Kenhardt - Secrets 4

He loves her so much. More than anything in the world. But I think sometimes he envied our relationship. He wanted something like that. With a Son, perhaps.’ Joe nodded his head, focusing more on Rosie and her voice rather than writing anything down. ‘ What about friends? More specifically, Anya Wilson and Kiera Barnes?’ ‘The girls had been close for years. Growing up in Kenhardt, everyone knows everyone. There are only two Primary Schools, but the girls all went to St Augustine’s. They met in the sixth Grade, I believe. They’ve been inseparable ever since.’ ‘And they all got along well?’ ‘Yes, they were best friends.’ ‘Do you know if they ever got into arguments? Disagreed about anything?’ ‘They’re teenage girls, Detective. I’m sure there was the Catty dramas here and there. But nothing severe. Not that I know of, at least. They did everything together. Sleepovers, birthday parties, shopping sprees, manicures, pedicures, puberty, the Birds and the Bees. They’re been through it all, from Graduating Primary School to starting High School.’ ‘So as far as you can tell, their friendship was fine?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Did your daughter have any enemies, Mrs Taylor? Anyone who might hold a grudge or want to hurt her?’ Rosie shook her head. ‘No one. Everyone adored Haddie. She was always so pleasant and well - mannered,’ she choked. ‘I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt her.’ ‘What about family? Do you have any here in Kenhardt?’ ‘My parents live here. George’s are in Johannesburg. We have some relatives out of town and such. Why?’ ‘Does everyone get along? Or is there any bad - blood between the family?’ She made a face. ‘No, nothing of that sorts. Everyone gets along fine. And they all love Haddie, If that’s what you’re wondering.’ ‘So no grudges from friends or family. Who else did Haddie interact with? Teachers, neighbours, co - workers?’ ‘Well, yes. Practically everyone. But do I think any one of those people killed my daughter? How am I to know?’ ‘Did Haddie ever mention anything to you? That she was angry with someone, or perhaps scared?’ Rosie thought for a moment. ‘Not that I can think of. And I’m sure she would have told me if she was. I would have done something about it.’ Joe nodded his head and glanced down at his notepad. He looked back up and met Rosie’s eyes. ‘Did Haddie ever suffer from any mental illnesses? Depression, perhaps?’ ‘What?’ Rosie’s face changed. ‘Heavens no. What are you insinuating?’ ‘I know this is difficult, Mrs Taylor, and please, take everything I say with discretion. But this is a ----.’ He paused. ‘Investigation into their deaths. And I need to know…. Could it have been suicide?’ Rosie Taylor’s face altered again. She was shocked. Appalled. ‘Of course it wasn’t suicide,’ she said the word like it was poison in her mouth. ‘Haddie would never kill herself. Neither would Anya or Kiera. This isn’t some Romeo and Juliet tale. The girls didn’t one day decide to kill themselves together. Somebody did this to them,’ she looked him in his eyes. ‘Someone killed my baby.’ Next up were the Wilson’s. The parents - John and Mary - Ellen divorced six years ago when Anya was ten. John Wilson remarried a secretary named Pamela. Mary - Ellen Wilson lived on her own, sharing joint - custody of Anya and her two siblings, Jonah and Chloe. Joe sat at the kitchen table, John and Pamela across from him. John, evidently distraught, staring off in a daze. Pamela, perplexed, deeply saddened, fiddling with the tissue box between her palms. Joe had already begun with his sympathies, which would become routine from that point on. He was waiting for John to respond to his question. What was Anya like? ‘She was quiet.’ John finally spoke, looking down at the table. Pamela reached forward and placed her hand on his. ‘Always a good girl. Respectful of others. Meek.’ ‘She didn’t talk much as a kid,’ Pamela said. John nodded as if to corroborate. ‘She would just play peacefully with her dolls, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. The only thing that mattered was what she was doing in that present moment.’ ‘And she was so kind,’ John said, choking on his words. He had to stop to gather himself. ‘How did she handle the divorce?’ Joe asked. ‘Well, it was difficult for her.’ John said, regaining focus. ‘She was only ten. She was confused, Why are mommy and daddy splitting up?’ ‘She didn’t want to have to choose,’ Pamela said. Joe knew by the way she spoke about Anya as a child that the affair between John and Pamela must have begun before the divorce. ‘We have shared custody,’ John added. ‘But I think she preferred being with her mother.’ ‘Well, she’s a girl after all,’ Pamela gave a faint smile.’ She needs her mother.’ ‘What was her relationship with you like?’ Joe said to Pamela. ‘Good. We got along great. I think it was hard for her at first - having a new female figure in her life. But she adjusted well. Like I said, she was very quiet, so if she did ever have a problem with me, she never voiced it.’ ‘But the two of you weren’t close?’ ‘Not entirely. We did the usual things together. But most of her time spent here was either in her room or with her friends, Or with Chloe.’ ‘How was her relationship with her siblings?’ ‘Great. I think being the middle child was good for Anya,’ John said, ‘like she was invisible sometimes, could get away with anything. Before Anya, we were so focused on Chloe. Don’t do this, Don’t do that. Trying to learn how to parent and shape Chloe into someone great. And then Anya came along and it’s like we were experts, Mary - Ellen and I. We had it all down Pat, the Diaper changing, the feedings, the storybooks and Pre-school classes. She had it good.’ John paused. ‘And then when Jonah came along ….well, Chloe was ten at that point. Anya was six and already so independent. I think perhaps we neglected the girls around that time. All of our attention was focused on Jonah, so the girl’s kind of did their own thing. We spoiled them, just in order to please them and quiet them. Anything they asked for we’d simply gave them so we could focus on Jonah. And as they grew up, they all got along so well. Chloe and Anya were close because they were together long before Jonah came along, and of course because they’re girls. But despite that, they always included him in things. He was never forgotten about.’ John stopped and smiled at Joe. ‘We raised them well, Detective. My kids all turned out great.’ Then his smile dropped, and the weight of Anya’s death was back in the room, bringing with it great silence. ‘She seemed like a good girl,’ Joe said. ‘But do you know is she ever fought with anyone? Had any enemies, maybe someone she was afraid of?’ They both stared at him, unsure of how to respond. ‘You’re asking us who we think did this to them,’ John said. ‘Essentially.’ John brought his hand to his chin, let out a deep breath. ‘That’s the part I don’t know how to answer,’ he said. ‘Because this is Kenhardt, for God’s sake. We’re not in the ghettos of Hillbrow here, We live in a safe town, everyone knows each other and gets along. So who would hurt Anya and her friends? Who would do something like this?’ ‘So she never mentioned anything out of the ordinary? Nothing to arouse suspicion?’ ‘Nothing at all,’ John said. ‘But then again, her mother would probably know more than I would. You’re seeing Mary - Ellen after this?’ ‘Yes’ ‘Good. Hopefully she can be of more assistance.’ Joe nodded and formulated his next question in his mind. ‘Did Anya ever suffer from any mental illnesses?’ ‘No. No. of course not,’ John said. ‘It’s not a bad thing, Mr Wilson. Many teenagers suffer from ailments such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders…..’ ‘No, Anya was fine,’ He interjected. ‘She was always happy and care - free, Quiet, but happy.’ ‘You keep saying she was quiet,’ Joe said. ‘Did you ever think that perhaps something was causing her silence?’ John looked at him.’ NO, Detective. Some kids are just like that, it’s called being respectful and well-mannered.’ ‘Apologies, sir, I didn’t mean to offend you.’ ‘Why are you asking if she had a mental illness?’ Pamela asked. ‘You think she was suicidal?’ ‘It’s definitely a possibility,’ Joe said, ‘We have to ask ourselves these questions in a time like this.’ ‘You think my daughter and her friends killed themselves?’ John snapped. ‘It’s still a possibility at this time…’ ‘No’ John said. ‘NO’ Anya wouldn’t do that. Anya wasn’t sad or depressed or suicidal, or whatever the hell you’re implying. And even if she was, how do you explain the other two? Haddie and Kiera? You think they were all suicidal and just decided to off themselves at the same time? Off the school roof, for Christ sakes?’ ‘Sir, please, if you’ll let me finish…’ John put up his hand. ‘I understand you’re doing your job, But right now, this, this … speculation of yours. Well, it’s just uncalled for. I can tell you one thing for certain, and that is my daughter would never kill herself.’ House number three, Mary - Ellen Wilson, Joe figured that perhaps the mother could prove more useful than the father. Joe sensed the unease and apprehension when talking about certain subject matter with John Wilson. For instance, the other two girls- Haddie and Kiera, Men Don’t pay attention to things like that, their daughter’s friends, what they do for fun. NO, that’s a mother’s job. And Joe was hoping that Mary - Ellen Wilson could provide him with more information than her ex-husband. Mary - Ellen was a mess. Her short hair was crumpled to one side, as though she’d been lying on it for hours. Her eyes were red and glassy, evidence of the tears and dismay that had pained her for the past twenty - four hours. She was dressed in a Leopard print onesie. Chloe was at her side, aiding her mother in simple tasks, such as walking. She led her mother to the couch, one arm looped through hers. They sat together, staring at Joe, tissues bunched into a ball, clenched between fists. Some toilette paper, hung from the Leopard printed onesie’s right pocket..