Free Guilty One by Lisa Ballantyne Page A

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 on to 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 Parklands House secure unit.’
    ‘God, that’s bleak. He’ll be the youngest one in there.’
    Daniel nodded, rubbinga hand across his jaw.
    ‘Who’s your silk – Irene’s a QC now, isn’t she?’
    ‘Yes, she got the nod. Made the silk list in March.’
    ‘I remember 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, apologising 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? 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 wantanything of hers.’
    ‘She has left you 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 seventeenth, if you wish to attend.’
    The breath almost didn’t carry his words, but he said: ‘I don’t have 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 funeral? I have left my details with your colleague, should you wish to get in touch.’
    ‘Very well. Goodbye.’
    Daniel hung up. He rubbed his eyes with forefinger and thumb then took a deep breath.
    Daniel had to change at Whitechapel and take the London Overground to Parklands House. When he emerged at Anerley, the street smelled of exhaust fumes and evaporated rain. Daniel could feel the sweat forming at his hairline and between his shoulder blades. The sky was low, pressing on him. It was Friday morning, just a day since the first hearing at Highbury Corner, and he was going to see Sebastian and his parents. Sebastian’s father had returned from Hong Kong and this was the first time Daniel would meet him.
    He felt strangely apprehensive about seeing the boy again, andmeeting his family. Daniel had not slept well. His morning run had been slow because he had been