Hostile Witness

My head hurt¦I was shivering, despite being wrapped in two thick blankets. Tea spilled from the mug in my hand.

The tubby policewoman frowned, "You know, ma'am, finding a dead body is a nasty shock for anyone ' you should drink some of that tea and you'll feel better.

I didn't think anything could possibly make me feel better, ever again.

"I'm trying, I whispered.

My nose was running; I couldn't care less.

"Have you contacted Giles ' Mr Symonds - yet? I asked, "He travels a lot and Dee says¦said¦he forgets to turn on his cell phone¦and the children ' what about the children?

"That's in hand, ma'am and someone from Family Liaison has gone to the school to break the news. Sarah and Tom, isn't it?

"Thomas, he's always called Thomas.

"Right you are then ' don't you worry about anyone else, it's all under control.

More tears flowed, "Poor Giles ' he left for work this morning and everything was normal¦now his wife is dead. Poor Giles¦ poor Sarah and Thomas¦ I was rambling.

She handed me a tissue,

"But it can't have been normal, can it, ma'am ' not if Mrs Symonds was planning to do herself in, just as soon as the kids had left for school?

I didn't like her attitude, but when I closed my eyes to shut her out, all I could see were the deep gashes in Dee's white wrists, as they floated in bloodied water.

"What's your name?

She took out her notebook, "Constable Stephens, ma'am. You can call me Sheila, if you want. Now, did you actually see Mr Symonds leave the house this morning?

"Err¦well no, not that I remember¦I just assumed.

Sheila's lips pursed, "I see, ma'am.

Someone rapped on the back door and entered my kitchen ' I lacked the energy to turn around to see who it was.

"Callie?

I knew that voice¦ I looked up to see David eyeing me with concern.

Sheila sprang to her feet, "Hello, Sir. Mrs Ashton is very shaken, but refuses to go to hospital to be checked over.

"Thanks constable ' Callie and I are friends, I'll take over in here. I'm sure there's something useful you could be doing elsewhere?

She bristled, "Sir, then stomped out the door.

"Why are you here David?

He blushed, "Ah¦ I didn't tell you before, Callie, I'm a detective. A streak of crimson highlighted each cheekbone.

"Oh¦I see.

He went to the sink and ran cool water to bathe my face.

As he gently pushed the hair back from my forehead I said "Thanks, that feels good. I closed my eyes, but was immediately back in next door's bathroom discovering a body, so I opened them again. "Why are you here? Dee committed
suicide, didn't she? I felt so tired I could hardly focus on him.

"Probably, but we attend any unexpected death as a matter of course, to be on the safe side. I happened to be in the area, when the address came over the radio.

"Right.

I refused the offer of another tea, while he made himself a coffee.

Taking the chair opposite mine, he asked, "I expect you've already told other officers everything you know, but would you mind going over it one more time for me, please?