forum A "Plot Twist" Kind Of Love (Closed)

Started January 03, 2023 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

Lars shrugged. “I wouldn't say “often”. Just when things are quickly escalating toward a disaster.” he assured. “I don't use it every day if that’s what you're worried about.”

He nodded attentively as he listened to her story. It was both a relief and a surprise to hear that things had been ok while Harry was visiting. But his raised brow at her shudder, shifted to shocked concern when she mentioned the second unwanted visitor. “What? Why would a bailiff show up at your house?” he asked, trying not to sound as panicked as he felt. He wasn't this worried about Harry. All his concern was for the woman beside him and her daughter. “Are you alright? I don't blame you for being scared but…”

Anna winced slightly at his reaction. "Harry's gambling debts," she answered quietly. "They come… rather often. But I handled it," she added the last part quickly to assure him. "Really, Larson, I'm fine."

Anna herself was more worried about Daisy. She hadn't wanted her daughter to be answering the door for debt collectors and bailiffs all her life. and the one who had come today was particularly terrifying. He hadn't tried to force his way in, which had been a relief for Anna, but he knew her name. Anna was a relatively common name, but the way he'd said it…

"Have a nice day… Anna."

It was Harry's habits that had forced Anna to split up their marriage. She couldn't live on the brink of poverty anymore. And the shadows of it still haunted her in the form of random bailiff visits and maxed-out credit cards.

Lars sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I’m sorry, I over reacted. For a moment I was worried he did something more serious than just that.” he apologized.

They didn't talk about Harry a lot since it was always an awkward topic at best. But he knew enough about the guy not to press. “You sure you're ok? I've seen you handle barristers, judges, stubborn witnesses, and even me on occasion but I don't think I’ve ever seen you this rattled before.” he admitted.

Anna shook her head. "I don't think you overreacted," she murmured, glancing out the window to see if they were getting close to the station. "I've worried about that all my life, so honestly, it's nothing new." She bit her tongue for saying that. It was true, but it was something she'd never told anyone. She was waiting for Harry to be thrown in jail, which he seemed to have coming.

She looked back over at Larson with a faint smile. It was true – of all the crazy things that happened in her life, it was Harry that made her the most anxious. "I'm fine," she answered again, though it didn't sound as sure as the last time she'd said it.

Lars smiled faintly at the reassurance and nodded. “You have a reason to worry about that… Though you shouldn't have to.” he said, almost resenting Harry for all the trouble he had and was still causing his friend.

“No offense, Anna, but I believe you less than I did before.” he admitted, gently taking her hand comfortingly. “You know I won't judge you if told me something was wrong.” he assured her.

Anna laughed quietly while closing her eyes and shaking her head. "Oh, my God," she murmured. "Why do I love him, Larson? What is it about him that makes me take him back every time?" Her use of the present tense was not intentional, but it was true. Anna did still love Harry, even with all the hell he was making her go through while she did it.

Her eyes flew open when he took her hand in his. The motion was so simple and yet so comforting. "Larson, everything is wrong," she whispered earnestly. "I'm asking for just an ounce of control and getting the most out-of-control circumstances that it's humanly possible to get. I'm worried Daisy hates me, and Harry is… well, Harry. The only thing I ever have felt in control of is my work, and now Nathan took that from me too. The only thing right in my life right now is you."

The blatantly honest words passed Anna's lips before she could stop them. Her heart began to race slightly. She meant what she said. But would Larson feel the same?

Lars honestly couldn't answer her first couple questions, for quite a few different reasons. But he suspected that she wasn't really expecting him to answer… Though he had a suspicion that the real reason had something to do with Daisy. And possibly the familiarity of being with Harry. And the memories of when things were good between them.

He nodded at her whispered venting and carefully slid closer to her before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I know.” he agreed. “I doubt Daisy hates you. A lot of kids just go through that phase where they think they hate someone but it rarely sticks. And I’ll talk with Nathan. I’m sure I can get him to change his mind.” he assured.

Though his face warmed at that last part, not having expected Anna to think of him that way. “I… I’m flattered.” he stammered, unsure on exactly how to respond. “I’m glad that I can be here for you and give you some kind of comfort. And you can come to me for anything.”

He was right, Anna wasn’t expecting him to answer her first few questions. She didn’t even know the answers herself. All she knew was that aside from the few times she saw Harry when she was working, he would turn up out of the blue at her flat and need something. Money. Food. Her. The worst was when he wanted her. He begged her to reconsider their divorce and start over. That was the only thing she could stand firm on where Harry was concerned. She would not listen to his pleas. Their marriage had been doomed from the start, but they were both too blind to see it.

She immediately leaned into his warmth and rested her cheek on his shoulder. His words and touch were both comforting and reassuring. A small smile crossed her face. “I hope you’re right,” she whispered.

“Of course,” she mumbled, like it was obvious. “You’re my best friend, Larson. Thank you.”

Lars smiled and hugged her when she leaned against him. “You are my best friend too, Anna.” he whispered back. “And I promise you won't have to deal with this case alone, even if Nathan finds a way to try to stop me.” He would have to be careful in that situation if it came to it, but he was sure he would be able to convince the other man. He had always been slick and that had become a very useful quality as a lawyer.

Anna smiled and relaxed at his touch. "Thank you," she murmured again, closing her eyes and savoring the moment. Though it wasn't for much longer.

The cab pulled to a stop, and the driver slid open the window between the seats. "Here you are," he said shortly, eyeing them with an I knew it expression that made Anna blush again when she opened her eyes and saw it. Immediately, she began to dig through her purse for cash to pay him.

“Any time.” he assured, forgetting where they were for a moment. Until the cab stopped and the driver spoke up. Lars glared a little at the driver for both interrupting them and the look he was giving them.

“Here. Let me.” he insisted, pulling out his wallet and paying the driver before Anna did. Besides, with all the trouble she had to deal with, he knew she needed to save her money for more important stuff.

Anna sat upright, causing Larson's arm to drop from around her shoulders. She didn't notice the look he gave the driver as she dug for her wallet. But by the time she'd found it, Lars had already paid the man. Anna looked over at him and playfully smacked his arm. "You didn't have to do that. I can pay for a cab ride," she quipped lightly, waiting for him to get out so she could follow.

“I know that.” Lars laughed as she slapped his arm. “But if we want this to be quick, then I was just faster on the draw.” he teased as he climbed out of the cab, offering his hand to help her. He wasn't going to say that her money was better spent on herself and Daisy. Especially when Harry was causing trouble and having bailiffs show up at the house.

Anna rolled her eyes. "Yes, well next time, I will be faster," she cooed, sliding across the seats and slipping her hand into his so he could help her stand. She shut the door behind her. "Thank you," she murmured once she was out of the cab driver's earshot. "Let's get going. I don't want to be here longer than we have to be."

“We’ll see.” Lars quipped once more before she shut the door. “It's no trouble.” he assured as they walked towards the building. “Right. Let’s see what information we can get out of Mr. Grey.” he said, only using the “we” because he would be nearby. Considering Nathan’s objection to them working together, he wasn't sure if he would be allowed to sit in on the questioning other than being on the other side of the glass and taking notes.

"Yes," Anna remarked. "I should think you'll be let in with me," she added as if reading his thoughts. "I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you unless Nathan's already called down to Alistair, which I don't think he's done." She leaned a bit closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I think Nathan's scared of him," she hissed, referring to Alistair Winter, the Detective Superintendent (DSI) and head of the Murder Squad.

She strode confidently into the building where a security officer nodded to her. "Morning, Anna," he greeted simply. "Are you on the schedule today?"

Anna pressed her lips into a smile and nodded. "Yes. I'm here with my colleague Larson Carter for Kevin Grey's interview."

The official checked his paper. "Yes. Kevin Grey. The interview is to start at 15:40." He chuckled. "Always on time, Anna."

She kept up her polite smile. "I try. Could you please show us to the interview room?"

"Certainly," the officer agreed. "Follow me." Anna did just that as he led the way through the halls of the precinct back to the row of interrogation rooms. He stopped outside the door, but before he opened it, Anna could already hear voices talking inside.

A woman was speaking: "…and DS Chohan are interviewing the suspect Kevin Grey at 15:35 on April the 3rd. Noting that the suspect has agreed to be interviewed without having a lawyer present."

Anna frowned as a deep male voice spoke next. "Can we hurry this up?"

A third voice, also male. "Why's that? Have you got somewhere to be?" Hearing the third voice, Anna drew in a sharp breath. She knew that voice anywhere. But why was he here? Interviewing her client.

The guard knocked on the door before opening it. Anna composed herself and stepped into the room. Sitting at the table on a side all by himself was Kevin Grey. He was a burly sort of man, but also younger in appearance than Anna had thought him to be. He had sandy hair that draped over his forehead and dark clothes.

Anna took a shallow breath, hoping Larson was there behind her as she spoke with confidence she didn't feel. "Mr. Grey, I'm here to represent you."

The man furrowed his brow and looked her up and down in confusion. "Who are you?"

"Your solicitor," Anna answered.

Across from Kevin Grey was an Indian woman with wide brown eyes – Anna recognized DS Suri Chohan from previous meetings – and… Harry. Of all people. Harry. Seeing Anna, he instantly stood up while Suri spoke to the recording device on the table, "Interview suspended 15:36."

"You're early," Anna remarked as Harry approached her. "You started early."

"I need to talk to you," he said, walking past her and Larson and out into the hallway.

Lars chuckled a little at her guess, and nodded. “Knowing Nathan, I’m not surprised. Alistair doesn't like people “meddling” in his work or investigations.” he said with a coy smirk.

When they approached the security guard, he just nodded in greeting as Anna introduced him and followed her to the interview. Though he raised a brow when he heard the DS already starting the questioning of Anna’s client. “Oh, bloody hell.” he muttered as he recognized Harry’s voice in the room.

Lars entered the interrogation with a mostly blank, professional expression, except for the disappointment at the situation and some anger over the fact that Harry was even here.

“Well, you're in luck, Harry.” he quipped. “We have four minutes before our interview is supposed to start. But talk quickly.” he said, unable to resist the jab at the timing. “Mr. Grey, as a consultant to your solicitor, I advise you not to say anything until we return.”

Anna returned his smirk. "I'm aware," she replied with an amused tone. Though the DSI wasn't particularly fond of Harry, he and Anna were somewhat good friends. And as Larson voiced what she was thinking, Anna steeled herself. "My thoughts exactly," she muttered before the door opened and they were within earshot of Harry, Suri, and Kevin Grey.

"We weren't aware Mr. Grey would be having representation," Suri began calmly. “He previously agreed to be interviewed without having a lawyer present-"

Harry abruptly cut her off. “Stand down, Suri, I've got this," he said. Though a distinctive frown appeared on his face at Larson's remark. "Larson," he greeted very shortly before stepping past Anna and motioning for her to follow him into the hall. His frown creased deeper at Larson's words. "'We'?" he asked curtly. "I'm sorry, I should have been clearer. I need to speak with Anna privately."

Anna pressed her lips tightly together before turning to Larson, placing a gentle hand on his arm, and murmuring in a strikingly calm voice, "Go and sit down. I'll be back in a minute."

“Yes, you should have been.” Lars barely held back from glaring at Harry but nodded at Anna’s assurance. “We’ll wait for you.” he sighed, relenting the stalemate for now before he took a seat next to Mr. Grey.

He leaned back in his chair, preparing to take his own notes despite DS Chohan had been recording. But he had always found it better to have a spare in case something got… misplaced. Especially on a case like this one.

Anna watched Larson, able to tell from his sigh how much he didn't appreciate Harry's conduct. To be fair, Anna didn't either. She was just much more used to it. Her eyes followed him for a moment as she sat down before she stepped back out the door and into the hall, where Harry was waiting for her with an incredulous expression.

“Who sent you?” he demanded.

“My firm,” Anna answered simply. It was the truth

“What are you doing?”

“My job. Can we just be professional about this?” Anna asked, glancing back in the room briefly before looking at Harry again.

“We’re still a married couple, remember?” Harry pointed out expectantly. “We both can’t work on this case.”

“Well, then why don’t you go home?” Anna suggested shortly, turning and heading back into the room.

Breaking all the rules, Harry reentered the room as well and sat down again beside Suri. The DS's eyes widened a bit, knowing the relationship Anna and Harry had, but she looked skeptical to say anything.

Lars perked up a little when Anna came back into the room, deliberately ignoring Harry for now. Though he knew that having both of them in the room would also cause a professional problem. Maybe I can use this to convince Nathan to let me stay… Or he already knows about this and was hoping to use this against Anna…

“Perfect timing.” he smirked, glancing at his watch before looking at Suri. “Since we’re all here, I think we can start now.”

Anna seated herself in between Larson and Grey. The former, she noticed, perked up when she reentered the interrogation room, and the latter spared her little more than a glance out of the corner of his eye and a frown. Harry was seated directly across from her, and Suri was across from Grey.

The female detective hesitated a moment, glancing warily between Harry and Anna. Then, she reached out and pressed down on the button for the recording device and spoke clearly. "Interview resumed at 15:38. Solicitors Anna Clayton and Larson Carter are both now present. DI Clayton and DS Chohan still presiding."

Almost immediately, Harry began his work. "Who told you that Freddie Lau had killed Kayleigh? Why else would you have murdered him? You thought that Freddie had taken the life of the woman you loved."

Anna took a deep, slow inhale. That was the motive anyone with a brain would assume Grey had. It seemed almost obvious.

"I know Freddie didn't do it. I did."

Immediately, Anna's mouth dropped open. What?

Harry's reaction was only a second slower. "Sorry?"

"I'm pleading guilty to both murders, Your Honor," Grey said shortly.

"We're not charging you for Kayleigh's murder," Suri cut in. "Why are you lying?"

Grey said nothing more, sitting still and silent as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell on the room. His confession left Anna unable to hide her surprise. Now she was defending a client who had confessed to two murders, one of which he wasn't even being currently charged for. But her question shifted to why. Why had Grey killed both Freddie Lau and Kayleigh Fenchurch if indeed he had done it? And if he didn't, why was he lying, as Suri had asked?

Lars nearly snapped his pencil at Mr. Grey’s announcement in initial shock before frowning thoughtfully. He leaned forward slightly and looked at the defendant. He wanted to ask questions but he didn't want to incriminate the man especially without knowing the whole story.

The obvious possibility was that Freddie Lau and Kayleigh were having an affair and Kevin Grey found out about it. But that still didn't make sense to him. Though he suspected that Harry would take the easy bait. Another reason he came up with was that Kevin was being threatened into this confession. By who? He only had a vague idea but he wasn't going to jump the gun.

He quickly scribbled a couple of notes on a separate piece of paper, outlining his theories. But stayed quiet for now.

Anna noted Larson's movement, and she glanced over at him. What were they getting themselves into? With a confession like that, how were they supposed to defend him? He'd be convicted so easily that Anna would barely have a chance to blink.

"Why are you lying?" Suri asked again, her normally soft brown eyes sharpening as they studied Kevin Grey.

"I'm not lying," he finally replied, staring evenly at the table in front of him. "I murdered both of them."

A flicker of uncertainty reflected on Anna's face. She could hear Larson beside her writing urgently to get his thoughts down. Before she could stop herself, she looked over at Suri and indicated the recording device. "I'm sorry, but could my consultant and I have a moment alone with our client, please?"

Suri again hesitated, but she spoke into the device yet again. "Interview suspended 15:41." With that, she rose to her feet, gave Anna a brief kind smile, and left with Harry following behind her. Anna returned the expression. She'd always liked Suri, though she wasn't sure how the woman had the patience to deal with Harry's impulsiveness and rash decision-making while at work.

Once the door was shut, Anna turned to Kevin Grey, a softer expression on her face. "Kevin?"

He glanced up at her, still not speaking as he crossed his arms firmly over his chest.

Anna looked back at Larson. "Penny for your thoughts," she whispered.

Lars sighed, relieved that they had a moment to talk to Kevin alone for a while, and shrugged at Anna’s question. “I don't want to give him any ideas to lie but…” he said, angling the paper just enough to show her his ideas of a possible affair between the two decedents or how Kevin was being threatened by someone to take the blame.

Admittedly, his shorthand more resembled chicken scratch but after working with Anna for so long, he was almost sure that she would be able to read it.

Then he looked over at Anna’s client. “How long were you and Kayleigh in a relationship?” he asked.