Truth or Die. Katerina Diamond

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СКАЧАТЬ Walsh walked in front as they exited the hospital and Imogen dropped back a little until she was by Adrian’s side.

      ‘What are you thinking?’ she said to Adrian in a whisper, clearly not wanting to draw DI Walsh into the conversation.

      ‘I swear I didn’t do this.’ Adrian felt compelled to say it over and over again.

      ‘I know you didn’t,’ she reassured him.

      ‘I was telling the truth about last night, too. I got jumped. What if that and this are connected?’

      ‘That seems a little far-fetched.’

      ‘After everything we’ve seen over the last couple of years you think that’s far-fetched?’

      ‘OK, say it is connected. What is it about? Hugh Norris? Owen Sager? Is it because of what she told us at the station yesterday? And why would they target you?’

      ‘Your guess is as good as mine. Do you think she’s lying, or do you think she’s just remembering it wrong?’

      ‘I don’t feel confident to say; it’s possible she’s got confused, that it was a nasty attack. I say for now we give her the benefit of the doubt. I don’t like to think anyone would falsely report a rape. The amount of damage it does is unbelievable. Not just to the accused but to the whole system. So, for now we work on the assumption that she’s confused. But that’s between you and me.’

      ‘Thank you,’ Adrian said.

      ‘What for?’

      ‘For not doubting me.’

      ‘I’d like to think I know you well enough to know you weren’t capable of something like that.’ She paused. ‘What was the name of the pub you went to last night?’

      ‘I went up to The Imperial.’

      ‘You went to the biggest pub in town?’

      ‘Someone might remember me,’ Adrian said.

      ‘Well, let’s hope so. Did you go into her house?’ Imogen said, looking away from him, obviously afraid of the answer.

      ‘Nope, absolutely not. I pulled up outside, she got out and then I drove away. I swear to God that’s what happened.’

      They arrived back at the cars.

      ‘Adrian, I think you should come back with me,’ DI Walsh said.

      Adrian didn’t know whether DI Walsh believed him or not, but he knew in his situation, he would be inclined to believe the victim. A thought that gave him no great comfort. Either way, this was a shitshow and Adrian was the main attraction.

       Chapter Nine

      Imogen stood with her arms folded, looking down at DCI Mira Kapoor, who was responding to an email from PSD, the department that were sending someone over to investigate Adrian. She had come in to speak to the DCI on her own, without DI Walsh breathing over her shoulder. She knew he wasn’t actively trying to piss anyone off, and that he was right to question what was going on, but he seemed to have made his mind up already. Admittedly, looking at Caitlin Watts in that hospital bed was enough to give anyone pause. It really wouldn’t make sense for her to make it up, why would she? Wouldn’t she want to see her attacker put away for what he had done to her? Meeting Caitlin before and forming a strong opinion about how manipulative she was was definitely clouding Imogen’s judgement. She knew there were plenty of people who would be happy to think of Adrian as someone who would do this. The truth was, of course, that even though there was no doubt in her mind that Adrian was innocent, there was still that voice in the back of her mind, demanding to be heard.

      ‘You can stop looking at me like that, DS Grey. This is procedure, there is nothing I can do. My hands are tied.’

      ‘He didn’t do this. No way,’ she urged.

      ‘I’m glad you have his back, and while I admire your loyalty, I don’t have that luxury.’

      ‘Can I help with the investigation?’

      ‘I think we both know the answer to that.’

      ‘I can’t just do nothing. This isn’t right,’ Imogen said.

      ‘Between us … you met the girl before. What did you think of her?’

      ‘Honestly? She was all over Adrian, disturbingly so. Flirting and desperate for his attention.’

      ‘And you don’t think he could have taken that the wrong way and maybe—’

      ‘No. Aside from the extreme violence towards her, which I am positive Adrian would have no part in, I just don’t think he’d be into it if the person wasn’t into it, too. If you know what I mean,’ Imogen said, unsure if she was making things better or worse, worrying she was digging Adrian into an even bigger hole.

      ‘Why do you say that about the violence? People can surprise you,’ DCI Kapoor said gently, as though she were trying to prepare Imogen for the worst.

      ‘On previous cases, Adrian has been quite affected by violence against women. His father was a violent man, apparently; hit both him and his mother frequently.’

      ‘I didn’t know that,’ DCI Kapoor said apologetically.

      ‘He doesn’t talk about it much, but I just can’t imagine him raising a hand to a woman. Let alone this,’ Imogen said. Adrian hadn’t talked about it much but on the few occasions where he had said something it was clear to her that it was something he felt very strongly about.

      ‘Have you and he ever—’

      ‘No,’ Imogen said before she had a chance to finish the sentence.

      DCI Kapoor’s computer pinged and she clicked on something. She folded her arms and leaned back in her chair, exhaling and scrunching her face up. She was obviously trying to decide what to do.

      ‘PSD are sending over Detective Chief Constable Trevor Sneddon. If you would, please meet him and bring him to my office. He’ll be out front in about five minutes. I’ll see if he has a problem with you observing the in-house interviews. Observing being the key word. You won’t be able to sit in, but you can watch from the control room if he gives you the OK.’

      ‘Thank you,’ Imogen said, breathing out a small sigh of relief at not being shut out completely.

      ‘Any idea why Miss Watts might make this up?’

      ‘None whatsoever.’

      ‘OK, thank you, Imogen. Can you send Adrian in?’

      Imogen left the DCI’s office and sat back down at her desk. Adrian was perched on his chair with his head in his hands – anxious was an understatement. She could see he was lost in his own thoughts.

      ‘The DCI wants to see you now.’

      Adrian СКАЧАТЬ