‘Speculation, Emilia. But I hope to have more for you very soon. We have someone in custody right now who is helping us with our enquiries. You can print that if you like. That’s not speculation. That’s a fact. You do still print facts, don’t you?’
And with that she left. Heading back to the station, Helen had a spring in her step. It was nice to have the upper hand for once. She drew deeply on her cigarette, savouring the thought of what was to come.
Mickery was saying nothing. She and Helen had been staring at each other across the interview table for over an hour now, but still she wouldn’t reveal where she had been.
‘It was all perfectly innocent,’ Mickery said, just about suppressing a smile.
‘So why the disguise? The chase? A police officer ordered you to stop and you didn’t. I should throw you in jail for that alone.’
‘I was seeing a client,’ Mickery retorted, ‘and I didn’t feel it was right to bring the local constabulary down on their heads. They’ve got problems enough as it is, believe me.’
‘But that’s just it – I don’t.’
Mickery just shrugged – she clearly couldn’t give two figs what Helen thought. Her lawyer flanked her, looking equally smug. The clock ticked by. A minute of silence. Two minutes. Then:
‘Let’s start again from the beginning. Where were you yesterday afternoon? Who were you meeting and why?’ Helen barked.
‘I’ve said all I’m going to say. I cannot and will not break professional confidences.’
Now Helen was really riled.
‘Do you have any idea how serious this is?’
The two women eyeballed each other.
‘You’re the prime suspect in a multiple-murder case. When I arrest and charge you, I am going to be pushing for five life sentences. Without parole and without any chance of reduction. You are going to serve every day of the rest of your life in prison and any minor, fleeting concessions you receive will be because of what you do now. Right here in this room. If you tell me why you did it – why you killed Martina and all the others – then I can help you.’
‘Martina?’ Mickery queried.
‘Don’t be cute. I want answers, not questions. And if you don’t start giving me some in the next five seconds, then I am going to arrest you and charge you with five counts of murder.’
‘No you’re not.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘You’re not going to arrest me. You’re not going to charge me. Which is why I’m going to tell you absolutely nothing.’
Helen stared at her – was this woman for real?
‘There’s no one else in the frame, Hannah. You are the prime suspect. And you are going to be charged. There’s no escape this time.’