angry.
“Can you honestly say that the police would have worked this out? I had visions of you being on trial for this as they thought they’d got their criminal.”
DC Connelly looks very uncomfortable now. “We were following our lines of enquiry. The evidence pointed to Lauren.”
“Yes and your evidence was wrong. I hope that following this disaster you learn not to take things at face value. I should let you know I’m minded to put in an official complaint about this. I’ll be guided by what Lauren wants, but please don’t think this is the end of this.”
DC Connelly shoots me a worried look and I can’t help but smile. Odds are I won’t pursue any official complaint, but there may be some strongly worded letters winging their way to my local constabulary.
As I let him out, I catch sight of the waiting paparazzi at the end of my drive. I pose, give them a smile and shut the door. All too late, I remember what I look like.
Sebastian has obviously plugged the phone back in as I hear the shrill sound as it rings. He answers it and I can hear him making some noises of assent. I wander through to see who he is talking to. As he sees me he holds the phone out in his hand.
“It’s for you,” he smiles, “You’ll want to take this one.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Alexander looks exquisite, as usual. He’s had his hair cut since I last saw him and the short neat crop really flatters his angular face. To my distaste, he looks delighted to see me and welcomes me into his room like a long lost friend.
It was really, really weird coming back into Chambers this morning. The press are still (For reasons that I can’t fathom) desperate to speak to me, but I can’t think of many things worse that engaging in a post-drama interview.
I didn’t venture into the clerks room but I did receive some welcoming smiles from members of Chambers and admin staff as I went past the glass-fronted room on my way in. As I ascended the punishing stairs, it was almost like nothing had changed.
I’m wearing a familiar black suit, white top and a new pair of divine black Kurt Geiger heels. I had my hair trimmed yesterday and I look pretty much exactly as I did before this whole fiasco.
“Lauren! Great to see you. You’re looking well!” exclaims Alexander. To be fair, so is he. His suit is a deep shade of navy blue with a hot pink lining. Unusually, when I came into his domain he was already on his feet, waiting for me.
“Hi Alexander,” I reply.
There is what can only be described as an awkward silence. For a terrible minute I have the impression that he is going to give me a hug. I’m either wrong, or he decides against it.
“So, how are things?” he starts. Before I can answer, he continues. “I’ve been speaking to Roger and he’s sorted you out a six-week fraud trial. After that, I’ll be leading you on a gang related murder case that’ll last at least a couple of months.”
He looks at me expectantly. I nod slowly. “That would certainly keep me out of trouble.”
His face shows the merest flicker of discomfort. He shakes it and laughs cheerily, “Onwards and upwards Lauren!”
I walk over to the window and take a few deep breaths, my gaze fixed on the pedestrians scuttling down below.
“Just out of curiosity, when the six-week fraud came in to Chambers, which barrister did the solicitors want to do it?”
There’s a pause. “Well, I’m not sure,” replies Alexander eventually.
“Can you check for me?” I query.
He laughs again. It sounds forced. “Lauren, Lauren, you should just be happy that we have all of this work for you!”
I don’t laugh back, but turn to face him. “I’m just curious you see. Has Roger performed a clerking miracle or did the solicitors send the work to me in the first place?”
It’s a simple question. Either the work is mine because the solicitors wanted me to do it, or as some massive apology, the work has been taken from someone else to placate me.
“Well, I suppose the brief does have your name on it,” he concedes.
I knew it. He’s been talking total bullshit. No strings have been pulled, no special treatment has been given to me by way of an apology. Come to think about it, no apologies have been forthcoming whatsoever.
“Good to know,” I smile. “It’ll be coming