The Shape of Truth: A completely gripping crime suspense by Gillian Jackson

Author:Gillian Jackson [Jackson, Gillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Published: 2023-02-19T16:00:00+00:00

24

CAROLINE

I don’t usually buy a newspaper but Anna’s early morning call had me rushing out to get one. She was getting ready for work and in a hurry as always, but her garbled words informed me that Mark Appleton’s photograph was splashed all over the local paper’s front page with an account of how he’d been questioned regarding an allegation of rape. Stupidly, my first thought was that he’d raped some other poor woman but as Anna continued to speak it dawned on me it referred to my allegation. My daughter was quite animated. If we were unable to pursue a prosecution, this was a small consolation. Such publicity would surely make him squirm and maybe cause his family and colleagues to ask questions. It could even damage his unmerited successful career.

After reading the article, which didn’t contain much fact or content, only limited speculation, I wondered who could have told the papers about Appleton’s interview. It surely wasn’t the sort of tactic the police would employ themselves, they had to adhere to stringent protocols these days – anything underhanded would jeopardise their case. It certainly wasn’t Anna. She wanted to proceed but only within the boundaries of the law, as did I. My next thought was whether this could help our case and the only way of finding out was by ringing DS Freeman.

‘Hello, Samantha, it’s Caroline Greenwood here. I suppose you’ve read the newspapers this morning?’ I probably sounded feeble-minded – naturally, she’d have seen the papers.

‘Yes, I have. I’m sorry we couldn’t have warned you but this is the first we’ve heard about it ourselves. I can only apologise.’

‘I’m not ringing for an apology. I wondered if you knew where the papers got their information?’

Perhaps I imagined it, or did Samantha hesitate for a moment before answering?

‘I really can’t say, Caroline, but no one will be able to connect this to you or Anna. Whoever leaked it didn’t give any names, thank goodness.’ The DS didn’t sound her usual chirpy self.

‘I thought you might know something. Do you suppose it’ll do any good? I mean, are there any grounds for speaking to him again because of this?’ I don’t know what kind of answer I expected. The newspaper article offered nothing new by way of evidence.

‘I don’t think so, but we haven’t given up hope yet. Be patient and maybe something will come of it.’

‘Fine, thanks for your time, and sorry to have bothered you.’

‘It’s no bother at all and I will let you know if anything does crop up.’ Sam said goodbye and I was left feeling none the wiser.

Having pushed thoughts of Mark back into the recesses of my mind, the newspaper article dredged it all up again and unsettled my mood. I made a coffee and sat down, mulling over recent events. Sunday’s conversation with Anna and Joel had troubled me over the previous few days – did I want to push ahead with a prosecution? Deep down I was afraid of starting a fight which I might eventually lose.

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