Her Secret Past: A completely gripping and heart-stopping crime thriller

by Kerry Watts

  ‘Jess – wait,’ he pleaded. ‘If this is going to be awkward, me and Haley will go.’

  Jessie snatched her arm out of his grip.

  ‘Get your hand off me,’ she growled through gritted teeth.

  Dan raised his hands in the air. ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’

  Jessie’s anxiety was morphing into anger as she headed inside the restaurant’s ladies’ room. Her cheeks had gained a pink hue from the stress of their sudden arrival. Haley looked like a nice woman, smiling from ear to ear when she saw Ben. She had a right to know about Dan, didn’t she? Jessie wondered if he’d told her about their son. Their marriage? His abuse?

  Jessie rinsed a little cold water over her hands and ran her fingers over the back of her neck to cool herself down. She didn’t want this to ruin her evening with Ben. She’d been looking forward to seeing him all day.

  She moved to a cubicle and locked the door, then exhaled away the stress of their unexpected arrival. She supposed she should be better prepared in future. If he was living in Perth, they were bound to encounter each other occasionally.

  From inside her cubicle she heard another customer enter the bathroom and thought nothing of it until she unlocked the door.

  ‘Haley,’ she greeted her while she washed her hands.

  ‘I hope this isn’t too awkward for you,’ Haley said. ‘I know about you and Dan.’

  Jessie could only smile while she shook her head. ‘Ancient history.’

  ‘Good; I’m glad. I would hate that, with you being with Ben. This probably won’t be the only time we’ll bump into each other.’

  The thought of seeing them regularly horrified Jessie. For so many reasons. She couldn’t stand the thought of watching Dan destroy this lovely young woman the way he had Jessie. She fought hard to stop herself grabbing Haley and shaking her. Telling her to run and never look back.

  ‘Perhaps,’ Jessie replied instead.

  This wasn’t the right time or place. So she simply smiled and tugged at the paper towels. After tossing the paper in the bin she headed back to her table. The sight of Ben smiling and laughing with Dan, who was still standing next to their table, made Jessie feel sick. She was a fool to think she could do this. Ben grinned as she returned to the table.

  ‘I’m sorry, Ben, something’s come up – I have to go,’ she lied.

  Before he could answer Jessie was already on her way out of the door. His voice echoed across the now crowded high street.

  ‘Jessie, wait—’ he repeated.

  Ben caught up with her with ease and spun her to face him, his eyes filled with concern when he saw the moisture in hers.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he urged.

  ‘Ben,’ Jessie murmured. ‘I can’t—’ She broke away from his embrace.

  ‘Jess,’ he called after her as he watched her walk away.

  63

  Jessie was so glad to be inside her flat. She locked the door and tossed the key into the bowl. Her boots were kicked under the hall table while she stared at her reflection in the mirror above it. Her face was red from crying but not because she was sad. These were tears of anger mixed with fear.

  She picked Smokey up into her arms and nuzzled her cheek into his while he purred. She didn’t know what she’d do without him. Poor Smokey. He’d dried many a tear in his ten years. Jessie cuddled him close and carried him into the kitchen where she poured a tall, chilled glass of wine from the bottle in the fridge and sank its contents. Her pulse had finally returned to normal. Her stomach rumbled as she placed Smokey back down. She’d been looking forward to that meal.

  Jessie opened the fridge again and pulled out a large block of cheese and the butter. She was disappointed to find the pickle jar all but empty. She managed to scrape out a little to enhance the cheese sandwich she made and took it into the living room, where she sank into the corner of her sofa. Her sandwich was tasteless but she was famished.

  The knock on her door made her jump. Jessie froze. The sound of knocking grew louder. Jessie tiptoed through the hall to peer through the spyhole. Her relief was immense as she opened the door to Benito.

  ‘What the hell, Jess?’ Ben’s perplexed expression made Jessie feel guilty. ‘Haley is just a friend from work.’

  Jessie frowned, confused by why that was relevant. ‘I know that.’

  ‘Then why did you rush off like that? It’s clearly not work.’

  Ben’s attitude was strange. He’d never challenged Jessie like this.

  ‘It was, it was…’ Jessie heard herself ramble but couldn’t stop it. ‘It was just— Nothing, Ben. I’m sorry. Look, come in…’ She held the door wide for him, avoiding eye contact. ‘I’m sorry for rushing off like that. I owe you an explanation.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Ben whispered.

  Jessie watched the back of Ben disappear along the hall and into her kitchen. She drew in a long, slow breath while she closed the door. She leaned her head on it and allowed her shoulders to droop with the reality that was weighing down on her. She couldn’t avoid this any longer. It wasn’t fair to the people who cared about her. Even Dylan. Yes, she would arrange that dinner and tell him. He deserved to know why Jessie behaved this way. But for tonight, she had to tell Ben everything.

  Jessie felt so exposed that she wanted to curl up and die right then.

  ‘Ben, say something,’ she urged, her hands trembling.

  Why isn’t he saying anything? Jessie thought.

  Benito remained silent because he didn’t have to say anything. He pulled Jessie into his arms and held her there, then kissed the top of her head. From inside his embrace Jessie felt safe.

  ‘Thank you for trusting me,’ he whispered and kissed her head again.

  Jessie was wrong to think Ben would judge her. He wasn’t Dan, but when someone had been hurt like Jessie had then trusting again seemed impossible. She lifted her head up from his chest. This was it. The moment she couldn’t – she wouldn’t – stop.

  64

  Arlene Angus filled a cup with water for Tommy.

  ‘Here you go.’ She held the straw close to his lips until he reached out his hand.

  ‘It’s OK; I can manage.’ His voice was still hoarse. ‘Thank you.’

  Arlene corrected herself and handed it to him. ‘I know; I’m sorry.’ She sat back down.

  ‘It’s fine.’ Tommy smiled. ‘I like that you’re fussing over me.’

  Tommy pressed his hand on hers. Arlene quickly wiped away a tear she felt escape. This was a happy moment. She was just being silly.

  ‘This is so good,’ Tommy told her after taking a long, slow sip. ‘Nice and chilled.’ He licked his lips and handed her the cup before laying his head back onto the pillow. He closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Why do I feel so damn tired? I’ve been out for the count for so long I should be rested by now.’ He tried to laugh then winced from the pain in his ribs.

  ‘Doctor says it’s normal. You’ll be exhausted for a while yet. Your body has had a shock and needs time to recover,’ Arlene informed him while she squeezed his hand in hers. That touch. That connection was good for both of them.

  ‘What’s Gordon doing tonight?’ Tommy asked without opening his eyes.

  ‘Shh, never mind about Gordon,’ Arlene responded and leaned over to kiss Tommy’s cheek. ‘You get some sleep. I’ll be back in the morning to see you.’

  ‘OK, boss,’ Tommy murmured as he drifted into a deep sleep.

  Arlene stroked his cheek and watched his chest rise and fall. She stood up and leaned down to kiss his forehead. He had to be told about what had happened to Malcolm and Jean, but the thought that it would have to come from her scared her.

  As she walked away from the ICU towards the hospital car park Arlene’s phone buzzed with a number she didn’t recognise. She stopped by the driver’s door of her car.

  ‘Hello,’ she answered tentatively.

  ‘Arlene Angus?’ a woman’s voice said.

  ‘Y-Yes, who is this?’ Arlene stuttered. ‘How did
you get my number?’

  ‘That’s not important. I just want you to know that you don’t have to worry about Gordon. He’s fine. He says you’ll worry but please don’t. I’ll take care of him.’

  Panic slammed into Arlene’s chest and she had to gasp to catch her breath.

  ‘How do you know my son?’ she pleaded. ‘Where is he?’ A silence followed her pleas. ‘Hello, are you still there?’ Arlene’s chest tightened. ‘Please let me speak to him.’

  She could hear muffled voices in the background before Gordon’s voice came on the line.

  ‘Mum, I’m fine. I’ve promised I’ll help her so please don’t worry about me. I’ll be home when it’s all over.’

  ‘Gordon?’ Arlene shouted out as she heard the call end. ‘Gordon!’

  Arlene immediately dialled the number and almost dropped her phone in shock. The voicemail message that she was connected to once the call rang out was not what she’d expected at all. What the hell was she supposed to do now? If she did nothing she feared Gordon was in danger. If she told DI Blake then Gordon would surely be arrested.

  65

  Jessie blushed at the memory of the night before but couldn’t stop smiling. She stared out of her office window at the low winter sun, only just peaking over the spire of St Ninian’s cathedral. Thinking about Benito triggered the same butterfly sensation she remembered when she was a teenager. It wasn’t exactly an unpleasant feeling either.

  ‘Detective Inspector Blake.’

  A woman’s voice tore into Jessie’s daydream, catching her off guard a little, making her spill her coffee onto the floor by the window.

  ‘Och, now look at me – what a mess,’ Jessie remarked and laid her mug on her desk before wiping drips from her shirt. ‘I’m DI Blake, yes. What can I do for you?’

  The pretty, brown-haired woman smiled and pulled out a chair next to Jessie’s desk.

  ‘My name is Julia Dean. I work for Kenny and Rachel Ferguson.’

  ‘Ah yes, pleased to meet you. How can I help?’

  Jessie was intrigued at this woman’s reason for visiting. Why would one of Rachel’s employees be there to talk to Jessie?

  ‘I heard that you think Rachel killed that couple,’ Julia announced. ‘You’re wrong. Rachel wouldn’t do that.’

  Jessie eyed the woman with interest. She sat back in her chair and considered her words. Jessie wondered how much of the evidence Julia knew about.

  ‘How can you be so sure?’

  ‘I know it looks bad. The evidence. The DNA. But she can’t have done it.’

  ‘If you know about all the evidence, how can you be so sure?’ Jessie dug a little deeper. Did this woman know all the evidence? The history? She could see there was something she needed to say but was struggling to get it out.

  ‘Do you know something about what happened to Malcolm and Jean,’ Jessie asked directly, ‘because right now it looks like Rachel killed them?’

  ‘No!’ Julia shouted. ‘She didn’t.’

  Jessie was becoming increasingly confused and somewhat irritated by her lack of real information.

  ‘What are you not telling me?’

  Julia got up. ‘Look, I’m only saying what I overheard him say.’

  ‘What who said?’ Jessie urged.

  Julia looked terrified. ‘Promise me you won’t tell him I told you. I need that job.’

  ‘I promise,’ Jessie answered, worried for the girl’s sanity, the state she seemed to be getting in. ‘Just tell me.’

  Julia looked Jessie straight in the eye. ‘It was Kenny.’

  ‘Kenny Ferguson?’ Jessie repeated.

  Julia nodded. ‘I overheard him on the phone. I think he was arranging to have them killed.’

  Neither of the two women had heard Dylan arrive until he gasped at the revelation. Jessie stared at him in disbelief.

  ‘How do you know that’s what he was doing?’

  ‘Because I heard him mumbling something about killing and now that old couple are dead.’ Julia’s voice grew louder. ‘He didn’t know I was standing outside his office door.’

  ‘Can you prove any of this?’ Jessie asked. ‘Who was he talking to?’

  Julia shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’

  Her answer exasperated Jessie. Just when she was potentially so close.

  ‘How can you know for sure that’s what he was saying?’ Jessie continued. ‘Could you have got the wrong end of the stick? Your boss is a well-known businessman.’

  ‘You don’t know him as well as I do, Detective,’ Julia interrupted. ‘He’d do anything for Rachel.’

  66

  David Law watched the back of Kenny Ferguson until he disappeared out of the park gate and round the corner. He smirked at Kenny’s threat. If Kenny thought he could scare him, he was very much mistaken. David had encountered far more intimidating men than an overweight, ageing businessman. Sure, threatening to go to the police might work on some people but like David said, how badly did he want to keep his wife’s secret identity?

  The echo of running footsteps got closer until they stopped near to the bench he sat on. He smiled at the pretty blonde jogger when she paused to take a drink and wipe her sweat-soaked head.

  ‘Nice day,’ he commented, his eyes skimming her petite frame as he spoke, but got nothing in response. Instead the girl simply checked her watch and took off running again.

  He didn’t blame her for blanking him. He was a mess. Thin. Tired. Black circles crowding his eyes after years inside. He hadn’t been able to afford to do anything to improve his life until recently.

  That young lad reaching out to him had been a shock to begin with. Having someone ask such intimate questions wasn’t anything new, but this lad wasn’t asking for any reason other than pure delight. The way he’d revelled in the details had appalled David at first. He’d come close to telling his probation officer – as close as lifting his phone to call her – but something had stopped him. The money.

  But David was clever. He hadn’t gone right out and started splashing the cash. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself. He’d managed to put a large amount into savings for their futures. He’d been unable to help either of them when he’d been locked away but he could now and he would. He’d not really opened up to Gordon for his own personal gain at all. He’d done it for his girls. Not that he told him that. Talking about it all again after so many years exposed the feelings David had tried to push down. He’d had to. Any sign of weakness gets you preyed on in prison; there are predators in there just waiting to devour you.

  David’s hand slipped into his pocket. He tightened it over her last letter; something he carried with him always. Like a lucky charm, he supposed. She’d been through so much without him. If he hadn’t been so stupid all those years ago none of it would have happened.

  As soon as he could, David planned to rent a little flat just for the two of them. Make up for the lost years. The ones stolen from them.

  Kenny’s text made him grin.

  Oh, old man, don’t make threats you can’t follow through on.

  David quickly typed his answer then stuffed his phone into his jeans pocket. He leaned right back on the bench and inhaled a long, deep breath, taking in the fresh, chill winter air which was still a luxury to him. David wanted the money in cash the next time the two men met. What he was asking for was a mere drop in the ocean to Kenny. He’d explained it wasn’t blackmail; it was simply reparations.

  Kenny had become angry when David asked how well did he really know his wife because he hadn’t been there when that hammer had connected with Peter Connor’s skull. He hadn’t seen the ecstasy grow on her face. He hadn’t heard the whimper of pleasure escape her lips. She’d been so beautiful. The injunction was pointless, David had laughed. Her secret was too big to risk. David had all the power today and he intended to use it.

  It was Gordon’s voice that brought David out of his daydream.

  ‘Hello again,’ Gordon remarked and sat down next to him. He
pulled an envelope from the inner pocket of his fleece then rubbed his hands against the cold. ‘It’s good to see you.’

  David took the envelope and looked inside before flicking the notes between his fingers. That was close, he mused. Not that he really cared whether the two men met. His donors.

  ‘How’s your dad doing now?’ David asked and tucked the envelope away into the pocket of his jeans, barely able to make it fit. He shifted position on the bench to stuff it as far down as he could get it.

  ‘Fine; my dad’s fine.’ Gordon seemed irritated by the question. ‘I’ve just seen her. I came straight here after.’

  ‘What did she say?’

  Gordon shrugged and blushed. That made David smile. ‘I told her what I saw.’

  ‘Mm, how did she take that?’

  Gordon grinned. ‘She looked relieved, happy even. Once I explained, of course.’

  ‘You really do like her, don’t you?’ David teased and grinned at the redness increasing on Gordon’s face. ‘I don’t blame you. Alice is—’ He paused to correct himself. ‘I mean, Rachel. She has a way of making you feel…’ David couldn’t explain it. He fell silent for a moment.

  ‘I feel weird when I think about her,’ Gordon admitted.

  David recognised that feeling. ‘You love her. That’s what that weird feeling is – love.’

  Gordon frowned. ‘Is it?’

  David didn’t know whether to feel pity or to envy Gordon’s reaction. Falling in love with Alice – as she would always be to David – happened so quickly. She’d hooked him with her innocent charms before he’d realised it was happening.

  ‘Has she asked you to help her?’ David asked.

  Gordon shook his head. ‘No, she didn’t ask. I offered. I promised.’

  ‘Oh,’ David commented. ‘What did you promise exactly?’

  ‘I said I would help her with her police problem.’