Sinful Crimes

Chapter 6

The police had baulked at the idea of Dylan accompanying Janet to the building and insisted she ask a family member or friend to look after him while she was there. Her first port of call had been her boyfriend and soon to be husband Evan, but he wasn't in. So she was forced to call in Cath, who lived just next door and had two boys about the age Dylan was. The mums weren't as close as the boys and Janet knew it was a big ask, but luckily for he Cath had decided to work at home for the day because their school was shut for the holidays, and therefore agreed to take Dylan. Janet hadn't explained on the phone why she needed  the favour, just that there was a family emergency she needed to sort out, and Cath's shock was therefore palpable when Dylan was dropped off at her house in a marked police car.

"Why have the police brought you?" She asked suspiciously, standing on the doorstep and eyeing the vehicle over Janet's shoulder. Dylan had already vanished into the house to play.

"They're taking me up to the Telecom station," said Janet, falteringly.

Cath went pale. " I got a text from Jackie's mum down the street saying your father kicked the bucket, you are okay aren't you?"

Janet matched her solemn expression.

"It's fine, really. I did most of the crying in their offices anyway," She said, forcing a chuckle.

Cath peered at the police car again. The two officers in the front stared impassively back at her.

"You're right, it's not my place to tell you how you feel,". Her gaze reverted back to Janet.

"I should go," Janet said, tearfully. "Thanks for having Dylan, I'll text you as soon as I know how long I'll be."

"Sure, I hope you get sorted," Cath called after her as Janet shot down the path.

"So do I."

"By the time they reached the lane leading up to the building Janet was stricken with anxiety. She tried to engage the officers in conversation about what was going on but they kept insisting a more senior colleague, a someone from CID, would explain everything. She tried calling Evan again, shifting sideways in her seat and turning to the window so the officer driving couldn't see her expression as he spied on her in the rear-view mirror. Her call diverted straight to voicemail again, so she tried to text him, uppercase for effect. On arriving at Telecoms, Janet was struck by how quiet it was, the usual flow of business persons in and out of gateways at that time eerily absent. As the car pulled to a halt, panic overwhelmed her. 

"Where's Josh? I want to see him now,"

"Don't worry, we've been told you'll be taken straight to her," Said the tall officer.

Inside the compound was much busier. The sight of the police and vehicles made her insides churn. The only person she recognized was her dad's boss, Mr Talbot, who was sitting inside. She could see he was using his asthma inhaler, his upper body rearing up in his suit as he sucked the vapour in. Their eyes met as she went past but he looked away before she did. Janet followed the officers into the main building, the only part of the glass structure built in 1995 that remained. Designed as a Radio station, half the building was bulldozed in the nineties and replaced with two bland concrete annexes to accommodate halls and meeting rooms. Now it was the best Telecom branch in Central London, but it's success had pushed it to a bursting point: when Janet's mum still worked in that particular station part.

"Your brother is in the admin office," Said the tall officer once they were inside.

Janet's head swam with confusion. Most likely, why had Josh left when she was being questioned.

His head was in  his arms and he had just the slightest look of guilt appeared once he tried to hide his face from Janet.

"I am Detective Tim Bryan and I'm the officer in charge," Said the man, shaking Janet's hand. "Before I take you in to see Josh properly," He said stepping out. " I need to question him,".

"Question him? About what?" Gasped Janet.

"He...was involved by our perspective of things from our given witness,"

It took a moment for Janet's brain to catch up.

"And...you think Josh had something to do with our own father's death? That's preposterous!"Janet spluttered.

Bryan tried his best to reason with her, in a calm, soothing voice, but her shrill cry cut him short.

"No,no this is crazy. He was with me the whole morning, well, only when I made food, but eiter ways." She was overcome with dizziness." It's too hot in here, I'm going outside for some air,".

"Miss Bryson, I unde-,".

But Janet was already backing away from him. When she was out of arms reach, she spun her heel, the rubber sole of her sandals squeaking violently against the buffed marble flooring. She was level with the door to the Welfare room when two women walked out. Janet caught the slightest glimpse of red hair and panic took all over.

"What's the problem, Miss Bryson?"

It was Gayle. Gayle Bryson.