Claudia places a cigarette between her lips and lights it. The end burns a bright cherry red. The smell of cigarette smoke usually makes me gag, but weirdly I’m fine with it today. I feel like my former fears are…not erased, but muted. It’s as though telling Theo has somehow given them less power.
She turns to me, a tight smile on her lips. “I’m here to protect those secrets of yours. Don’t look so worried. I told you, I don’t care what your secrets are. I don’t give a shit if you’re an axe murderer dear. I just want to win - at any and all cost.” She flashes me her brilliant white smile framed with her blood red painted lips.
I nod. “Well as you know, Theo knows, and if I have to use my secrets I will, but I’m not about to spill my guts to a court room of people all for the deluded ramblings of a drunk woman, who cannot even be found.”
“Theo told me that I am to get your brother out at any cost Miss Parker.” She smirks. “When a man like Theodore Ellis says ‘at any cost’, it makes me fucking happy.” She smiles. “Never seen that boy so twisted up.” She adds absentmindedly.
“Shall we go in?” I ask, changing the subject. I like Claudia, and if she can get Harry out of this I’ll be indebted to her, but the woman has a nose for secrets. I don’t like that she’s already uncovered some of mine.
She smiles. “After you.” She drops her cigarette and stamps it out with the toe of her very expensive looking shoes.
The police station is drab, with the usual dodgy suspects hanging around the waiting area. A tired looking police officer takes us through a side door and into a room. There’s a mirror on one wall and a plain wooden table with four chairs against the other wall.
“If you take a seat, Detective Brown and Detective Mason will be with you shortly.” The older police officer tells us. He turns and leaves, closing the door behind him.
“Well he seems like a fella who loves his job.” Claudia remarks.
I huff a laugh. She may be one of the best solicitors in the business, but she has this edge to her that’s so very un-solicitor like.
We both sit on the side of the table that’s facing the door. A few minutes later the same two detectives who came and arrested Harry walk through the door.
I know it’s irrational but I hate them. I don’t even know them, but I hate them because they hauled my brother away in handcuffs.
“Miss Parker. Thank you for coming to see us.” The woman says. She’s wearing a god-awful grey suit and has a greying bob. Her younger male colleague says nothing, just sits down across from Claudia. He places a small device on the table. “You don’t mind if we record this interview. It’s standard procedure.” She isn’t asking me, she’s telling me. I mean, do I have a choice? I nod anyway.
“This is Detective Brown and Detective Mason interviewing Miss Lilly Parker in relation to case number 36542.” She smiles at me and I want to punch her in the face. “Miss Parker can you confirm that you are the sister of Mr Harry Parker?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And you are aware of the kidnapping charges that have been brought against Mr. Parker?” She says. Her face is expressionless.
“Really?” I snap.
Claudia grasps my forearm under the table and squeezes. “My client is very distressed by her brother’s situation, which she is well aware of, yes.”
PC Plain says nothing, just watches me. The woman is seriously getting on my nerves. “We need to ask you some questions Miss Parker.”
I sigh. “That’s why I’m here, is it not?”
“Miss Parker, were you kidnapped by your brother eight years ago?” Jesus, she’s straight in there.
“No.” I say.
Claudia leans over and whispers in my ear. “I don’t have to tell you that you don’t have to answer anything.” I nod.
“But you did leave the custody of your mother.”
I glance at Claudia. If I say yes here then Harry may be held accountable regardless of the situation. “No comment.”
“You were in the custody of your brother from the age of fourteen were you not?”
“No comment.” I repeat. Jesus, it’s just the same question re-worded. How stupid does she think I am?
“Tell me Miss Parker, if you and your brother were to run from your family home, what would the reason for that be?” She tilts her head to the side.
“My mother is a chronic alcoholic, and she always has been. Which not only makes her a shitty mother, but it means that you have nothing. We both know that the testimony of such a person won’t stand up in court.”