The Death of the Elver Man by Jennie Finch

visitor she could bypass the main visitors’ entrance with its queues and groups of relatives haggling over what they could and could not take in with them. Today she was glad of the short cut that let her into the visiting room ahead of everyone else. She chose a seat off to the left, in the corner nearest the door to the prison. She figured they were less likely to be disturbed, at least for a short while, and it gave a modicum of privacy.
    When Kevin shuffled in to the empty visiting room Alex was shocked at the decline in his appearance. It had only been two weeks since her last visit but he seemed to have aged years in that time. He slumped into the seat opposite her and stared at the table, his hands clasped together as if to disguise the faint trembling that ran through his whole body. She glanced at his head, half expecting to see the first grey hairs but he was as resolutely mousy as ever. Without thinking she reached out and laid her hand over his. His fingers were icy cold.
    ‘Kevin. Kevin? Are you okay?’
    He snatched his arms back and tucked his hands out of sight under the table.
    ‘Kevin! Look at me. I’ve come to see if there’s anything you need. Can I help?’
    His head jerked up and she saw his eyes were red-rimmed,as if he’d been crying. He opened his mouth, about to speak, then shook his head and stared at the table again. Alex was at a loss how to get through to him.
    ‘I’ve brought you some clean clothes from home,’ she said, ‘and I’ve been to see you mother. She sends her love ….’
    Kevin raised his head and glared at her. ‘Girt load of good that is,’ he snapped. ‘What’s she doin’ ‘bout me, eh? Nothing, that’s what.’
    Alex took a deep breath before replying, ‘It’s not that easy Kevin. There’s hearing dates to wait for and disclosure from the police—’
    Kevin cut her off. ‘Don’t make no difference do it? I’m in here and if I don’t get out soon I’m not never going to. So you go and tell her to get me a decent solicitor and get him to talk to bloody Brian and get me out .’
    His voice had risen to a shout and the officer next to the door stepped forwards hurriedly, ready to intervene. Alex waved to show she was fine and he retreated somewhat reluctantly.
    ‘Brian?’ she asked gently, ‘Is that Brian Morris?’
    Kevin was slumped forwards on the table but he moved his head in what looked like a nod.
    ‘Why Brian Morris?’ Alex asked. Bloody little Brian, Brian the curse of her professional life – don’t let him be mixed up in this too, she thought.
    Kevin kept his head down on the table but gave a shrug, muttering something incomprehensible. Alex leaned over him and poked him hard.
    ‘Cut this out Kevin! Sit up and talk to me or you can go back to your cell and fester.’
    Kevin sat up abruptly and blinked at her in surprise.
    ‘That’s not nice. You’m supposed to be on my side.’
    Alex felt a brief flash of guilt at her harsh words but she refused to back down.
    ‘I’m supposed to advise you and assist you,’ she told him, ‘but that doesn’t mean I have to put up with all this silly game playing. And I don’t think it’s helping to hold your hand andtell you everything’s going to be just fine when it probably isn’t.’
    There was a pause as they eyed one another warily. Alex continued. ‘So tell me about Brian. What’s he got to do with all this?’
    Kevin pulled a face, still sulking, but he did answer her question.
    ‘He seen me, that night. On the other bank just as I was heading off to see the Elver Man. He was getting ready to pack up on account of it bein’ so wet and there not being much running on his side. That’s not much of a spot, over there. Only a divvy would bother, so Brian gets to use it ’cos no-one else wants it, see? Reckon his nets was pretty much empty, so he waved at I and next time I looked over he were gone.’
    Alex felt her heart beat faster but tried to keep her voice steady. She didn’t