re here!’
She seems a little unsteady on her feet as she gets up from her seat, like she might pass out at any moment. I grip her forearm, help her to steady herself.
‘Dan, OK? Please call me Dan.’
‘I have no idea what’s going on, Dan, these questions they’re asking me… I don’t understand.’ Her voice is heavy with panic. I can literally smell the distress on her. ‘Pleasecan you tell me what’s happening?’
I nod sideways at Lucy and she nods back in acknowledgement before she and Parker leave the room. I take a seat and Tilly follows suit, slumping back down onto the plastic chair. She looks shattered.
‘They’re talking as if Samantha doesn’t actually exist and that I’ve made her up or something…’ She exhales in short, sharp succession, in disbelief. ‘… But youhaveto believe me when I say that Samantha Valentineisa real person! I can’t believe I’m actually having to say it… I… I…’
I take a few slow breaths before leaning in across the table and taking her hand. It feels small and cold in my own, like a child’s.
‘Look, Tilly, I know you’re scared and confused.’ I glance over at the duty solicitor. He’s busy writing and doesn’t look up. ‘And I hear you, OK? I’mherefor you.’
She looks up at me, her strikingly green eyes wide as she silently signs the words, ‘Thank you’ to me.
‘You’re welcome,’ I sign back to her, clumsily, hoping I haven’t messed it up and said something offensive instead. I really need more time to practise. Fiona and Pip are head and shoulders above me already and I don’t want to lag too far behind.
‘You understand sign language?’ She says, registering surprise.
‘A little,’ I nod. ‘I’m currently trying to learn. My son, he’s…’
‘… Deaf, yes, I know. You mentioned him in that newspaper article…’
‘You saw that too, huh?’ I’m beginning to suspect that maybeeveryonehas.
