“They’re here,” Marcy declared, as a car turned into their drive and stopped in front of the gates.
Claudia pushed the release button while watching her mother with a worried expression. “Are you OK?” she asked. “You’re looking quite pale today.”
“I’m fine,” Marcy assured her. “Please don’t fuss.”
Claudia wanted to say more, but with Andee and Helen Hall, the town’s leading criminal lawyer, about to arrive, now wasn’t the time to get into how Marcy had been retreating into herself again since the meeting with Archie. She hadn’t even commented on the letter from him that had turned up yesterday with a fully credible apology and equally genuine-sounding appreciation of the way Marcy had chosen not to skewer him during the visit. However, Claudia could tell that it had affected her.
She’d try to broach the subject again once Andee and Helen had gone. For now, as her mother set a tray of tea on the table, she went to let the visitors in.
The introductions were soon made and Claudia found herself warming to Helen Hall, who was very like the photo on her law firm’s website with her mop of curly red hair, freckles, and sharp green eyes.
Andee said, “As you know, Helen’s come along to talk us through why things aren’t happening in quite the way we’d hoped, regarding the information Archie gave us last week about Marcus.”
Helen smiled a thank-you to Marcy as she passed her a cup of black tea. “The problem we have,” she began, “is that Archie’s allegations aren’t carrying any weight. This wasn’t wholly unexpected, of course, given who and where he is—and the fact that there is no proof of a connection between him and Huxley-Browne really isn’t helping. To be blunt about it, his claim, at the moment, is being viewed by some as a ploy to try and shift some blame in order to reduce his sentence when the time comes.”
Claudia’s mouth turned dry. “But surely someone’s asking why he would randomly pick on Marcus to accuse?” she protested.
“Questions that deserve answers,” Helen acknowledged, “but I’m afraid none are yet forthcoming. Your champion in the Met, Detective Inspector Carl Phillips, has tried to open an investigation in response to the claim, but so far he’s getting nowhere. There’s no interest in allocating funds to a case that is seen to belong to another force, and here in Kesterly they don’t have the manpower to set up an inquiry that would largely have to take place in London.” She took a sip of tea, leaving a pale pink mark on the cup’s rim. “There’s also no evidence of your husband ever being abusive toward you,” she continued gently, “and without it I’m afraid a judge simply won’t—can’t—issue a restraining order.”
Claudia’s face was pinched and angry as she looked at her mother.
Marcy lowered her eyes, at a loss for anything positive to say.
“Things could change,” Helen stated encouragingly, “and they often do, so I want you to know that we’re not giving up.”
“I’m expecting to hear anytime now,” Andee told them, “that Archie’s uncle, the infamous BJ, has been picked up. The charges will be drug and trafficking related, so there’s a chance he might be willing to throw Huxley-Browne under a bus over the fire in exchange for a few charges being dropped, or a lighter sentence.”
Helen said, “I’m truly sorry I’m not yet able to tell you what you want to hear, but there’s still a way to go before your husband is released.”
Claudia said, “Seven weeks—not that we’re counting.”
With a sympathetic smile Helen checked her mobile as it vibrated on the table. “I have to take this,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s about another case,” she added, clearly not wanting to get hopes up unnecessarily.
As she went through to the sitting room, Andee said, “Have you seen Dan’s report of our meeting with Archie yet?”
“He’s bringing it over later,” Claudia replied. “Have you?”
Andee smiled wryly. “I helped write it. I think it’s thorough, and fair. There’s no doubt in our minds that Archie is genuinely remorseful—and from the conversations we’ve had with you guys, we’ve gone with the assumption that you agree with that.”
Claudia looked at her mother. “I think we do?” she prompted.
Marcy said, “Who does the report go to?”
“That usually depends on who’s requested it,” Andee replied. “The police, social workers, parole officers . . . In this case, because Dan and I initiated it ourselves we’ll probably give it to DCI Gould for him to sign off on before presenting it to the Crown Prosecution Service. Of course, Helen, as the head of Archie’s legal team, will have a copy too. It should prove an important and useful document for her.”
Returning to the kitchen, Helen said, “My apologies for that, but it does mean I have to get back to the office. You have my number if you need to call, and once again, please don’t give up. I’m sure we’ll have better news soon.”
Marcy said, “Before you go, can I ask you about Archie?”
“What would you like to know?” Helen replied kindly, “keeping in mind lawyer/client privilege, you understand.”
Marcy nodded. “Of course, and I’ll try not to put you in a difficult position. We’ve had another letter from him. Dan brought it yesterday.”
Helen nodded, showing that she was aware of this. “Does it contain something that’s bothering you?” she asked, concerned.
Marcy said, “I’d just like to know if you’ve managed to get his charge changed or dismissed yet?”
“You mean the attempted murder charge? We’re still waiting to hear back from the CPS on that. I’m afraid these things often take longer than we’d like them to. At this rate we’ll be in court before we get a response, and what a jolly fiasco that would turn out to be.”
Marcy was aware of Claudia watching her curiously, clearly wondering why she was asking. She hadn’t discussed this with anyone yet, but her mind was made up, and perhaps this was as good a time as any to tell them what she’d decided. “I think he should stand trial,” she said to Helen.
Helen’s surprise showed, as did everyone else’s.
“You mean for attempted murder?” Andee asked.
Marcy nodded. “Yes. Please will you tell him that I want him to stand trial for attempted murder.”