‘What?Why? I’ve got nothing to hide.’
‘Your story isn’t straightforward. There’s far too much you could say to incriminate yourself.’
‘But I’m not guilty.’
‘Doesn’t matter. For now I would advise you answer all their questions with a strict “no comment”.’
‘Won’t that make me look even more guilty?’
‘It will make you less likely to say something that can be used against you. They’re going to interview you shortly, which won’t give us enough time to prepare.’
‘Okay… So I just say “no comment” every time they ask me a question? That seems wrong. What will they do? Will they let me go home after?’
‘They’ll probably bail you tomorrow with conditions.’
‘Bail me?’ I can barely breathe. ‘But I didn’t do anything wrong! This is a nightmare. Surely I should just tell them everything I know, explain what happened so they can release me.’
Saul gives me a stern look. ‘Kelly, I know this is hard to take in but try not to worry. One thing in our favour is that your children spoke to Sophie. How old are they?’
‘Eight and eleven.’
‘Good. Children that age are generally truthful, or at the very least bad liars. When the police question them—’
‘They’re going to question my children?’
He makes a calming motion with his hand. ‘Trust me; in this instance, it’s a good thing.’
‘I still can’t believe this is happening. And you said they won’t let me out until tomorrow?’
‘I said they’llpossiblybail you tomorrow. But that’s not guaranteed.’
My brain is buzzing, and the brightness of the room is giving me a headache. All I want is for this to be over. To go home and hug my children before sinking into a warm bath. But right now, that feels like an impossible fantasy.
After a few more questions and some administrative details, Saul stands up. ‘I know this seems scary and strange right now. But I’ll do everything I can to clear your name, okay?’
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. The thought of going back to that antiseptic cell is filling me with dread. But I don’t want to lose it while I’m in here. That will only make things worse. I need to stay calm and try to think positively. I need to focus on the strong possibility that tomorrow I’ll be able to go home – even if it is just on bail. I can cope with one night in here, can’t I?
Twenty-Nine
Sunday
FIONA
‘But, Kelly, what were you thinking, letting a total stranger into your house? Letting herstaywith you?’
‘Please, Fi, I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours either answering questions about it or thinking about it. Could we save your questions for later?’
It’s early afternoon and Kelly and I are walking out of the police station. I parked around the corner and Ryan and Sonny are anxiously waiting in the car to see their mum. They wanted to come into the station with me, but I thought it best if I went in without them. I figured Kelly wouldn’t want her children to see her in there. And besides, I didn’t know what kind of state she’d be in.
While she was being processed out, and picking up her things, Kelly briefly filled me in on what’s been happening, and I have to say I’m shocked. Kelly’s always been a sweet, kind-hearted person; generous with her time and going above and beyond. But what she did – taking that girl in – was just plain stupid, in my opinion. And now it’s come back to bite her on the backside.
Although, if we’re talking stupid, then I guess I can’t really talk. I’m still burying my head in the sand about the tax audit.
‘Kelly, I’m sorry for firing loads of questions at you. It must have been awful having to spend the night in a cell. And I’m so mad at Ash for taking that awful girl’s word over yours.’
‘It’s not his fault, Fi.’ She runs a hand through her messy blonde waves. ‘He was just doing his job. He can’t very well turn a blind eye just because a friend is involved.’
‘Yes, but he’s Tia’s brother. He knows you’d never do anything like what that little witch is accusing you of. I mean, she must be unstable, delusional. It’s crazy! And now you have to go to court! What a joke. What an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money.’
