Allegedly

Chapter 5

Stanisław

The look on Martin's face agreed with mine, and I could already tell that he was thinking the same. Some coffee perhaps, or any kind of refreshment would do. I understand that right now the parents of Alina are probably dwelling in their own little bubble, blocking out the reality and in this case also the culture. Dwelling in this soberness. A bit harsh but that's the impression that I got from them.

The heavy and sunken mood was imprinted in this place and on their faces. On all of them - Robert, Halina's and Henry, making my body tense and adopt this unknown overwhelming nervous feeling.

'Will this place be ok?' I took their silent nods as a yes, sat down and began.

Martin flicking through his notepad and getting ready to analyse their answers and jot them down. Always organised. Like a mini-me!

After some basic questions we swiftly moved on,

'Where were you at the times of the murder? Were you in the area?'

Robert immediately shook his head with a slight scornful chuckle. As if already knowing what these questions are insinuating. Irritation or indignation would not be the words that I would use to describe his expression but just utter pain, as if these words were wrongfully accusing and attacking him.I understand.

But I had to press further.

'Yes we were, we were in Lubicz the whole time Alina was there for usually short stays so we didn't think it was necessary to visit' Halina quickly responded before Roberts' words exited his mouth, pressing her reassuring hand on her husband. Letting him know to let go of it.

I glanced over and saw Henry confirming his mother-in-laws statement by slowly nodding his head. His eyes avoiding mine and Halina's.

Martin was in full speed writing down the whereabouts of Robert and Halina, despite the subtle protests by Robert.

'Yes, but from what I can remember Alina has been travelling to her cabin in Toruń for over a year? Yes?' aiming this question at Henry.

There we go again, nothing else but a quick nod.

'Have you ever been there with her, because from the reports of Alina's friend from Toruń, she never saw a husband. Is there a reason why... why you didn't visit her?'.

I finally saw recognition in his eyes, he looked up straight at me. Bingo.

'No, that's true I didn't visit her often well, to be frank not at all. She didn't want me to'. A quick pause and then he continued. 'I am going to spare you asking me questions, I am just going to tell all that I know there is no point beating around the bush'.

That caught me by surprise but I smiled gratefully back at him, allowing him to continue.

'Well, we got married when we were young and I truly loved her. Everyone was telling me of how lucky I was to have such a wife, and I truly believed that too, each day I was so grateful for her. But they looked at her as just a pretty face but to me...she was so much more than that.'

His eyes started to water gently 'I truly loved her, I wanted to be perfect for her because she deserved to be happy.'

'But the reality was so different. She was so distant with me, I wanted her to confide in me and use me as a pillow to weep on... I really wanted her to feel comfortable with me. Even when we were young and just got married I felt this emptiness, like she wasn't really there'. Putting emphasis on the word emptiness.

'Don't get me wrong we went through happy times and difficult ones, just like any other relationship but, well at least to me it seemed as if this whole marriage thing was only one-sided. It feels awful to this say this but it was like I was the only one trying to make this marriage succeed.' concluded Henry.