her to ‘let her have a little time to herself,’ according to her testimony. It looks like this coincided with Aurora swimming. I’d be interested to know if she, in fact, met and argued with her sister.”
Lightman stopped at his own desk, and Jonah stopped with him. He was mentally putting these statements together. He was wondering what could have happened to a fourteen-year-old girl out in the woods that might have precipitated her death.
Hanson’s bag was looped over her chair, though the chair itself was empty. O’Malley was sitting amidst his scattered paperwork on the next desk along. He looked up to give Jonah a nod, and then returned to his reading, with the preoccupation of a man who was building something.
“Thank you,” Jonah said to Lightman, taking a printout from him. “Who’s going to do a round of coffee?”
Lightman nodded and turned away while O’Malley called out, “I want sugar today. At least two.”
“You’re not allowed sugar,” Lightman called back.
O’Malley shook his head. “Thank you, Mummy.”
Hanson reappeared, her expression enthusiastic.
“Juliette,” Jonah said. “I’m about to talk to Brett Parker. Domnall’s coming in with me, and I’d like you to come and watch from outside. Observe, and see what you think.”
He couldn’t help smiling at her eager expression.
“Yes, sir.”
Jonah hovered next to O’Malley for a moment. “What are you in the middle of?”
O’Malley looked up at him. “Ah, I’m not sure I’ve got anything yet. I can come and grill Brett Parker, sure.”
“OK. That’s good. Ben, I’d like you in the observation room, too.”
Hanson was back moments later, and Jonah led the three of them toward the interview suite. He was well aware that Wilkinson hated this kind of use of resources. Four police officers for one interview. But the DCS’s grumbles never meant much. When it came to it, Wilkinson wanted the right conclusion. He generally left Jonah to get on with it.
“Ready?” Jonah asked O’Malley, glancing in at where Brett Parker was waiting. He wore a pale-gray suit today, and a white shirt with no tie. He was tanned enough to look healthy even under the artificial lights. His expression was bland, but one heel tapped the floor rhythmically.
“Do you have something in mind for me to ask?” the sergeant said.
“Anything that occurs to you,” Jonah said. “Though keep it light, for now.” He glanced at Hanson. “Juliette, I’d like you to give it ten minutes, and then come and get me. Just say I’m needed.”
Hanson gave him a quizzical look. “OK.” She nodded. “Ten minutes.”
Jonah opened the door and let himself in, leaving O’Malley to follow.
Brett Parker seemed relieved to see him. He gave him a nod of greeting and a slight smile.
“We’re all ready to go, Mr. Parker,” Jonah said. “Thank you for coming in.”
He seated himself in the chair closest to the door, and let O’Malley take the other one.
“It’s all right. I’m happy to help.”
Jonah looked him over. He saw that there was a sheen of sweat on his forehead and that his eyes looked dry and tired.
“Do you have any objection to us recording this interview?” Jonah asked him.
“Of course not. Of course not.”
Jonah inserted a fresh tape and clicked the recorder on.
“This is DCI Jonah Sheens, interviewing Mr. Brett Parker. Also present is DS Domnall O’Malley. Mr. Parker, I want you to take us over a few details.”
“Of course.” Brett leaned forward and rested his hands on the table.
“According to the original statements of Connor Dooley and Jojo Magos, Aurora did not remain at the campsite for the whole of the evening. She took herself for a swim while dinner was being set up and cooked.”
A distant look as Brett recalled. A thirty-year gap being traversed.
“Yes, I—I’m not sure when she went, but she did go swimming. We’d talked about it earlier and I think she got bored.”
“You didn’t go as well?” he asked.
“No. No, I didn’t see her go. She was alone.”
Jonah nodded. “Do you recall how long she was gone for?”
A pause, and then Brett shook his head slowly. “I really don’t…I might have remembered back then. Maybe look at my original statement?”
“Your original statement doesn’t mention it.”
Jonah waited, his face fixed in a neutral expression, while Brett thought this over.
“Oh…I—I don’t know why I didn’t think to say. I can’t remember. I’m sorry.”
“That’s fine, thank you.” Jonah let his eyes wander around the room before coming back to Brett. “Do you remember that some of the group were concerned about her? That there was some upset