The Vow: the gripping new thriller from a bestselling author - guaranteed to keep you up all night! by Debbie Howells

Author:Debbie Howells [Howells, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008400163
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-10-14T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

After the interview is over, I’m led back to my cell. Standing just inside, as the door is locked behind me, the phrase innocent until proven guilty comes to mind. But in the eyes of the police, I’m not innocent.

Fear fills me that I’ll never get out of here, while I wonder if Cath has reached Falmouth and talked to Jess. As I think of my daughter, I’m filled with a new sense of urgency. Getting up, I press the call button. When no-one responds, I press it again as a disembodied voice comes through. I interrupt it.

‘I need to talk to PC Page.’

But at the other end, there’s silence. Filled with frustration, I wait.

*

An hour passes, in which my mind runs wild with possibilities. By the time I’m led back to the interview room, I know exactly what I’m going to say. When I go in, Andrew Nelson, my solicitor, is waiting for me.

‘Do you really think the police believe I’m a suspect?’ I speak quickly. ‘Or where are they going with this? If they don’t have evidence, they can’t keep me here, can they?’

‘If they have reasonable grounds, they can hold you for up to twenty-four hours – but it could be longer. I will query them.’ Hearing footsteps outside, he nods towards the door. ‘That’s them. Let’s see what they have to say.’

‘Please …’ I mutter desperately. ‘Do anything. Just get me out of here.’

But as the door opens, he looks at me awkwardly. DI Lacey and PC Page walk in. Without any preamble, they start the tape.

‘Can I say something?’ They have to realise that I’m the one person who can help them. I take a deep breath. ‘I’m the last person who should be considered a suspect. I don’t know why you think I’m connected to his disappearance, but I can assure you, I’m not. I know Matt better than anyone. If you were to tell me exactly what you think’s happened to him, I might be able to help you.’

‘Ms Reid, that’s exactly why we have brought you here.’ DI Lacey glances at PC Page. ‘To help us with our enquiries.’

‘Yes, but I still don’t know why you’ve arrested me,’ I say agitatedly.

But he ignores me. ‘Ms Reid, can you tell us what happened the following morning? By which time twenty-four hours would have passed since you’d last seen Mr Roche – that’s correct, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. When I woke up, I tried him several times. Then I had another delivery to make – to Brighton, again. I drove to my client’s house, then on the way home, I kept trying Matt, but there was no reply. After that, I called his office, where I left a message with the receptionist.’ I try to think back. ‘That was when I first spoke to you.’ I look at PC Page. ‘I kept calling his mobile all morning, then my friend – Cath – turned up at lunchtime.’ So much has happened, I’d forgotten Cath turning up that day.

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