Libby opened her mouth, but – to my surprise – it wasn’t to complain. Instead, she belted out, ‘I close my eyes, I’m almost there. My home is with me, everywhere.’

With a grin, I joined in.

‘I think of home,

Where I belong.

I dream of home

And I grow—’

Then there came the sound of wood splintering. Libby and I were instantly silent. Metal nails were dragged, creaking and grating, from old wood, the noise echoing round the basement.

Libby helped me to my feet before retrieving my excuse for a spade and handing it to me.

She stood beside me, her hand tightening round mine as we both stared up at the door. She needn’t have worried. I wasn’t about to let her go.

More wood splintering. The noise came from high up on the door, steadily working its way lower. After hours of nothing but our own whispered voices and the dull thud of our digging, the noises from above were raucous, shocking.

‘Quick, grab something,’ I hissed.

A moment’s confusion, then Libby nodded. Letting go of my hand, she reached for her improvised shovel. Primed and ready, we both watched the door as the sound of wood splintering intensified. Was more than one person working on removing the boards? It was hard to tell. All Libby and I could do was stand.

And wait.

thirty-six. Callie

I sat in my office, drinking in the solemn aspect: the leather and furniture-polish smell, the case files stacked on my desk beside my computer, representing all facets of life. I loved my office, with its small wooden desk tucked into one corner, and the large, leather-bound law books lining two of the four walls. This place was my home from home, my sanctuary of justice – but not for much longer. With my phone notifications and alerts except from Tobey, Mum and Jon switched off, I’d spent the last couple of hours handing over my forthcoming trial cases and bringing Simon and Nyota, the lawyers taking them over, up to speed. Every case on my desk had now been reassigned – except Tobey’s. Sol had made noises about ‘once I was exonerated blah blah’, but that’s all it was – noise.

Arrested—

My career was well and truly over and everyone in chambers knew it. The only reason I kept Tobey’s case was because I was his advocate of record. Standing up in court and declaring that I was Tobey’s lawyer meant I was now duty-bound as well as legally obligated to represent him, plus I doubted if Tobey would allow anyone else to take over from me. That said, it was time for a video call.

Tobey answered his private phone within a couple of rings. His smile was immediate. ‘Hey, Callie. What’s what?’

‘Tobey, did you have anything to do with me being arrested this morning?’ No preliminary pleasantries.