I nodded. ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
I sat in the small kitchen waiting for him to show up. When he did, I remembered how Stephanie had described him and what had attracted her in the first place. He scowled as he walked into the room but offered me his hand.
‘Hello John,’ I said. ‘Remember me?’
‘Of course,’ he replied. ‘What do you want with me now? He didn’t look at me but at a spot somewhere over my right shoulder.
‘I saw you at Stephanie Silcott’s funeral.’
‘So what,’ he said. ‘She was dead. I couldn’t be accused of stalking her once she was dead, could I?’ He looked at me for the first time; I saw the pain he was in.
‘How long did you keep following her after you were warned off?’ I said.
‘You know that already, or you wouldn’t be here,’ he said. ‘I was pretty upset after she dumped me. I wanted to know why.’
‘And when she took out an injunction against you, how did that make you feel?’ I watched him carefully knowing I’d get my answer from his actions rather than his words.
‘No comment,’ he said but his knuckles gripping the arm of the chair told a different story.
‘You kept on stalking her.’ It was a statement, not a question.
‘No! Well it wasn’t quite like that. Anyway, she had someone scare me off.’
‘Do you know who?’
‘Nope, I was outside one night, and the blond bloke left in his Beemer. Then someone grabbed me and told me to leave her alone. So, I did.’
‘When was that?’ I said, barely able to contain my excitement. A blond man with a BMW, there was no doubt in my mind who that was. Don’t lead the witness, I told myself
‘Early November.’
‘Friday the 8th November?’ My heart was pounding. I couldn’t believe that I finally had the truth in my grasp.
‘Yeah, probably early hours of the Saturday when matey frightened me off.’ He shrugged. ‘Why?’
‘Didn’t you see the news. Didn’t you see the appeals for help?’
‘I’m sorry no. I don’t watch the news. It’s all bad, isn’t it?’
I wanted to throttle him. ‘How did you find out about the funeral?’ I asked.
‘Someone here must’ve mentioned it.’
‘And whilst you were stalking Stephanie Silcott, did you happen to leave a box full of maggots on her doorstep?’
‘Maggots? Hell no! I was angry at her but I’m not a psycho!’
‘Stalking is generally considered to be psychotic behaviour, Mr Maitland. You would’ve saved us a lot of time if you’d come forward with this information earlier.’
‘Yeah, but you might have arrested me for stalking her, after the injunction’ he said.
‘I still might, Mr Maitland,’ I said. ‘I still might.’
I got him to told me once more as much as he could remember about the man leaving Stephanie’s flat and the BMW he was driving. I’d need a full statement in due course, but all I could think was, Gotcha!
I ran from the building to my car, trying to call DI Blaine at the same time.
‘Slow down, DJ,’ she said.
‘We’ve got him, Guv,’ I panted. ‘Gundersen, I have a witness who saw him leave Stephanie’s flat on the night in question. He did it. He bloody well killed her.’
‘I’ll have a warrant by the time you get back here,’ she said. ‘Well done.’
Chapter Sixty-Three
Lily
‘I’ve read all your letters, Dad,’ I said. ‘I’m so sorry.’ I patted the seat beside me on the sofa in the garden room.
‘It doesn’t matter,’ he said as he sat next to me. ‘I guessed your mother was behind it. I didn’t blame you. Your wedding was my chance to get my little girl back. I messed that up too.’
‘I’m not a little girl anymore, Dad. I have children of my own now.’
‘I’ve missed so much,’ he sighed and stared out into the garden. A robin perched on a bush near the window and stared with its bright eyes. Dad rose from the sofa and the robin flew off.
‘We can catch up now.’
‘Can we?’ he said. ‘I’ve missed you growing up. I’ve missed your babies growing. At least I made it to some of your concerts.’
‘You did?’
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I kept out of the way in case your mother was around. I sat in the cheap seats, but I could see my little girl playing her heart out.’
‘Thank you.’
He turned from the window, his eyes shining. ‘It wasn’t enough, though. I should have tried harder. And now you have so much hanging over you.’
‘I know.’ I got off the sofa and stood by him looking out the bi-fold doors into the garden. I rested my head on his shoulder. ‘I wish it were all over.’
‘Have the police said anything more about suspects?’
‘Stephanie had an ex-boyfriend, John, who was stalking her; then there’s me, we argued. There’s also Topher who was having an affair with her.’ Dad put his arm around my shoulder and held me.
‘She had an exciting life,’ he muttered.
‘She had another client do something similar a few years ago,’ I said.
‘What? Another stalker?’ Dad said. ‘Do you know who it was?’
‘I can’t remember his name,’ I said biting my bottom lip whilst thinking. ‘His surname was something like Meyhick, Maychic. I think he was a gangster she was defending. That was a horrible time for her.
‘Then recently she had a delivery a few days before she was killed. It really upset her. She thought it was a delivery of flowers from Topher. But, when she opened it, it was full of rotten food and maggots. She came to see me and we talked about it. And then — she said I wasn’t to worry about it and she’d found someone to help her.’
‘Any idea who that someone might be? Is it worth telling the police?’
I shook my head. ‘I’ve told them everything that I know. Personally, I think it was Topher. That’s why I asked you to come and stay. He won’t do anything while there’s someone else in the house.’ I jumped as the robot vacuum cleaner burst into life. ‘Bastard,’ I yelled and grabbed the machine, holding it off the ground until it stopped whirring. I turned it over and switched it off.
‘What the hell was that?’ Dad said.
‘Topher,’ I replied. ‘This is a so-called smart house. Everything can be controlled remotely. So Topher can turn the lights on, change the temperature even put the kettle on from his mobile phone.’
I saw Dad’s jaw tighten but before he could say anything the phone rang. I saw the caller ID. Cerys.
‘Lily,’ she said. ‘Thanks goodness I’ve caught you. There’s been a development.’
‘A development?’
‘Yes, Denise has got a statement from John Maitland and a warrant to arrest Topher. Have you got somewhere you can go so you and the children are safe?’
I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out. Dad snatched the phone from me, and I heard him questioning Cerys.
‘No, don’t worry about it. We’ll pack and leave now. Thanks, talk later.’ He put the phone down and turned to me. ‘Lily, Lily sweetheart, we have to go.’
‘Where? Go where?’
‘It doesn’t matter. A hotel, Anywhere. We can’t be here in case Topher comes back. He’s already killed one woman. Do you want to be next?’ He raced out the room and I heard him on the stairs calling to Heather to pack clothes for the children.
I was rooted to the floor, unable to move. I twisted around to stare at the camera we’d discovered in one of the roof lanterns. It was too high up to remove so it had stayed. Does he know what’s happening? Has he worked it all out, I wondered.
The camera blinked as I stared at it. Was he watching me now? I wanted to run from the room, but I calmed my nerves and walked away. I trod each step of the stairs quietly and purposefully. I was not going to let him see me panic. Although my heart pounded, blood racing though my ears, I was going to own this situation. He’d se
e us leave, but he would not see us frightened.
I was not going to allow him the satisfaction.
Heather packed toys and clothes for the children while Dad and I packed a few items each.
Heather and I sobbed as we said goodbye. She promised to leave the house as soon as we’d gone and not come back until I’d told her it was safe.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Topher
Topher Gundersen thanked the caller from Judge Mayhew’s office, placed his mobile phone on his desk and leaned back in his chair. Despite knowing the danger he was in, he remained calm as he watched Lily and her father on the camera application dragging suitcases down the stairs. Pushing himself out of his chair he went to the bookcase, casually swept the law books aside and retrieved a cash box concealed behind them. He unlocked it, took out a Danish passport and a bundle of Euros. These he placed in his laptop bag. Back at his desk he booked himself a train ticket, shut down the laptop and placed that in the bag with the passport and cash. He put his jacket and overcoat on and walked into the anteroom where his secretary sat.
‘Are you okay?’ she said. ‘I thought I heard a crash.’
Ignoring her question, he simply said, ‘I’m going out. Cancel this afternoon’s appointments.’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘When will you be back?’
‘Later.’ He buttoned up his overcoat and looped the soft woollen scarf Lily had bought him for his birthday around his neck and strolled from the building.
Once out in the fresh air he hailed a taxi.
‘St Pancras,’ he said. He relaxed in the back seat of the black cab and watched the streets of London crawl by. Looking at his watch, he saw there was still plenty of time. He’d need to pick up a change of underwear in any case.
At the station he paid the driver in cash and merged into the crowds. He wandered into a bar, ordered a beer, picked up a newspaper and sat down in a corner. After a short while he was joined by a younger weaselly-looking man.
Topher said nothing, simply finished his beer and left the newspaper and his overcoat behind. Mark Brown picked up the paper, removed his jacket and baseball cap, swapped the envelope inside the newspaper for the car keys and put on the overcoat. He too left the newspaper on the table.
Approaching the boarding desk Brown presented his ticket and his passport.
‘Thank you, Mr Hendriksen,’ said the conductor. ‘Have a pleasant trip.’
‘I will,’ said Tajo Hendriksen and strolled down the platform to take his seat in first class.
Topher Gundersen pulled the baseball cap down low over his hairline, covering his bright blond hair. He picked up the car keys and strolled out of St Pancras. He’d have to lie low for a few days, but not for long. He wanted his son with him.
Lily
It was light when I woke. Could I really have slept all night? There was a soft knock on the door.
‘Come in,’ I said. It was Dad with a cup of tea. I hoped there was no sugar in this one. He was old school and believed that sugary tea was beneficial for shock. Last night’s cup of tea had been horrid. I smiled my thanks for this one.
‘How did you sleep?’ He placed the tea on the bedside cabinet, pushing the cold tea to one side.
‘Really well, thanks. I didn’t think I’d get any sleep at all. I was so scared last night.’
‘I can imagine,’ he said. ‘Do you have any plans?
‘I don’t know. I guess wait until Topher’s been arrested, then perhaps I can go back to the Vicarage.’
‘What if they give him bail?’
‘They won’t for murder,’ I replied.
‘Okay, so what if they don’t charge him?’ He put his fingertips under my chin and looked deep into my eyes. ‘It is possible.’
‘I know,’ I said. ‘But I have to stay in London, I know we can’t stay here. This suite is costing a fortune.’
‘It is,’ Dad said. He should know, he was paying for it. ‘What about if I take the children back home with me? Is there anyone you can stay with in London?’
I shook my head, but then I thought of Sally Trevena. ‘Perhaps,’ I said. ‘I’ll have to call her and ask.’
He gave me a hug and left me to drink my tea. I rested back on the pillows. My limbs felt empty, I had no energy to pick up the teacup. I expected to be relieved, but I was exhausted. Just one last hurdle and I’d be free. I closed my eyes shaking my head. The last hurdle was the biggest one of all. I could only hope that we’d make it.
There was another knock on the door, but before I could say anything the door burst open. I squealed in fear, until I saw the intruders were James and Darcy. I hoped they hadn’t heard me.
They were full of energy and looking forward to an adventure with Granddad.
‘Please can we go,’ James begged.
It was a relief to see how resilient they were. I hoped they’d stay that way when their father was in prison. Breakfast arrived and they raced into the sitting room to enjoy the excitement of room service. I showered and managed another cup of tea before calling Sally.
‘Of course you can stay, Lily, stay as long as you need. I’ll make up the spare room. What time will you be here?’
‘Later this morning,’ I said. ‘Are you sure it’s okay? Dad is taking the kids back with him, so it’ll just be me.’
‘You could still bring them if you want. There’s plenty of room.’
I said no. Was that relief I heard? Hers and Ralph’s children were grown up and had long left home.
I packed mine off with my father, making them promise to be good on the journey and to call me on my mobile as soon as they arrived. I stayed in the suite until Reception told me my taxi had arrived.
My own journey was terrifying. Each time the cab stopped and the doors clicked open I was terrified that Topher would leap in and drag me out into the street. It was a relief to arrive in Sally’s quiet street.
‘Lunch will be ready when you want it,’ Sally said, placing my suitcase on the floor. ‘Towels are there on the chair and the bathroom is at the end of the corridor.’
‘I’m starving,’ I said. ‘Do you mind if I eat first? I should have had breakfast at the hotel but I was too scared to eat.’
Sally laughed. ‘Good, come on down. It’s just soup and a sandwich.’
I nodded. ‘Anything would be wonderful. Do you have any coffee?’
Sally smiled. ‘Of course. I’ll put the kettle on.’ She left me to my own devices and I took a look around the room. Should I unpack? I had no idea how long I’d be staying.
I decided to leave everything in the case for now. My tummy rumbled when I smelt the soup and I quickly popped to the bathroom to use the loo and wash my hands.
‘DC Jones just called,’ said Sally as soon as I entered the kitchen. ‘She’s going to drop by later to bring us up to speed.’
‘Okay, that’s good,’ I said. ‘Has she arrested Topher yet?’
‘I don’t know my dear. We’ll just have to wait until she gets here.’
Denise arrived when I was on the phone to Dad, he was at a service station and only half-way home, but he still sounded jolly and the children hadn’t fought in the car – at least not too much. I cut the call short, explaining my hurry and raced downstairs to hear what she had to say. She was in the kitchen, drinking coffee. She looked dreadful with dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was lank and lifeless. A stark contrast to the pretty woman I’d met earlier in the year.
She rose and gave me a hug.
‘Have you arrested him?’ I said.
‘No, he’s gone missing. We’ve put out an all ports warning for him, but we have his passport so he can’t leave the country using that one,’ she said.
‘Good. When can I go home? Sally and Denise looked at each other warily.
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea just yet. He may come back to the house. You could still be in danger.’ Denise looked at Sally for support.
‘Denise is right. You can stay here as long as
you need to,’ Sally told me.
‘I just want to be free of him. Free of the fear.’ I collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table. I was exhausted.
‘I understand,’ said Denise. ‘I still need to be searching for Topher, otherwise I’d be happy for you to go home. Can you think of anywhere he would go? Does he have a boat? Friends with a boat. Friends who would harbour him?’
‘I can’t think of anyone,’ I said. ‘All his friends are lawyers and barristers. Some judges, but not the kind of people who would shelter a wanted man.’
‘No, of course not,’ sighed Denise. ‘It was worth a try though. We’re trying to track down his car as well. We know he went into work on the day yesterday, but he didn’t drive in and the car’s not at the station or at your house.’
‘You think he may have abandoned it somewhere?’
‘It’s possible,’ said Denise. ‘Who knew what he was thinking? We’ve put out an appeal and are waiting on results from that. Right I must get back. Thanks for the coffee Mrs Trevena.’
I followed Denise to the front door, gave her a hug goodbye and watched her get into her car. Just as she started the engine, she took a call. I heard her voice. She started to drive off, thumping the steering wheel as she went.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Denise
As soon as I waved goodbye to Lily and sat in the car, I got a call from DI Blaine.
‘Not good news,’ she said. ‘A taxi driver thinks he picked up Gundersen from his office and drove him to St Pancras.’
I thumped the steering wheel, but as Lily was still watching me I drove away. ‘Any sightings once he got in the station? If he went in the station that is,’ I said.
‘We’re pulling the CCTV now and I’ve got half a dozen uniform down there flashing his photo around,’ she said. ‘DJ, is he the kind of person who could get a false passport?’
The Love Trap: an unputdownable psychological thriller Page 23