Buying the Virgin novel Chapter 93

ELIZABETH

Richard puts down his phone, addressing Corby. “Charlotte is quite right to be ‘upset’. The circumstances of how she and James met are well known to us all, and there are no outstanding issues. It is strictly a private matter between the two of them. You were invited here to interview her regarding the Blessingmoors investigation, a topic which she finds very difficult to discuss, and it was only with reluctance that she agreed to it. You have gone well past any possible remit you had, in what you have done so far.”

His phone rings. “Hello? Ah, yes, Will. Thanks for calling back... Yes, she’s here. Yes, so is he. We’re having some difficulties I’m afraid….” He holds Charlotte’s gaze for a moment, then alternates to James’. “I understood that the object of this interview was to learn anything that Charlotte could offer regarding the Blessingmoors’ investigation. Instead, it’s opened with an attempt to blacken James Alexanders’ name regarding the business with the auction house... Yes, that’s right… Yes… I’ll pass you over to him.”

He passes the phone to Corby, who puts it to his ear, then recoils as a voice blasts down the line at him. Pale-faced, he turns to Charlotte. “It seems that Commissioner Stanton prefers that I only question you regarding Blessingmoors…”

Charlotte says nothing, simply staring him down.

“Perhaps we could return to the other room and continue our discussion?”

“No,” she says. “I’m not discussing anything with you. Or with anyone else, for that matter. I want an assurance that no attempt is being made to damage James before anybody gets another word out of me.”

Richard raises his eyebrows, but hands steepled under his chin, says nothing.

Corby protests. “Miss Conners, I assure you….”

“Forget it.” she snaps. “And I want it in writing. And until I have that, you’ll get no cooperation from me.” She nods to Michael and James. “C’mon. We’re leaving.”

My husband calls her. “Charlotte, wait…. Please.”

She looks at him, her face lowered, but there is nothing subservient or submissive about her. Regarding him from under lidded eyes, she softens a little. “Alright, Mr Haswell. Since it’s you….”

He tilts his head in acknowledgement, then turns to Corby.

“I’d like you to leave, now. We’ll rearrange the interview for another day, and with another officer.”

Tight-lipped, Corby gathers his papers from the conference room and leaves.

Richard pauses, weighing up his words, then turns to Charlotte. “I promise you that I knew nothing about that.”

She nods. “I believe you, but you can’t give the guarantee I’m looking for, can you?”

He shakes his head, glancing over at James. “No, I can’t.”

She shrugs. “As I said, they’ll not get a word out of me right now. I don’t know where the Police thought they were going with that line of questioning, but until I have something in writing regarding James, that’s it.”

Richard nods thoughtfully. “Fair enough. I’ll get back to you when I’ve had a word with Will.”

*****

CHARLOTTE

My Master’s phone rings. “Yes? Oh hello, Richard. What can I do for you?” His gaze slips over to mine. “Yes, she’s here... I’ll pass you over.”

Wordlessly, he hands me the phone, then stands, arms folded, eyes downcast, but obviously listening in.

“Hello, Richard.”

“Hello, Charlotte. Listen, I’ve been talking with Will Stanton about what happened the other day. He’s not very happy, but there are protocols he must follow. The business with Jasmine Hardacre and her treatment after the auction opened a whole can of worms. Regardless of what the auction house promised regarding protection of the girls involved, clearly it didn’t happen, and the paper-pushers have responded by trying to attack anyone who had any involvement at all.”

“So…?”

“Will has your document prepared, guaranteeing immunity to James regarding the matter, and he is happy to give it to you, but he wants to talk with you first, face to face, so that he is covering himself. If he can discuss it with you in person, and you reassure him that James did nothing wrong, did not in any way abuse you, I don’t think there will be any problem. Are you prepared to do that?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good. In that case, I was going to suggest that, rather than an ‘interview’, we all simply meet at my home, say for dinner, and make it all much more informal. Will can ask you whatever he needs to, and you will have James and Michael, and for that matter, me and Elizabeth, on hand, if you need moral support. How does that sound?”

“It sounds fine, Sir. I’m quite happy to do that.”

“Good. Pass me back to James please.”

I return the phone to my Master, who nods a couple of times, then gives me a squeeze around the shoulders. “Tomorrow night, their place. Six pm.”

*****