Over the next several months, Helen worked hard to retain a sense of normalcy. She didn’t refuse David, but their lovemaking no longer brought her joy. David assumed she was tired and irritable due to advanced pregnancy, but Helen couldn’t put the secret of his birth from her mind. The knowledge festered, and she wished she could share her burden with someone, but there was no one she could confide in. She hadn’t seen much of Sarah, who was busy with her own life and hardly noticed Helen’s lack of communication.
The one person Helen felt comfortable with was Agnes. She was a kind soul who never judged anyone rashly and always spoke of Edith with great affection. When in Agnes’s company, Helen could almost forgive Edith her sins. She’d been a young woman who got caught unawares. She wouldn’t be the first woman to have a baby outside of her marriage, and she’d done the only thing she could think of at the time. How was she to know that nearly four decades later, her sin would come back to haunt her? The shock had been enough to kill her. Not even Edith, who’d been something of a cynic, could have predicted such a cruel twist of fate.
Was it a strange coincidence that Helen had met her brother, or had it been part of some divine plan, love disguised as retribution? Helen tried to convince herself that a kind, loving God wouldn’t take his wrath out on their baby, but as her due date approached, she grew more and more fretful. She became convinced that there was something wrong with the baby, and that she or the child, or both, would die during childbirth. By the time Helen’s pains came, she was almost relieved. She couldn’t take the strain any longer. If God was to take her, so be it. She was ready to bow to his will.
Chapter 25
June 2015
London, England
“Brother and sister?” Gabe asked, his brow furrowing in disbelief. “My God, that’s one I hadn’t expected. If it wasn’t so tragic, I’d say that was the ultimate cosmic joke. Imagine, meeting and falling in love with the one person in the whole world you shouldn’t be with. What are the odds?”
“Not very high, I’d imagine,” Quinn said. She pinched the bridge of her nose, but the vicious headache that seemed to reside just behind her eyes wouldn’t let up. Quinn reached for the bottle of paracetamol in the kitchen cupboard and shook out two tablets. Gabe handed her a glass of water. “Thank you,” Quinn mumbled as she swallowed the medicine.
“So, you think the child buried in the garden is the baby Helen was carrying?” Gabe asked.
“It must be. Perhaps she experienced some form of sixth sense. She believed something was wrong with the baby, and maybe there was.”
“Or maybe nothing was wrong, and she whipped herself up into such a state that she killed it.”
“Oh God, I hadn’t thought of that,” Quinn replied. “She just didn’t seem like someone who’d be capable of such a thing. Helen was so sensible, so practical.”
“Some things can drive even the most practical people over the edge.”
“What would you do if you found out I was your sister?” Quinn asked, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Gabe shook his head in bafflement. “I don’t know. Throughout history, cousins were permitted to marry, even encouraged to marry to retain the purity of the bloodline. Helen and David were half-siblings, so almost like cousins. Had they lived in a different time and place, no one would have batted an eyelash.”
“No, I suppose not, but they lived in 1950s Britain. Eyelashes would bat and stones would be cast if anyone discovered the truth of their situation. They might even have faced a prison sentence.”
“Poor Helen,” Gabe said, shaking his head. “What a burden to carry. I wonder if she ever told David.”
“She wanted to spare him. She loved him too much to burden him with the knowledge.” Quinn sighed. She’d dropped the brooch as soon as Helen had gone into labor. She couldn’t bear to see what happened next, but she’d have to. Rhys was demanding an update. He needed to decide whether Helen’s story was dramatic enough to engage viewers, and now Quinn finally had something to tell him. He’d be thrilled.
“Rhys thinks the child was dismembered by someone other than the parents,” Quinn said. “His mother recalled a news story from years ago, about a woman who murdered babies and dismembered them. I was able to find the case she was referring to.”
“Really? Tell me.”
“A woman by the name of Cynthia Reed lost her three children in a bombing raid. The remains of the children were recovered several days later. Their limbs had been torn off by the blast. The children had been aged four months, two, and four years old. Over the next five years, several corpses of small children without limbs were discovered, all within three miles of where Cynthia Reed lived. They’d all been buried with some care. Ms. Reed’s doctor swore under oath that Cynthia Reed had lost her wits after the death of her children and wasn’t competent enough to stand trial. She was shut away in an institution instead. Till her dying day, she swore she was innocent of the crimes and would never have hurt anyone’s children.”
“Do you think the baby could be one of the victims?” Gabe asked, his head tilted to the side as he considered this new theory.
“No, I don’t,” Quinn replied. She began ticking off reasons by folding a finger for each. “One, Helen’s brooch was pinned to the shawl. Two, Helen’s house was way outside the range of the other burials. Three, Cynthia Reed had already been committed by the time Helen’s baby must have died. I have no doubt that the baby we found was Helen’s, but what I don’t know is how it died, what happened to its limbs, and why it wasn’t properly interred.”
“I have a feeling you’re about to find out.”
“I don’t want to, Gabe,” Quinn whispered, her eyes welling. “I can’t bear to see children suffer. It’s bad enough when the victim is an adult, but when it’s a helpless, vulnerable baby, I just feel like my heart will break.”
“Maybe you can ask Rhys—” Gabe began, but stopped speaking when Emma walked into the room, Rufus at her heels.
“Can we go to the park?” she asked. “Rufus needs a walk.”
“I thought Maya was coming over for a playdate later,” Quinn said. She’d spoken to Mrs. Cooper, who’d promised to bring Maya round at two o’clock.
“Not anymore,” Emma replied.
“Have you two had a row?” Gabe asked.
“No,” Emma replied defiantly. She folded her arms across her chest and her lower lip trembled, as if she were about to cry.
“Emma, what happened?” Quinn asked gently.
“Maya said she’s going to Jessica’s instead.”
“Why? She had plans with you,” Gabe said.
“She said Jessica is more fun. She’s more mature,” Emma muttered.
“Is she now?” Gabe growled. Quinn threw him a warning look. She didn’t much care for Maya and wasn’t terribly upset that she wouldn’t be coming over, but she felt awful for Emma, who was experiencing her first real rejection.
“And she called Rufus ‘Doofus.’ On purpose,” Emma added, bursting with indignation.
“Em, what Maya did isn’t very nice, and it’s not your fault this happened,” Quinn said, opening her arms to Emma, who immediately walked into them, desperate for comfort.
“Maya says I’m too babyish. I don’t understand things.”
“You understand exactly the right amount of things for someone your age,” Gabe said. Quinn could see the anger bubbling beneath his calm façade. At five, Emma had suffered more than most children. She’d lost her mother and grandmother, had to come and live with a father she’d never known existed, and had to adjust to life in London after spending the first four years of her life in Edinburgh.
“I think Maya is angry,” Emma said as she rested her cheek against Quinn’s shoulder.
“With you?” Quinn asked.
“No, with everyone. Her parents are getting a divorce. They’re going to sell the house, so she’ll have to go to a new school.”
“That must be very difficult for her, but people m
ove all the time. We moved, and you like your school.”
“I miss Aidan,” Emma said. “Aidan was a real friend.”
“Em, I know you like Maya, but there are lots of children at your school. You’ll make other friends. And if you like, I can ring Aidan’s mother and see if you two can get together. Would you like that?”
“I suppose,” Emma said halfheartedly, still smarting from Maya’s abrupt change of heart. “I just want to go to the park and play with Rufus.”
“All right,” Gabe agreed. “Let’s go for a walk. Shall we bring Alex?”
“No.”
“You go on,” Quinn said. “Have a nice time. Alex and I have errands to run.”
“How’s your head?” Gabe inquired when Emma went to put on her shoes and fetch Rufus’s lead.
“Much better. I can use some fresh air, though. I’ll pop over to the shops, and I need to stop at Boots. I’ll go once Alex wakes up.”
Gabe leaned down and kissed Quinn. “I’ll see you later. Try not to take this case so personally.”
“Easy for you to say,” Quinn mumbled once Gabe left the room.
Chapter 26
After Gabe and Emma had gone, Quinn went upstairs to check on Alex. He was sleeping peacefully, his lips stretched into a tiny smile. Her heart melted at the sight of him. He was so sweet, so perfect. How could anyone murder a child, especially a child conceived in love? She’d do anything to protect her baby, would suffer any hardship without a word of complaint if it meant keeping Alex and Emma safe. She could easily understand how someone could go mad after losing their kids. She hoped she’d never lose Gabe, but if their marriage came to an end, she would recover in time. But she would never recover from losing the children, Alex especially. He was a part of her, her heart, her soul, her reason for being. Now that she had a baby of her own, she could understand the lengths people went to in order to protect their children, even when their children were truly evil.
She could understand Seth and Kathy’s relief at finally having Brett back with them, and although, somewhere deep inside, she felt as if Seth had chosen Brett over her, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that Seth would move mountains to help her if she were ever in need. Being a parent was the most rewarding and the most heartbreaking thing in the world. It made you strong, but it also made you more vulnerable than you’d ever been and could destroy you if tragedy ever struck.
Quinn looked down at her sleeping baby. “Dear God, please keep him safe,” she prayed silently. “Please, don’t ever let anything happen to him.” She tiptoed out of the room and returned downstairs.
Unsettled by the direction her thoughts had taken, she decided she could use a distraction, so she rang Logan. She’d kept her promise to herself to give him space, but she was getting worried, especially since Jude was no longer at the rehab facility. When she’d called, she’d been informed that Jude had been checked out.
Logan answered on the second ring. “I’m sorry, Quinn,” was the first thing out of his mouth. “I’ve been an absolute tosser.”
“I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
“Are you busy right now?”
“I was going to run a few errands, but they can wait.”
“Want to meet for a cuppa? I’ll come to you. Costa on Brompton Road in about an hour?” Logan suggested.
Quinn was about to tell him that it’d have to be later when she heard Alex’s babbling over the child monitor. “Sure. See you there.”
Quinn fed and changed Alex and set off. The day was lovely, and she enjoyed the walk. Alex was enjoying it as well, his mouth open in wonder as he spotted each new thing. He nearly shot out of his buggy with excitement when a police car with its siren on went by.
Costa wasn’t too crowded, and Quinn found a seat by the window after getting her tea. She settled Alex in a highchair and gave him a toy to play with to keep him from getting fussy. Logan arrived a few minutes later. He looked well, if a bit tired. He planted a kiss on her cheek and waved to Alex, who waved back.
“I’ve taken on a few extra shifts at the hospital,” he explained as he set his coffee on the table. “Can’t stand being at home.”
“Are you back at Sylvia’s?” Quinn asked, stunned by this turn of events.
“For the foreseeable. I need to keep an eye on Jude, and things with Colin are…well, you know.”
“Have you spoken to him?” Quinn asked, against her better judgement.
“Yes. No.”
“What does that mean?”
“I tried to explain how I feel, but it came out all wrong and if he was hurt before, now he’s gutted. I really cocked it up, Quinn. I’m not sure where to go from here.”
“Where do you want to go? Do you want to get back with Colin or would you prefer to remain single for a while?”
“The truth is, I don’t know. I miss Colin. A lot. I think about him a hundred times a day. Every time something funny happens, or I get upset, or just want to sit on the sofa in companionable silence watching telly, I miss him. But I also miss not knowing exactly what the day will bring. I miss meeting new people and having new experiences. Colin is set in his ways. He’s domesticated.”
“I thought you were too.”
“So did I, but I’m not ready—” Logan looked away, an odd expression on his face.
“Logan, what is it?”
“It’s nothing. Forget it. I’m happy to see you, and this little guy.” He made a silly face at Alex, and Alex laughed with delight. “I need some advice, actually. Jude’s back home.”
“I know. I called for him and they told me he’d gone. Does he have a plan?”
“No, that’s the problem. Jude has no idea what to do with himself. He’s moping around the house, sleeping half the day away, and watching endless hours of TV. If he continues like this, he’ll relapse out of sheer boredom.”
Quinn shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t suggest anything. He needs a purpose, something to fill his days.”
“I suggested going to school, but he refused, and he has no interest in the types of jobs open to him. I don’t know what else to offer. And, of course, Mum is coddling him as if he were an invalid. She’s dancing attendance on him because it gives her something to do.”
“I’m sure she’s worried sick after what happened last time.”
“She is, but babying him won’t help. He needs to figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life and take the first step toward that.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Yes,” Logan agreed. “I’m hardly a shining example of self-awareness.”
“Few people are.”
“You and Gabe seem to have it together. I envy you guys. By the way, Jo’s been by.”
“Really?” Quinn asked. Jo still hadn’t called her back, and she was shocked to find out that she’d gone to see Sylvia, or her half-brothers. She hadn’t shown much interest in them, and anytime Sylvia was mentioned, she grimaced, as if even hearing her name was painful.
“She wanted to talk to Mum. Apparently, they had a nice visit.”
“I’m glad they’re getting to know each other,” Quinn said, turning to take a sippy cup out of Alex’s diaper bag to hide her surprise.
“Yeah, I guess.” Logan consulted his watch. “Gotta run. I have a shift.”
“All right. It was good to see you.”
“You too, sis. Thanks for listening.”
“Ring me anytime.” Quinn stood and gave Logan a hug, then watched as he left the café and dashed across the street. Alex waved to him, but Logan didn’t see.
Chapter 27
Quinn was surprised to find Jo waiting for her when she returned home. Jo was sitting on the top step, phone in hand. She was casually dressed in a pair of torn jeans, a moss-green t-shirt, and a pair of trainers. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, which swung when she turned her head, and a pair of designer shades hid her eyes from view. Quinn was glad to see her, but this habit of turning up unannounced
didn’t sit well with her, especially after weeks of complete radio silence. She was beginning to realize that erratic behavior might be the norm for her sister.
“Hey,” Jo called out, as if they’d just seen each other yesterday. “I was beginning to think I’d have to wait for hours.”
“You could have rung,” Quinn replied. She didn’t mean to sound sulky, but she didn’t like to be ambushed. “Come in.”
Jo followed Quinn into the kitchen and tossed her handbag on the worktop. “Any chance of a cup of tea?” she asked. Not waiting for a reply, she went to fill the kettle and turned it on.
Quinn settled Alex in his highchair and turned to Jo. Gabe had advised her not to interrogate Jo about her motives for leaving, but Quinn was too annoyed to heed anyone’s advice. Jo’s behavior was unpredictable and at times infuriating. She did what she wanted, when she wanted, without taking anyone else’s feelings into account. Quinn plucked an apple from the fruit bowl and began to peel it, needing something to occupy her hands. She’d been about to cross her arms in front of her chest, just as Emma had done earlier. She supposed that to some extent, Jo had the same effect on her as Maya had on Emma. She made her feel destabilized. Quinn cored the apple and cut it into thin slices before placing it in front of Alex, who instantly picked up a slice and began to chew on it.
“What happened, Jo? Why did you leave so abruptly?”
“Nothing happened. I just decided it was time to move on,” Jo replied tersely. She leaned against the worktop, crossing her ankles and sliding her hands into the pockets of her jeans. On anyone else, the posture would look casual and relaxed, but Jo seemed more tense than she was letting on.
“Was there nothing in your father’s letter?” Quinn asked gently. She thought the letter was the key to Jo’s sudden change of heart about finding her daughter, but Jo stubbornly shook her head.
The Broken (Echoes from the Past Book 8) Page 14