Part 11 (1/2)

'But she does know something about Jodie,' Ben said.

'Jodie?' Jack looked at Mamie in bewilderment.

'I'm sorry, Leila. I didn't mean to tell them,' Mamie pleaded.

'Mamie doesn't know what she's saying,' Leila argued. 'She has no sense of time, people or places.'

'On the contrary, Miss Barnes. We've found Mamie helpful and lucid,' Ben contradicted.

'Mamie, is that Jodie's locket?' Jack drew near his sister and examined it.

'Jodie gave it to me for ”a borrow”, Jack.'

'Jodie would never have given you that.' Jack paled. His eyes darkened.

'Only for ”a borrow”.' Mamie began to cry.

Jack crouched down in front of Mamie. 'I'm not angry with you, but I want to know when Jodie gave you this. I thought she was wearing it when she died.'

'She gave it to me in Wales.'

'You were in Wales with Jodie?' Jack asked Leila.

'Mamie will say anything, Jack. You know what she's like ...'

'Mamie doesn't lie,' Jack countered. 'When did you see Jodie in Wales, Mamie?'

'When Leila drove us there from Cornwall-'

'That's enough, Mamie ...'

'I've never hit a woman, Leila, but if you don't shut up I will,' Jack threatened.

'You're cross with me,' Mamie gulped between sobs.

Jack slipped his arm around his younger sister's shoulders. 'I'm not cross with you, Mamie. Tell me about your trip to Wales.'

'Leila and me left the hotel early so we could eat lunch with Jodie. Jodie was nice, like she always was. Then she was ill and Leila sent me to the car. That was after Jodie gave me the locket. I tried to give it back, Jack ... I tried ...'

Jack patted Mamie's shoulders but watched Leila. 'You never told me you visited Jodie in Wales, Leila.'

'Because I knew you'd be suspicious. You thought we didn't get on.'

'You were the reason Jodie wanted a retreat in Wales.'

'She wanted to get away from your womanising,' Leila snapped.