Straight Back (14 page)

“It wouldn’t make any difference because I need someone who’s going to look for evidence of me being set up,” said Max. “That’s what I believe has happened here, Miss Marshall. I’ve been set up for the murder of Charles and someone in this city is laughing at me over their pre-dinner drink.”

“You have the kind of enemies who’d set you up for murder?”

“I didn’t think so but someone has done a bloody good job to make it look like I killed Charles.”

“And you didn’t?”

“No, I didn’t, I had absolutely nothing to do with what happened,” said Max, who felt his eyes fill up. “Absolutely nothing at all.”

“Alright, Max, don’t get distressed,” said Stephanie. “You’ve come to the right place.”

“You mean you will help me?” he asked hopefully, leaning forward whilst wiping his cheeks free of tears. “I’m desperate, Miss Marshall. I don’t know where else to turn and you’ve got a reputation for getting results,”

Stephanie smiled at the way he was flattering her. “Call me Stephanie.”

“Okay. Stephanie. But you can see how I’m fixed?”

“Of course I can,” Stephanie went on. She could see the immense strain in those eyes. This man was clearly going through it. “But the thing is, Max, I’ll need to be sure that you are innocent and that means hearing your side of the story without it having been filtered by journalists who are all working to their own agenda. Just don’t give me the same version that’s appeared in the media, that’s what I’m saying.”

Max sat back in his chair. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Go right back to the circumstances leading up to the death of Charles Maynard,” said Stephanie. “I know it’ll be painful, Max, but please tell me everything. If there’s one thing that will dissuade me from helping you, it’ll be if you deliberately leave something out.”

“This isn’t going to be easy.”

“No, I can imagine,” said Stephanie. “But neither is prison, and if I’m going to save you from that then you’re going have to convince me that I’m right in thinking that you’re not a killer.”