Page 145 of Don't Believe A Word

A lengthy silence ensued as they considered the impossible situation Sadie was now in, her presumed innocence very probably hanging in the balance, and how they were actually discussingexploiting that fact as events unfolded. They would also, Cristy realized, with mounting apprehension, need to take a long hard look at their own investigation, and the role they might have played in pushing Sadie to where she was now.

*

‘We’ve made the national news!’ Iz declared triumphantly, as she bounced into the office on Monday morning looking only marginally less eccentric than usual. ‘It’s making every bulletin –Hindsightat the heart of another murder mystery; inside scoop from our favourite podcasters:what more can Cristy and Connor tell us about the mysterious events in Guernsey? You must have heard it?’

‘Of course we have,’ Connor retorted, ‘and we’re being bombarded with requests for statements, interviews, exclusives. Probably thanks to you?’

Flushing, she held up her hands in innocence. ‘I’m sure these guys can find their way to you without my help,’ she pointed out. ‘But if you do feel like speaking to one of them, I’ve made a list of those who are likely to give us the best coverage – and I’m negotiating with a couple of broadcasters for a full hour sit-down after the last pod has dropped.’ She gave a little squeal and shimmy of excitement. ‘We’ve definitely got our big finale now. Did she jump or was she pushed? Revenge or karma? So many questions, and everyone’s going to think they know the answers … By the way, I listened to the recording of your team chat that you did on Saturday – it’s going to be perfect for the last episode. I’ve already tipped off a couple of outlets …’

‘Wait! What?’ Connor cut in sharply.

Iz looked startled, immediately worried.

‘Please tell me you haven’t been discussing what was in that recording,’ he growled. ‘It hasn’t been edited yet, and it definitely can’t go anywhere until we’ve spoken to Sadie, which is supposed to be happening later today.’

Iz drew a quick zip across her lips. ‘No details given,’ she assured him. Then added brightly, ‘Tell me the difference betweenHindsightand Wuhan?’

Everyone regarded her incredulously.

Joyfully she cried, ‘What happens inHindsightstays inHindsight.’

As Connor blinked Cristy found herself laughing, as did Clove and Jacks until Connor finally cracked a smile too.

‘OK, as long as we’ve got that clear,’ he grunted. ‘And, for the record, we’re happy to do as many interviews as you can lay on once we’ve got the last episode nailed down, but be aware that that might not happen as fast as you’d like. As far as we know the police haven’t finished questioning Sadie yet, and we still don’t have the pathologist’s preliminary report on how Mia actually died.’

‘Did she jump or was she pushed?’ Iz repeated excitedly, and peeled off her tricornered hat and bobbly coat, to go and tuck herself behind her desk. ‘I know it’s wrong to be so …thrilled,by someone’s death,’ she whispered to Jacks who was closest to her, ‘but you have to admit Mia did us the biggest favour by jumping when she did. Unless she was pushed of course, and that would be even better.’

Jacks’s eyes widened as he looked at the others, clearly not sure how to deal with this.

Having no suggestions, Cristy said to Connor, ‘Let’s go over what we already have for the last episode … Actually, here’s David.’ She clicked to answer his call and as his face filled the screen she saw right away how badly he must have slept the last few nights.

‘OK, pathologist has reported death by drowning,’ he informed them, ‘which means she was alive before she went into the water, but probably not conscious, possibly due to hitting rocks on the way down. There are trauma injuries to the head and torso, consistent with a heavy fall. Toxicology showing nothing sinister so far, they’re still working on it, and no mention of what might or might not have happened during the lead-up to the event.’

‘Where’s Sadie now?’ Cristy asked. ‘Do you know what’s happening to her?’

‘As far as I’m aware she’s still at the lodge with Jasper and the others. Anna’s just gone over there and Mum’s planning to join them later. At some stage there will be a funeral to organize, but we’re probably a way off from that yet.’

‘Do you know if anything’s happening at the villa?’

‘Lukas tells me there’s still a police presence, so it’s off limits for now, although I can’t imagine Sadie, or anyone else will want to go down there.’ David glanced at his watch. ‘I’m sorry, but I have to get to a meeting. If I hear any more I’ll call.’

*

It was much later in the day when Sadie finally appeared on their screens looking perhaps less shellshocked than she had over the past few days, but still dazed as though it hadn’t all completely sunk in yet. Her lovely face was ashen and her shoulders seemed weighted by all the emotions she was battling.

‘Are you sure you’re OK to do this?’ Cristy asked carefully.

Sadie nodded and attempted a closed-lip smile. ‘Does it make sense to say that I want to try and put it behind me?’ she asked. ‘Obviously that can’t happen yet, but talking it through with the police, and with my … family, and now with you …’ Her voice broke and she lowered her head to take a moment.

‘Is anyone there with you?’ Cristy asked.

‘Yes, Jasper, Evie and Anna. Dad and Lukas have popped over to the hotel, but they should be back soon. Anna’s been the very best friend anyone could wish for throughout all of this. I’m really going to miss her when Jasper and I make the move to Florida, but she’s promised to come and visit and I expect I’ll be back and forth myself for a while.’ She stopped, looking slightly bewildered, as though talking about the future was an alien concept when her whole life could be about to implode.

‘There’s a lot to sort out,’ she continued, ‘and it’ll probably take some time to get everything straight …’ She touched a hand to her mouth as it trembled. ‘I wonder who’ll want to buy the villa after what happened there.’

Knowing how scattered and even irrational a person’s mind could be following a trauma, Cristy said, ‘We’re already recording, so whenever you’re ready to start talking us through last Thursday night … Just take your time.’

Sadie nodded, inhaled another deep breath and glanced off to her right where, presumably, the others were watching and listening and lending their moral support.

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