“Newt Jones. Er… I was expecting Dominique Samson.”
The man frowned. “In connection with why you’re currently in here?”
“Yes.”
“This is a different legal matter. Please sit down.”
Different?Newt gulped and sat down. “Do you know anything about River Lawson? Is he all right?”
“I’m afraid I don’t. I’m your brother’s solicitor.”
“Phelan?” He didn’t even need to ask. It wouldn’t be Sean. “How did you know I was in here?”
“Phelan gave me your number after you went to see him. When the hospice informed me that he’d passed away, I called you, but you didn’t answer. I left a message, only for the police to call me back on your phone. I’ve not, as yet, told them details of why I wanted to speak to you, only that it was unconnected with your current situation. But I will have to talk to them at some point.”
“Right.”
The lawyer pulled an envelope from his pocket, took out two pieces of paper and unfolded them, flattening them on the table. “Phelan wrote this statement and letter two months ago. The statement is signed, witnessed by me, and has been kept secure by my firm. He wanted you to read it and the letter that goes with it, and for me to act on the contents after his death, as far as I’m able.” He handed the letter and the statement to Newt. “These are copies.”
Newt read the letter.
Hi Newt,
I really hope this is one letter of mine that you read. It’s important that you do. Please read it.
First of all, I’m sorry for everything. I’d like to have told you how sorry I was to your face but I doubt I’ll get the chance to do that. A day has never passed without me thinking about you and regretting what was done. I don’t expect you to forgive me for the lies I told. I don’t expect to be forgiven for keeping quiet all these years when I could have put everything right before I died.
I am so sorry that I did this to you. You didn’t deserve it. I failed you as a brother and as a human being.
Please accept the money I’ve left you in my will. It was earned legally. I want you to have it. I wish it was more.
Let Mr Bailey put right what he can. I want him to help you.
I’m sorry for not being the brother I should have been.
I missed you so much.
I aways loved you and I know you’ll find that hard to believe. But you were the star in our family. You were the one I wanted to give the world to and instead, I took it away.
I hope that one day you can forgive me.
Phelanx
Newt put the letter down, his throat thickening. He waited a beat, pulling himself together, before he picked up the statement.
It was a detailed confession by Phelan, admitting to the robbery. He spoke about Lily and the baby that wasn’t and his fear that he’d not be able to watch his child grow up. He gave details about that night that Newt hadn’t known but maybe the police would. Phelan said he hadn’t acted alone, that he’d taken the gun from his mate’s hand after it had been fired. But Phelan didn’t name him, just said it wasn’t Newt.
He also said that Sean and their parents had talked him into what they’d done because a second conviction for him would be so much more severe than a sentence for a first offence for Newt. He said their mother had lied, injected Newt with ketamine obtained by Sean and put Phelan’s clothes, the gun and the stolen jewellery in Newt’s room. She’d made sure Newt’s fingerprints were on it. Rathnait had lied when she’d said Newt hadn’t told her to turn her music down. Both his mother and his sister could have alibied Newt but had connived not to.
Newt shivered. Memories of that night were still raw and painful.
The statement wasn’t just about the robbery but confessions to a whole load of criminal activity, mostly involving cars that Phelan had been involved with along with Sean and their father. Phelan had given details of their father’s contacts abroad and in this country. The ghost number plate system they ran. The money laundering scheme. There were names and dates and account numbers.Fucking hell, Phelan!
And the final words…
Newt and Rathnait were not involved in any way with the family’s illegal activities. Apart from the lie Rathnait told that mighthave cleared Newt, at that time, she was ignorant of exactly what the family did.
I make this statement in the hope that wrongs will be put right. I’m sorry for all my mistakes. I failed my brother and I lived with that shame.
