The Vow - Debbie Howells Page 0,86

herbal remedies – rather like you, it would seem. Apparently the teenager who died accidentally took something toxic. Either that, or someone intentionally gave it to her.’

There’s only one answer as I shake my head. ‘It really is the first I’ve heard of it.’

For a moment, I think that’s the end of it. But I should have known PC Page wouldn’t let it go. ‘It’s a coincidence, isn’t it? That you buy a house that belonged to a herbalist, then you train as one?’

Trying to hide the racing of my heart, I shrug. ‘The garden appealed to me. You’ve seen what I grow there.’

She nods. ‘Maybe it explains why there’s such a clear story in the plant meanings. Deceit, pain, distrust, grief. Remembrance … It’s a memorial garden.’ She pauses, her eyes boring into me. ‘I think you inherited a memorial to the dead teenager. There’s jealousy there, too.’ Her eyes narrow slightly. ‘Why would that be, I wonder? Was someone jealous of her?’

I try to appeal to their common sense. ‘I’ve no idea. Isn’t it possible they were all planted because the old lady liked them? It might not have been anything more than that.’

She’s silent for a moment. ‘There are so many stories in your home, Amy. A lot of earth that’s been newly dug, the rose garden you haven’t planted yet. Did Matt help you dig his own grave?’ Without waiting for me to speak, she turns towards DI Lacey. ‘We need to get a team over there. That new bed. When I was there this morning, it hadn’t been touched.’

‘Please don’t.’ My voice is mildly hysterical at the thought of the garden I love being trashed more than it already has been. ‘You won’t find anything. You’re wasting your time, I promise you.’

As the DI nods towards her, he gathers his papers together. ‘Let’s leave it there, shall we? We need to check this out.’

‘But I can’t stay another night. Haven’t you held me long enough?’ My voice rises with each word, even though I know it’s futile.

‘For a serious crime, we can hold you for up to ninety-six hours without bringing charges. That gives us until tomorrow morning.’

*

I doze briefly that night, waking in the early hours, my mind racing. In a few hours, I’ll know if the police are charging me or not. What might follow, I can’t bear to think about. So little has been said about this other woman in Matt’s life, it’s as though somehow she’s above suspicion. Yet she has the strongest motivation of anyone for framing me.

*

The following morning, as I wait to be led back to the interview room, I’m filled with trepidation, knowing I’ve been set up, by someone who wants me to suffer. By the time I hear footsteps coming towards my door, I’m dreading the worst.

Trying to maintain a semblance of composure, as I walk into the interview room, DI Lacey and PC Page are already there, talking in low voices. When they see me, they look up. ‘Good morning.’

Both of them watch me pull out a chair, trying to still the flutter of nerves. ‘Morning.’ I look at their faces, trying to read them, but as always, they give nothing away. ‘Can I say something?’

The DI looks at me. ‘Go on.’

‘I was thinking.’ Nerves mean my voice is husky. ‘I know I’ve been set up. The question is, by who?’ As I look from one to the other, their faces are blank. ‘It could easily have been the other woman. She has a strong motive. It could have been her who killed Matt, in a fit of jealousy that got out of control. She could have taken a knife from my kitchen – she would have had his key – then hidden it without me knowing. She could even have sent the flowers.’

‘It sounds a little far-fetched.’ DI Lacey clears his throat. ‘Where are her fingerprints? For your information, Mr Roche’s car has turned up – burned out next to some derelict farm buildings near Beachy Head. It could have been there for some time. You must have dumped the body before setting fire to it, Ms Reid. The chassis number was found, and the vehicle traced to Mr Roche, but it seems it was registered to his old address, so even though it was in our system, it’s only recently been connected to this case. We haven’t found his body yet. It would seem it’s only a matter of time – and the