Web of Lies

CHAPTER 2 THE ARREST

CHAPTER 2

THE ARRESTAt home, Jamie rushed into her bathroom and stared into the mirror. Her red hair was pulled into a dishevelled ponytail, her strong brown eyes reflected exhaustion, and her hunched shoulders weighed down by a difficult day in the ER made her shortness of stature appear even smaller. Liz often mentioned that Jamie had a regal beauty and dimples on both cheeks which enhanced her smile, but today she wasn’t seeing it. She wished she was as beautiful as Liz and Bella, not to mention her newer friends, Gabriella and Joy. They were tall and slim with bright eyes and movie-star features.

Jamie bent down and washed her face, scrubbing it hard after her draining day. That poor girl who had been assaulted died on the operating table. Police officers had briefly questioned her about the girl’s injuries. The search for identity and crime investigation would be passed on to detectives. No doubt more questioning would be coming. All Jamie wanted to do was forget the state of that girl.

The poor girl had been sexually assaulted multiple times and endured days of torture. The evidence was all over her body. No. She would not go there. Poor Diana had been a right mess after she had pronounced her time of death, but they tried everything. Her injuries were extensive. Jamie had put all her efforts into saving her, but it was futile. The girl was doomed from the start.

Jamie headed into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. Taking a sip, she walked over to her grey couch and sank into the softness of the fabric. Her loft-style house gave her comfort after treating the wounded, and she enjoyed coming home to her ultra-modern home with its cathedral ceiling, surrounded by prominent art pieces hanging on the wall. The house had open, bare windows with a view of the city skyline, plush rugs in the living room and bedrooms, a SMART TV, and glass cabinets circling a surround-sound stereo system. All the finer things which Jamie could afford, given that she appreciated art and modern furniture design. She had been to art gallery exhibitions with Bella and her colleagues and had spent a small sum on the art in her home. If she had not become a doctor, she would have become an artist or curator, or even opened her own art gallery.

Jamie walked through timber-framed double doors that led into a courtyard and large backyard with an immaculate-looking lawn and tall trees. The home was ideal with easy access to schools, parks, and shops, and she hoped that one day she would find that special someone she could trust to share it with.

She sat back on a grey outdoor mesh chair, her mind returning to the young girl who had died. The poor girl had no known identification, so she must have been a runaway. Who could hurt such a young person in the prime of her life in such a sadistic manner? Only someone who was truly evil, with no conscience.

The ringing of her phone brought her back to the present as she rose and headed back inside the house, retrieving her phone from the coffee table. “Hello.”

“Jamie, it’s Marco. Are you sitting down?” Marco was Bella’s fiancé and had helped her friend with a stalker a couple of years back when Bella had almost died. He was the best detective she knew.

A chill ran down her spine. “Hi, Marco. What is it?” The few seconds of silence was unnerving while she waited.

“It’s your father, Jamie.” His pitch changed. “He’s been arrested.”

She could not have heard correctly. It had to be a mistake. Ignoring her shallow breathing, she asked, “What did you say?”

“I am sorry, Jamie, but your father has been arrested for murder, and you’ll need to come down to the station to answer a few questions.”

She flinched and her vision blurred. Sitting back down on the couch, she swallowed. This could not be real. Her father would never intentionally hurt anyone. He might have been an absent father, but he wasn’t a killer.

She held a palm up as if to stop further disturbing news. “I will leave now.”

“Oh, and Jamie. You are not alone in this. We are here to support you all the way. You’ll need all the support you can get. Bella is at a late meeting, but I will let her know.”

Jamie could not see straight, her head spinning again. A numb sensation permeated her body as she stood, zombie-like in the spot. She had to be dreaming, but Marco’s voice was real. “Sure, Marco. Thanks for letting me know.” She bowed her head and fought back tears. Emotions would not help her at this stage, and she needed to be strong for her family, as she had always been. Crying had never got her anywhere before, and she was not about to start now.

***

Jamie slowed her steps as she made her way to the front counter at the police station. Her legs felt heavy and shaky as she peered at the bright-eyed police officer who towered over her. “I am here to see Detective Marco Petrazini.”

“Take a seat and I will let him know you’re here.” He left his position and headed towards the back cubicles.

Jamie stood in the waiting area, her mind reeling at the news. What had her father done to make the police think he had killed someone? More importantly, who did they think he killed? She grew up with an absent father who was always working and made his family rich, but he had never abused her or her mother. He had never shown anger or violence. It had to be a mistake. Surely, they would have called her mother, or maybe she had already been here.

She looked up at Marco heading towards her with a worried look in his eyes. Behind him was another man she didn’t recognise. Where was Tim, his partner? “Hi, Marco. Where is my Dad?”

His eyes darkened. “He’s in custody at the moment.” He turned to the young man of average height with a solid but slim build and short, crew-cut. His strong, dark brown eyes pierced her own with curiosity. “This is Detective Senior Constable Angelo Ricci. He is replacing my partner Tim, who has taken long-service leave for the next few months.”

Angelo watched her closely and put out his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Ms Porcelinn.” His body posture stiffened. “I am sorry about your father.”

Jamie shook his hand, ignoring the tingles in her stomach. “Hello, Detective.” She immediately turned away from his strong gaze.

They headed into an interview room where she sat opposite Marco and Angelo. Her hands shook underneath the table as she avoided their gazes.

After all the housekeeping details, Angelo started with the questions. He cleared his throat. “Ms Porcelinn, I understand you treated an unidentified teenager this morning for multiple wounds and injury? One who later died?”

Jamie was taken aback. “Yes, but what does that have to do with my father?”

Angelo frowned, his face softening. “Your father was arrested for the murder of your patient, Ms Porcelinn.” Her heart raced as beads of sweat rose to line her forehead. She would not break down in front of this stranger. She would not. He fiddled with a pile of papers and looked back up. “When was the last time you saw your father?”

Jamie pondered. “Over a week ago. I had dinner at my parents’ house. I only speak to my father once a week, either by phone or at dinner. Sometimes, he can’t come because of work, so my mum and I have dinner alone.” She exhaled. “But my father would never intentionally hurt anyone, Detective. This has to be a mistake.”

Angelo wrinkled his brow. “We have compelling evidence that deems him to be a suspect. Of course, we’ll be continuing our investigation until we get to the actual truth, and he has a lawyer assisting him. But at this stage, he might be facing a trial.”

Jamie shook her head. “What evidence do you have?”

He looked over at Marco, who had been quiet. “I am afraid we can’t divulge the evidence. But we have questioned your father with his lawyer present. His lawyer has applied for bail which will be decided on by the court, given the seriousness of the charge. Your mother has seen him, and unless he is accepted for bail, you won’t be able to see him at this stage.” She trembled. “He’s happy with that arrangement and said he is too ashamed to see you anyway. The bail decision will take at least one to three weeks, and you can speak to him at such time.”

Marco intervened. “Listen, Jamie. We will do everything we can to investigate this thoroughly, but you need to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario.”

Jamie nodded. “I understand, but you have it all wrong. My father is not a murderer.”

Marco sighed, a shadow spreading across his face. “We will look further into this and get to the truth, Jamie.” He leaned back. “And there are some things you’ll need to speak to your father about. His lawyer, who I understand is also a friend of the family, is with your mother now. You’ll need to work through specific personal issues with him.”

Jamie moved in her seat. “What personal issues?”

Marco averted his eyes. “Something private, which you can talk to him about. It’s all I will say at this stage until I can share more relevant details.”

Angelo clasped his hands together. “Ms Porcelinn, I have a few more questions for you, and then you’re free to leave.”

Jamie waited with bated breath, filled with nausea. This had to be a nightmare she would soon wake up from, and if there were personal issues, what were they?