The Declaration

voice was silky smooth, and Julia swallowed nervously.
    ‘I . . . I didn’t make it in the end,’ she said, trying to keep her voice level. After all, she had nothing to worry about, she told herself firmly. ‘The traffic was so bad I gave up, I’m afraid.’
    ‘Yes,’ Mr Roper said. ‘I see. Shall we?’ he continued, holding out his arm and making it clear that Julia was to go into her house.
    ‘Yes, of course,’ she said brightly, getting out of the car and locking the door. As she did so, another man appeared out of nowhere and took the key from her.
    Julia opened her mouth to demand it back, but decided not to argue the point now. She’d get the key back, she thought to herself. It wouldn’t do to be unduly rude. No doubt they’d ask her a few questions, and then they would leave. And if they didn’t, she would simply call Anthony and he would sort things out.
    ‘I imagine you’ll know my husband,’ she said, trying to keep her tone conversational. ‘Anthony Sharpe?’
    Mr Roper smiled. ‘Indeed I do,’ he said smoothly. ‘Mr Sharpe was very concerned about the Surplus escape that occurred last night. Very concerned when he heard that we visited his house. He said to me that no wife of his would hide Surpluses.’
    ‘Hide Surpluses?’ Julia said indignantly. ‘Well, he’s absolutely right about that. The very idea! You know, we had a search in the village just this afternoon. These escapes can be very worrying.’
    ‘Indeed, Mrs Sharpe, I’m sure they are. I’m sure you didn’t mean to lie this morning when my colleagues visited you.’
    Julia stared at him. ‘I don’t like your tone, Mr Roper. I don’t like your behaviour much, either,’ she said, crossing her arms. ‘I have rights, and I think I would prefer it if you would come back tomorrow.’
    Mr Roper shook his head. ‘Impossible, I’m afraid, Mrs Sharpe. We need to talk to you now. About the calls we’ve had saying that young people were seen in your garden. I understand that the girl worked for you briefly. Seems likely that she would come to you, doesn’t it?’
    ‘Does it?’ Julia asked stiffly, following him through her front door, which was shut behind her by a tall man in uniform. In her kitchen, she could see three more. ‘Well, if she did, then I certainly didn’t know anything about it.’
    Mr Roper stared at her silently, and motioned for her to sit down.
    ‘I hope that you won’t be inconveniencing me for too long,’ she continued curtly, as she sat down at her kitchen table. He was a slight man, she noticed, thinner than he looked in photographs, with pale blue eyes and dark blond hair. He’d be quite good-looking under different circumstances. Perhaps a bit of charm would be a good idea, she thought to herself. Maybe if she fluttered her eyelashes a bit?
    But before she could launch her charm offensive, Mr Roper sat down across from her and grabbed her wrists.
    ‘The men you see over there,’ he said, pointing to the uniformed men standing around the sink area, ‘are Catchers. Catchers, Mrs Sharpe, have very different codes to normal police. They have more . . . leeway, shall we say. More methods at their disposal. You are the wife of a senior official, and I would not like to hand you over to the Catchers because I am a civilised man, and prefer a civilised approach. But I cannot keep them off you for long. They want those Surpluses, and they will find them. Do you understand?’
    He was leaning over the table and staring directly into Julia’s eyes, making her blink nervously.
    ‘But I’m a Legal,’ she said hesitantly. ‘You can’t treat me like this.’
    Mr Roper smiled. ‘Mrs Sharpe,’ he said, sitting back, his tone suddenly lighter, ‘do you know what will happen if we arrest you for hiding Surpluses?’
    Julia shook her head.
    ‘You will be put in a cell,’ Mr Roper continued, ‘and you will be questioned. We can keep you for up to three months if we wish.’
    ‘Three months?’ Julia asked, her eyes wide. ‘But I’ve done nothing wrong. This is . . . outrageous. It’s just not acceptable!’
    Mr Roper’s eyes narrowed. ‘Hiding Surpluses is outrageous, Mrs Sharpe. Defying the Authorities and the Declaration is not acceptable. I’m afraid that the normal rules and processes of the justice system don’t apply to the harbouring of Surpluses. Too much at stake, Mrs Sharpe. You understand, I’m sure.’
    He stared at her for a moment, then smiled. ‘You know, of