Confrontation
Matt walked into the interview room with Ronnie close behind. He knew Ronnie didn't understand why Emma would only talk to him. If he was honest he really didn't get it either.
"For the benefit of the tape. It is 3:49 DS Matthew Devlin and DS Brooks have entered the room. Emma, you wanted to talk to me."
"Yeah." She sniffed.
"Ok. Talk."
"Not in here. Not on record."
"Emma." Ronnie sighed. "You wanted DS Devlin ere, now e is. Stop playing games Luv, I'm not getting any younger."
"And can he be kicked out?"
"No." Matt leant on the desk. "No more games. You confessed to murder. Bit more serious than shoplifting which you also have a conviction for. That and theft, assault, ABH. You're not exactly a novice at police questioning. In fact it was Susan you were prosecuted for assailing."
"Yeah."
"You beat her to a pulp!"
"Five years ago!"
"And she had you back? Not exactly hard to believe you took it a step further and killed her!"
"No!"
"You confessed to her murder. In this building, you arrived of your own accord and confessed to DS Brooks and DS Hawkins now why do that if you're innocent?"
"I need to be locked up. Safer on the inside."
"If you didn't kill her, then who did?" Ronnie asked.
"That man."
"Narrows it down to half the population." Ronnie snapped.
"I dunno his name. Susie never said. Big bloke, card round to the flat. I thought she had a thing for im. Used to tease her."
"Hardly, Emma she came out at 15 years old. Not easy in those days when you went to a catholic school." Matt stared at her. Emma couldn't look away. "There's no way she was interested in men."
"Everyone in school thought she was either with you or that Pete."
"Twenty odd years ago. For the record neither of us were."
"The three amigos. She said her Dad called you three that. She adored your little sister."
"I'm not interested in back when we were kids. I know all that. I want to know why you say you killed her, when we have evidence you didn't. Or if you did and are now trying to pass the blame onto someone else. Spit it out, because my colleague here thinks you're lying through your teeth and I'm inclined to agree." Ronnie glanced across at Matt. He was worried about the younger man. It was well known that Matt was the most loyal person on the team. He was also the one best at hiding how he felt. It was rare to see him openly angry.
"Emma." Ronnie spoke calmly. "Just tell us the truth. What happened that night?"
"We had split up. Me and Sue. She couldn't handle my temper anymore. That's why she was in the council flat. I wasn't supposed to know where she was. I followed her one day."
"Ok, so you went to the flat?"
"Yeah. When I got there she's dead already. She's on the floor. I didn't know what to do. I killed her."
"How? You just said she's dead?"
"It was my fault she was in the bloody flat in the first place!" Emma yelled.
"Ok. But we can't charge you on that. You said it was safer if you were locked up. Why?" Matt swallowed hard.
"He wasn't there but I found this." She pulled a piece of paper from he pocket. "Didn't give it in when I was put in the cell. I took it and ran."
Ronnie picked the paper up and read aloud. "A handwritten note. Blue biro, in capital letters. Two down one to go? You think it's you?"
"Or Matt but I ain't taking chances." Matt pushed his chair away from the table and left the room as Ronnie concluded the interview before following.
Xxxxxx
"Bloody Hell!" Kate snapped as Alesha closed her eyes. "What was that about?" Both women stared at the monitor as Natalie narrowed her eyes.
"Some sick bastard wants Matt dead." Natalie huffed. "The three amigos - fist Peter then Susan now Matt." Alesha glared at the screen.
"No." The door to the room opened as Ronnie walked in. "Matt?"
"Thought he was with you?" Alesha spoke.
"No." Ronnie and Natalie glanced at each other. Matt always went to the viewing room after an interview. He always wanted the opinion on what he might have missed. Kate rested a hand on her baby bump, wishing Jake, George or Henry were there. She had no idea what to say.
"Ok." Alesha pushed herself away from the desk. "We know she didn't kill Susan, we know she knows of Matt through Susan and that there was a note."
"It's gone in evidence store." Ronnie answered. Natalie ran a hand over her face.
"Right, Ronnie you find Matt. Angie and Sam can organise door to door. See if anyone else saw Tattoo Man and Joe can go through CCTv. James? Do we have enough to prosecute her?"
"I think so." James nodded. "Not murder. Not yet. We can go with obstruction, possibly also perverting course of justice. I want to see her record too. Kate? Can you organise that?"
"No problem." Kate was glad to have a job. She quietly left the room. "Alesha?"
"Research. I know." She checked her mobile before leaving the room. Moments later Natalie and Ronnie were alone.
"Ron?"
"You ok, Guv?"
"Yeah. You think Matt is at risk? Really?" Natalie looked at Ronnie as he nodded.
"That note is designed to make us think that." Ronnie closed his eyes. "Why him? Ain't that lad ad enough to put up with? What's e done wrong?"
"Nothing." Natalie stepped closer to him, resting a hand on his arm. "Matt hadn't done anything to deserve this. Life just isn't fair."
"True." Ronnie agreed. "If it was Id av asked you out years ago." Natalie smiled. "I know, not at work. I'll look for Matt."
"Keep an eye on him. Something tells me he isn't going to cope with much more." Ronnie nodded. He knew she was right.
Xxxxxx
A/N please review. Is anyone reading this? Is Matt in danger or is Emma lying? Let me know what you think.
