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“Thank you, Officer Richards. I’m sure it is safe to leave me alone with Daniel. After all, he isn’t going to hurt me—or anyone, come to think of it.”
I watched as Officer Richards gave James a slight smile, nodded his head, and then left the room, closing it behind him. I could see that he was standing outside with his back to the door, still keeping guard, but also allowing us some privacy. I looked back at James, who was passing me one of the coffee cups. He smiled before he started to talk.
“I thought you could use some decent coffee. I’m sure what you can get here won’t be that good. Anyway, stupid question time. How are you doing?”
I gave him a small smile, taking the coffee from him and having a sip. He was right. It was the best coffee I’d had in two days. Also, his question was probably one of the most stupid questions given the situation. I knew he was just trying to check on me, probably under orders from Richard.
I placed the coffee back down on the table and answered his question. “As good as can be expected I suppose. I’m locked in my cell for most of the day,for my own protection. How do you think I am doing? Just peachy wouldn’t really be the answer I would give you.”
I knew I was being sarcastic, but it was all anyone asked me, and it was starting to get boring. It was lucky that James knew me well and didn’t take any offence to anything I’d said. He just chuckled to himself and then continued to speak.
“I had to get that question out of the way. I know not to ask anymore. Anyway, there is a reason I am here, and not just to check in on you for Richard’s sake.”
That immediately caught my attention. Had he been speaking to Richard since I was first arrested? I went to ask, but was saved the question when James continued.
“Yes, I have been speaking to Richard. And Mason, now that I mention it. Richard just wanted me to keep him updated on how you were doing and to send you a message that he loves you and is doing everything he can to prove your innocence. The whole team is. I know they have met with Callum as well, who has given them some pointers to look at, and one of the team thinks he has a lead on who might be erasing and changing all the surveillance footage. They are doing everything they can, Daniel. I know it might seem like little comfort at the moment, especially with you being in solitary, but everyone is just trying to keep you safe. It is why you have two specific guards looking out for you. This has all been put in place by Callum and the governor here. No one believes you did this, but we have to prove it, as the information and evidence we have is quite clearly showing that it was you who did it and not circumstantial.”
I, of course, knew all of this, but as James had said, it was little comfort to me. The only hope I could hold on to from all of that was that Richard still loved me. That he wasn’t about to abandon me because I had been arrested. Also, the whole team was helping him, and therefore, I hoped they were all looking out for him.
But that didn’t answer the one question that was going through my mind: what would happen if they couldn’t prove my innocence?
“I know all of that, but the one question no one is answering for me is, what if they can’t prove I’m innocent? What then? Do I just have to reconcile myself to the fact that I am going to spend the rest of my life in prison, while whoever did this gets away with murder? Do I have to resign myself to the fact that everything I have built up and own is going to be taken away from me by a man who doesn’t deserve it, and is only getting it because of a will which is clearly fake?”
I knew I was starting to get emotional and my voice was rising, because the door opened, and Officer Richards walked inside to address James.
“Is everything okay, Mr. Forsythe? Do you need me to take Daniel back to his cell?”
I felt my shoulders slump at the thought of returning to my cell. The idea of being left totally alone, staring into space, was not worth contemplating. I was just about to apologise for my outburst when James spoke.
“Everything is fine, Officer Richards. Daniel was just getting a little emotional. I will keep him under control. There is no need for you to worry.”
I dared not turn around to look at the officer. I didn’t want to see the look on his face, whether it was pity or disgust. I heard his footsteps leave the room again, and the door closed.
I looked at James with regret in my eyes. “I’m sorry, James. I shouldn’t let my emotions take over. But it is just too much for me to comprehend what is happening to me. I have never hurt anyone, so how I can be accused of these crimes is beyond me.”
He placed his hand over mine before he spoke again. “I understand your concern, and there isn’t much I can say to make you feel any better about the situation. All I can say is you need to trust the guys at Kings. I have dealt with them on several occasions, and they have never let me or my clients down. I’m sure they won’t this time, either. However, we will cross that bridge, should it happen, when it happens.”
I watched as he pulled out a notebook and a pen from his bag and slid it over to me on the table. I was a little confused as to why he was giving this to me. Was he expecting me to write a diary while I was in here?
I looked at him with confusion. “What do I want with a notebook and pen? It’s not like I am going to want to document my time in here, is it?”
James started to chuckle next to me. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it after your reaction. No, I don’t want you to keep a diary. I want you to write down anything you think may help us with your case. For instance, if you’ve seen anyone strange around, or if there is anything you can think that was said to you by Katherine. Plus, I thought you might like to write to Richard. Just let him know how you are getting on. It might help both of you. I know he is falling to pieces without you. I spoke to Jayden before I came in here, and he said that Richard is just about holding it together, but he didn’t know for how much longer.”
I hated knowing that Richard was suffering as much as me. I just wanted to hold him again and tell him that everything was going to be alright. But how could I say that to him when I didn’t believe it myself? I gave a slight smile to James; I understood now what he was trying to do. He was trying to give me that hope that I needed.
“Thank you, James. I understand now. I’ll try to remember everything and also write a letter to Richard. Perhaps you can give it to him next time you are here.”
He just nodded his head in agreement before there was a knock on the door and Officer Richards walked back into the room.
“I’m sorry, but time is up, Mr. Forsythe.”
“That’s fine. We’ve just about finished here. I have given my client a notebook and a pen to make some notes about his case. I hope that is okay. You can check that there are no hidden messages in there if you would like?”
I held out the notebook and pen to Officer Richards just in case he wanted to check it. He smiled and shook his head.
“I’m sure I can trust you, Mr. Forsythe. I’ve no reason not to. Now, Daniel, I’m afraid I must take you back to your cell.”
I got up from my seat and held my hand out to James. He shook it and gave it a slight squeeze.
