Page 138 of One of Us Is Guilty

‘Remember, Vanessa, you can’t reveal anything about personalconversations you’ve had with your husband. No matter how much they push you. Just give them the answer we discussed.’

‘I’ve got it. Don’t worry. I’ve . . .’ she said, then paused, as if thinking about something, or weighing up a decision. ‘Wait, there’s something else. I can’t remember if I’ve told you about it or not. I guess in the beginning I was protecting him. I was afraid of him. But this time away from him, it’s made me think more clearly. I think Patrick gave Molly a really expensive gift, not long before she was killed.’

‘What kind of gift?’ I asked.

‘A diamond bracelet, in white gold. I found it hidden in his medicine cabinet one morning, not long before our anniversary. I thought he’d bought it for me, you know? So I didn’t say anything to him about it. But he never gave it to me. I got a purse for our anniversary, and dinner and a show. He was trying to make up for cancelling our anniversary party at the Hamptons house. There’s been so much happening I forgot all about it. I don’t know if it’s even relevant, but I remembered last night Patrick asked me if the police had mentioned the bracelet when they were questioning me. Again, I don’t know if it means anything. I just thought I should mention it while I remembered.’

Harry and I stared at each other for a moment.

‘There was no bracelet listed in Molly Green’s possessions, and there’s—’

‘I know, my DNA on her jewelry box, but I swear I’ve never seen or touched that box before.’

‘And you didn’t mention this before, because . . . ?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know. I’m sorry. I probably should have, but, like I said, I didn’t know if it was relevant. I’ve been so scared. You don’t know what it’s like living with . . .’

As she trailed off, she scratched at her right forearm, where she’d shown us the burn scars.

‘Okay, I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘I can ask about it. We don’t have thisbracelet to show him, and it could come back to bite us, Vanessa. Do you want me to ask about it?’

She nodded, said, ‘I think it could rattle him.’

‘Okay,’ said Harry. ‘Well, let’s go nail your husband.’

57

Patrick

Falling.

That’s what it felt like to Patrick, as he sat in the witness box, concentrating on Riley’s questions, focusing as hard as he could on answering him and keeping his statements short and to the point. He could have no fat on his words at all. His heels were pressing down hard on the wooden floor to help keep his posture upright, so he could look assured and confident.

But inside his feet were dangling as he fell through the air. His body was screamingdanger, danger, danger. . .

His mind began to wander, the adrenaline soaking his back with sweat. His collar was too tight, and his jacket too. Dear God, he hoped he wasn’t sweating through his jacket. This suit was professional, but perhaps a shade too light. Christ, he had to focus.

Listening hard to Riley’s questions, clinging to them, he felt as if his body was tumbling through open space.

This is how the old family friend, and his father’s former number two in the business, Boris Cherry, must have felt as he jumped off the top of his building. Maybe this was how Boris felt as his father fired him. Patrick could never forget that man’s face, his world crumbling around him.

‘Mr. Vanderpool, could you describe your relationship with your wife, the defendant?’ asked Riley.

Patrick put his hands on his knees and pressed down, rooting himself to the present, as he said, ‘We had no problems until this case. Vanessa was a very loving and supportive spouse. Since I learned of the evidence in this case, I could no longer be part of the marriage, so I instructed my lawyers to file for divorce.’

‘And are you legally divorced now?’

‘Not yet. It has to work its way through the courts, but the relationship is over. I couldn’t be with someone who could do something like this to anyone, never mind one of my campaign staffers.’

‘You believe your wife murdered Molly Green?’

‘Objection, Your Honor, pure speculation,’ said Vanessa’s lawyer.

Flynn had been quiet up to now. So much so that Patrick had almost forgotten he was there.

‘Move on, Mr. Riley,’ said the judge, with a sigh. Patrick formed the view that the judge had reluctantly taken Flynn’s point, but it was clear there was no love lost there.

‘The victim was a smart, attractive young woman, Mr. Vanderpool. Given your knowledge of your wife, is it possible that she was jealous of such a woman working in close proximity to you every day?’