Chapter 27
DC Anand came in with a folder balanced on one palm and a takeaway coffee in the other. She wore the same navy suit as last time, her hair scraped back in a bun that hadn't survived the morning. Sprigs of fizzy hair had escaped its confines to form a halo around her head.
She set the folder down and flipped it open, her face shifting to business. "Okay. I wanted to update you both on the situation before we move any further."
Connor's stomach had knotted itself into a bow. He knew what was coming without being told. Fern straightened subtly beside him, both hands resting on the table.
"We've taken your statement, Mrs. Ashebourne," Anand said. "We've documented the photographs of Coral's burn and the timeline around what happened in Matilda's kitchen. We also have the recording from your phone of Ms. Havers."
Fern nodded. "You heard the part where she—"
"I heard all of it," Anand said. "Including the bit where she says she 'didn't care' if your daughter burned if it meant causing you pain." Anand's voice softened. "We're taking this seriously. But I need you both to understand where things stand legally."
Connor's fingers curled into his knees.
"Ms. Havers has been assessed by the psychiatric team," Anand went on. "She's currently on the acute ward. She has also made a formal allegation of rape against you, Mr. Ashebourne."
It was like the floor dropped away beneath him, even though he knew it was coming.
"What?" His voice came out thin.
Fern seemed unmoved, but he could see the strain at corners of her mouth.
Anand returned her focus to the adults. "Ms. Havers alleges that when she was eighteen, while she was visiting the house, you forced yourself on her while she said no." She lifted a hand as Connor opened his mouth. "I'm not saying I believe that; I'm just telling you what she's claiming."
"She's lying," Connor said, hearing how useless it sounded. "She came onto me. I have never—"
"I know what you said in your statement," Anand replied. "She has also told the assessing doctor that Jacob was conceived as a result of that alleged assault."
Fern let out a sharp breath. "That's not true."
Connor's pulse hammered in his throat. "The paternity test—"
"—shows you are not Jacob's biological father," Anand said, nodding. "Yes. That's one of the reasons her allegation is... problematic, to put it mildly. The dates don't match, and the DNA doesn't support her version of events. But… " She laced her fingers together on the top of the file and held his eye.
"A rape allegation is serious," she said. "It never looks good for the man involved, even when it's clearly being used as a weapon. The timing—coming right after she's been arrested and you've made a complaint—means any CPS lawyer is going to be looking at motivation on both sides."
Fern's jaw clenched. "So, because I reported her for hurting my child, it looks like we're all just... what, flinging mud at each other?"
"On paper?" Anand said. "Yes. That's how the defence will paint it if this goes to court. An acrimonious tangle complicated by mental health issues. A question mark over consent years after the fact. It doesn't mean we won't proceed, but it does mean we have to be very clear about what we can prove. Negligence is one thing, but intent to harm is another."
She tapped the folder. "The recording helps—it shows her mindset. But it is an accusation of rape. I'm not going to lie to you, we will need to look at it, but with the time lapse and inconsistencies in Matilda's story, I don't know if we will proceed."
Fern was very pale. Connor could feel the cold radiating off her.
"Right now," Anand continued, "our best route is focusing on child endangerment and neglect. The fact that she was off her medication, ignoring safety advice. She's been on a combination of drugs they are trying to unravel as we speak. That, combined with social services' concerns about Jacob's welfare, is having an effect. You said Mr.Havers is making a separate application?"
Fern nodded. "He has interim custody. Jacob's with him now."
"Good." Anand's mouth softened a fraction. "That's likely to be formalised. As for the rape allegation, we take all such claims seriously. We also look at credibility and context. The DNA, the timing, the lack of disclosure at the time—it all weakens her case considerably. But I have to warn you, Mr. Ashebourne, that the accusation exists. If she chooses to pursue it, you may find yourself interviewed in relation to that separately."
A distant roar filled Connor's ears. He nodded, because he couldn't seem to make his tongue work.
"Any questions?" Anand asked.
Fern looked at Connor, then back at Anand. "Yes," she said. "But... I need to talk to you alone for a moment."
Connor stiffened. "Why?"
