The Silent Suspect by Nell Pattison (epub e ink reader .TXT) 📕

I really wanted to jump in there and ask Lukas what he’d meant when he talked to me in the hospital, and said he knew who had done it. Would he tell me with Sasha here, or would I have to try and get him on his own? I knew I couldn’t push it, because Lukas would probably be feeling pretty vulnerable straight after being released from prison, but I was anxious to find out what he’d been thinking that night.

Turning back to see if Sasha had got anywhere with him, I saw Lukas shift in his seat and begin to sign, so I moved closer in the hope that I could join the conversation.

There is something I need to show you, Lukas signed, pulling out his phone. He scrolled through, then held it out to Sasha. She frowned, then passed it over to me. It was a text message.

That’s your only warning.

I felt cold just reading it, and looked back at Sasha.

When did you get this? she asked him.

On the night Nadia died, he replied, hanging his head in despair. Someone killed her as a warning to me.

Why didn’t you tell the police about this? Lukas, this is evidence you didn’t do it.

I wasn’t as convinced as Sasha that it automatically proved his innocence, but I didn’t say anything. It certainly looked like Lukas was right, and that someone was trying to get to him.

Sasha started to ask him more questions, but I could see that Lukas was ready to shut down again. I put a hand on her arm to get her to slow down, and she took the hint.

Okay, Lukas, I just need to know one thing, she said. Do you know who sent it?

He shook his head, then turned to look out of the window. I could see tears in his eyes, and his hands were trembling. I didn’t know if I believed him, but I knew we couldn’t push him right now.

I need you to help me with something. Lukas turned back to Sasha suddenly, keen to change the subject. Caroline. She says I cannot see Mariusz. That I am a bad influence.

What does Mariusz say? Sasha asked. He’s old enough now that his opinion needs to be taken into account.

Lukas shrugged. She won’t let me talk to him. Told him not to answer my calls.

I wondered if Mariusz was ignoring his dad for another reason, and I watched Lukas for signs that he might be lying.

Has Mariusz been in any trouble himself recently? I asked. Sasha shot me a sideways look, but I thought it was a good time to try and find out how much Lukas knew.

Trouble? Lukas frowned at me. What sort of trouble? He is a good boy; he’s not getting into trouble.

I paused before I replied, wondering how best to word it, and how much to tell him. I’ve seen him hanging out with a gang of older lads, some of them adults, outside a house in Scunthorpe. During the day, when he should be at school. Does he do things like that a lot?

At this, Lukas’s eyes widened and I thought I saw a trace of panic in his eyes.

Why are you watching my boy? He hasn’t done anything.

Sasha put out a hand to calm him down. Nobody has been watching Mariusz; Paige just happened to drive past and see him. She was worried about him, with you being held by the police and not being there to support him.

Lukas hung his head. I am a bad father, not looking after my son properly. I should have been there for him. He looked up at me, determination in his eyes. I will speak to him, ask him about missing school. We’ll have a chat, father and son. If there is something he needs help with, I will help him.

I glanced over at Sasha, but I couldn’t read her expression. I didn’t want to upset Lukas, but equally I wanted to ask some of the questions that I’d been turning over in my mind. Knowing I might not get another chance, I went for it.

Lukas, someone told me that there were a lot of people hanging around outside your house for the couple of days before the fire, I began, deciding it was better to refer to the fire rather than Nadia’s murder. Who were they?

He shifted on his stool, avoiding eye contact with either of us. I don’t know. We have friends round sometimes. Maybe that was who.

The person I spoke to said they were mostly kids, teenagers. He looked uncomfortable but I pushed on. I wondered if it might have been the gang that Mariusz is hanging around with?

He shrugged. I don’t know who he hangs around with. I don’t meet all my son’s friends. Maybe some of them came by, but he was at Caroline’s house that week. If they came to look for Mariusz, he wouldn’t have been there. He looked away again, and I could tell there was something he was keeping back from us.

Did you know there was another fire? I asked. Lukas’s eyebrows went up, and I saw genuine surprise.

Where? he asked.

A house near yours, just a couple of streets away. Witnesses said there had been a group of kids hanging around outside that house, too. I paused and waited for Lukas’s reaction. I had half expected him to act puzzled, or perhaps get angry with me, but when he leant forward and grabbed my hand I could see fear in his eyes.

You must stop, he told me firmly. Stop this. Please. This has nothing to do with Mariusz.

Lukas, if this gang of his had something to do with the fire at your house, you need to tell the police.

No! He jumped up off his stool and came round the breakfast bar towards us, and I shied away from him. I will not tell the police. There is nothing to tell.

He looked towards Sasha, his expression imploring now. Please. You must stop.

Sasha looked