Chapter 46
Peter’s appearance was casual when he answered the door. His shirt was untucked and his sleeves rolled up. He scratched his head and yawned as he held the front door open for Adele.
‘You all right?’ he asked once Adele was sitting down.
But it was obvious by Adele’s appearance that she wasn’t all right. He could tell that even before she spoke. She had dark circles under her eyes, her skin was pale and she was twitchy. He noticed the way she kept picking at her nails. The police questioning combined with a lack of sleep the two previous nights had taken their toll. She looked physically and emotionally drained.
‘It was terrible, Peter! I’m sure they know,’ she said, referring to the police interview.
‘Don’t worry. It’s just par for the course,’ he said, pouring brandy into one of the two glasses he had lined up.
‘None for me, thanks. I’ve got to drive home,’ she said.
‘You sure? You’re welcome to stay if you want.’
‘No, it’s all right. I don’t want to get into that habit anyway.’
‘OK, but if you don’t mind me saying, Adele, you look like shit. You could do with a good night’s sleep.’
‘Cheer me up, why don’t you? What do you fuckin’ expect?’
She was wound up like a taut spring and Peter could tell that the slightest thing would set her off. It was worrying.
‘They asked me about my visit to the house when I came to collect Mam’s things. Like they were trying to trip me up. It was awful! I kept thinking I was gonna give the game away.’
‘I told you what it would be like. They’re relentless bastards. But, the important thing is, you didn’t cave in and confess.’
‘Yeah, but what if I do?’ Adele asked and Peter could detect the tremble in her voice.
‘Just stick to the story, Adele. Jesus! Don’t fuckin’ lose it now. You did well. Now try not to worry. The worst part’s over. They’ll probably be back again, asking more questions, but you’ve done it once so you can do it again.’
‘Do you think the neighbours will suspect us?’ she asked. Then she jolted her head as though something had just occurred to her. ‘What if they heard something or saw us taking him out?’
‘No, they won’t have done. Don’t forget, the telly was blaring and I checked around before we carried him out. There was no one in sight. So just sit tight and stop worrying. It’ll all blow over in a few weeks.’
‘I don’t know, Peter. I keep reliving everything. It’s really panicking me. I don’t know if I can live with the guilt.’
‘And do you think confessing to the police will make things any fuckin’ easier, Adele? Think about it. Whether you confess or not, it still happened. The old bastard deserved all he got anyway so don’t go beating yourself up! You’ve got to find a way of living with it. Because, I tell you summat, you start confessing to the coppers and things’ll get a whole lot fuckin’ worse. Have you ever been inside a prison, Adele? It’s no fuckin’ walk in the park, I can tell you.’
Peter was getting riled. The last thing he needed was for his sister to have an attack of conscience and confess to the police. That would land him right in it. And he had too much at stake to get banged up. Things were really taking off for him, but if he was out of the picture for a while, he might risk losing it all.
He tried to calm himself down. Shouting at her wouldn’t help so for the next half hour he concentrated on persuading Adele to keep quiet. By the time Peter let her out of his apartment, she was looking a little more relaxed than when she had arrived. But he was still concerned about her.
Although he had tried to appear relaxed in front of Adele, he wasn’t as laid-back as he seemed. A part of him was beginning to regret getting involved in the first place. But she was his sister and they’d been through a lot together. There was no one else she could have turned to.
Anyway, it was done now, but it didn’t stop him worrying about the consequences of Adele making a confession. As he swigged his brandy, Peter tried to think of a way he could manage the situation. Like most jobs, there would be a way of dealing with things. He just had to think.
He continued to ruminate as he paced his apartment, crystal tumbler in hand. Then it came to him. Like a flash of inspiration. He’d thought of a way he could put Adele out of the picture with the minimum of consequences.
In the meantime he’d still have to make sure she didn’t confess to the police or anyone else. But it was doable. And it would mean that he wouldn’t have the worry of it anymore.
*
Adele was helping her mother prepare sandwiches for their lunch. It was typical of her mother to invite her for lunch then have nothing ready, Adele thought, cynically. As she buttered bread they talked. Or, rather, her mother talked and Adele listened.
‘I do miss him, Adele,’ Shirley sniffed. She glanced across at Adele who didn’t comment, but it was as though her mother had picked up on what she was thinking. ‘Oh I know he wasn’t perfect. He had a bit of a temper, but he wasn’t always like that, y’know?’
‘I know,’ said Adele automatically but she didn’t really know. She had never seen that other side of her father, just the belligerence which he’d always displayed towards her and Peter.
‘It’s not easy being on yer own,’ her mother continued.
As if Adele didn’t know how that felt!
‘I’d love to know what happened. It’s bloody funny what happened to that brass cat, isn’t it?’
Adele shrugged but she could feel her face flush at the mention of the cat.
‘It was the only thing I had left of my mother’s too. And what about that rug? Bloody funny if you ask me,’ Shirley then sighed and stopped what she was doing. When she began speaking again, Adele could hear the crack in her voice. ‘I wish he’d come back, Adele. He might be dead for all we know but it’s not as if we can even have a funeral for him. Not without a body.’ She sniffed and wiped a tear away with the back of her hand.
A tremor of guilt ran up Adele’s spine. She walked over to her mother and kissed her on the top of her head. ‘It’ll get easier,’ she said but her words were spoken through a stiff jaw. Combined with her feelings of guilt was irritation at the way her mother pined for the man who had made all their lives a misery. But she bit back her irritation. Part of her still felt sorry for her mother. He might not have been the perfect husband but her mother was clearly missing him.
Adele didn’t know how she would get through today. The guilt was eating away at her. She was so tempted to confess all to her mother; to put her mind at ease. While Tommy’s disappearance was a mystery, Adele knew that her mother would still hold out a flicker of hope that one day he would walk back through the door. And Shirley would welcome him heartily.
But Adele resisted the temptation to confess all. She couldn’t trust her mother not to tell anyone, and she wouldn’t have her mother’s support as she did with Peter. Shirley’s feelings about Tommy were far removed from those of her children.
‘It’ll get easier’ she had said to her mother. She hoped to God that it would get easier for her too. Because she didn’t know how much longer she could live with this guilt.
Chapter 47
Peter had invited Adele round to his flat for a few drinks and a chat. She was curious as she’d got the impression on the phone that the chat was about something important.
When she arrived at the flat, Peter welcomed her, brandy at the ready as usual. She sipped her drink, drawing comfort from the warmth of the brandy as it slid down her throat and radiated inside her chest.
‘I got the feeling you had something important to talk about,’ she said.
‘Yeah,’ said Peter, staring pointedly at her. ‘I’ve had an idea.’ He paused before carrying on. ‘Look sis. I know you’ve been finding it tough, and I’m a bit worried about you spilling the beans. I’m not being funny, but it will land me in the shit as well if you do and I can do without…’
�
�I won’t,’ Adele cut in.
Peter held up his hand to silence her. ‘I can’t take that chance, Adele. I need you out of the picture.’
Adele paled. What was he suggesting?
‘You spoken to John lately?’
‘Yeah, I managed to patch things up and we still keep in touch. Why? Why are you asking?’
‘Well, now he’s not around I get to see our mam more. So maybe it’s a good time for you to go down to London and join John.’
Adele knew that the word ‘he’ referred to their father. ‘Dad’ wasn’t a word that Peter often used. ‘But she still needs me, Peter,’ she said.
‘She’ll be all right. It’s about time she learnt to stand on her own two feet. You’re too soft with her. She plays you like a fuckin’ fiddle.’
‘But… I don’t know.’
‘You want to go, don’t you? I know how you feel about the guy. You’ve told me.’
‘But, you don’t know her like I do, Peter. She’ll go to pieces. Anything could happen.’
‘Will she ’eck. I can go round there now he’s gone, so she won’t be all on her own. Anyway, you can always ring her.’
‘It’s not the same though, is it?’ said Adele who could sense her brother becoming irritated.
‘Look, Adele,’ he said. ‘I’m not fuckin’ asking, I’m telling you!’ He took a deep, calming breath before continuing. ‘You need to go. I can’t have you spilling the beans. Being with John will take your mind off what happened. But don’t get a fuckin’ attack of conscience when you’re with him. You don’t tell anyone. OK?’
‘And if I don’t go?’
‘Don’t ask me that question, Adele. You won’t like the answer.’
Adele felt a stab of fear.
She nodded, knowing she didn’t have much choice in the matter. ‘All right,’ she said, ‘I’ll do it.’
Chapter 48
‘It won’t be long now,’ Adele said, her face breaking into a smile.
She was on the phone to John who was overjoyed that she was coming to join him.
‘Yes, and you know the first thing I’m going to do when you arrive, don’t you?’ he asked with a hint of mischief in his voice.
‘No, go on, tell me,’ she said, suddenly feeling much lighter. ‘Does it have something to do with me arriving?’
‘Oh yes, you’re definitely going to arrive,’ he said. ‘Multiple times. I’m gonna chase you up to the bedroom. Then I’m gonna keep you there till you’re begging for mercy and can’t take any more.’
‘Ooh, I can’t wait,’ Adele laughed.
Once she had finished the call she continued tidying some things away, the joy at hearing John’s voice giving her some impetus to carry on with sorting the house out. She had a lot to take care of before her move to London, but it wasn’t long before thoughts of her father’s death clouded her brain once more. She shook them off and tried to concentrate on her future with John instead. But it wasn’t easy. She prayed that one day, eventually, she would think about it less and be able to get on with her life.
The last few weeks had been trying ones. As well as finishing work and having to say goodbye to everyone, the persistent questioning from the police had put her constantly on edge. It hadn’t been easy breaking the news of her imminent departure to her mother either. Shirley had sat there snivelling into a tissue as Adele discussed her plans.
‘I don’t think I can take much more,’ said Shirley. ‘First your grandma, then your dad and now this.’
The memory of Peter’s words had flashed into Adele’s mind. Yes, perhaps she was too soft with her. So she tried to stay strong and not let her mother dissuade her from following her heart.
‘At least you’ve got Peter back,’ she said. ‘He comes round a lot now, doesn’t he? He’s always bringing you things as well.’
‘Well, yes. But it’s not the same as having your daughter by your side, is it? And just when I need your support as well.’
‘You’ve got the neighbours too and I’m only a couple of hours away on the train. You can visit whenever you like. We’ll go sightseeing together.’
But Adele knew her mother would never visit. She’d work herself into a state as soon as she contemplated the journey. Then she’d back out at the last minute, deciding she couldn’t cope with it.
‘I’ll ring you too; all the time,’ Adele added.
Again Peter was right. Her mother would cope, somehow. Adele needed to get on with her own life and try to put that nasty business with her father behind her.
*
Peter was having a night in with his latest conquest. One thing he was finding as he gained status in the world of crime was that there were always women available. They knew of his reputation and many of them couldn’t resist a bad boy.
He’d planned a night watching TV then seduction later. But he’d become aroused as soon as he saw the outfit she was wearing: a tight-fitting top that clung to her curves and a short leather skirt. She certainly knew how to get a man going.
Within no time, she was lying on her back on the sofa, their clothing scattered around the room, and Peter was on top. As he thrusted away, the TV blared in the background. But Peter wasn’t watching it; he was otherwise occupied. Until a news item grabbed his attention.
Peter quickly tried to sit up, extricating himself from the girl’s legs, which were wrapped around his back.
‘I’ve not finished,’ she grumbled.
He pulled her legs away then grabbed at her panties, which were lying by the side of the sofa, and shoved them at her. ‘Do yourself a favour, love, and fuck off!’ he said. She was about to speak when he held up his hand to silence her. ‘Shut the fuck up!’ he ordered and something in his voice told her that she would be foolish to complain.
The girl collected her clothing and dashed, humiliated, from the room. Meanwhile, Peter was sitting naked, his penis now flaccid and his eyes riveted to the TV screen.
Chapter 49
Adele was also having a night in. She was trying to relax with a glass of wine, reading a book, when there was a loud hammering at the front door. She looked at the clock, her senses on full alert: 10.50 p.m. Who could it be at this time of night?
She peered through the living room window before answering the door. At first she couldn’t see anything; they were standing too close to the door, lost in the shadow of the house. But then she caught sight of Peter as he stepped back, peering up at the windows.
‘Oh, it’s you,’ she said, to herself rather than Peter, in an attempt to calm herself down.
As soon as she answered the door, Peter fled inside the living room. But he didn’t sit down. He was too busy pacing about and unable to settle, bouncing on the balls of his feet with his limbs primed for action. He was making Adele nervous.
‘Shit’s hit the fan!’ he announced. Before Adele could ask what he meant, he added, ‘A kid’s gone missing. They’re dredging the fuckin’ river. I’ve just seen it on the news.’
‘Oh no!’ said Adele, her heart racing once more.
‘They’ll probably want to speak to you,’ he continued. ‘Especially if they find your fingerprints on that fuckin’ brass ornament.’
For a few moments Adele couldn’t speak. She was trying to process his words, which had bombarded her brain. She was too startled to think beyond those words and come up with a way to deal with things. But Peter soon took control.
‘Right,’ he said, taking in a deep breath. ‘I’ve been thinking about it on the way here. This is what we’ll do.’
As he spoke, Adele noticed that Peter was becoming calmer, his limbs less fidgety. It was as though he drew strength at the sight of her weakness. Where her mind had become fuzzy, his was alert and strategising. A tiny part of her couldn’t help but be impressed by his resilience.
‘For now I want you to carry on as normal. Act as though we know fuck all. The police might not even find him anyway. It depends how much of the river they cover. What day is your train to Lon
don booked for?’
‘Saturday.’
Peter thought for a moment before carrying on. ‘OK, that gives us a few days. Even if they find him, you were going to London anyway. Our mam knows that too. So, it won’t look as though you’re doing a runner. If they want you for questioning once you’re down there, they’ll get in touch. When they do, you’re to deny everything no matter what evidence they’ve got. OK?’
‘Yes, but… what if they can prove it?’ she asked, panicking.
‘Without a confession it will make the case against you weaker. I’m not sure how easy it will be for them to get prints off the brass cat, but if they do, make something up. You used to pick it up and admire it or you helped our mam with the cleaning. Don’t worry, if it gets that far we’ll sort out a brief for you. But there’s something I need you to promise me, Adele…’
As he paused and took another deep breath, she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. An air of expectation hung over them until he spoke.
‘You can’t bring me into it, sis. They might have enough on you, but they’ve got nowt on me unless you tell them I was involved. And I won’t be happy if you dob me in it.’
‘No, I wouldn’t,’ she said.
‘But you need to be prepared for their questions again. And it’ll be worse than last time if they think they’ve got something on you. They’re gonna know you can’t have lifted the body by yourself and they’ll be at you to tell them who else was involved.’
‘OK!’ she snapped.
Adele spoke sharper than she had intended but Peter’s words were still swimming around in her head. She was in shock and was finding it hard to take it all in. Adele was also frightened and the rush of fear that stormed her body was making it even more difficult to process all this information.
‘Sorry, it’s just…’
‘I know, sis. It’s scary, I know that. But try not to worry. Things might not come to that. I’m just trying to cover all the bases just in case.’
She managed a weak smile before the tears began to fall.
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