Page 56 of The Vow
Chapter Thirty-Three
As time inside takes its toll on me, I grow more weary, increasingly dispirited, while my mind tortures me with thoughts of what will happen to Jess if I’m charged with murder. Losing track even of the day of the week, my only reminder is when PC Page starts the tape.
‘I have a question for you, Amy. When you bought your house, were you made aware that in 1996, a teenager died there?’
As I look at her, I feel my pulse start to race. ‘No.’ Shaking my head. Why are they asking about this now, of all times?
Their eyes are glued on me as she goes on. ‘Apparently it was a tragic accident. We received an anonymous letter from someone saying that when it happened, the truth was hushed up. The writer gave us the name of a Ms Fiona Rose and her address. Does the name mean anything to you?’
‘No.’ I frown, genuinely mystified. ‘I’ve never heard of her.’
‘The only reason I’m asking is that she couldn’t really help. So I wondered if you might be able to.’
Looking from one face to the other, I feel the walls closein. ‘Are you charging me? Because if you’re not, haven’t I been held long enough?’ Deliberately confrontational, but at this moment, I’ve nothing to lose.
When no-one speaks, DI Lacey leans back in his chair, watching me. ‘We’ve been trying to trace the family of the woman who owned the house before you. Her name was Ruth Preston. So far, we haven’t had any luck. Perhaps because of the tragic association, they would prefer not to have anything to do with it. We know she was the teenager’s grandmother and that apparently, she made herbal remedies – rather like you, it would seem. Apparently the teenager who died accidentally took something toxic. Either that, or someone intentionally gave it to her.’
There’s only one answer as I shake my head. ‘It really is the first I’ve heard of it.’
For a moment, I think that’s the end of it. But I should have known PC Page wouldn’t let it go. ‘It’s a coincidence, isn’t it? That you buy a house that belonged to a herbalist, then you train as one?’
Trying to hide the racing of my heart, I shrug. ‘The garden appealed to me. You’ve seen what I grow there.’
She nods. ‘Maybe it explains why there’s such a clear story in the plant meanings. Deceit, pain, distrust, grief. Remembrance … It’s a memorial garden.’ She pauses, her eyes boring into me. ‘I think you inherited a memorial to the dead teenager. There’s jealousy there, too.’ Her eyes narrow slightly. ‘Why would that be, I wonder? Was someone jealous of her?’
I try to appeal to their common sense. ‘I’ve no idea. Isn’t it possible they were all planted because the old lady liked them? It might not have been anything more than that.’
She’s silent for a moment. ‘There are so many stories in your home, Amy. A lot of earth that’s been newly dug, the rose gardenyou haven’t planted yet. Did Matt help you dig his own grave?’ Without waiting for me to speak, she turns towards DI Lacey. ‘We need to get a team over there. That new bed. When I was there this morning, it hadn’t been touched.’
‘Please don’t.’ My voice is mildly hysterical at the thought of the garden I love being trashed more than it already has been. ‘You won’t find anything. You’re wasting your time, I promise you.’
As the DI nods towards her, he gathers his papers together. ‘Let’s leave it there, shall we? We need to check this out.’
‘But I can’t stay another night. Haven’t you held me long enough?’ My voice rises with each word, even though I know it’s futile.
‘For a serious crime, we can hold you for up to ninety-six hours without bringing charges. That gives us until tomorrow morning.’
*
I doze briefly that night, waking in the early hours, my mind racing. In a few hours, I’ll know if the police are charging me or not. What might follow, I can’t bear to think about. So little has been said about this other woman in Matt’s life, it’s as though somehow she’s above suspicion. Yet she has the strongest motivation of anyone for framing me.
*
The following morning, as I wait to be led back to the interview room, I’m filled with trepidation, knowing I’ve been set up, by someone who wants me to suffer. By the time I hear footsteps coming towards my door, I’m dreading the worst.
Trying to maintain a semblance of composure, as I walk into the interview room, DI Lacey and PC Page are already there,talking in low voices. When they see me, they look up. ‘Good morning.’
Both of them watch me pull out a chair, trying to still the flutter of nerves. ‘Morning.’ I look at their faces, trying to read them, but as always, they give nothing away. ‘Can I say something?’
The DI looks at me. ‘Go on.’
‘I was thinking.’ Nerves mean my voice is husky. ‘I know I’ve been set up. The question is, by who?’ As I look from one to the other, their faces are blank. ‘It could easily have been the other woman. She has a strong motive. It could have been her who killed Matt, in a fit of jealousy that got out of control. She could have taken a knife from my kitchen – she would have had his key – then hidden it without me knowing. She could even have sent the flowers.’
‘It sounds a little far-fetched.’ DI Lacey clears his throat. ‘Where are her fingerprints? For your information, Mr Roche’s car has turned up – burned out next to some derelict farm buildings near Beachy Head. It could have been there for some time. You must have dumped the body before setting fire to it, Ms Reid. The chassis number was found, and the vehicle traced to Mr Roche, but it seems it was registered to his old address, so even though it was in our system, it’s only recently been connected to this case. We haven’t found his body yet. It would seem it’s only a matter of time – and the tides – before we do. There was something in the car.’ As he pushes a plastic bag towards me, with horror, I recognise the bracelet sealed inside. ‘Yours?’ He pauses for a moment, studying my face. ‘I take it that’s a yes?’
Slowly I shake my head. ‘It could have come undone at any time. The fact that it was in Matt’s car doesn’t prove anything.’
He doesn’t comment. ‘Ms Reid, as you are aware, we’ve beenback to your house – more specifically to the area of your garden you’ve recently dug up.’
