Dig Two Graves by Helen H. Durrant

Author:Helen H. Durrant [DURRANT, HELEN H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-nine

With Brenda holding her hand and Stuart hovering in the background, Chloe moved closer to the viewing window.

“Take a good look, Chloe,” Stuart said, as the technician pulled the sheet away from Simon’s face.

Grasping Brenda’s hand even tighter, Chloe looked at the body. Tears streaming down her face, she turned to him and nodded. “Yes, that’s Simon.”

“Come on, love, we’ll go and get a cup of tea,” Brenda said.

“Actually, we’d like a word,” Stuart said. “It won’t take long, just a few questions.”

“Have you no heart!” Brenda shouted at him. “Can’t you see she’s in shock?”

“Like I said, it’ll be quick,” Stuart said.

Chloe let go of Brenda’s hand. “I don’t mind. I’ll answer their questions.”

“I’ll wait for you in the canteen,” Brenda said.

Chloe followed Stuart down the corridor. What were they going to ask her? And more to the point, what answers would she give?

Stuart showed her into an interview room. “Want a cup of tea?”

“No, I just want to get this over.”

As soon as Hedley entered the room, Chloe was on her guard. If anyone was able to see through her, it was this man.

Hedley sat down opposite her. “Were you aware that Simon Todd was not your husband’s real name?”

Chloe was gripped with a sudden rush of panic. How to answer that one? Of course she’d known, but dare she admit it? “I had no idea. Why would I? He’s always been Simon Todd to me, and I never had any reason to question it. There’s a birth certificate, driving licence and passport at home in that name.”

She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. Hedley had no idea if the tears were real.

“There has to be some mistake. You have him confused with someone else.”

“No, it’s the truth,” Hedley confirmed. “D’you know if your husband had any enemies?”

“I know very little about what went on in Simon’s world.”

Hedley raised his eyebrows. This was the first time she’d been that candid with them. “I’m afraid we do have a couple more questions, and you might find them difficult.”

“Just spit it out, whatever it is,” she said through her tears.

“How come you got pregnant when Simon had had a vasectomy?”

This was news to her. Simon had never mentioned it. She said nothing.

“I suppose Simon didn’t want children but you did,” Hedley said. “Did you and he discuss it?”

“Yes, but mostly we argued about it. At one point it nearly caused us to split. It was then, when I was at rock bottom, that I met up with an old boyfriend and we had an affair.”

“Very convenient,” Hedley remarked. He was finding her as difficult to believe as ever, and was beginning to get angry. She was playing them again. “An old boyfriend just happens along, and bingo. Didn’t you feel guilty about cheating on your husband?”

“Of course I did,” Chloe said. “I was distraught. I didn’t think Simon would want to know me or the baby.”

“Does this old boyfriend have a name?” Hedley asked.

“I’d prefer not to say. He’s happily married now and I don’t want him or his wife upsetting.

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