Page 120 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘What about?’

‘I don’t know how long it’s going to take to track down Tania Dove. She might even be dead, for all I know. But if I give a statement saying everything that Bishop did and that Tania’s testimony is complete horseshit, then it’ll go some way to helping get Anthony released, or maybe a retrial. I don’t have long left, certainly not long enough to appear in court.’

‘Were there others involved?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Other detectives on Bishop’s team. Were there others involved in this cover-up?’

‘I’m not going to name names, Freya. I just want to set the record straight before… before I die,’ he said, solemnly.

Freya adjusted herself in her seat. She leaned forward and dropped her voice despite it only being the two of them in the room. ‘Stephen, did Bishop, or anyone, hit Anthony while he was being interviewed?’

Stephen had his head bowed. It was a while before he lifted it up and looked at Freya. When he did, he had tears in his eyes. He didn’t say anything. He simply gave a single nod.

‘So, he just came into the station and gave a statement?’ Chris asked.

Chris and Freya were sitting at the table in the kitchen, eating their evening meal. Freya had been the first home, for a change, so had made a chicken stir-fry.

‘Yes. I didn’t recognise him at first. He looks so different.’

‘Well, if he’s dying, he’s going to.’

‘I almost felt sorry for him.’

‘I don’t, after everything he did. Him and fucking Eddie Ritter.’

‘No. I know. But, at least he’s making amends.’

‘It sounds like he’s trying to make sure he gets welcomed through the pearly gates with open arms. And ask yourself this, if Pauline hadn’t appeared on TV this morning, would he have come down to see you? I bet he wouldn’t have.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘I’m saying that it hasn’t been preying on his conscience at all. He saw Pauline on TV and decided to put things right. He’s hardly been suffering in silence all these years.’

‘Wow. When did you get all cynical?’

‘When I had drugs planted in my locker.’

‘Chris.’ She reached across the table and placed a hand on top of his. ‘I know what they did to you is unforgivable, but this is a major step forward in trying to get Anthony out of prison.’

‘Did…’ Chris cleared his throat. ‘Did Stephen say anything else?’

‘About what?’

‘Well, if Tania did see Anthony on the night of the storm, then he’s definitely innocent. Did Stephen give any clue as to who the real killer might be? Anyone else on the radar?’

‘Oh. I didn’t think to ask. But surely, if there had been someone else on the radar, you’d have all known about it. Bishop certainly would have.’

‘Hmm,’ he mused.

‘What?’

‘Nothing. Anything for dessert?’

ChapterFifty-Four

It was another three weeks before Tania Dove contacted the police.