‘I think you should go now, Mrs Wright. I don’t feel well.’

‘What was Wren depressed about? Even before Olivia killed herself. He was different. Why?’

He looked away. ‘I don’t know. He was different, sure, but he wouldn’t talk about it to us.’ His eyes shifted away. ‘It’s what happened, ask Wade. Please leave, Mrs Wright.’

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she knew it was time to go. She left, running down the driveway to her car. She still didn’t have all she needed, but she was close.

She headed to Wade’s house, determined not to take no for an answer this time. She knew Justin was lying about something, she just didn’t know what or why.

Mark called her on her way to Wade’s place.

‘Did you get what you needed?’ he asked.

‘No. He’s lying to me. I need to find out why.’

‘Anything I can do to help?’ It was nice that someone was being helpful for a change.

‘Not yet, but I’ll let you know.’ It was surreal to think that one day she may rely on Mark, need him.

She drove to the Fox household and knocked loudly on the door. Phillipa opened it, her face falling as she saw who was on her doorstep. ‘Vanessa, what are you doing here?’

‘I need to talk to Wade.’ She pushed past Phillipa and barged inside.

‘You can’t just come in here!’ she replied, outraged.

‘What are you protecting him from?’ Vanessa demanded, striding down the hallway.

She threw open the door and startled Wade. ‘Mrs Wright,’ he said, looking around guiltily. ‘What do you want?’

‘I want to know why Wren was depressed in the weeks before he died. He was unwell before Oliva killed herself and it only got worse afterwards.’

‘Maybe ask Justin.’

‘I did, he said to talk to you.’

‘He did?’ Wade asked, surprised. He threw back the cover awkwardly with one hand, his other wrist in a cast. He looked like he was going to piss his pants. ‘I don’t know anything,’ he mumbled.

‘Wade, why didn’t Justin try to stop the car from hitting the tree after allegedly swerving to miss a deer?’

‘He swerved to miss it; he didn’t have time to brake. It all happened so fast.’

He had been coached. It was identical to what Justin had said. ‘Vanessa!’ screamed Phillipa. ‘Get out of my house now or I will call the cops.’

Vanessa backed away. ‘I know you’re lying, Wade, I just don’t know why,’ she said quietly. ‘But I’ll find out.’ She walked down the hallway and out to her car.

Disappointed, she drove to Ryan’s house. She needed a glass of wine and didn’t want to be judged at home by Maggie for her drinking. She should be worrying about it too, but it was just a coping mechanism – God knows she needed one. She was barely hanging on as it was. She had slightly more information than before, but it wasn’t enough. Ryan let her in and poured her a glass immediately. She took a grateful sip.