The Vow - Debbie Howells Page 0,87
tides – before we do. There was something in the car.’ As he pushes a plastic bag towards me, with horror, I recognise the bracelet sealed inside. ‘Yours?’ He pauses for a moment, studying my face. ‘I take it that’s a yes?’
Slowly I shake my head. ‘It could have come undone at any time. The fact that it was in Matt’s car doesn’t prove anything.’
He doesn’t comment. ‘Ms Reid, as you are aware, we’ve been back to your house – more specifically to the area of your garden you’ve recently dug up.’
I wait with bated breath for him to tell me that they’ve found nothing, which means I’m free to leave here, but what he says next mystifies me.
‘Despite your conviction that there was nothing to find, we did find something. A hardback book.’
Until now, I haven’t noticed there’s another bag on the end of the table. As he opens it, then slides out my notebook, I’m confused. ‘That doesn’t make sense. It’s only a collection of garden ideas – a kind of scrapbook. Why would someone have buried it?’
He frowns. ‘Oh, it’s some scrapbook alright. We’ve had a close look – there’s more than at first meets the eye. What was it? Did you cast one of your spells as you buried your secrets, hoping no-one would ever find them?’
A chill runs through me. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Where to start …’ Pausing, the DI opens it, then turns the first couple of pages. ‘The first item of note here is a list of plants – or perhaps I should say herbs – and their effects on the human brain, ranging from nervousness and tremors, to suppression of the nervous system, then to respiratory and cardiac arrest. Quite a comprehensive list it is, too. It mentions hemlock, digitalis, deadly nightshade …’
Nausea rises in me. ‘Someone’s added it. I’m a herbalist. I abide by a healer’s code. I’ve only ever used remedies for good.’ I look at him, willing him to believe me, knowing how futile it is to convince him he’s wrong when he’s so sure he isn’t. ‘Where was this list?’
‘Hidden behind a magazine cutting you’ve glued in – about rose gardens.’
Remembering the cutting, I frown. But my stomach is turning over. I glance at PC Page, then back at the DI. ‘The magazine cutting is mine, but I honestly didn’t put anything else there. You have to believe me. I don’t know who or why, but someone else has done this. Not me,’ I repeat, taking a shaky breath. ‘I want a new lawyer.’ I glance sideways at Andrew Nelson. ‘Someone who can actually help me.’
DI Lacey glances at PC Page. ‘It’s a bit late for that.’
Starting to panic, I raise my voice. ‘I have the right. I just need you to arrange it.’
‘That’s slightly ridiculous in the circumstances.’ The DI’s voice is dry. ‘For now, I’d like to get back to your book. There’s another cutting we found.’ He picks up a torn-out newspaper article that’s vaguely familiar. ‘It relates to the case of the teenage girl who was murdered at your house before you bought it. Her name was Kimberley Preston. But we’ve been doing our own research. It was her grandmother you bought your house from. Only you didn’t buy your house, did you, Ms Reid? She was your grandmother, too. She left you the house on the understanding that you would live there for the rest of your life. We have the records of ownership and we’ve contacted the solicitors who handled the transfer of the deeds. We know about the letter your grandmother left detailing exactly what happened to Kimberley Preston. It clearly states that if you didn’t fulfil her request, it would find its way to the police. You weren’t prepared to put it to the test, were you? Amy isn’t the name you were born with, is it Ms Reid? It was Emily.’
I stare at the table, blood rushing in my ears, unable to speak, as all the memories I’ve blocked out flood back. The long summer days in my grandmother’s garden, of friendship, heat, freedom. The day my sister died, her death causing ripples into so many lives. The stupid pact with Allie that meant we’d kept our silence. Suddenly I think of her phone call, how I blocked her number. It had been just before I was arrested. After all the years we haven’t seen each other, is it possible Allie is behind this?
‘Why have you