why. Looking back, I made a mistake, but you do stupid things to protect your children, don’t you?’ Melissa saw a hint of sympathy in the detective’s eyes. ‘Anyway, I didn’t know how they were involved, but I knew deep down one of them must have hidden the knife. And the reason for that scared me. I guess I felt I needed to find out before you guys got involved. Does that make sense?’
Detective Powell didn’t respond.
‘I tried to get what happened out of the kids ever since it happened,’ Melissa said. ‘I just kept thinking, if I could only get it out of them first, then I could come to you.’
‘What about the knife?’ Detective Powell said. ‘You mentioned the children hid it, but we found it on Ryan Day’s property. We’re currently getting forensics done on it for DNA but it looks very well cleaned so I’m not sure we’ll have much luck.’
Melissa tried to keep her face neutral. She wasn’t going to tell them Bill planted it there, that was a step too far. But she wasn’t going to lie either. ‘Lewis told me where they hid it, under the bin in the kitchen. I cleaned it then I buried it.’
‘That’s very serious, Melissa. That’s aiding and abetting. You know that carries a prison sentence? Not just for you, but the twins too.’
Melissa swallowed. ‘I know. But you need to remember, the twins were only protecting their little sister. She’s just ten.’ She leaned forward. ‘They’re all so close. How could they even comprehend telling you what she’d done? Their first instinct would be to protect her . . . As mine was to protect the kids. Wouldn’t you do the same?’
‘No, actually,’ Detective Powell replied.
‘I think you would, though, in the same situation. Think about it. Really think about it.’
The detective sighed. ‘So how did the knife end up at Ryan Day’s place? Why would someone unearth the knife you buried and plant it on him?’
Melissa paused. Should she tell the detective about Bill? She just couldn’t bring herself to. He was family too, after all. ‘I don’t know,’ she said.
‘I’m not sure I’m convinced,’ Detective Powell said. ‘It all seems rather far-fetched to me, especially in light of how close you and Ryan are.’
‘I already told you the truth about that,’ Melissa said, wiping tears from her cheeks. ‘Nothing happened between us. I swear I’m telling you the truth!’
‘And yet you’ve not exactly been generous with the truth the past week, have you?’ Detective Powell retorted. She leaned forward, her slim dark forearms on the table. ‘I understand you found it particularly difficult after your first son, Joel, passed away?’
Melissa frowned. ‘Of course I did. He was my son! What’s this got to do with anything?’
‘You disappeared for a week, I believe? Just walked out?’ the detective asked, ignoring Melissa’s question. ‘In fact, you left your young children alone for a few hours, didn’t you?’
‘Who told you all this?’ Melissa asked.
‘We can’t divulge our sources. Can you answer the question, please?’
‘The twins weren’t alone for more than two hours. Patrick’s mum turned up. But yes, I’m ashamed of it, so thank you for reminding me,’ Melissa said, her voice catching.
‘Where did you go, Melissa?’
‘My parents’ old cottage. Well, my cottage officially after my dad passed it on to me.’
‘Anywhere else?’
Melissa paused. ‘I stayed with Ryan for a bit,’ she admitted.
‘I see. That was eleven years ago, right? Back in February 2008, a few days after your first son passed away in January, to be exact?’
Melissa nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘And Grace was born in October, eight months later?’ the detective continued.
‘Okay, I see where you’re going with this,’ Melissa said with a sigh. ‘But Grace was not born prematurely so no, Grace is not Ryan’s.’
‘Is that another lie, Melissa?’ Detective Powell said. ‘She looks like Ryan Day, with those blue eyes of hers, and yet the twins have brown eyes.’
‘Yes, Grace has my eyes and hair,’ Melissa said, pointing at her own blue eyes and fair hair. ‘Anyway, what has any of this got to do with it?’
‘Everything,’ Detective Powell remarked. ‘Your husband said Grace stabbed him, but what we need to know is why? The possibility of Grace being Ryan Day’s daughter certainly makes things interesting.’
‘So that’s your theory, then?’ Melissa said with a bitter laugh. ‘That Ryan is Grace’s father and he somehow got her to stab Patrick? Do you realise how outlandish that is?’
‘It makes sense, though, doesn’t it?’ Detective Powell continued. ‘Ryan kills two