“My name is Detective King.We spoke when you came to One Police Plaza in New York.”
“I remember.”It’s amazing how calm I sound, even as my heart is pounding.Are these my last seconds of freedom?I’m suddenly not so sure that I really want to hear what he has to say.
“I’d like to bring you up to date with the investigation as it currently stands.We had another talk to the students you mentioned and confronted them with your statement.Two of them decided to correct their original statements and gave us a sequence of events that fits with your version, Colin.”
“What does that mean?”
“Trent Barlow is our current number-one suspect.The otherstudents’ statements suggest that he started the fire.He is choosing to remain silent.”
Olive has stopped and is walking back toward me.“What’s up?”she asks quietly, but I shake my head.
“OK,” I manage, though it sounds like a question.
“We would like to summon you for the trial so that you can repeat your statement under oath.”
I hesitate.“OK, it’s only...I don’t know if you remember, but I go to school in Scotland.”
“It would be important for you to come back to New York for this,” says Detective King.
“When will the trial be?”
“Probably early in the new year.You’ll receive an official summons in the post.I just wanted to let you know personally first.It’s very important that you testify in court, Colin.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged, Detective.”
“Thank you, Colin.The letter will tell you everything else you need to know.Thank you for your help.”
“No problem,” I mumble before I say goodbye.Then I lower my phone.
“Who was that?”Olive looks at me.“Colin?”
“Detective King, from the NYPD.”
“And?”Her eyes scan my face, searching for any sign of what this means for me.
“They think it was Trent.”
Olive hesitates.“The guy with the sister...the one your mum...?”
“Yeah.”I force myself to breathe deeply.“Sounds like Isaac and Jeremy testified against him.Maybe they panicked.”
“OK.That’s good.Thatisgood, right?”
“I think so.”
Olive nods encouragingly.
“I have to fly to New York to testify again.In court.”
“Will I come?”she asks, and I’m touched that that’s her first thought.But I shake my head.
“I don’t know when the trial will be yet.Detective King said probably early next year.I’ll have to ask Mrs.Sinclair if I can go, since it’s likely to be during school time.”
“OK.I’ll ask too,” she says right away.I have to smile.She’s as stubborn as ever, which is why I love this woman.
“I can manage without you.”
She looks like she wants to argue, but then she just takes my hands.“I know.But you don’t have to manage on your own anymore.”
