Page 95 of The Lucky Winners

Her voice sounds distant and vague. ‘Yes,’ I whisper.

‘Speak up for the tape, please.’

I force the word out, louder this time. ‘Yes.’

Parsons’s eyes don’t leave me. ‘You were present at the time of your sister’s death?’

My stomach lurches as I battle the rising panic in my chest. The chair feels like it’s tilting backwards, and then there’s no chair there at all, only the cold, hard floor pressed against my cheek.

The young officer who brought me in here stands over me, her face pale and uncertain. Lott stands up, her arms folded, but Parsons is still seated, her eyes fixed on me with the same clinical detachment as before.

‘I’m fine,’ I say, though my voice is hoarse.

The officer helps me back into the chair, and a fresh beaker of water is placed in front of me.

‘We can pause if you need medical attention,’ Parsons says.

‘I don’t need anything. I just want to get this done with and go home.’ My hands tighten into fists under the table. ‘My sister’s death was an accident.’

Parsons says, ‘It’s tragic, losing a sibling at such a young age. I’m sure it must have left its mark on you.’

Her crude implication lingers in the air and I bristle. ‘What are you trying to say?’

Parsons ignores my comment. ‘You were questioned by detectives at length after the death of your sister and of –’

‘That’s true, but I was never charged,’ I say quickly.

‘It appears there wasn’t enough evidence to charge you,’ Parsons says slowly. ‘But I’ve read the case notes, Merri. Your foster parents at the time were convinced you were responsible. They said your behaviour changed in the weeks leading up to the incident – that you were withdrawn and secretive. They mentioned bruises on Beth’s arms and legs that couldn’teasily be explained. And you were the last person to see her alive.’

‘Indeed, you were witness to the entire incident,’ Lott adds.

I stare at her. My pulse is roaring in my ears.

‘The official ruling was accidental drowning,’ she continues. ‘But there were inconsistencies. Gaps. And you were evasive under questioning. And then, of course, you disappeared without trace – changed your name. Started a new life.

‘But now we have another death close to water that you are connected to,’ Lott says. ‘We’re asking ourselves, is it a coincidence or –’

‘I was only eighteen,’ I say. ‘I was young and scared.’

Lott finally speaks, her tone softer. ‘We just need to understand, Merri. The witnesses saw you with Sarah shortly before she was seen for the last time. There was a physical altercation. Help us to make sense of it.’

Parsons leans forward. ‘There’s something you’re not telling us. There’s a missing piece somewhere here. Make it easier on yourself and tell us everything. Then, if you’re as innocent as you claim to be, we can eliminate you from our enquiries.’

The words line up in my throat. This is the moment of truth. Sarah is dead and, no matter what the police believe about my involvement, I have a piece of very important information that they need to know.

‘It’s true that I didn’t hurt Sarah,’ I say quietly. ‘But I think I might know who did.’

62

Fifteen Years Earlier

The comprehensive school was big and sprawling, but I’d noticed the girl before. Always alone, always watching. But not the kind of passing glances you catch in the corridors, her gaze lingered deliberately. On me. I didn’t like it.

One day, she approached between lessons, sliding up beside me so suddenly I flinched.

‘I’m Becky. Is it true David Webb’s your boyfriend?’

Her bluntness disarmed me and I stopped walking, caught off guard. ‘What’s it to you?’