by J. L. Perry
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
BROCK
‘He was a selfish prick right to end,’ Josh says shaking his head in disgust.
‘How so?’ I ask, fastening my seatbelt and turning the key in the ignition of my Lamborghini so we can head back to our mother’s house.
‘You heard the coroner. He was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm three fucking years ago. Why is this the first time we’re hearing about it? I bet you anything Mum doesn’t even know.’
I look at Josh, sighing heavily as my eyes meet his. ‘Just before he died I told him I despised him,’ I confess. ‘I said I was ashamed to be his son. I thought I was the reason for his death, now I know better.’
‘You know as well as I do that it would take more than words to kill that man. He was a ticking time bomb. It was just bad timing on your part.’
‘I know, but I still regret what I said, even if I meant every word.’ I just didn’t think it would be the last thing I ever said to him.
‘I’m sorry,’ Josh says, placing his hand briefly on my knee. ‘Is that why you took his death so hard?’
‘Yes. I felt responsible.’
‘You should have talked to me.’
‘I know.’
‘He’s said a lot worse to us over the years. Well, to me he has. Karma finally caught up with him.’
‘I guess.’ Even so, that day will still haunt me.
Josh was right, my mother knew nothing of the aneurysm. She’s just as shocked as we were when we tell her. I shouldn’t be surprised, keeping secrets from her was my father’s speciality. I leave Josh with Mum, so I can head back to the hospital to collect Jade. I’m itching to see her. Being with her last night wasn’t enough—we have a whole week of missed time to catch up on. Although I was absent, I made sure the boys were looking after her. I was in no place to care for her myself, but at the same time I wouldn’t have been able to cope not knowing if she was okay.
My heart rate accelerates as I travel in the lift to Rupert’s ward. These feelings Jade ignites in me still freak me out, but at the same time I love them. She’s my drug.
I find myself smiling as I approach Rupert’s room. I feel lighter than I have in days. I know it’s because of her. Sure, I still have misgivings about what happened in the moments before my father’s death, but I’m relieved to know I wasn’t the cause of it. Like the coroner said, he was a ticking time bomb. He was surprised my father lived as long as he did, given the size of the aneurysm.
My excitement turns to confusion when I step into the room and find Jade and Rupert crying. What the fuck? ‘Jesus, Jade,’ I say, crossing the room.
‘Oh Brock,’ she cries, wrapping her arms around my waist. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘What’s happened?’ I frown as I look at Rupert. He looks just as devastated as Jade, if not more.
‘You’d better sit down,’ she says, wiping her eyes.
Fuck. I’m not sure if I can take any more bad news. Things were just starting to get normal for me again. Once I’ve taken a seat next to the bed, I pull Jade onto my lap. I hate seeing her upset.
‘Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?’ I ask, when nobody speaks.
She looks at Rupert. ‘We think M killed Rupert’s daughter.’
‘What? Hold on—what?’ I didn’t even know Rupert had a daughter.
‘Rupert’s been working for M because he was trying to find his missing daughter. Her name is Sasha. I remember her, Brock. I remember what happened. It was not long after I came to live with M.’
*
It’s two in the morning by the time we arrive back at Jade’s apartment. It was after midnight when detectives finally left the hospital. Jade insisted that we stayed with Rupert until he was settled. My heart went out to them both. Especially Rupert. Poor guy. I had no idea he’d been through so much. It also explained a lot about Jade and M’s relationship. No wonder she was so frightened of her.
Jade said she’d covered her eyes when M started choking Sasha. A few minutes later she heard a loud thud, so she peered through her fingers. That’s when she saw Sasha lying on the floor by M’s feet. She explained how she’d stayed on the landing, too frightened to move. That would’ve been a tough thing for a kid to see. My heart bled for the little girl she once was. I don’t even think Jade realises now just how amazingly strong and resilient she is.
She never faltered once while giving her statement, and remained composed the whole time. Despite her horrendous childhood, she never gave up. I can’t even begin to comprehend how it would feel to be all alone in this world, with not a soul to turn to. Nobody you could trust. Her strength and will to survive despite all the odds blows me away.
I knew M was a cold hearted bitch, but what shocked me more than anything was the phone call Jade told us she made to Rocco: ‘Rocco, it’s M … I need you to come over … I don’t care that it’s the middle of the night … Shut up and listen to me, you fool … I need you to take a trip to the quarry … Yes … Sasha … Bring something heavy to weigh down the body.’
It surprised us all that Jade could remember so much detail after all this time. I suppose those poignant moments in our lives seem to stick with us. Just like I know my father’s last minutes on this earth will stay with me forever.
I didn’t doubt anything Jade had said. Both hers and Rupert’s stories gelled together perfectly. There’s no way they were making it up. Still, the detectives said since the incident happened twelve years ago, and Jade was a minor at the time, they’d need to do some investigating before they could take the case any further. They said they were going to question M and Rocco though.
Now Jade is exhausted. All she wants is to go to bed, but I’m able to talk her into having a bath first. She needs time to wind down, otherwise she’s never going to get a restful sleep.
When I leave the bathroom after filling the bath, I find her sitting at the foot of her bed, her head buried in her hands. Seeing her like that hurts my heart. All I want is for life to give her a damn break.
‘Hey sweetheart,’ I say softly, kneeling in front of her.
Raising her head, her watery eyes meet mine. ‘My heart is breaking for Rupert.’
‘Come here.’ I pull her into my arms. I love how caring she is towards others. With the way she’s been treated over the years, I find it very admirable. When I let her go, I stand, holding my hand out to her. ‘Your bath is ready.’
‘Will you join me?’
‘Of course.’ She didn’t need to ask me—I need her comfort just as much as she needs mine.
I help her into the bath before climbing in behind her. ‘I hope they find Sasha,’ she says as she relaxes back onto my chest. ‘Rupert deserves to know what happened to his daughter.’
‘I’ll make it happen.’ I don’t know how, but I will. I’ll place a few calls in the morning and see if I can pull some strings.
‘For years I wondered who that girl was. I presumed, like me, she had no family—that’s why nobody ever came looking for her. Now I know differently, and that breaks my heart. Poor Rupert.’
I tighten my grip around her waist when she swipes a hand across her face. ‘I hope M rots in hell for what she’s done.’
‘That so easily could’ve been me,’ Jade says.
‘I’d never let that happen.’ Guilt floods me. I almost let it happen. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving her alone that day.
‘When I got back from New York I told her I wanted to quit, and the first thing she did was grab me around the throat.’
Jesus Christ. I didn’t think it was possible to hate that woman any more than I already do. Rage surges through me. I place a kiss on top of Jade’s head. Words elude me. I can’t even begin to imagine the horrors she’s faced over the years. She’ll never have to worry again. She’s safe with me, and I’ll make sure nobody ever hurts her.
‘At least now she won’t be able to harm anyone else,’ Jade whispers.
*
&nbs
p; Two days later I’m standing beside a large dam at the bottom of a quarry. It took numerous calls and a lot of pulled strings to make this happen so quickly. Now we wait while the police divers scour the murky waters below. Both Jade and Rupert wanted to be here today, but I managed to talk them out of coming by offering to be present on their behalf. I can understand them wanting to come, but this is no place for either of them. A father watching as his daughter’s remains are removed from her watery grave is just unfathomable. As for Jade, she’s already been through way too much. There was no way I was letting her come here. She’s my responsibility now and I aim to protect her from here on in. I left her at the hospital with Rupert, promising to let them know as soon as I had any word.
Thirty minutes later the divers find the first human remains. A mix of relief and sadness floods through me when I think they’ve found Sasha. Within the hour though, more remains are discovered, and that’s when we realise this is a lot more sinister than we first thought. The authorities eventually decide to call in the divers and have the dam drained. It looks like Sasha isn’t the only victim to fall prey to M.
*
One week later and a total of nine bodies have been recovered. It appears we have a mass murderer on our hands. Of course at this stage, there’s no certainty that M is the culprit, but in my heart I know better. All the bodies had been tied and weighed down using identical materials. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it was all the work of the same person.
The discovery makes me realise just how lucky we were. As Jade says, she could’ve easily been M’s tenth victim. That thought makes me sick to the stomach.
The police say it’s going to take a number of weeks before any of the identities will be known, and some of the remains may never be identified, but at least they have Rupert’s DNA. If Sasha is among them, we’ll find out soon enough. For his sake, I hope he gets the answers he’s been craving. He’s waited twelve painful years.
The police are organising a search to be carried out at M’s and Rocco’s houses. As well as looking for evidence, they’re going to try to match the list of missing persons against M’s past employees. Rocco has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder, and M is still on remand for kidnapping Jade. The detective assured me that until they had proof otherwise, neither of them would be walking free. For the interim at least, we can breathe easy.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
JADE
Rupert was finally discharged from the hospital and is settling into my apartment. He seems content to have me doting over him. I’m enjoying looking after him. Brock has finally gone back to work, so having Rupert here means I have company during the day while he’s gone.
Brock spends his nights here. The only time he ventures back to his place is to collect more clothes. Not only am I keeping him from his home, we aren’t getting much alone time. Even once we go to bed we have to be careful not to make too much noise. Easier said than done. Maybe once Rupert’s well enough to look after himself again, Brock and I can start spending more time at his house. For now, Rupert needs me.
‘Here you go,’ I say, passing Rupert a cup of tea and placing a plate of biscuits on the small table beside his seat.
‘Thanks. You don’t have to wait on me like this. My arm may be out of action for a while, but I’m not an invalid.’
‘I know, but I want to. You may not admit it, but I can tell you’re enjoying having someone looking after you. I know you better than you think.’ I give him a wink and he blushes as he tries to suppress his smile.
‘It’s been a long time since a woman, or anyone for that matter, has looked after me like this. I may be slightly enjoying it.’
I laugh at his reply. Slightly, my arse—he’s loving every minute of it.
‘Well, get used to it. I like looking after you. You looked after me for years.’
‘Thank you.’
Taking the seat beside him, I place my hand on his arm. ‘How are you holding up?’ I worry about him. He’s been quiet and withdrawn for the past few days. Waiting for news about Sasha is hard for him.
‘I need confirmation.’ He scrubs his hand over his face. ‘It’s taking too long. I’m so close, but not knowing is eating away at me. In my heart, I know one of those bodies pulled from the dam is my baby girl.’ When he chokes up, tears rise to my eyes. ‘I just want to bring her home and give her the burial she deserves.’
‘Oh Rupert,’ I say, wiping a stray tear from my eye before reaching for his aging hand. ‘We should hear something any day now.’
*
Three more agonising days was how long poor Rupert had to wait before the answers finally came. He seemed to sink deeper into himself with every day that passed. Brock and I were concerned for him so when the call finally came through, we accompanied him to the coroner’s office. He needed all the support he could get.
‘Take a seat,’ the coroner offers the moment we step into his office. As soon as we’re seated, I reach for Rupert’s hand. It trembles in mine. He’s barely spoken a word since the call came through.
‘Mr Taylor,’ the coroner begins, ‘I’m sorry it has taken so long for us to get back to you. I’m sure this hasn’t been an easy time for you. Let me assure you, my team has been working tirelessly over the past few weeks. So far we’ve managed to identify four of the nine bodies recovered. All four of the females identified to date worked for Melody Sinclair at some point in time.’ The coroner pauses. ‘I’m sorry to inform you, sir, that one set of remains has been positively identified as your daughter, through the DNA you supplied.’
I knew the coroner was going to say Sasha was among the victims, but knowing doesn’t stop a gasp from escaping me. Rupert rips his hand from mine and stands. The coroner, Brock and I watch as he starts to pace back and forth. Even though we were prepared for this outcome, Rupert’s reaction tears my heart in two. He pauses briefly before clutching his head in his hands and stays like that for a few seconds before covering his face. Then his shoulders slump, and his entire body starts to shake. Tears rise to my eyes when a heart-shattering cry of pain tears from deep inside him, before he collapses to his knees and sobs his heart out. I’m off the chair and wrapping him in my arms before I even register what I’m doing. I just hold him for the longest time while he grieves for his only daughter. What else can I do? There are no words strong enough to comfort a parent who has lost their child.
My heart breaks for Rupert, but even more so for Sasha. She was still young and had her whole life ahead of her before it was so cruelly and viciously taken away. Her death seems so pointless. It was just another example of how calculating, selfish and uncaring M really is.
When we get home, Rupert locks himself in his bedroom for two whole days. I desperately want to go to him, but Brock insists that I leave him be. I leave trays of food outside the door, but none of it is touched.
By day three, I can’t stand it any longer; I’m ready to break down the door. But he emerges showered and dressed, without me even having to go to him. It’s a relief.
The first thing he does is wrap me in his arms. ‘Thank you for finding me the answers I needed,’ he says as he squeezes me tight. I can’t respond. That day will haunt me forever. Even though the night Sasha was killed has come full circle, it doesn’t seem to lessen the guilt I feel about that night. I was just a young girl, but I wish I’d done more. Logically I know that was an impossibility. It probably only would’ve served to get me killed as well.
I help Rupert with all the funeral arrangements. It’s hard for him, I can tell, but he keeps himself together. Understandably, he wants to make it special for his daughter. He chooses a white casket and a beautiful arrangement of pink tulips to adorn the coffin. Apparently they were Sasha’s favourite flowers. A few of her favourite songs growing up are chosen to be played at the service, including one he used to sing to her when she was a little girl. He also places an advertisement in the local paper where they once lived, in the hope that some of her friend
s will attend.
On the way home from the funeral parlour, Rupert and I stop by his apartment to collect a black suit, and he emerges from his bedroom with a large framed picture of Sasha to place in the church on the day of the service. I know he’ll never get over the loss of his daughter, but I’m hoping once the funeral is over, he finds some peace.
When the day of the funeral rolls around, we’re all on edge. I’m dreading it. I’m worried for Rupert, and Brock—it was only a few weeks ago he laid his father to rest. I’m even concerned for myself. Sasha’s death has been playing on my mind for years, but finding her remains has brought the trauma and pain to the surface. I even had a nightmare about her. It was awful. I’d woken with a start, my body trembling and covered in perspiration. I was able to slip out of bed and pull myself together before Brock noticed I was missing. He doesn’t need to add my nightmares to his worries.
None of us eat breakfast before we leave, but Brock had managed to force a cup of coffee into Rupert and me. Brock’s been wonderful throughout this whole ordeal. Not only to me, but to Rupert as well. I’m sure staying in my apartment and having Rupert with us hasn’t been easy for him, but he hasn’t complained once. I’ll make it up to him once all this is over.
We follow the funeral car all the way to the church. The three of us are sitting in the back of the limousine; I’m in the middle. Brock’s fingers are tightly laced through mine, and my free hand is resting on Rupert’s leg. He hasn’t voiced it, but I know he’s grateful to have us both by his side. There’s an appreciative look on his face whenever we make eye contact.
‘Are you okay?’ I ask as we near the church.
‘As good as I can be,’ he replies, placing his hand over mine. I don’t think any of us were expecting a big turn out today, but when we pull up, there’s a large group waiting: easily fifty people, maybe more. Rupert immediately sits up straight, gazing out the window.
‘All these people have come to say goodbye to my baby,’ I hear him whisper, and a huge lump rises to my throat.