Page 94 of Don't Believe A Word

‘Oh my God!’ Cristy suddenly cried, seeing who was calling her. ‘It’s Mia. Quick, set up to record … We’ll worry about permissions after.’

‘Is it video?’ Connor asked, hitting the keys.

‘Yes. OK, I’m clicking on now.’ It took the usual few seconds for the connection to stabilize, but as Cristy started to speak she was stopped by the sight of Mia. The older woman’s face was taut and stark white, her eyes seemed to blaze, and her hair was backcombed so haphazardly she surely couldn’t have used a mirror to prep it.

MIA: ‘You’re a wicked, wicked woman, Cristy Whatever-your-name-is. I don’t know how you live with yourself doing the things you do, interfering in other people’s lives, making wildly offensive accusations, speaking to people who knownothing, and now you’ve gone too far. Those photographs arefakeand you know it. You’ve doctored them, used them to sensationalize and scandalize, because that’s what you people in the media do. What I want to know is why you’re tormenting my niece this way? She doesn’t deserve yourcruelty. She’s a good girl – misguided, and angry with me, but safe from things that will only hurt her. The way you’re exploiting her is disgusting and shameful. So please leave us alone and stop this evil persecution.’

CRISTY: ‘I’m sorry you feel this way, Mia, but I can assure you Sadie’s welfare and the truth of her life matter a great deal to us. And the photographs aren’t fake. We have the originals along with the negatives, so I’m afraid your sisterdidmeet with George Symmonds-Browne and Janina Andris. Did you know about it?’

MIA: ‘I don’t have to answer your questions, nor do I have to believe a word you say. I’m telling you those photographs are forgeries …’

CRISTY: ‘Perhaps I can bring them to you so you can see for yourself …’

MIA: ‘I don’t want you in my home, and I don’t want you near my niece again. If you don’t heed my wishes there will be terrible consequences for you.’

Cristy watched her on the screen, expecting her to ring off now, probably to call her lawyer, if she hadn’t already. However, she simply looked around the room she was in, almost as if tracking a fly, or perhaps no longer sure about where she was.

CRISTY: ‘Are you OK?’

Mia’s eyes came back to the camera and peered in fiercely.

MIA: ‘You are besmirching my beloved sister’s reputation, and mine, with all your lies. She is very unhappy with you and it’s never been wise to get on the wrong side of Lottie.’

This time the screen did go dark and Cristy sat back in her chair, inhaling deeply as the final words continued to land. ‘Wow!’ she murmured. ‘So what do we make of that?’

‘She’s clearly nuts,’ Clover offered, ‘but at least she didn’t threaten any sort of legal action. It’s what I was waiting for.’

‘Me too,’ Connor said, ‘although we should still brace ourselves for it and make sure our lawyers are up to speed with everything. What do you think about using it in a pod?’

Cristy shook her head doubtfully. ‘Even if we got clearance, given her mental instability it’s likely we’d be accused of gross insensitivity, or worse – and frankly, I don’t want to get bogged down in proving the photos’ authenticity to the world at large. We know they’re genuine, so I say no to using Mia’s weirdness against her, at this time. Let’s think about whether we want to show the video to Sadie.’

After deliberating it Clover said, ‘How about we just send the audio? The woman looked such a fright it actually feels wrong to share it, even with her niece.’

*

It didn’t take Sadie long to get back to them.

‘She’s said it all to me already,’ she told them, sounding tired and upset, ‘and I quickly gave up trying to reason with her. She doesn’t want to hear it, so she won’t. As far as she’s concerned – or maybe as far as Lottie’s concerned, I can’t be entirely sure who she thinks she is today – the photographs are fake and that’s that.’

‘How would you feel about using it in a pod?’ Cristy asked. ‘I don’t think the video would be a good idea …’

‘God no! I saw what she was like after she called you, so let’s at least spare her the indignity of the world seeing her like that. As for what she said, if you think it’s appropriate to use it, then why not?’

Surprised, Cristy added it to the clipboard for future use and looked up again as Sadie said, ‘Can I ask if anyone’s come forward about the photos yet?’

Knowing how hopeful she remained in spite of everything, Cristy’s heart went out to her. ‘As soon as anyone does we’ll let you know,’ she assured her, ‘but I can’t help worrying about how prepared you are for a … difficult outcome.’

Sadie’s laugh was tired and humourless. ‘Probably notprepared at all,’ she admitted, ‘but it doesn’t matter. We have to keep going.’

Not arguing, only worrying more, Cristy said, ‘I take it you haven’t found anything else of interest in Lottie’s rooms?’

‘No, but here’s some good news. David’s heard from the safe-cracker. Apparently, he’s in Ireland at the moment, due back here on Friday, and he’s saying that going by the images David sent him he shouldn’t have any problem getting us access.’

Concerned now about what Sadie might find inside, Cristy said, ‘Maybe you shouldn’t be alone when you open it.’

Sounding anxious too, Sadie said, ‘I must admit I am quite nervous about it, probably because nothing else has been locked away. So I’ll ask Anna to be with me for the great unveiling.’

Cristy smiled at the attempted humour, and almost hated herself as she said, ‘How would you feel about recording it as it happens? Or would that seem too intrusive until you actually know what’s in there?’