Chapter 11
…
Matt, Ang and the team were all in the main office when Ron and Natalie walked in together, Ronnie still grinning from ear to ear which Matt couldn't help but find adorable in his best mate. Ronnie took a seat at his desk beside Matt as Natalie stood at the evidence board, everyone's attention on their governor.
"Al-right everyone, now that I have your attention, I have some new information to share with you all. Before I came in this morning I went to see Joy at the lab, she had concerns after she spoke with Ronnie the other day regarding who might have killed Leah."
"Hang on, what do mean. Ron? You don't think Harden did it?"
"I'm not sure Mattie."
"You are kiddin' me, he was having an affair with her, his wife finds out, he panics and kills her."
"Mattie, there is no physical evidence that he was even there."
"SHE WAS RAPED RON?"
"Boys?" Natalie warned.
"I know that Mattie, but it doesn't mean he did it."
"I hate to say it Matt but Ronnie's right, evidence is the one thing we need and right now, we're short of it."
Matt sat in his chair, anger on his face as he folded his arms in front of him.
"Right everyone, the one thing I was trying to tell you before this, is that when I went to see Joy first thing. She re-examined Leah's boy and she found small traces of perfume on her skin."
"Well that's not unusual, most young girls wear perfume." Matt added.
"Yeah I know that DS Devlin." Natalie glared at him.
"Sorry Guv."
"Joy tested the perfume and she says its very expensive stuff, not the type a young girl like Leah or even her parents could even afford to buy her. We're talkin' about £90 bottles here for this stuff."
"So the perfume on Leah must belong to someone she came in to contact with?" Matt asked.
"Yeah."
"Like the killer?" Ron asked.
"You really think a woman did this to Leah, she was raped."
"I know Ang, there are ways and means."
"Suspects?" Matt asked.
"Well let me put it this way, I wouldn't discount Catherine Harden as a potential suspect?" Natalie added.
"You really think the wife did this, she has a kid of her own. You really think she'd do something like this to someone else's?" Matt asked.
"Mattie listen, Catherine Harden isn't thinking like a mother right now, she's just found out her husband's been having an affair with a schoolgirl, to her Leah's just another mistress that Catherine Harden has to contend with." Ron said.
"And maybe this time, it's pushed her further than ever before and young Leah has paid the price."
"Jesus." Was all Matt said.
"It's not concrete yet, but it's certainly something we have to look in to, okay?" Natalie stated.
"Sure thing Guv."
"Back to work everyone."
…
Alesha was at her desk when James walked in, putting down his briefcase on the desk, Alesha straightened up, getting to her feet and coming over to James desk, her arms folded in front of her, giving James a look he couldn't read.
"Morning." He said.
"Not for you?"
"What's up?"
"You lied to me."
"Alesha I…"
"Visus my butt, James how could you."
"Look I'm sorry okay."
"Oh you're sorry, well that makes it okay then."
"I'm not really sure why I should be apologising to you here."
"Because you lied to me about Natalie."
"With reason, look I'm sorry you're angry but Natalie is my best friend Alesha, she told me something in confidence and I had to respect her wishes. This was a big thing to happen to her, she was scared and in a panic about how Ronnie would react. She wanted my help and to confide in me, I won't apologise for that, not even to you."
Alesha unfolded her arms, her defence going down as she willed her body to relax.
"I'm sorry James, you're right. I was just really worried about Natalie, I'd like to think I'm her friend too."
"Alesha you are, it's just…"
"You're closer?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"I get it, she's lucky to have you."
"Like wise."
"You ready for court today?"
"I am, I was getting the rest of my closing ready this morning."
"I'll head down there with you then, drinks after?"
"Yeah why not."
"Maybe invite the others along too."
"Not a bad idea actually, I don't think Ronnie likes me very much."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Well put it this way, every time he walks in to Natalie's office, I have my arm around her, bad timing usually."
"Yeah you're right, he hates you." She laughed.
"It's not funny Alesha."
"Don't worry about it, once he gets to know you better, you'll be the best of friends."
"You think so?"
"Sure, he likes me doesn't he?"
"You're easily likeable."
"Oh thanks, come on, we better not be late."
James grabbed his stuff and followed Alesha out.
…
To Be Continued…