Deconstructing Bridges

Chapter Twenty

Forty-five minutes later, five people filled the living area, which had indeed been cleared of any evidence that they'd shared a dinner together that night. Rose didn't know if the others knew that he had spent yet another night in the apartment, though that wouldn't have been an odd occurrence. He'd been at the apartment practically constantly since his kind action of shoving her family's murder photographs in her face.

Bastard, she scowled as she leaned back in the leather one-seater. Eddie and Parker both sat on the leather couch across from her, while Matthew stood leaning against the wall to her right.

She avoided him as best as she could, instead turning to Krause who sat to her left in a wicker dining chair, his notebook balanced on his lap.

"We were glad to hear you're willing to talk to us," Krause began, oblivious to the tension which shimmered in the air. Perhaps everyone really was unaware, she pondered. People often didn't see what was plain in front of them.

"Owen is still reluctant to tell us much. He only mentioned that his paths crossed briefly with you while he was working in Newcastle, and that he couldn't remember too much because it was five years ago."

"That's bullshit," she muttered and he chuckled.

"I figured as much. So what really happened?"

With a sigh, Rose clutched the extra-large coffee cup they had delivered, fixing all of her focus on the lawyer.

Owen Lindfield and Nichole Lawson had met through a study camp when they were both fifteen, and they had soon become fast friends. Socially they spent no time together, but in the classroom and library they always studied relentlessly. They had an easy relationship, taking notes for each other and always setting up study dates before exams. He was great at recalling details, and her strength was practical application. Together, they helped each other keep their results high enough to be worthy of their scholarships, and scholarship averages high.

When in year eleven, she had met his brother for the first time. Wallace Lindfield had put her on edge from the start, his entire demeanour was that of a domineering, rebellious character which was in complete contrast to the quiet, studious Owen she respected so much. He had made her feel uneasy whenever he was around, and she had not wanted to say anything to her friend, but her heart always sank when Wallace was home.

Then she had come into contact with Freddie.

She had known who he was, of course. Frederick Marshall, then in his mid-twenties had been trying to make a name for himself in the relatively small town, and had become a known presence in many circles. Though everyone knew him, he was neither loved nor despised. He was simply a character they weren't sure of yet.

"Freddie and Wallace were close friends. They were always together, though it seemed like a strange fit. Wallace was a labourer working with a construction company, and Freddie was trying to make inroads with the town council. Then he changed course, and began working for Wallace's company, though on the corporate level. He began subcontracting out. He had multiple meetings with my father about a partnership. I didn't know it had gone through until after... everything. But he was everywhere, whenever I came home for a weekend. If I went to Owen's place to study, he was there hanging out with Wallace. When I was at my own home, he was there having another meeting with my father."

Matthew was standing stiff as a board. She could see him out of the corner of her eye, and she could see just how tensely he was holding himself. Crazily she wanted to go and hold him, tell him to relax, but then she remembered she was meant to be hating him.

Yes. I hate him.

"Freddie asked me over a couple of times. He and Wallace were always inviting me to their shindigs, and I always said no. Wallace gave me a bad vibe, and I could tell Owen didn't like it when they talked to me, so I steered clear. As we went into year twelve, I had less time at home. I spent more weekends in the city either studying at school or working casual jobs. Over that final year, Owen began to change. He became more withdrawn, less willing to study alongside me. When we went back home, he stopped inviting me over. Freddie would often see me and say that I should go over, because they were having a great time and Owen was finally joining in, but Owen always made it clear he didn't want me there."