Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Ilem was steeling herself to face her father about what Grace was saying in that email, but she just couldn't, every time she got her nerve up enough someone was there and interrupted her so it was now or never. I enter her father's office, he was sitting at the computer oblivious to everything.
"Dad, can I talk to you for a second?
Her father didn't answer right away, but after he stopped typing he looked at her.
"Sure honey, what's up? Is it because of Ian, if that's it, don't panic? He's going to be fine or not, but don't be overwhelmed.
She sat in the chair in front of her desk, she never made sense of that office that her parents had at home.
It's not…it's about Mom.
"What about mom?
inquired her father. Why was it so hard to say right away?
"Nothing, it's just...
“Grace sent me an email the Friday that she disappeared to go to the library and I found it yesterday, it said that you were unfaithful to mom and she knew who the woman was, she was going to tell me that's why I went there that day.
Her father laughed but it was more like an involuntary tic than a real laugh.
"Honey, Grace was an unbalanced child, she wasn't right, don't believe anything she might have said. Don't be as silly as your brother, I know you have a little more gray matter up there.
Ilem got angry for Gabe, her father denigrated him for having fallen in love with Grace, but what could be done, the heart wants what it wants even if it's wrong.
"Dad I know it's true, mom and you were fighting long before Grace disappeared and I know she stopped the divorce papers because she doesn't want another scandal in this family.
Her father got up from the desk and sat in the chair next to her, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.
«Ilem your mother and I have problems, all adults have them and even more couples, it is true that we are no longer for each other as at the beginning, but that is part of growing up, you let go of things, your mother wants to close this stage of her life and I have nothing to do with it, she wants to grow and I want to let her do what she wants to do.
Ilem looked at him doubtfully, that seemed like a rehearsed speech rather than an explanation, yes; Lera was a strong and independent woman, but she never put her well-being above family, never that.
«Mom is not like that, she would never make a decision on a whim.
You haven't met your mother yet, honey. Well if that's all, I'm going to work and you have to go to school so walk.
She got up, but she felt that her father alone had made her dizzy with meaningless explanations.
I'm going to go to the police station with Gabe to see what's going on with Ian.
Her father turned to her and shook her head.
"But how dramatic they are both, the boy will be fine, it's not like there's really a case, I'm telling you, they both seem to be fans of lost causes.
Her father rushed out of there, leaving her behind with her head even more full of questions than at first, she shook off all the nonsensical answers and set out to find her brother to leave.
Gabe and ilem arrived at the police station; Marianna was there, she seemed to have aged five years more than she really had, when she saw them arrive she ran and hugged Gabe.
then he gave her a short hug.
« What is happening Meri?
Her brother asked Mrs. Martin.
"I don't know, honey, yesterday they didn't let us see him because they were taking statements from him and today Roland arrived early and he's talking to detective Figuera, they can't keep him here, he didn't do anything, I left him in Liverpool on Friday for the competition.
Ilem just watched everything, he didn't talk to Marianna, he was looking for Amanda among the officers but she wasn't there, maybe now she was with Ian for interrogation like they did to her, it felt bad that Ian was spending the night in a cell , ilem really wanted him to be innocent as he said.
She saw Roland walk out of the officers' offices, he looked angry. She knew that like her father Roland hers was also a lawyer.
"He was not in Liverpool at his hotel on Friday.
He said as soon as he got in front of them. Marianna began to deny and cry, Roland went over with the intention of hugging her but Gabe went ahead and hugged her.
«I don't understand Roland, I left him there, there is no way he was going back to Wraysbury so soon that the hours matched the recording.
This time it was Roland's turn to deny.
«I said it, but they allege that the time of the camera could be wrong and that if he does not say where he was or has a witness who alleges that he left the car at Gabe's house, he will be arrested until the case is more advanced.
Marianna cried more into Gabe's shoulder.
«I'm leaving, until you convince your son to speak there is nothing to do.
Roland walked away from them at that moment ilem remembered something and decided to speak.
«My sister Allin opened the garage for Ian, she told me, he is only fifteen years old and I don't know if they took her statement but she saw him leave the car.
Roland approached ilem with the slightest glimmer of hope.
«You think she can testify, I mean she won't freak out.
Roland asked ilem, but it was Gabe who answered.
«No, Allin is very brave, I'm sure she will want to help Ian, the two men looked at each other and smiled.
Well, I'd like to talk to his sister first. I can go to her house today if you don't mind preferably when her father is not there, talk to her mother so she can be the legal guardian of her sister, her father and I have some differences .
Ilem shook Roland's hand.
"Okay, Mr. Martin, we'll see you later.
Marianna moved closer to Gabe and began to speak rapidly and almost without meaning.
«Gabe talk to him, honey, tell him to say where he really was, I know he didn't.
«Calm down Marianna, I'm going to make him see reason, her brother entered the offices and ilem and Marianna stayed together.
Ilem observed Marianna for a moment, the woman couldn't be ugly even if she was disheveled and with a red face from crying, now she understood where Ian had obtained her beauty.
« How is this Lera, ilem?
Marianna asked out of nowhere trying to make conversation.
"She is fine; she worried about Ian just like everyone else.
That seemed to cut off the conversation between the two, Marianna couldn't look at ilem without seeing Lera, they were the same, maybe ilem was a bit darker, but they had the same features and seeing her there she couldn't help but remember all the damage she caused to Lera when they were both young. How ironic that now it was that family that she hurt so much without them knowing that she could save her son from this hell.
•••
Gabe walked down the aisle and bumped into Amanda, she was sitting on a bench like a grounded child in the corner. Gabe stopped and sat down next to her.
« What happens that you are not with him?
She sighed loudly as if to hold back any indiscreet words.
«I cannot be there Gabe, I am no longer on this case because I am very close to him. Figuera won't even let me watch the interrogations.
Gabe lifted Amanda's chin and forced her to look at him.
He didn't, well, you have to believe him now he needs us on his side not against him.
«You also think it was him, don't you?
Gabe released her face and got up from the bench.
"No, I know it wasn't him and there's no discussion about that.
Amanda also stood up looking straight into her eyes, they were both the same height.
"That's what you repeat to yourself so you don't feel like you're failing your best friend, but deep down you don't believe him, you didn't see the car when you got home either, he already told me everything too, and still That makes it hard for me to believe. You want all this to be clarified so don't lie to me Gabriel, not to me, I know you too well.
And how is he supposed to tell you if you can't see it?
She giggled almost sarcastically.
«Yesterday Figuera discovered me talking to him, and for that reason he asked me to stay out of the case, they took me out when they found out how close I was to the Fullers before, don't think I'm here doing anything Gabriel.
Just don't call me that, no one but my father calls me that, and I believe in Ian, if you don't, you'll see.
She walked away and opened the interrogation room door just in time to hear Detective Figuera scolding Ian.
«Are you going to keep telling us the same thing or are you going to tell the truth Martin, I can spend my whole life here, it's my job after all, I don't know if you also want to spend your whole life in jail.
Hearing the door they both turned to look at Gabe.
"So it's his turn now, Mr. Fuller? I hope you can make him see reason and confess, you have fifteen minutes for your visit.
Figuera went out and left them alone.