The Dinner Party

by R. J. Parker

  ‘She is applying for jobs. Perhaps she had an interview.’

  That made sense. ‘She did say Pip was sleeping though, so I don’t think she was going anywhere.’

  Juliette twigged. ‘You mean you there on your own and her a lonely single mother …’

  ‘It just seemed a little odd.’

  ‘Her sister sometimes babysits for her.’ But Juliette didn’t appear completely convinced.

  ‘She gave me the impression she wanted to be invited in …’

  ‘She always wants to be invited in.’

  ‘I know and I think I probably completely misread it,’ he added quickly. ‘I just wasn’t in the mood to talk, so I gave her an excuse. Said I was going out. So I did.’

  Juliette wound up the window again. ‘So you spoke to Connor about the Rohypnol and then you were going to tell Kathryn and Rhys? Before you spoke to me?’

  ‘I tried to call you. Shawna told me you were in a meeting.’ It was a convenient excuse but not entirely the truth. ‘I needed to talk about it. I just can’t get my head around how Jakob ended up with that stuff in his bloodstream.’

  Juliette shook her head. ‘This just gets worse and worse.’

  Ted had to ask. ‘Was Evie still … dabbling?’

  ‘I don’t think she’s done anything like that for years.’ Juliette seemed very certain.

  ‘That you know of. I wonder what it was that Jakob took when he had his overdose? If he really did try to commit suicide.’

  ‘Why would she lie to me about that?’

  Ted delicately touched the wound at the back of his head. ‘I don’t know. Evie’s the only one with any drug connections, but without her testimony, Renton’s going to be looking to us for answers.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

  ‘What about Evie’s dealer?’

  Juliette frowned at Ted. ‘She didn’t have a dealer.’

  ‘She used to. Her ex. What was his name?’ Ted racked his brains.

  Juliette shrugged.

  ‘You know, Guy something. Grant, that’s it. What was his surname? You must remember her ex.’

  ‘That was a long time ago.’

  ‘We must have photos of him. Grant Tulley. That’s it.’

  ‘Do we really have to drag up that part of her past?’

  Ted was casting his mind back to the New Year’s Eve that Evie had got them the joints. ‘Perhaps it isn’t in the past though.’

  ‘I’d know.’

  ‘When she was diagnosed, she went off the radar.’

  ‘I respected her privacy.’

  ‘But she clearly kept stuff from you.’

  Juliette filled her chest. ‘Even if she did have a dealer, why would she drug her own husband with Rohypnol?’

  ‘I can’t see Kathryn or Rhys having any reason for doing it – they were busy with their own issues anyway. When Evie wanted to play the game, it was news to all of us, correct?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘She hadn’t mentioned it to you beforehand?’

  ‘You know that,’ Juliette said firmly.

  ‘There was nothing else Evie mentioned to you? Something she wanted Jakob to admit?’

  ‘Aside from his suicide attempt?’

  ‘Something else she’d want to coax out of him?’

  ‘No. She was distraught about the attempt. I told you.’ Juliette’s tone hardened further.

  Juliette was right. What possible reason could Evie have had for giving Jakob a date-rape drug? Rohypnol made you forget. It wasn’t a truth serum.

  ‘I wonder if Renton has a record of any other calls being made that night.’ Juliette zipped her collar tighter.

  ‘To the person in the CCTV clip?’

  She nodded. ‘Maybe this is all irrelevant. If Renton has a record of that call, then they’re the one who can explain what happened at the house.’

  ‘Unlikely though, particularly if he still needs to talk to Kathryn.’ But Ted was puzzled as to why Evie had called her. How much more of her life had Evie concealed or lied about to Juliette? ‘We should tell Renton about the suicide attempt. He can find out from the hospital if it really happened.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  While they waited for Kathryn, Juliette said she needed to catch up with some emails and focused on her phone, but Ted was getting increasingly concerned about her. She just seemed to stare at the screen. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’

  She nodded and tapped the display for his benefit.

  Ted had no desire to go to the hospital to be examined, but knew it was something she normally would have badgered him about. They’d just been through a traumatic episode at Kathryn’s but had Juliette told him everything?

  He accessed his own work emails but couldn’t concentrate. Instead he opened Facebook and put a name into a search.

  Grant Tulley

  There were only five in the results and he studied the profile photos of each. The third was a man in his thirties with a shaven head and a little girl on his lap. But when he looked closer, despite the extra pounds, he was sure it was Evie’s ex. Ted had been at a couple of parties Grant had attended in the early days of knowing Juliette. He was the sort of guy who had seemed cool to have around when they were in their twenties – always buying rounds of shots and getting them cheap tickets for gigs from the booking website he ran. But despite his party-supply sideline, Evie had grown bored of him as a boyfriend. It had all been amicable, however, and she still scored the odd joint from him. Jakob hadn’t really liked him being around and that was understandable. He’d properly disappeared from the scene when Evie and Jakob had got married.

  Ted tapped his photo and confirmed it was definitely him. His profile said he was single. He was still living locally in Brayford, a satellite village four or so miles away.

  Ted sent a friend request and held his breath, as if he would get an immediate response. But when he scrolled through Grant’s posts, he could see the last one was the profile photo, which he’d updated in 2018. Only three other profile pic updates preceded it, Grant’s features getting progressively slimmer as far back as 2012. Not exactly a social media animal. He did have over four hundred friends though. If he was still dealing maybe he used Messenger to communicate with his clients.

  Ted closed the page and wondered if Grant would remember him.

  Juliette’s phone rang and he glanced across at her display.

  Kathryn

  Juliette raised her eyebrows at him and answered. ‘What’s happening?’ She sat up straighter in her seat.

  Ted couldn’t hear what Kathryn was saying.

  ‘Don’t worry, we really don’t mind waiting, however long it takes.’ She listened then swallowed. ‘I’m sure he’ll call you soon. Just take a deep breath. And ring me as soon as you’re done. We’ll come and pick you up … Yes, stay with us tonight. Just keep calm. OK.’ She hung up.

  ‘What’s happening?’

  ‘Renton wants to question her for longer.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘She doesn’t know what else she can tell him, but he’s adamant. She said she’s arranged for her brother to pick up the kids and they’re going to stay at his house, so we can go home.’

  Ted looked at his watch. Just after midday. She’d been in there for over an hour. ‘She hasn’t heard from Rhys?’

  ‘No. And I don’t want her going home alone.’

  ‘Maybe Renton doesn’t believe her story.’

  ‘About Evie calling?’

  ‘Yes. It still seems strange that she kept that conversation from us. I’d be suspicious. Maybe he thinks that’s her in the clip.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous.’

  ‘I suppose he only has her word for it. That figure couldn’t be Rhys, he’s too hefty, but it could be Kathryn.’ As Ted thought it out loud, he could see why she was being detained.

  ‘But she was in bed with Rhys. He’ll confirm that …’ Juliette trailed off.

  ‘Perhaps Renton will be speaking to him next.
If they can find him.’

  ‘Why do you say it like that?’

  ‘Well, it’s not going to help, is it? He’s Kathryn’s alibi and he’s gone AWOL.’

  ‘He’ll be back,’ Juliette insisted. ‘And then they can clear this up.’

  ‘She didn’t mention that Renton wants to see Rhys?’

  Juliette looked thoughtfully at her phone for a moment. ‘No.’

  ‘Seems odd. Maybe Renton thinks Rhys will lie for her anyway.’

  ‘So, you really think that Kathryn’s in the clip?’ Juliette asked incredulously.

  ‘I don’t know. Don’t you think it’s possible?’

  She pulled on her safety belt. ‘Let’s go. We’ll wait at home.’

  ‘Juliette, don’t you think it’s possible?’

  ‘Maybe Renton’s asking her all about the game and what she put in her envelope. Perhaps that’s what we’ll all have to tell him now.’ Juliette clicked the belt into place.

  ‘Perhaps.’ But he suspected she’d said it to silence him. He pulled on his own belt and started the engine.

  A few minutes after they’d pulled out of the police station and had slowed at some lights, Juliette’s phone rang again.

  ‘Connor?’

  Ted briefly looked over at her.

  ‘No, I’m in town with Ted. Slow down.’

  Ted checked the road as the traffic surged through the lights and then tried to read Juliette’s expression.

  It changed to alarm and she sat forward. ‘What?’

  Ted had to quickly apply the brakes to prevent them going into the back of the car in front.

  ‘Yes, we’re only ten minutes away. We’ll be straight there. Connor? Connor?’ He’d cut the call. She immediately hit redial. ‘Connor’s at Gallcott Parkway. Orla’s on the rail bridge threatening to jump.’

  ‘What?’ But Ted knew he hadn’t misheard.

  ‘He wants me there now. Needs me to talk her down.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  Ted pulled them off the busy main road and sped them to the train station via the back streets. Juliette rang Connor’s number again.

  ‘Anything?’

  ‘Going to voicemail.’ But she kept trying.

  ‘What about phoning Orla?’

  ‘If she’s on the brink of jumping, I daren’t. Watch out!’

  Ted returned his attention to the road in time to swerve around a group of kids in hoodies. They hurled abuse as the Corsa shot past.

  He jerked the wheel and took a sharp right back onto the main road. The station was only one set of traffic lights away now, but they were red. Ted decelerated as they reached the back of the waiting cars.

  ‘Come on!’ Juliette yelled.

  Seconds ticked away.

  She put her hand to the door. ‘I could get out here. Go the rest of the way on foot.’

  ‘They’ll change now.’ But Ted counted past twenty as they remained frozen.

  ‘I’m getting out.’

  ‘Wait! It’s not going to be any quicker!’ Ted willed them to change.

  Another nine seconds later, they did, and the traffic rolled painstakingly forward. Ted dodged around the car in front and cut across to the station entrance.

  Juliette already had her door open. ‘See you in there.’

  The parking was at the rear, but Ted wasn’t about to let her go alone. ‘I’m coming as well.’ He left the motor running and opened his door.

  Juliette crossed the small ticket office area and when Ted reached her she’d accosted the young guard at the barrier.

  ‘Let me through! And alert the police. Somebody’s about to jump off the bridge!’

  He regarded her impassively but didn’t budge.

  ‘Open it!’

  Juliette’s command spurred him into action, and he used his pass to open the turnstile.

  ‘Call the police!’ Ted barked as he followed her through.

  They emerged onto the platform and Ted looked left to the metal bridge that allowed passengers to cross over to the opposite one. He jogged towards it. A cluster of people filed over it and he squinted at their faces. But they were all moving. Nobody static.

  ‘There!’ Juliette was running in the other direction and stabbing her finger.

  At the opposite end of the platform, about a hundred yards away, was a second metal bridge and Ted could see the top half of two figures standing on it. He started to sprint.

  The people who were standing and seated on benches glanced up from their phones. Ted checked the arrivals display.

  Next train to arrive at this platform: 12.10 to Shearbourne. Due.

  And at that moment a female voice over the speaker announced its imminent arrival.

  Juliette kicked off her heels and ran.

  Nobody had an inkling of what was about to happen.

  ‘Call the police!’ he shouted at the bemused faces he passed. ‘Somebody’s going to jump! Stop the train!’

  A teenage girl frowned and pulled out an earphone.

  It was too late, even if they alerted the driver. It would be approaching the station at speed.

  Juliette pumped her arms and Ted gained on her. It was definitely Orla and Connor on the bridge. Orla was crouching and as he got closer, he could see she was lying on her front along the edge of the low metal wall. Connor stood about four feet from her.

  A metallic swish on the rails to his left. The train was close. Ted could hear the low boom as it got nearer. Should he call to them? Would that alarm Orla and provoke the wrong reaction?

  Juliette was nearly at the foot of the metal steps when he caught up with her.

  ‘Let me go up first,’ she told him breathlessly and didn’t wait for his response. She started climbing in her stockinged feet. He went up after her.

  When they reached the top, Connor held his hands out to them, his expression rigid.

  Juliette halted. ‘Orla!’

  Beyond Juliette, Ted could see her face. There was no panic there, not even any acknowledgement of their presence. She had one leg a few feet off the floor of the bridge, the other along the top of the metal wall.

  ‘Orla come down. I’m here now.’

  Orla shook her head at Juliette, her eyes unblinking through her fringe.

  Juliette took a pace forward and Orla arched her back, thrusting her leg over the drop below her.

  Connor held out his palm at Juliette. ‘Nobody’s coming any closer. Just talk to Juliette, Orla. Tell her why you’re doing this.’

  Juliette slightly retreated.

  Ted looked briefly right. The track bent around a ravine. No sign of the train but a rumble said it was about to appear.

  ‘Orla, nothing can be as bad as this.’ Juliette’s voice trembled. ‘Put your foot back on the floor.’

  Orla shook her head again sluggishly.

  Ted wondered if she was on medication. Connor had said she’d swallowed some sleeping pills, but maybe she’d taken something stronger.

  ‘Nobody’s going to do anything. Please just put your foot back on the floor before you lose your balance,’ Juliette pleaded.

  Orla stuck her foot out further over the drop and her body teetered.

  Ted fought the reflex to run forward. He and Connor were too far away to grab her if she fell, but he knew he couldn’t afford to get any closer.

  ‘If you won’t talk to me, listen to your friend.’ Connor bent his legs, as if in readiness to lunge forward.

  ‘Let’s you and I go and have a talk.’ Juliette held out one hand. ‘Come on.’

  Ted could see something register in Orla’s eyes.

  ‘Just the two of us. There’s nothing we can’t sort out.’ Juliette didn’t move but kept her fingers outstretched.

  Orla pulled her leg in from over the drop.

  Juliette nodded encouragement. ‘That’s it, come back. We’re not leaving without you.’

  Orla’s knuckles whitened as she repositioned herself on the edge of the wall.

  ‘We all love yo
u. This isn’t the answer.’

  Orla blinked rapidly, as if she’d just woken up there.

  Out of his eye, Ted saw the train dart in their direction. It was slowing down to stop, its speed still deadly. Connor met his eye and then whipped his attention back to Orla.

  She’d squeezed her eyes shut.

  ‘Orla!’ Juliette screamed.

  Connor dived at Orla as she let herself roll off the edge. He caught her as she lost contact with her metal perch and, for a brief second, he held her there. But her weight was too much and as he tried to get a purchase around her waist he toppled over with her.

  Ted reached them just as they both plummeted out of sight.

  Only Connor cried out.

  The train roared by.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

  Ted felt the draught from the train and the vibrations in his chest. They remained suspended in their positions while the black roof of the locomotive zipped by. Its hiss seemed to suck every other sound out of the moment. Ted’s fingers gripped the cold metal where Orla had been. Part of him didn’t want the train to stop moving below because he knew that, when it did, they’d have to confront what had happened to their friends.

  But as the rear of the last carriage resounded and severed the brief, warm vacuum, reality quickly settled on them. Ted could hear people’s voices on the platform and then a woman screamed. Juliette stood a few feet behind him, frozen, her hands still helplessly raised. Her mouth was open, her eyes unblinking.

  There was nothing to say. Ted spun back to the wall, something at his core trying to prevent him from looking over.

  More commotion from the platform.

  He stared down at the ground below, but there was nobody on the tracks.

  ‘What can you see?’ Juliette’s choked voice asked from behind him.

  The train had to have taken them both further into the station. He lifted his eyes, following the tracks to where the rear of the train was slowing. About twenty yards behind it was a shape. It wasn’t big enough to be a body, but he guessed it had to be Orla or Connor. His eyes refocused on something smaller lying on the side of the track a few feet before it.

  ‘All passengers on platform 1 please return to the main concourse. The train doors will not be opening. All passengers on platform 1 please return to the main concourse.’