Free The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantyne Page A

eyebrows at her. He could almost smell her gin and hear her sighs. Hold yer horses, I’m comin’, I’m comin’, she would say. The phone switched to answer phone. Daniel put the receiver to his chin for a moment, thinking. He didn’t have time for this. He hung up.
    Outside the window, he saw a runner, lean and wiry. Daniel watched him navigating the traffic and the pedestrians. He could see from his style and the length of his stride that he was making a good pace, but from this distance it seemed as if the man was running slowly. The trees shimmered at Daniel from behind the glass. He had been at the office since early morning and had not yet stepped outside to feel the grace of the sun on his skin.
    “You busy?” said Veronica Steele, Daniel’s senior partner, popping her head round the door.
    “What’s up?”
    Veronica sat on the arm of the couch, facing him. “Just wondering how you’re holding up.”
    Daniel threw a pencil down onto a pad that was covered with scribbles. He spun to face her, hands behind his head.
    “I’m all right.” Daniel sat back in his chair.
    “You’ve decided to stay with it?”
    “Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Not the best career decision, I’m sure. I know it’ll get messy. Half of me feels totally out of my depth and the other half wants to try and . . . save him?”
    “He’s pleading not guilty . . . ?”
    “Yes, sticking hard to his story. The mother is backing him up.”
    “Was it Highbury Corner you were at on Thursday?”
    “Yup, bail refused as predicted, so he’s been sent to the Parklands House secure unit.”
    “God that’s bleak. He’ll be the youngest one in there.”
    Daniel nodded, rubbing a hand across his jaw.
    “Who’s your Queen’s Counsel—did you say Irene took it?”
    “Yes, she got the nod. Did you hear? Made the QC list in March.”
    “Yes, I wrote to congratulate her.”
    “I was surprised she took this on, but she was even at the youth court. I’m so glad she did, though. We have a chance.”
    The telephone rang and Daniel picked it up, hand over the receiver, apologizing to Veronica.
    “Steph,” he said, “I asked you not to put through any calls.”
    “I know, Danny, I’m sorry. It’s just, it’s a personal call for you. He says it’s urgent. I thought I’d ask if you wanted to take it?”
    “Who is it?”
    “A lawyer from the north. He said it’s about a family member.”
    “Put him through.” Daniel sighed and shrugged at Veronica, who smiled and left the room.
    Daniel cleared his throat again. The muscles in his body were suddenly sprung.
    “Hello, is that Daniel Hunter?”
    “It is. Can I help you?”
    “My name’s John Cunningham, solicitor for Mrs. Flynn. Daniel, I’m sorry. I have some bad news for you. Your mother has passed away. I don’t know if you’ve heard . . . but she has left instructions—”
    “She’s not my mother.”
    Daniel couldn’t keep the anger out of his voice.
    There was silence on the line for a minute. Daniel could only hear his heart beating.
    “I understand Minnie . . . adopted you in 1988.”
    “Look, what is it? I’m actually about to go into a meeting.”
    “I’m sorry to disturb you. Possibly I could call another time? It’s just about the funeral and then there’s the matter of the will.”
    “I don’t want anything of hers.”
    “She has left her entire estate.”
    “Her estate .” Daniel stood up. He tried to laugh, but he only managed to open his mouth.
    “A simple funeral is being held on Tuesday the eighteenth, if you wish to attend.”
    The breath almost didn’t carry his words, but he said, “I don’t have the time.”
    “I see, but the inheritance—”
    “Like I said, I don’t want anything.”
    “All right, well, there’s no rush. I expect it’ll take a while to settle the house. I’ll be in touch again when—”
    “Look, I really don’t have time just now.”
    “Fine. Shall I call again on Wednesday, after the