Page 44 of The Last One to See Him

‘I wouldn’t expect anything else,’ Harper says, holding out her hand.

Faye takes her hand. ‘You’ve got a deal.’ She loosens her grip and rubs her hands together. ‘I knew there was something about Kate Mason when I investigated the Graham White death. Let’s make sure that this time, she doesn’t get away with taking someone’s life.’

TWENTY

FRIDAY 31 JANUARY

Rowan is running late. It’s three minutes past ten and he’s never overrun before. Behind the reception desk, Frieda shifts her glasses down and looks at Kate. ‘I do apologise. He had to fit someone in as an emergency this morning. He shouldn’t be too long.’ She smiles before turning back to her computer.

It’s nearly twenty past by the time his door opens and a tall, thin woman steps out. She’s wearing a fitted black dress and knee-high leather boots, and looks more as though she’s been to a party than a therapy session. She catches Kate’s eye and smiles, looking her up and down, probably making judgements about Kate’s casual attire: loose joggers and trainers.

For a moment Kate watches her, intrigued by what has brought her here to Rowan. ‘I’m so sorry for the delay,’ Rowan says, standing at his door. ‘An emergency, I’m afraid.’

‘The woman who just left looked fine,’ Kate says. ‘You must have helped her.’ Of course Rowan will detect the annoyance in her voice; once again Kate needs to suppress her anger. ‘It’s fine,’ she says.

‘Of course, you’ll have your full hour,’ he explains, closing the door.

Kate sinks onto the sofa.

‘So, how did it go with the police?’ Rowan asks. ‘It must have been hard.’

‘I haven’t been to the police. Yet. I made a promise to do it, and I’ll keep my promise, but I need to do it on my own terms.’

‘Okay.’

‘I found something out, and I don’t know what to feel about it. Ellis knew Jamie.’

Rowan raises his eyebrows. ‘I see. And how do you know this?’

‘It doesn’t matter. But Ellis is denying it.’

‘Is there a chance you’ve got it wrong and he’s telling the truth?’

‘Of course there’s a chance. But I can tell when Ellis is lying, and he definitely was. He’s seen Jamie before. I know it. And it’s just more evidence that Jamie didn’t come into my life by chance.’

Rowan considers what she’s said. ‘So…you think Ellis had something to do with it?’

‘I don’t want to believe that. He’s the father of my child. I’ve trusted him with my past. With everything. And if it was anything to do with him, then this is far worse than his affair.’

‘Remember when we talked before about coincidences. How they’re much more common than people believe. Perhaps they met briefly through work? It doesn’t mean that it’s got anything to do with you meeting Jamie or spending the night with him. If it were me – I’d want definitive proof. Speculation serves no purpose. It does no good.’

‘There’s more that’s happened,’ Kate says. ‘My closest friend found out about Graham White. She says it was from that podcast a couple of years ago. I thought I didn’t have to worry about that any more. But that podcaster has grown massively in the last year or so. And all her podcasts are online for anyone to listen to any time. This will never go away.’

Rowan nods. ‘Okay, but I’ll remind you again – you did nothing wrong, Kate. Even if people find out, you have nothing to worry about.’

‘Except condemnation. Being labelled a murderer. Like I was back then.’

‘Oh, Kate. The labels people inflict on us don’t make them real. Only what we believe about ourselves holds any weight. Tell me how I can help you – what do you need me to do? It’s not to tell you what to do, is it? Because I have. Go to the police. Let them work it all out. That’s the only thing that will help you.’

‘I…I need you to believe me. Not just tell me you do. I need you to believe I’m not a murderer.’

Rowan takes so long to answer that Kate pictures herself running from here and never coming back.

‘Oh, Kate, there is no question in my mind that you’re innocent. None whatsoever.’

Weight lifts from her shoulders at his words.

‘But,’ he continues, ‘this is the last time I can see you. I’m so sorry, but I think we’re treading an ethical line here. I don’t think I’m the person who can help you, even if you go to the police. I’m going to have to refer you to someone else.’

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