Page 132 of Dying Truth

‘Thorpe asked me. He wanted one of Sadie’s friends to say a few words, and I was the closest thing he could find.’

The sentiment saddened him for some reason. A thirteen-year-old girl had been so detached from her peers that it was a struggle to find anyone to mourn her death.

‘Tilly, I need to ask you something,’ he said seriously. ‘It’s confidential and sensitive, okay?’

She nodded, looking pensive.

‘I’ve heard rumours of girls from this school having illegal abortions. Do you know anything about it?’

The shake of her head was immediate and definite, but he wasn’t watching the head movement, he was watching her eyes for deceit. And he caught her unconscious glance at Sadie’s bed.

‘You’re not saying Sadie…’

‘No,’ she said, emphatically.

‘But you know something, Tilly. I know you do.’

Again, she shook her head.

‘I don’t. Honestly, I don’t. I’m just shocked. I mean, where did that come from? What makes you think someone’s had an abortion?’

‘You’re asking questions just a few seconds too late, Tilly,’ he said, knowingly.

She shook her head and licked her bottom lip while trying to hold his gaze to prove her point.

Dawson thought for a moment. This was not the confident, assured girl he had spoken to earlier in the week. This girl looked thirteen. And frightened.

‘Tilly, I know you’re scared to talk out of turn, but I need you to be honest. Someone else might be in danger, so if you know something…’

‘Cordell,’ she said, quietly, looking at the door. ‘He’s a Spade from way back. It’s common knowledge amongst the girls that he’s the one you go to if you’re in trouble; however late you are, he’ll get rid of it.’

‘Go on,’ he urged, gently.

‘Miss Wade pulled me aside one day and told me about a poem Sadie had written and asked me if I knew if she was in any kind of trouble.’

‘Did you read the poem?’ Dawson asked.

She shook her head. ‘Miss Wade had given it to someone else to look at, but she told me it was all about abortion.’

Tilly began to colour as she chewed her bottom lip.

‘Tell me everything, Tilly,’ he prompted gently.

‘I read Sadie’s diary. I was just trying to help,’ she said, guiltily. ‘I was going to tell Miss Wade anything I found, I swear. I was just making sure Sadie was okay.’

‘Have you still got her diary now?’ Dawson asked, remembering it was still missing.

‘No, I promise. I put it straight back in her backpack. I only looked once and nearly had a panic attack that she’d come in and catch me.’

‘And what did you read in there, Tilly?’ he asked.

‘Enough to put two and two together.’

‘Who had the illegal abortion?’ he asked.

‘I think you already know.’

Ninety-Three