Liar Liar

122

It was late now and Charlie wasn’t welcome. She hadn’t expected Thomas Simms to answer the door and she had her speech ready, justifying her intrusion on this most difficult of days. But it was cutting no ice with Thomas Simms’s sister, who seemed determined to deny Charlie access, despite her insistence that her business here was both professional and urgent.

‘Mary, it’s ok. I know her and it’s fine.’

Just as the stand-off had threatened to become vocal, a visibly exhausted Thomas Simms intervened, ushering Charlie into the house. Luke was still up, chatting to his grandmother, who seemed to be running the show in a kind and caring manner. Charlie felt bad having to wrench him away from her, but she had no choice. This was too important to duck, despite the terrible timing.

Charlie quickly brought father and son up to speed but, not for the first time, Thomas Simms just looked stunned by the latest developments.

‘I’ve never heard of Naomie Jackson.’

‘Are you sure you haven’t seen her? Hanging around? Walking past the house? Have another look at the picture.’

‘I don’t recognize her,’ Thomas replied wearily. ‘I don’t know the part of town where she lives… I just don’t know her.’

Charlie nodded and handed the photo to Luke.

‘How about you, Luke?’

Helen had dispatched Charlie straight to the Simms house following the conclusion of her interview with Naomie Jackson. Charlie knew that across town Sanderson was asking the exact same questions of the Harris family. The case against Naomie looked good, but their weak spots were the Simms and Harris fires, where there seemed to be no specific motive beyond jealousy and spite. Any extra bite that the Simms or Harris families could give them now would pay dividends later. They needed a more concrete link than the fact that Naomie had called in both fires.

Luke Simms looked at the photo intently, then his expression lifted and he handed it back to Charlie, shaking his head.

‘I’ve not seen her before.’

‘Are you sure, Luke?’

‘Do you think I wouldn’t tell you if I did? Do you think I want whoever did this to go free?’

His tone was suddenly harsh, but immediately he retreated.

‘I’m sorry, it’s been a tough day…’

‘I know.’

‘I just… I just don’t recognize her. I wish I did.’

Charlie had been hoping for more than this, but she believed him. She believed both of them. Which left Charlie with an uneasy feeling. What were they missing here? And what would it cost them?