Deconstructing Bridges

Chapter Nine

Unlike his stocky, grim older brother, Owen Lindfield was a less intimidating, skinny bookish type. Matthew stared through the one-way window as the man nervously shifted in the chair across from Eddie, who was impassively watching the man's every squirm. He could hardly believe the two men had been related. This guy did not seem as though he had what it took to be in a crime ring, particularly not one run by a man like Fred Marshall.

"Are you going to tell me who killed my brother? Was it you?"

His voice was notably and understandably upset, and Matthew felt a stab of guilt.

Don't feel guilt. Not for this guy.

"We know who it was. We also know that it was self-defence. At this time, we are not planning to press charges, though we need to confirm-."

"Confirm?" he spluttered. "What do you need to confirm? He's dead! My brother is dead, I saw his blood all over that floor. He was murdered!"

"I am sorry for your loss, but it was without a doubt self-defence. We witnessed it. He was attempting to cause bodily harm. It was his own knife. But the person is in custody, and we need to know what you know about her."

"Her?"

Clearly the idea that a woman had taken down his brother Wallace was somewhat staggering to him. Matthew understood. He still couldn't understand it himself.

Eddie opened his folder and took out the photograph. Placing it on the table, he spun it with his fingertips before sliding it across the table until it was directly in front of Owen who quickly leaned forward to study it.

Matthew had expected perhaps anger, recognition, confusion, even a blank stare when he looked at the photo of Rose. He was not expecting the utter shock, the dropping of the draw and the widening of the eyes.

"She did this? She was the one? Are you sure?"

"Positive," Eddie replied, also taken aback by the expression Owen had displayed.

"Are you sure it was an accident?"

"Why wouldn't it have been?"

"She could have- I mean, she would..."

His mouth closed up as if aware he had revealed too much. And, in fact, he had.

He knew who she was.

Matthew's nose was practically pressed against the glass as he watched Eddie do his best to maintain his appearance of control.

"It's okay. We'll ask her ourselves."

"You have her?"

Eddie nodded.

Owen tightened his jaw in apparent anxiety.

"Press on it, Wong, he's weak. Push him," Matthew whispered to no one in particular.

"It'll only be a matter of time until she tells us what she knows, Owen. You have a chance to turn the tables."

He shook his head jerkily.

"She won't talk to you. She will never give you anything."

"Why is that?"

"Because she understands. She understands what this is, she knows not to cross..."

He shook his head.

"She won't talk to you."

What the hell was he talking about?

"You seem more upset about the fact that Rose Bridges us in custody than your brother being dead."