Page 38 of The Guilty Girl

‘It’s okay,’ Lottie said. ‘If Jake is involved with them, we need to know.’

Liz shoved her daughter out of the way and leaned both hands on the table. ‘My son is a good boy. He’s had it tough, and so has Sharon. Their dad died last year and I’m working every hour I can to keep food on the table and books in their school bags. Whatever you think he’s involved in, well, it’s not true. Outside of school, Jake lives for his boxing, so I think you’re barking up the wrong bloody tree.’

‘Which boxing club does he belong to?’ Kirby asked.

‘Why do you want to know that?’

‘Please, Mrs Flood, we need to know.’ Lottie felt impatience growl along with the hunger in the pit of her stomach.

‘And I need to know why you’re asking about Jake.’

The woman was going to hear about it soon enough, so Lottie said, ‘A teenage girl was assaulted last night after Lucy McAllister’s house party. We believe Jake was present during the evening. The girl is dead.’

‘A house party?’ Liz looked from Lottie to Kirby before settling her gaze on Lottie. ‘You’re mistaken. Jake is only fifteen. He wouldn’t be at a house party.’

‘I have witnesses who confirm he was at one last night. Are you sure you don’t know where he is this morning?’

‘He’s out. Like I already told you.’ The woman was trying to sound angry, but Lottie noticed her chin trembling, her hands continuing to shake.

‘Was he at home last night at all?’

Liz glanced at her daughter, as if wishing the girl was anywhere but standing there open-mouthed looking up at her. ‘I was working late. I … I only got home this morning.’

‘Where do you work?’

‘In the Brook Hotel bar. It was very busy last night. Always is on a Friday.’

‘And you were working until this morning?’

‘Erm, yeah.’

Lottie didn’t believe it. ‘What time did you arrive home?’

‘Look, whatever time I arrived home has nothing to do with you or with where Jake is.’

‘The thing is, it might have something to do with establishing whether your son was home last night or at the party. If he is involved with a gang of kids selling drugs, he might be in trouble.’

‘Jake wouldn’t hurt anyone,’ Sharon blurted.

‘Were you here last night, Sharon?’ Lottie turned her attention to the child.

‘Yeah.’

‘And Jake?’

Sharon glanced up at her mother as if silently asking for permission. But Liz was staring straight ahead, wringing her hands. At last she broke the silence.

‘I’m not long home,’ she said, defeat in her tone. ‘Jake was supposed to be here. I’d never leave Shaz on her own, but she tells me Jake went out last night and wasn’t here when she woke up this morning. I’m sorry about before, but I’m worried about him.’

‘He took Mam’s car,’ Sharon added.

Lottie stood at this news, trying to keep the shock and anger from registering on her face. She rounded on Liz. ‘When were you going to tell me that your fifteen-year-old son took your car?’

Liz shook her head and sat down heavily, her expression one of bewilderment. ‘I didn’t know until a few minutes ago. You have to find him.’

‘I’ll need the registration number,’ Kirby said.

She recited the details.