CHAPTER 17

Back at the Sutherland's house Rhys was talking to Inspector Carter.

"What do you mean he hasn't been charged yet!!What are you waiting for.He got away with raping my daughter and you're just hanging around here asking poor Kit a load of stupid questions!!"

"Mr .Sutherland , firstly we do not have any power over the outcome of a court case , thus in the eyes of the law Mr.Phillips has a clean record as far as the rape charge on your daughter is concerned.Secondly he remains in our custody until we are satisfied that there is no case to answer or there is enough reason to arrest him.Arresting him now would be premature.I bid you good night Mr.Sutherland."

When the policeman had gone Rhys turned to Scott.If they let him go after this I swear there will be no place for him to hide,Kirsty can't possibly remain with him after this.For the first time since it happened I regret that he made it after that beating,it would have been better if he had died.He needs shooting like a rabid dog!"

"I know what you mean Rhys.I was just getting used to having an almost normal working relationship with the guy and he does this!How sick is that, and to think we used to be mates!It's not enough what he did to Dani he has to attack my sister too.Thank god she had the guts to fight him off."

Just as he said that Dani walked into the room.

"What did you mean by that?" , she asked.

"Nothing.Just that thank god she wasn't raped , you know , managed to fight him off."

"Unlike me do you mean?" Dani asked in a frosty voice.

"I didn't mean it like that, I'm just relieved that he didn't manage to do to Kit what he did to you."

"I'm tired and I'm going to bed , are you coming?"

Dani asked Scott , she was trying so hard not to get upset , but the day had brought back so many horrid memories and she felt physically and emotionally drained.Also there was this nagging doubt about the whole business that was making her feel guilty about not fully supporting Kit.

"O.K darling" Scott replied , Kit's in Jade's room , she's exhausted.I can't believe how often those flaming cops made her answer the same questions.Over and over again.You'd think she was the criminal not flaming Kane."

"Maybe they have their reasons" , she thought to herself.

Rhys couldn't sleep.He had taken this harder than anyone else.All the hatred that he thought he was getting under control just bubbled to the surface again.He felt like a volcano liable to erupt at the slightest provocation.He sat in the dark and brooded thoughts of revenge and dark deeds on his mind.It was just as well they had kept Kane overnight at the police station because if they had let him go then Rhys would have probably killed him.He was beyond caring about the consequences ,he felt capable of murder and that scared him.

Rhys heard a creak on the stairs and the sound of someone making their way into the living room.Whoever it was did not want to be seen and did not turn on the lights.Rhys was in no mood for company so he sat silent and still on the sofa hoping that whoever it was would go back to bed.

Rhys heard the person pick up the phone and dial a number.He heard Kit's voice .

"Hi Josh , it's me.Listen I'm climbing up the walls here I really need some more of those pills, and some booze.I can't cope with the stupid cop's questions without them and I really need to see you too darling."

There was a pause while the person on the other end of the line answered.Whatever was said angered Kit.

"What do you mean you can't come over.Look we had a deal , you promised me those pills if I set Kane up.Do you want me to go to the police and tell them the truth.Tell them it was all your idea.I don't want to threaten you baby it's just I can't cope without the pills.You do love me don't you?"

Another pause.

"OK in an hour at the back door.Bye Josh darling, bye." 

Kit made her way back upstairs to get ready for Josh.She really believed he loved her and she wanted to look nice when he came round.Little did she know that as far as Josh was concerned she had served her purpose and he would be returning to the city as soon as he tied up his business deal.Hopefully by then Kane would be behind bars.

Rhys sat in the dark unable at first to grasp the enormity of what he had heard.It was all a set up.Josh had somehow manipulated Kit into lying.Kane was innocent.But he couldn't help thimking ,OK innocent this time , but what about when he got away with raping Dani?It had stuck in his craw when Inspector Carter had said "in the eyes of the law he has a clean record."But then again look at the terrible consequences last time he had tried to get his revenge, the guilt, the looks from his kids.Could he live with himself if he pretended that he had not heard that telephone conversation.

Rhys rose from the sofa , he had made his decision.