Page 6 of The Question of Us
“What about Marty?” Gazza queried. “Where was he during all this?”
“He was in town,apparently.” I showed my contempt for the alibi. “That’s according to Freddie.”
“But Lee supported his statement,” Nick argued. “And the officers had no reason to doubt the explanations or ask to look around. They left, satisfied nothing untoward had happened.”
I shook my head at Nick. “And you’re telling me you believe that crap?”
Nick’s expression remained infuriatingly blank.
I eyeballed him. “Leehasto be Graham. It’s the only explanation that fits. And it confirms the abuse angle.”
Nick sighed. “Not according to the police. And I’m not saying Leeisn’tGraham”—
I raised a brow and Nick grimaced.
“Okay,” he relented. “Maybe I was playing devil’s advocate. But I do actually think they’re the same person.”
My heart finally settled. “Thank you. Then why are you being such a prick about?—”
Gazza interrupted before I could finish, which was probably a good thing. “What about the question of the fake identities? Can’t the police at least question him about that?”
I opened my hands. “Much as I hate to agree with Nick—” I hesitated at Nick’s what-the-fuck expression, then continued, “—we can’t prove Lee and Graham are the same guy, especially when he insists that they aren’t. Nothing was flagged on his passport and he’s done nothing wrong to give the police any cause to push the matter. On top of that, neither Lee nor his incarnation as Graham have ever been fingerprinted, so any comparison is a bust. And the kidnapper brothers aren’t talking even with both of them now in custody.”
Gazza sighed. “For fuck’s sake.”
I agreed. “It sucks, right? My prints and those of the brothers were the only ones found on the boat. If Freddie and Lee were there, they didn’t leave a trace. Then again, Lee wasn’t there long. Thirty minutes at the most.Andhe was bound. All in all, it leaves zero connection between what happened in Auckland, and Lee. Or Marty, for that matter. And since Lee is supposedly the injured party, but he’s saying he was never even on that boat and doesn’t know what we’re talking about, then there’s not much anyone can do.”
Gazza grunted. “It’s nuts.”
“Maybe so.” I reached across the table and squeezed Gazza’s hand. “But it’s the law. They can’t print and interrogate Lee for no reason. Besides, the point I’m trying to make is that you’re not the only one who feels guilty. Ihatethat Lee is back with that arsehole, and Ihatethat I’m the one responsible.”
“You arenotresponsible,” Nick corrected testily. “I really wish you’d stop saying that.”
I kept my focus on Gazza. “If I’d used my head and wasted more time working on that list, then the police might’ve arrived before I ever had to hand over the names. Lee was the second-to-last name I decoded. He’d only been free of that arsehole for a couple of years, and what did I do? I sent him right back.” I almost choked on the idea. “I’d worked out what the list was bythat stage and I still did their dirty work for them.” I pressed my hands to my eyes and drew a deep breath. “I was too focused on saving myself.”
“That’s enough.” A chair scraped back and Nick appeared at my side. “You had no way of knowing how far away the police were or that we were waiting on the jetty for some sign of where you were.” Nick sat and slid an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.
I didn’t fight him, relishing the reassurance of his body enveloping mine. Needing it. I melted against his warmth and wiped at my eyes.
He kissed my hair. “You also didn’t know what they wanted with the names you gave them. You didn’t know they were looking for Lee or how close he was. Hell, the guy could’ve been in the South Island. It was only bad luck that he happened to be just eighty-seven kilometres down State Highway 1.”
“Nick’s right,” Gazza argued, reaching for my other hand.
I cast him a knowing look. “Just like you had no way of knowing Ben was gaslighting you just to get closer to me and Nick,” I fired back. “He was a criminal, Gazza. And he was a damn good liar. None of us saw through his story.”
Nick huffed with frustration. “Which leaves you both a couple of self-flagellating wallies.”
Gazza snorted. “Wallies? Man, you guys arereallyold.”
“Ignore him.” Nick pressed a kiss to my head. “Besides, you’remyself-flagellating wally.”
A smile finally broke my lips. “You say the sweetest things.”
He smirked. “I know.”
My eye roll was one for the record books. “And you didn’t blame yourself for not stopping the brothers from kidnapping me, of course. Right?”
Nick’s cheeks blew red. “A momentary lapse.” We both knew that was a lie, but I didn’t call him on it. Instead, I waited whilehe studied me like he was debating his next words. “If I can dare summarise, then I’d say that although there might be good reason to assume we’re right about Lee and Marty and all of it, we can’t prove it, and neither can the police. So, as frustrating as it is, we have to admit defeat and move on with our lives. There’s no other choice. It’s the healthiest option. Suspicions aren’t proof.”
