absolutely furious with him – with both of you – but he doesn’t deserve to die for it.’ Her eyes flash angrily. ‘Why did George think he had the right to attack him? God help anyone who defiles his property, was that it?’
‘No, he was just … Oh, I don’t know. He was trying to make Lewis confess to killing Mabel, I think. He felt I’d humiliated him; he couldn’t cope with not being Mabel’s father … But Lewis isn’t my lover – he never was. It was a stupid one-off thing we both instantly regretted. And yet …’ She pauses, fighting to get the words out. ‘Yet Mabel came out of it and I can’t regret her.’ The tears roll down her cheeks. ‘I wanted her too much, you see. Losing her is my punishment.’
‘Look, I’m not really interested in your angst.’ Ruby’s tone is icy. ‘I’ve got enough of my own to worry about. If you need a shoulder to cry on, go and see Mum.’
‘But I need you! You’re my sister.’
Ruby shrugs. ‘My birth sister, that’s all. It doesn’t count for much.’
‘I know, I know, I don’t deserve you. I’ve never treated you well,’ Amber sniffs through her tears. ‘But I’ve always loved you, Rubes.’
‘Don’t “Rubes” me.’
‘I’m so, so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m begging you.’
‘Go away, Amber, I can’t be doing with this. Lewis could die!’
The nurse standing at the computer shoots a reproving look towards them. Ruby holds up a hand in apology, and when she speaks again, her voice is quieter, the tone calmer. ‘Forget about us, we’re not important. Concentrate on finding Mabel, that’s all you need to do right now. And get the police off my back. Every minute they spend investigating me is time wasted.’
‘Yes, I know …’ Amber hangs her head. ‘I’m sorry,’ she mumbles. ‘Sorry for everything.’
‘Just go away and leave me be. Find Mabel.’
She nods. She rummages in her pocket for a tissue and blows her nose, then stands up, eyes full of liquid, tears choking her throat.
‘Ah, Amber, you’re here too,’ says a surprised voice. ‘Bit early for visiting.’ Both of them look up to see DI Benedict, carrying a large brown envelope. He stops in his tracks as he takes in the scene, eyes flicking between them, looking for signs and clues. ‘What is it? Lewis? Is he …?’
‘No change,’ replies Ruby stiffly.
‘Right … Okay.’ DI Benedict breathes in. ‘Amber, I didn’t realise you’d be here. Sally is on her way to your place.’
‘Why? Is there news?’ Amber asks.
‘We’ve been processing all the data and interviewing new witnesses. I think, at long last, we might be getting somewhere.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We put together various descriptions and have an e-fit. Our witnesses think it’s pretty good.’ He casts around. ‘I’d rather do this somewhere else. Would you mind? There’s a café downstairs; it’s not open yet, but we can sit at a table. It’s very quiet.’
Amber and Ruby follow him out of the ward. Nobody says anything as they wait for the lift. Its arrival is signalled by a loud ping that makes Ruby jump. They step in together, still unable or unwilling to speak. Amber gulps back her tears and tries to surreptitiously dry her cheeks with the back of her hand. The tension between her and Ruby is thick and suffocating – you don’t have to be a detective to be aware of it. But Benedict doesn’t say anything; just bangs the brown envelope absent-mindedly against his thigh as the lift descends.
He leads them to the corner of the deserted café and they sit down at a white plastic table.
‘Pity it’s not open yet,’ he says, breaking the silence. ‘Don’t know about you two, but I could really do with a coffee.’ He opens the envelope and takes out a sheet of paper. ‘Okay. So, here is the e-fit for a woman who’s been seen hanging around Lilac Park for the last few weeks – general consensus is that it is a woman, although a few witnesses say it’s a man, so keep your mind open.’ He puts the paper in front of them and sits back. ‘Take your time …’
Amber and Ruby zoom in on the image. A face stares back at them, passive and robotic. The expression is neutral and yet looks sinister. She or he is white, with short brown hair and small, nondescript features. Either a woman or a feminine-looking man, it’s hard to know.