Page 47 of What Have You Done?

‘That never happened,’ Brad says firmly.

‘She’s pretty adamant,’ the detective responds.

‘Nevertheless, it isn’t true,’ he says coldly. ‘She’s making it up.’

Stone looks back at him, sizing him up, trying to see through him.

Yes, he was in the locker room. Yes, he stood there, staring at her a beat too long. It’s Zoe Simpson who’s complained about him, it must be. But he didn’t touch her. He didn’t go near her. All perfectly harmless, in his opinion. These girls show more in their bikinis. But these detectives clearly don’t see it that way. He says, ‘You know if this nonsense gets out it will ruin me. And it isn’t even true.’

‘Have you ever entered the girls’ locker room?’

‘No, never.’

‘You absolutely sure about that?’ Detective Stone asks, obviously not believing him. ‘Because we found the girl quite credible.’

Brad stands his ground. No one else was there, and he knows there are no cameras. It’s just her word against his. ‘I’ve never been in the girls’ locker room. I never touched this girl, whoever she is.’

‘I didn’t ask you if you touched her,’ Stone replies.

Brad tries not to show his anger.

‘One more thing,’ Stone says. ‘Where were you last night between eleven and eleven thirty?’

Brad hesitates for a moment. ‘I was on my way to see my fiancée.’

‘Who is your fiancée, and where does she live?’

‘Ellen Ressler.’ He adds reluctantly, ‘She lives with her parents.’

Stone’s eyes sharpen. ‘Her parents wouldn’t be Roy and Susan Ressler, would they?’ he asks.

‘Yes.’

‘I see,’ Detective Stone says, tilting his head. ‘Your fiancée lives on her parents’ farm. The farm where Diana’s body was found.’

Brad feels his face grow hot, but doesn’t answer.

‘That’s very interesting,’ Stone says. ‘I didn’t know you had a connection to the Ressler farm.’

‘Everyone knows she’s my fiancée,’ Brad says defensively.

‘And she’ll confirm that you were with her last night at that time?’

He pauses. ‘No. I got halfway there and changed my mind about seeing her and went home.’

‘Why did you change your mind?’

‘I – I thought maybe she needed some space.’

‘I see. Trouble in paradise? I’m guessing she’s not that happy about what you might have been doing to your students.’ He leans in closer. ‘What did you do to Diana, Turner?’

‘Nothing. I did nothing.’

But they continue to question him, asking him the same things over and over.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

I hover, watching Mr Turner trying to deflect the detectives. I didn’t know about the locker-room incident with Zoe. So I wasn’t the only one. I wish I’d known. It’s nice to see him squirm – he deserves it – but I don’t think he killed me. Why would he? But I know he liked to look. It pains me, not to know how I got here. My life has been taken from me. Someone needs to pay.

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