Voice of Truth (Sequel to Voice of Reason)

Chapter Four: Worries, Explanations, and Conditions

Alec directed me to a cute cottage out in the middle of nowhere. As we walked up the pavement, Claire met us at the door.

"Hi." She greeted quietly, before leading us into the house.

"You shouldn't have come earlier." Alec said, as we followed her into the kitchen. He took his coat off, folding it over the back of the kitchen chair.

"I know, it was stupid."

"Yeah, it bloody was. Don't do that sort of thing. People don't know you're here and for good reason." Alec crossed around the table, leaning on the counter beside her.

"Alright, I said I was sorry! Its just I was spooked by those calls and I...I needed you." They looked at each other for a long while, which caused me to furrow my eyebrows. I cleared my throat.

"We stick to what we agreed." Alec said finally.

"Promise me I'm safe, Alec."

"I've told you, everything's ok," He said, "Especially now that we've got Diana on board."

"So you're staying?" She asked.

"No, I've got things to do."

"I don't like being here by myself at the moment."

"Stop worrying."

"You don't know what he's capable of."

"I do," Alec assured her, "I've got it covered."

"Sorry..." I said, holding up a finger and causing both of them to look at me. "Yeah, hi, still here, still have no idea what's going on or who you're talking about."

"I'll explain later." He told me.

"Gee, where have I heard that before?" I asked. He looked at me exasperatedly, and  returned his look with a sarcastic one of my own.

"You're incredibly irritating, you know that?" He asked.

"Oh. You're breaking my heart, Alec Hardy." I said, once again dripping with sarcasm. He sighed, looking back to Claire.

"We'll be back soon. Promise." She sighed, but nodded and Alec shot me a look that told me to follow him out. I smiled and nodded at Claire before following him out the door.

"Ok, why can't you explain this to me now?" I asked.

"Because I need to explain it to Miller too, and I don't want to have to go through it twice." I sighed, my mind reeling as we got outside. I grabbed his arm, stopping him. "What? What's wrong?"

"Alec, I...I'm going to ask you this once, and only once, and...if you say no I'll drop it and I'll never bring it up again." He furrowed his eyebrows. "Is there now or was there ever something going on between you and Claire?"

"My gosh, Diana!" He exclaimed, stalking towards the car.

"Its a valid question, Alec! You drop off the map for months and then I find out you've got some secret woman holed up here that you won't tell me anything about! And don't say I'm being stupid because mates don't make prolonged eye contact like you two did." He stopped walking, turning to face me. "Just answer the question!"

"No!" He exclaimed. "I thought that would've been obvious." I raised my eyebrows.

"Would it have?" I asked. He sighed again. "You know what, never mind. Forget I brought it up." I walked to the driver's side, opening the door, only to have Alec push it shut again. "You know, its super annoying when you do that."

"I'm sorry," He said quietly, looking down at the ground before meeting my eyes. "I'm sorry for all of this, alright?" I sighed, looking down at the ground.

"This is all going to get worse before it gets better, you realize that, don't you?" I asked. "With the trial and whatever is going on here, I...we're not out of the storm, Alec. We've barely even begun." He nodded.

"I know." I lightly grabbed his suit jacket.

"I need to know that we're ok and that we are going to stay that way," I whispered, "Even if nothing else is." He nodded.

"We're ok. I won't leave you again. I swear." I nodded and he leaned down, pressing his lips to my forehead.

~~~Maggie~~~

I knocked on the sliding glass door, peering in to see Jocelyn with headphones on. She glanced over, but then just stayed where she was, so I got the spare key and let myself in.

"Its boiling in here," I told you, "You've got all the radiators on, its the most gorgeous day. Oh for goodness sake."

"Stop it," She groaned, "Leave me alone, will you?"

"Look at you, marinating in self-pity." She removed her headphones.

"I'm not marinating in anything," She replied, "I'm listening to a book. You remember books? Hmm? Some of us can cope with more than 300 words at a time." She got up, walking into the dining room. I followed after her.

"You've heard what's happened? To the Latimers?"

"Yes. Are they alright?"

" 'Course they're not alright." I answered. "They've got to go through the indignity of a full trial."

"What's he playing at?" 

"I don't know, but the family need help." I fished out a business card from my pocket, placing it on the table beside her. "That's their barrister. Young chap."

"No." She said, walking into yet another room.

"I haven't even said what I want to say..."

"I said no, go away."

"They're worried the CPS will fob them off with just anyone." I told her.

"They're right to be worried," She replied, "But its not my problem."

"Jocelyn-"

"Don't Maggie. I'm sure you've prepared a barnstorming little speech, but you're getting on, save your energy."

"Jocelyn, you know them."

"Barely."

"You know what it means to all of us. He can't get away with it."

"Spare me the sentimental populism. I get enough of that from your rag."

"Please." I begged.

"No."

"Why?"

"You know why." She shot back.

"We'd find a team to help. You can't just sit here, the Latimers need you."

"Enough violins now. The answer is no." I sighed.

"Fine...Jocelyn, if you won't do it for the Latimers...and you won't do it for us, then...do it for them." Her eyes widened at this.

"You don't mean..." She trailed off.

"Yes, I do." I answered. "If for anyone, do it for your nephew whom Joe Miller confessed to being in love with in addition to Danny. Do it for your niece who you must've know was the DS on the case. You know what this will do for her reputation if Joe Miller goes free." She sighed.

"I will think about it," She told me. I smiled.

"Yes, thank you Jocelyn!"

"On one condition." My smile fell. "Two, actually." She rolled her eyes.

"You barristers and your conditions," I groaned, "Well go on then. What are they?"

"If you can get Diana and Colin to come and speak with me...and if they agree to my terms...then and only then will I agree to take on the Latimers case." I nodded.

"I'll talk to them." She nodded, and I turned and left.

This was going to be even more difficult than I had anticipated.