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Signal the restoration of Darcy’s honour. Prompt dashed hopes of gossip columnists across the country. For the moment.
They got through the jail portion of the interview by focusing on what prison conditions were like. Better than might be expected. And the unfortunate circumstance of being trapped in a riot, still denied by the Chinese Government. Here Will had to steel himself not to cringe as Darcy catalogued his injuries and his recovery. He would rather have avoided this and cut to the chase.
“Moving now to your childhood, it’s a little known fact you were an orphan and you and your brother Peter adopted each other.”
“That’s true. We even decided on a new name, Parker, because Pete was a mad keen Spiderman fan.”
The only sign Darcy was surprised by his unrehearsed adlib was the tightening of her thigh muscles. She rolled with it.
“You chose the name Parker? The name that now stands for one of the country’s most profitable companies.”
“That’s right. I was born William Brown and Peter was Peter Vessy. You mentioned Tara, that’s where I lived with Peter and his father Norman, after my foster mother died and my foster dad shot through.” That was more or less the answer she expected without the admission of his other name.
“He left you alone and you were sixteen.”
“That’s right. I was your typical dropkick kid, and I had a learning disability, so I wasn’t the easiest to get along with.”
“And Norman and Peter took you in.”
Will nodded and then remembered he was supposed to speak. “Yes, that’s correct.” They’d hit a crucial turning point, he couldn’t afford to lose concentration and slip up like that again.
“I want to ask you about your learning disability—you had a form of dyslexia?”
This is what they’d agreed to focus on. New information about Will, something he could show he’d triumphed over, and in doing that give encouragement to others who might be suffering from it. He was all for that, but not right now. He used a politician’s trick, he re-routed the question, gave the answer he wanted.
“It wasn’t helped by the stress of my living conditions. Norman Vessy was a violent man. He resented having responsibility for two ratbag boys.”
Darcy’s chin dropped, she frowned, but kept rolling with it. Will felt a ripple of increased interest from the watching crew.
“That must’ve been very difficult.” A comment not a question, she was giving herself think music, but he didn’t let her gather her thoughts.
“Norman terrorised his son and me with regular beatings. Both Pete and I have a good collection of scars that are testament to his drinking and abuse.”
“Are you comfortable talking about this?” She meant, what are you doing? Will reckoned he had about two more sentences in him before she shut him down, but his bet was Alan wouldn’t.
“It’s not a comfortable subject. Physical abuse is an abhorrent offense. It wasn’t until Norman was killed that Pete and I were in a position to raise each other and start on our journey to build Parker Corporation.” He used the word ‘killed’ with precision, deliberateness, and he bloody well hoped she loved him enough to eventually forgive him for it.
Darcy leapt to her feet so fast she might’ve snapped a heel. “I’d like a quick break.”
Alan’s fat-laden voice boomed over the top of her. “Will, Mr Parker,” yeah, he was obsequious when he wanted something, “are you comfortable continuing? We’d like you to talk more about the abuse, the killing of Norman Vessy.”
He looked at Darcy, watching him in horror. “I’d like to continue, please.”
She slid to her seat. “Will, you don’t want to do this.”
“Your next question Darce is, ‘How was Norman Vessy killed?’” called Alan.
“No. I won’t ask that.” She didn’t trust him, but if he wanted any control at all, it had to be this way.
Alan waddled into the well of light. “Mr Parker is comfortable, what’s your problem?”
“I think Will needs a break.”
Alan had the smell of blood in his thick nostrils. “I don’t think he does. Let’s not take up his valuable time with this any more than we need to. Continue.”
“Will, please.”
“Darcy, trust me.”
