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Back I Know What I Saw Save as PDF
Chapters (59)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise for I Know What I Saw
  3. By the Same Author
  4. Dedication Page
  5. 1
  6. 2
  7. 3
  8. 4
  9. 5
  10. 6
  11. 7
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  53. 49
  54. Now read on for a preview
  55. 1
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  59. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

‘So, you tell us if we have it wrong. If someone else did this murder, tell us who. Tell us how he got in. This is your chance to put your side of the story.’

I don’t know what to do for the best. This interview is a mess. Whenever I say something it makes things worse. But I know each time I say no comment that a jury hearing it will think I am guilty, that I have no answers to give.

‘Okay, Mr Shute. Before we terminate this interview is there anything else you’d like to say to us?’

‘No. Just. I didn’t kill her. I didn’t do it,’ I say in desperation.

‘Then tell us what you know. Help us catch the killer. Surely you’d want to help catch the person who did this?’

‘Yes,’ I say.

‘So, come on, because at the moment we have no reason not to charge you with this. And there’s no reason for me to recommend bail on what little you have given us.’

Jan leaps out of her seat. ‘Officer Conway, that is improper and you know it. It’s a breach of PACE to offer any inducement for an interview comment,’ she says, leaning over the desk, stabbing her finger at Conway. The ferocity of her objection puts my eyes on stalks.

‘Wait. Hang on right there, you know that was not meant as an inducement—’ he starts, going pale.

Blake cuts in. ‘What DI Conway is saying is that it is your right to answer no comment. It is an ongoing right. And to be clear you are not being pressured to answer any questions. But this is your chance. He is right, we cannot recommend police bail in your case. The evidence is strong, Xander. Really strong. And you haven’t helped us with your defence. You show us why we have got it wrong and that could change whether we even charge you. But on what you have given us, you’re being charged with murder.’

Jan nudges me and I turn to see her shaking her head firmly.

I turn to look at Blake and although I know that she is not my friend, I sense that she is trying to give me a chance. I don’t know whether I can survive the walls of a prison when even the walls of Seb’s beautiful house feel like a prison. I take a breath and try to slow down the thoughts in my head.

‘No comment,’ I say.

38

Thursday

They charged me with murder. Jan left. Now I’m here in a police cell, knowing only that there’s an emergency bail hearing tomorrow, Friday, at Southwark Crown Court.