‘What is she doing?’ Mia asked softly.
‘She wants money, love. Money that I just don’t have since the insurance company won’t pay out. She’s asking for it because of promises your father made to her.’
‘Let’s just go, Mum, there’s nothing for us here any more.’
Danni knew Mia was right. The graves of her family were here but she couldn’t let that dictate her life. The two of them had to get out and start again.
‘Okay then, I’m going to meet an old acquaintance, he was my foster brother once and he might want to help us, who knows.’ She smiled at Mia reassuringly who returned it with a watered down one of her own.
Danni grabbed her handbag, slinging it over her shoulder and, with one final look at Mia, left the room. She drove to the park, lining up the car next to a dark blue sedan. She then walked down the concrete path to the seat by the pond.
Andrew was there, waiting. He looked like she remembered him, just older now. When he saw her, he jumped up and opened his arms. What was she to do except step into his hug? He hugged her gently, but for much longer than was necessary. When he finally pulled back, he motioned for her to sit down.
‘Wow, you look amazing,’ he started by saying.
She knew she didn’t. She hadn’t washed her hair in god knows how long and she needed a shower. The bags were still under her eyes but, right now, she didn’t give a shit what she looked like or what he thought.
‘Thanks,’ she murmured gently. ‘Andrew, why am I here?’ She needed to start packing, buy a map and work out where the hell they were going. She shouldn’t have wasted time being here. She should have told him no; she didn’t have time for a catch up.
‘I wanted to discuss something with you.’
‘What is it?’ she asked, trying to hurry the conversation along.
‘I’m not sure if you know, but my dad died a few years ago, and my mum just recently.’
‘Andrew, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I haven’t seen your mum in such a long time.’ She had fond memories of her one-time foster mum. She had been so nice to her after her horrific experiences at her own house. House, not home. It was never a home.
‘Yes, well, thank you, Danni. Anyway, I’ve been cleaning out the house getting it ready to put it on the market. I found something that might… upset you.’
‘If it’s my underwear, we both know you took it,’ she said, trying to lighten the mood.
He had the decency to look away. ‘No, it’s not that and I’m sorry about that. I was young and stupid. Tell me, do you remember going to the psychologist when you stayed with us?’
Danni had the flash again of the feel of a leather couch underneath her legs, sticking to her skin. ‘I’m not sure,’ she said quietly. ‘Why are you asking, Andrew?’
‘Well, Mum went in after you and was told exactly what had happened in your session. She put on a bright face for you, but inside, she was terrified. When she arrived home, you went to your room and Mum and Dad sat down and started talking. I heard some interesting things so later, once I’d grown up a bit, I befriended a woman – actually, I seduced her – to gain access to your patient files. I didn’t quite believe what I heard my mother and father discussing. I had to hear and see for myself. I got your file, it was a DVD. I watched it. Actually, I watched it twice. The second time, I recorded it. I have a copy on my phone, Danni.’ He was speaking very quickly and she was having trouble keeping up with him. ‘I think you need to watch it. It’s enlightening. It will help you understand the truth about yourself. Actually, I encourage you to watch it, I really do. You can call me when you’re ready to watch it; here’s my number in case you didn’t store it in your phone.’ He stood up, as did she, and was putting her hand out for a handshake when he pulled her into another one of his long hugs. It was clear that he still had a thing for her. He flashed her a smile then walked away.
The whole conversation had been veiled and odd and Danni didn’t know what to make of it. Danni dropped back onto the bench seat, wondering what the hell to do. When she allowed herself to think about it, she had always felt a little different. It wasn’t just her upbringing, the abuse from Beth, she had always felt like that. The way sometimes she was meek, and at other times she fought like a rabid dog, the loss of time and the feeling of fuzziness in her head. It baffled her and, if what Andrew was saying was true, then he had answers. Answers she wasn’t sure that she wanted. She felt violated. Why would Andrew watch anything about her? It seemed weird and creepy, but then she remembered the kind of kid he was. What secrets did the video hold? Andrew had made it sound like it would show her the reason she was the way she was. Did she want to know?
Yes.
As she drove back to the motel, Danni kept looking at her phone, lying on the seat next to her, waiting, wondering. She wanted to know what had been said about her. She didn’t remember going to the doctor but reasoned that she must have, the leather couch… it had the feel of a doctor’s waiting room, the fear and the anxiety that she felt when she remembered the feel of the leather. She also remembered the pile of National Geographic magazines stacked on the stained wood table. Little bits were coming back to her but not what happened inside the office. The waiting room was as far as her mind let her go. So, what really happened in there? And why had Andrew cared so much, back then and now? Was he truly looking out for her? Did he have her best interests at heart?
Finally, she made it back to the motel. She opened the door to find Mia asleep on her bed, arms wrapped around Danni’s pillow. She looked almost peaceful except for the two lines in between her eyes that had formed there since the fire. Shock, grief, loss. Danni wasn’t exactly looking her age these days either. She looked down at her clothes. Her staple jeans which really needed a wash and the sunshine yellow top, complete with something, food perhaps, crusted at the bottom. She really needed to take better care of herself and Mia. Do some washing, go to the supermarket for supplies, find a place to run to. Find another car. There were so many things to do before she they left this place and put it in their rear-view mirror. All of this before Beth came after her again, threatening her with something she didn’t even know was the truth.
Danni threw her bag onto the small round table and went to brush her hair and wash her face, wiping off the grime of the day, wiping Andrew off her. He had given her his number, which she had no intention of using unless he could help her get out of town. He was wearing a nice suit, maybe he had a good job and was willing to help out someone he obviously still had a crush on. It couldn’t hurt to ask. She’d probably have to endure many more hugs, but she could put up with it if he staked her the money to get away. With that in mind, she decided to give him just one call. Couldn’t hurt to ask for the money, right?
‘Danni, hi. So good to hear from you so soon.’ She could hear machinery pounding in the background and she could barely hear him. She heard him say, ‘Just hang on and I’ll go outside so we can talk.’ She heard his footsteps and gnawed on a fingernail, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Then all was quiet. ‘Sorry about that, I’m at work, afternoon shift.’
‘I’m so sorry to bother you at work, Andrew, I didn’t know.’
‘It’s fine, Danni, really. I’m free tonight if you want to talk about the video. You and me, together again, just like the old days.’
Danni cringed on the other end of the phone with his words.
‘I have something else I’d like to talk to you about. You remember my sister Beth?’
‘Yes, the one who damaged you so much that you ended up at our house. I remember her,’ he said warily, probably wondering where this was going.
‘Well, she’s trying to blackmail me to get insurance money out of me, but the insurance company and the police ruled the fire as arson, so my policy doesn’t cover it. She wants two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from me.’
‘Danni, if you’re asking me, I don’t have that kind of money.’
‘No, you misunderstand, I�
��m not asking you for that amount of money, but I have to get out of town, away from her. I need help getting a car and have some money to live off until I can settle in and find a job. I’d pay back every cent.’
‘How much do you need? Five thousand? Would that do?’
Danni couldn’t believe her luck. Here was her fairy godfather in the form of Andrew offering her the loan and for more than she had wanted. She wasn’t going to knock it back. ‘That would be great, thank you so much, Andrew.’ She was almost giddy with excitement.
‘There’s one string attached, though,’ he said, and her heart sank. ‘You have to go out for dinner with me, then I’ll give you the money.’
Danni was silent, weighing it all up. She needed to leave, and what was one little dinner in the grand scheme of five thousand things? ‘Okay,’ she said.
‘I assume you want to leave as soon as possible, so how about we go out for dinner tonight? We can talk about the money then.’
Again, she hesitated. ‘Okay,’ she finally said.
He gave her a time and place, and just before he hung up he said, ‘It’s a date.’ She wanted to correct him, that it was a thank you for helping her out, but he was already gone.
Sitting down next to Mia, she shook her awake. ‘Mia. Mia? Wake up love, I have something to tell you.’ She watched as the chocolate eyes, so much like her own opened, and focused on her.
‘Darling, I have found a way to get us out of this hellhole once and for all. A friend is going to lend us the money to get as far away from here as we possibly can. I’m going out for dinner with him tonight to say thanks and get the money.’
‘Him?’ she asked, her voice just above a whisper, still sleepy.
‘Yes, him, my foster brother, Andrew. I think he’s really matured over the years, especially if he’s going to lend me the money to get out of here.’
‘Be careful,’ Mia said before rolling over.
Danni knew she was right. She did have to be careful. Andrew had picked a restaurant in the next town over. She knew it but had never been there: small, intimate, expensive. She didn’t have much of a choice in the way of dressy clothes so chose a black maxi dress and ballet flats from the wardrobe. Thank you, Susan. It would have to do, although she did make an effort with her hair. Danni washed it and braided it, reminding her of her youth, which in turn reminded her of when Beth had cut off her plait. She frowned at the uninvited memory as she unconsciously touched her hair.
Danni drove to the restaurant as the sun was beginning to wane. The shadows crept forward, easing out of the corners where they had hidden all day. It was a little cold, so she swung a bolero jacket over herself and shrugged her arms into it. She wanted to pull it over her chest as the dress was a little tight at the bust. She hoped Andrew wouldn’t see it as a come on. Taking a deep breath, she walked inside the restaurant, scanning the tables for Andrew.
He waved, then stood up so she’d see him. He was wearing a dove grey suit, and had clearly made an effort, like this was a proper date. ‘Andrew, hi,’ Danni said, beginning the ass-kissing.
‘You look amazing,’ he replied, his eyes dropping immediately to her breasts before pulling her into his arms, inhaling the clean scent of her hair, ‘and you smell delicious.’
Danni pulled away and gave a nervous laugh as she sat down at the table. Back corner, low lighting, it would have been romantic if she hadn’t been there with him. She slung her bag over the back of the seat. It was the one she’d been using every day but it didn’t matter. She was almost broke and was still living off the charity of others – she couldn’t afford to be picky. She had hoped that he’d brought the money with him and that she and Mia could leave tomorrow morning.
‘Come, let’s order something to eat,’ Andrew said, tucking himself back under the table. Danni was a little more unsure, perching on the edge of her seat, as if ready to run at any moment.
‘So, do you want to talk?’
‘I have more pressing things going on, like leaving this place once and for all.’
It was the perfect intro for him to give her the cheque, but instead he said, ‘They do a really nice seafood basket here.’
She wanted to yell at him, to ask him if she could just have the money so she could get the hell out of there.
‘So, Danni, apart from the messy and unfortunate business with your family, how have you been these past two decades?’
Messy? Unfortunate business?
It seemed like he wanted a trip down memory lane. ‘Actually, Andrew, I was wondering if you brought the money or cheque with you? I really need it.’
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, looking inside. ‘Oh shit, I must have left it on the kitchen counter at home. I’m so sorry, Danni, you’re going to have to follow me home if you want the cheque.’
It sounded like a threat just to get her into his home. She suppressed a sigh. ‘Okay, we’ll go to your place and get it.’ She made a move to stand up.
‘Hang on, Danni, let’s enjoy dinner together first, all right? It’s not often I get to dine with such a beautiful woman.’ He winked at her, actually winked. Did he forget that she was a recent widow?
‘I’m sorry, Andrew, I guess I’m just not in the mood.’
‘Well, maybe I’m just not in the mood to give you the money,’ he snipped.
Danni looked him so hard in the eyes that he dropped his head. Joe had always called it her death stare. He’d been on the receiving end enough times to coin the phrase.
‘Just one drink then,’ he almost pleaded.
She relented. ‘One drink, then your place, then I am getting the hell out of here.’
‘Well you don’t have to make it sound like such a chore,’ he pouted. ‘I’m trying to help you, what with the loan and the video that I have. I was serious when I said you should watch it.’
‘Sorry, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I really need to get going. I will watch the video but I just don’t have the time right now. Maybe you could message it to me sometime and I promise that I’ll watch it.’
‘How about this?’ he countered. ‘We have the drink at my place, you can pick up the cheque and be on your way.’
Of course, Danni was wary, but she was also desperate. ‘Okay, let’s go.’
Andrew paid for his one drink and told her to follow him to his place. The whole way she wondered just how far she would go to secure the money to leave. She pulled up behind him in a quiet residential street. At least someone would hear her scream if she needed help. She smiled at her paranoid thoughts, not entertaining them as real.
She slammed her car door, and a lone dog barked down the street as she followed Andrew into his home. It was meticulously clean but not decorated. There were none of the knick-knacks that made a home. No paintings on the wall, no framed photos of family or friends. She found it odd that there was no photo of his departed parents. That was one thing she desperately wanted. Photos of Alexandra and Noah.
‘This is… nice,’ she said diplomatically, watching as he put his keys and phone on the kitchen bench.
‘I know, I know, it’s such a bachelor pad but I just haven’t found the right woman to decorate my walls, if you know what I mean.’
Oh, she knew what he meant. He was still as creepy as ever.
He rummaged around in the fridge looking for the wine, then popped back up, bottle of champagne in hand. There were two glasses already on the bench, which had Danni wondering if maybe this had been a set up from the start. He poured her a full glass then handed it to her.
‘Here’s to old friends,’ he said, clinking his glass against hers.
‘To old friends,’ Danni repeated and took a sip. It was expensive, she could tell that, not like the twelve-dollar bottles of wine she and Joe bought. It was unlikely that he had this just lying in his fridge, glasses out and ready.
‘Shall we sit on the couch?’ he asked, even as Danni drained half her glass in one long gulp.
‘A
lmost finished. Andrew, how about that cheque?’
‘Danni, I’m beginning to feel that you don’t want to be around me. That all you want is the money. I just want to be your friend, but I feel that you’re not going to let me be.’
‘Andrew,’ she sighed, ‘I don’t have time for friends. I have to leave, tomorrow. Please, are you going to give me the money or not?’
‘I wasn’t planning on it,’ he said slowly, smiling at her without mirth.
Her heart deflated. He wasn’t going to give her the money.
‘What?’ she whispered.
‘I said, I wasn’t planning on it. I just wanted to get you back here.’ He lunged at her and she dropped her glass as she nimbly jumped out of his way. The glass hit the floor with a high-pitched crash. He charged at her with his arms open, intent on tackling her to the ground. She dodged to the left but he managed to get a hold of her hair, pulling painfully at the scalp as he dragged her backwards. Danni opened her mouth to scream but was silenced by a punch to the stomach. She hadn’t felt this way in years. The pain, the fear, the inability to breathe. Being the victim didn’t suit her any more.
In the next moment, she turned on him and pulled him to her, catching him completely off balance, which is right where she wanted him. She threw her hand straight out and connected with her target, his throat. He started to cough and splutter, letting go of her hair to clutch his throat. Danni grabbed his mobile off the kitchen counter and ran to the front door, unlocking it and ripping it open. She flew across the road, slamming herself into the driver’s seat and locking the doors. Danni peeled off down the street, desperate to get away from him. The car screamed around the corner, her heart hammering in her chest. Once she had driven a few streets away, the adrenaline started to wear off and she began to shake. Danni pulled the car over to the side of the road and waited until the shaking and the tears subsided and she felt okay enough to drive back to the motel. Her body might have been betraying her, but her mind was clear. Andrew had given her perspective. They needed to get the hell out of town. Andrew probably knew where she lived, and Beth certainly did.
The Silent Daughter Page 25