Nature of Ash, The by Mandy Hager Page B

looking after Mikey on my—’
    ‘I know,’ she interrupts. ‘You’re one hell of a brother. But I believe that if your dad was still alive he’d want the same.’
    Ouch . Of course Dad would want to see us out of danger’s way, but that’s not the point. ‘Couldn’t we go after the funeral?’
    ‘Listen, Ashley.’ She grows all stern. ‘I like you, you’re a real cool kid, and I know how much you loveyour brother — and your dad. It’s nice to see; most often I get stuck working with families so dysfunctional it makes me despair for the whole human race. Do this for Mikey, if nothing else. I promise you I’ll keep fighting on your behalf. But it’s easier for me to do this if I know you’re safe — and even Tuesday may be too late.’
    There is more to this than she’s said. Has to be. But my head’s so bloody overloaded there’s no way I can fill the gaps right now. If Mikey weren’t so freaked out by police uniforms, I’d ask him what he thinks — he can smell phonies a mile off. All I can do is take a punt on trusting her, which I think I do.
    ‘Okay,’ I say. ‘But not until tomorrow night — I still have to see Grandma, and I’m meeting with the lawyer tomorrow morning first thing.’
    ‘Thank you,’ she says, offering me her hand. ‘I think you’ve made the right choice.’
    I’m surprised by the strength of her grip. ‘So, what now?’
    ‘Can your friend stay with Mikey for another hour while we sort the statement?’
    I nod but then remember Jiao’s own family disaster. Oh shit, we can’t just up and leave her . I’ll have to talk it through with her when I get home.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    THE POLICE STATION IS CHAOTIC, and Jeannie has to take me by the arm to guide me through the crowds. There’s a wall of noise inside the conference room where I’m scheduled to speak, but the journalists fall deathly quiet as I approach the empty chair at the front of the room. Jeannie takes the chair beside me as the police commissioner, Jim Hargraves, stands to give a brief introduction. I can’t look up, just stare at the statement on the piece of paper in front of me, trying to stay calm. I feel sick.
    ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Ashley McCarthy will make a brief statement. There will be no questions at this time.’ He looks over at me and nods. ‘You can stay where you are, lad, no need to stand.’
    I’m on . I clutch the speech notes Jeannie helped me write and start to read, so freaked out the text swimsup and down between the lines. ‘Due to the uncertain situation there will be no public funeral for my father, Shaun McCarthy, as previously announced. I urge all those outraged by his death to respect my family’s wishes and wait for the outcome of the police investigation into this dreadful act.’ My throat is so tight I sound like I’ve been sucking helium. ‘We will hold a private family service followed by cremation. When the situation has settled back down, we will organise a memorial service for all those lost in Friday’s attack.’ It’s all so bloody matter-offact. I could be reading out the frickin’ sports results.
    I glance over at Hargraves, who’s watching from the wings. I’m supposed to end now, say thank you very much , and leave. But, fuck it, this last bit’s for you, Dad . ‘My father spent his whole life battling for human rights …’
    I can feel Jeannie stir beside me as she realises I’ve gone off-script. I daren’t look around, just stare straight into one of the TV cameras to make my point. Screw you all .
    ‘It caused him great frustration that our own government sold us out to global corporations and corrupt regimes.’
    There’s a buzz starting up around me now and Jeannie puts a warning hand on my arm. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Hargraves sidling in my direction. Need to be quick .
    ‘On behalf of Dad and all the others who have lost their lives, I call on all the factions in this ego war to respect human rights — including our