Page 32 of The Good Girl

Chapter Thirty-One

Yates stood in the lounge of the Lassiter residence, observing the gathered faces before him.

The family waited, looking awkward and apprehensive, dotted around the lounge on the sumptuous sofas.

Molly sat beside her younger sister, Dee, who looked pale and far younger than her years, her gaze fixed on her knees.

Her posture was slouched, her arms wrapped tightly around her midsection, as though holding herself together.

Across from them sat Shane, his arm draped nonchalantly along the back of the sofa.

Between them all, like a thorn at the centre of a beautiful, delicate arrangement, sat Nancy Cartwright, the late Mrs Lassiter’s sister, who had just flown in.

Her eyes were alert. Cold. Watching everyone.

Yates noted how her hands remained still, resting on her knees, fingers interlaced, one leg crossed over the other while her foot tapped slowly.

A contained energy. Controlled fury? He couldn’t tell yet.

Yates had learned to spot where the tension lay in situations such as these, quite literally reading the room, and here it was thickest between Nancy and Shane. He exchanged a glance with DC Stone, who took out his notebook and prepared to document the meeting.

Yates began, looking to Molly, who seemed the most nervous. ‘Thank you for giving us a moment of your time. I appreciate how difficult this must be so I won’t keep you longer than necessary.’

He noticed as Molly sucked in a breath, as if gathering strength and her mouth twitched like she might speak, but she said nothing. Her shoulders were tense, drawn up, arms crossed over her chest. Was she trying to stop herself from shaking?

Yates mentally noted it, then continued.

‘We have received the preliminary results from the coroner’s office following the post-mortem of Julia Lassiter.

The cause of death was determined to be severe head, neck and spinal cord injury, indicating trauma consistent with a fall.

There were no signs of forced impact or injuries inconsistent with the fall itself. ’

He paused to let the words settle. Shane was the first to react, leaning forward and exhaling heavily. ‘So it was an accident?’

‘She may have tripped, possibly on her nightgown or the edge of the stairs. There was significant alcohol in her system, which could have contributed to the loss of balance.’

Shane gave a solemn nod, eyes reddening. ‘God,’ he murmured, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘Poor Julia, I wish I hadn’t taken that wine up. I feel like I’m responsible…’

Yates watched him closely. The act was near perfect, just the right amount of emotion and sprinkled with a hint of guilt.

But it was the timing that made Yates’ instinct twitch.

The moment Shane had an out, an answer that absolved him, he implicated himself again, maybe in the hope that everyone would rush to absolve him. None of them took the bait.

Dee curled further into herself, eyes shining with unshed tears. Molly reached for her hand, the movement jerky, mechanical.

‘There is no evidence at this time to suggest foul play,’ Yates added carefully. ‘But of course, if anything changes, if more evidence presents itself, we will revisit the findings.’

Shane stood abruptly, hand to his mouth. ‘Excuse me. I… I need a minute. I’m still in shock.’ Without waiting for permission, he walked briskly from the room, disappearing into the hallway.

Nancy stood. ‘Detective, could I have a word? In private?’ Her tone was hard-edged.

Yates gave a nod. ‘Of course.’ He gestured toward the dining room, through the kitchen that overlooked the garden. Nancy followed, back straight, jaw set.

‘There are some facts you need to be made aware of before you go writing this off as an accident. Julia was planning to divorce him,’ she said.

‘I’m a solicitor although I’m based in Canada.

I was advising her and helping to collate all the information she required.

For the obvious reasons, she was going to use a solicitor in the city.

It was all arranged. I can give you their details. ’

Yates raised his brow slightly, noting the steadiness in her voice.

‘We started the process months ago. She delayed filing, her intention being to make sure Molly had settled in America, but her mind was set. She wanted out. She was frightened of what he would do if she served him notice.’

‘Did she ever mention being threatened?’

‘Not physically… more financially and mentally tortured. She knew Shane wouldn’t take it lying down.

Let’s put it this way, when they met he had nothing and now…

’ she waved her arm around the beautifully designed and furnished room.

‘Look. He’s not going to give this, or the lifestyle Julia gave him, up easily. ’

Nancy paused as Stone made notes and then added, ‘He was also having an affair, still is as far as we know and it won’t be the first, either. I’d suggested she hire a private detective to follow him. That was next on the agenda.’

‘Did she identify who she suspected?’

‘No. But she was certain. And there are rumours circulating in the village. She overheard gossip so I told her it would probably be easy to hunt down whoever it was.’

Stone scribbled a few lines in his notebook as Yates asked, ‘What about the night she died? Do you think he was with his mistress then?’

‘No idea. But as you know, Magda, their housekeeper, overheard an argument. Julia told Shane she wanted a divorce. He threatened her. Not explicitly, but it was implied. That was the night she died and as far as I’m concerned that’s one coincidence too many.’

‘You believe he killed her?’

Nancy looked him dead in the eye. ‘Yes. I believe he pushed her down the stairs. He has the temperament, like a petulant child when he doesn’t get his own way. The motive. He is desperate to hold on to all of this. And the opportunity.’

There was a long pause. Yates didn’t flinch. He’d heard wilder accusations before, but rarely delivered with such clarity and conviction. ‘Do you know exactly what he stood to lose in the divorce?’

‘Everything. The house was built by Julia and her late husband and no way would she give it up. His financial comfort. His lifestyle. I’ve seen my sister’s bank balances, the company accounts.

It was a short marriage that he brought nothing to.

Julia knew she would have to make a settlement but she wasn’t going to let him walk all over her so we were prepared to fight him in court if necessary. On principle, if nothing else.’

‘Any pattern of controlling behaviour? Can you give me any more details about his infidelity?’

Nancy laughed bitterly. ‘He’s a serial womaniser.

A manipulator. He latched onto my sister like a parasite and never let go.

She covered for him more times than I care to count because she was embarrassed personally and professionally.

He’s bone idle and if he’d been anyone else, he would’ve been sacked by now.

Ask anyone at the company, they’ll all say the same. ’

Yates closed his notebook. ‘Thank you, Ms Cartwright. I appreciate your honesty. Leave it with me.’

She folded her arms. ‘I won’t let this go, detective. My sister deserves better. Her daughters deserve answers.’

Yates offered a short nod of respect. ‘Understood.’

They returned to the others, where Shane had yet to reappear.

Molly watched them both with guarded eyes.

Nancy showed them to the door in silence, her expression unreadable.

After thanking her for her time, Yates and Stone made their way back to the car, the grey sky above threatening rain, he turned to his colleague.

‘Check the alibi,’ he said.

‘The hotel in Glasgow?’

Yates nodded. ‘Just out of curiosity. Let’s see if he really stayed the night, even if it doesn’t tell us what went on before he left the house.’

Stone pulled out his phone. ‘I’ll make the call now.’

As Yates reached for the door handle of the car, he glanced back at the house. The large windows returned his stare, black and accusing. Somewhere inside, a man was hiding his secrets and Yates wanted to know what they were. Nancy Cartwright was correct, her sister deserved better.