The Air You Breathe (HEARTFIRE Book 3)

by Jave Kavfi

  The only reaction he managed to see is from the fat redhead. She's a teacher and also a drunk – which just goes to prove standards are slipping all round. She stared at it for ages, turned it over, turned it back and stared some more. Couldn't see her face, because her back was turned, but got an excellent view up her nightshirt when she bent over to pick up her phone. No knickers. Probably got right on to the 'good' doctor, as he's been fucking her brains out all week. It took him a while to realise who Blake had married, as he didn't recognise her at first. Went blond, not that it's much of an improvement – pig's ear and all that.

  The old hag of a nanny probably had a coronary episode when she read hers. She fully deserved it, because of all the sick crap that went on with that shitty family, but she didn't say boo. Put one through the door of the bint rattling the charity tin too, just to shake her up. With some of them, he doesn't know if they were at the picnic or not, but there's a good chance they were, so he might as well do a bit of stirring, just for the hell of it. Most of them have something to hide and the thought of them going to the police makes him laugh.

  It's irritating how long it took him to dig up the memory and do something about it. But at that age, you see things and sometimes don't realise the significance. Takes a while to pull all the information together. To know who's who and get some research going. Once you do it, all the pieces fall into place, especially if you're a person with advanced observational skills like him. So, slow off the mark, but he had other priorities back then. Survival, for a start. He did try to tell his old man, but just got no words and his skull rattled off a wall. Then his no-good mother picked him up and took him to live with one of her men. Talk about disturbed and dangerous – he's a blasted saint compared to that lot. Never had his IQ tested, but it's bound to be up there with the best. Stratospheric, possibly. Just not had the chances all those hand-fed snobs got.

  He's annoyed the blond chick moved out of her apartment, as he's been getting a good view of her all week. He'd rate her about 98%, the same as the one in the book shop. Two in one place now but the set-up there means vision is obscured, and some guy with a bad attitude is usually hanging around. Still, there's always opportunities for someone of his calibre and he's found a good spot in the courtyard where he can get in. "What you looking at, you old bastard?" he says to his father, who's sitting there with his dead-eyed stare, supping his soup. Nothing back, as usual – it's a wonder he's not truly messed-up with a father like him.

  *

  "She's in the bath, using up every last drop of hot water," Ana is telling Caden. "What could I say? She took me in when I was desperate and she let you live at the cottage too."

  "Still, she can't stay here. It's the last thing we need right now," Caden says. "It's another person to keep safe and she's a distraction we don't need. And the less Holly knows about our situation here the better. I really can't be bothered with her right now."

  "You were 'bothered' enough to have near continual sex with her up to a couple of weeks ago, and I've a strong feeling she thinks you two are going to take up where you left off."

  "That was a mistake and I was drunk. What happened to the George guy – she dumped him? Run out of cash, did he? No, this isn't happening. Her being here means Dean will be sniffing around and having the law on the premises is a no-go. We'll need to put her off somehow."

  "You'll need to put her off – I'm keeping out of it. How did you get on at Ryden?"

  "I didn't see Evangeline, if that's what you're asking. But I'm now determined to help her. My gut feeling is she was murdered and wants me to find out the details. Why now, I don't know, but it might be because her sister's back. I'm trying to piece together what happened then and who all the players were. Not only on the day of the picnic, but before that. That family has a history of early death. Well, the women, mostly. The girls' mother, Curtis Mortimer's new wife. Evangeline. And the entire set-up there seems like it was a bit off. Look at these." He puts a pile of slightly charred books on to the counter. "Um ... sorry about the mess." He brushes off flakes of scorched paper.

  "Children's annuals? Like the one that leapt off the shelf." She opens one and then another. "I don't get it. What significance do these have?"

  "Keep going. Try another one."

  She flicks through three or four.

  "Look at the inscriptions."

  "I am. 'Happy Christmas, Lucinda. 'Have a great birthday, Lucinda'. So?"

  "Think of that first one we found. What it said. I'll tell you. To Evangeline – my special girl. Have a wonderful Christmas. Daddy. Then a bunch of kisses. This one." He opens the book and reads, "All the love in the world to my beautiful birthday girl, Evangeline. Daddy. Then another bunch of kisses." He opens another. "To Lucinda – have a nice birthday."

  "Oh, I get it. Looks like Curtis Mortimer had a favourite."

  "Yes. And I might not have noticed that if it wasn't for these pictures. Excuse the mess – I only just prevented those idiots at Ryden from torching the lot."

  He puts three photographs on the counter. One looks as if it was taken at Christmas. A man and two young girls – both beautiful and smiling into the camera. The man has his arm around one of the girl's shoulders and is smiling down at her, looking proud and happy. The other girl is standing a good bit apart. In another photograph, the man and the girl are laughing into each other's faces and the other girl is behind them, unsmiling and looking to the side.

  He holds up a smaller one and shows Ana the back. In the same handwriting as the book inscriptions, is written 'Evangeline –the light of my life'. "I know this is probably nothing, but I'm wondering if this means Lucinda resented her sister."

  "Enough to kill her? That's some jump. But we should keep the possibility in mind."

  "There was a sort of shrine to her at the house, but I know some people do that when they lose a person they love. It might mean nothing, but I'm trying to piece together the relationships at Ryden ... the what-you-call-it ... the dynamics. The main thing is what happened at the picnic, but I want to get an idea of what led up to that day. That's if she was murdered and we don't even know that. Depending how busy this place gets today, I might take a trip out and ask around town. A good percentage of the residents were there that day and if I'm careful, I might be able to get some info without attracting too much attention, and–"

  "I'm in a quandary and all at sixes and sevens!" Mavis squeals as she flies into the shop. "I have had a missive which has left me all aflutter. Wickedness is afoot and the devil is at work!"

  Chapter 10

  Both customers in the front shop have turned to stare. Mavis totters across the floor, plonks on a chair and pats her face with a tissue. "Oh, why does Gertie have to be away now of all times? She knows how to handle such things," she cries.

  "Handle what, Mavis? What's happened?" Ana asks.

  "This!" She hands Ana a crumbled sheet of paper.

  Ana reads what's on it and says, "Why don't we go upstairs? I'll make you a nice cup of tea and we can discuss this in private?"

  "Tea? I think this might call for a sherry!" Mavis replies, getting to her feet.

  "You okay keeping your eye on the counter for a while, Caden?" Ana asks.

  "No problem," he says, giving her a quizzical look.

  Ana has another look at the note.

  I know what you did at the Ryden picnic. You will pay the price.

  That's it. Handwritten on a piece of paper that looks like it has been ripped from a notebook. Nothing on the other side.

  "This is ... weird. You any idea who could of sent it or what they're getting at?"

  "I do not," Mavis says with a sniff. "I was merely serving teas at the picnic. 'Pay the price' – what can they mean? Someone is up to mischief. I shall take this to the police. I've nothing to hide. Evangeline's accident was just that. All those years ago and it being dragged-up. And just as Lucinda returns."

  Ana bites her lip. "Mmm ... well, it may be a little more than coincidenta
l, don't you think?"

  "Whatever do you mean?"

  "Mavis, can I take you into my confidence?"

  Mavis is nodding. "Of course. Any secrets you have are safe with me. Is it about your cousin?"

  "What? No. About an investigation I'm doing."

  "You're investigating? How strange. What are you investigating? Oh, the incident at the picnic. Whatever for?"

  Ana is trying to think on her feet. The last thing she wants is Mavis stirring up the police. If they have to investigate a poison pen letter, they might want to check on all Mavis' acquaintances, which brings Caden right into the picture. Dean would jump at the chance to pull him into it, especially when he finds out Holly has moved in. "You know Gertie carries out informal investigations into crimes from the past? Well, I got the idea from her and thought I might do it too."

  "Oh, you're going to be a crime writer? How exciting." Mavis claps her hands together and leans forward in her seat.

  "Crime writing? Oh, yes, that's it. Anyway, the whole story about the drowned girl sort of fascinates me. I was wondering if it was an accident and wanted to find out what happened that day. Someone else is clearly interested in the incident too, probably because Lucinda is back and has stirred up memories. But the police investigated at the time and no sign of foul play was found. I say we stay away from the police just now and if we find any new evidence, then we can present it to them. What do you think?"

  Mavis downs the last of her second helping of sherry. "My goodness – this is exciting. I think I'm ready for a top-up." She holds out her glass. "Gertie's not the only one with the skills to carry out an investigation and I've secretly been attracted to the idea. But you don't think I'm in any danger from the writer of this note, do you?"

  Ana didn't think of that. "I hope not, but we'll keep a close eye on the situation. It could be others got a similar note. Someone might be either out to cause trouble, to blackmail or it might be they're carrying out their own investigation. Now, if you can give me as much background as you can. Anything you can think of about that day and the Mortimer family."

  "Fetch a pen and notepaper and write everything down," Mavis cries, sounding slightly drunk. "We will get to the bottom of this with such efficiency it will put Gertie to shame."

  *

  "Oh, hello – what's going on outside the book shop?"

  "It looks like that woman has taken ill. Do you think we should go over and offer to help?" Lucinda says.

  Jonny is laughing. "I doubt she's ill. More like intoxicated. That's probably her grandson, getting the old dear home. This town has more going on than you'd think, apparently. Pip, put that down. We're going to eat soon." The little boy puts the apple back on the market stall.

  "You want that, Pip? I'll get it for you. In fact"--Lucinda takes coins from her purse--"you buy it yourself. Don't forget to ask nicely and say thank you."

  "You spoil him."

  "An apple – where's the harm? Do you think the house will be ready for us by Monday? I've had about enough of that hotel."

  "It had better be or I'm demanding a refund. I told you I'd be quicker doing it myself. We're being watched. Behind you."

  She turns. "Oh, my God... Miss Patterson? Is that you?"

  "Lucinda."

  "It's ... it's so good to see you again. It's been – what? Twenty years? More." She turns to her family. Everyone – this is Miss Patterson, my nanny, when I was a child. Miss Patterson, you look... This is my husband, Jonny. My daughter, Kenzie. And Pip – Philip, but we all call him Pip. And–"

  "The boy's clothing is unsuitable for this weather."

  "Yes, yes, I know. It's just one of those little quirks children have. A phase. Wrapping up – a comfort thing."

  "There is always a reason for a child of that age to be seeking that kind of comfort," the older woman says.

  "Yes, well, he's been ill, but better now. You have to come over to Ryden for a visit. It's a bit of a mess just now, but–"

  "There seems to be some confusion," Miss Patterson says. "Your correspondence. It must have been from your secretary. I applied for the position of nanny."

  "No, no confusion. That letter was from me. Don't you remember – I asked how you were? We're not having a nanny. There's no need. A local girl as a babysitter on occasion, that's all we require. I'll be working mostly from home, you see. And the children are older now. Kenzie's coming up for ten and Pip is five – almost six. So you see..." She holds her hands out in a gesture of helplessness.

  "Are you saying my services are not required?" Miss Patterson says.

  "No. Yes. But, as I said, come over any time."

  "I will bid you good day then." She looks at Pip and walks away.

  "Oh, boy – what was that?" Jonny says.

  "She's creepy. Like a witch. What's wrong with her eyes?" Kenzie does an exaggerated shudder.

  "Must be some condition. Imagine inflicting that on a child. Oh, I don't think so. That was your nanny? Why did you invite her up to Ryden? I don't want a woman like that hanging around the place. It would be like inviting the walking dead into our home."

  "Oh, Jonny, don't. I feel so bad. Did you notice how shabby her coat was? I think she might be down on her luck. And she wasn't so bad. Strict, but very supportive, if I remember correctly. Daddy kept her on well after we were too old to need her. I don't think he paid her at that point, but she felt she was part of the family. She must have seen the ad we put with the local recruitment agency and assumed–"

  "She can 'assume' all she likes, but we're not having that woman in our home," Jonny says. "She'd give the kids nightmares. Come on, we'll go back to the hotel. I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He nudges the children. "Don't stare."

  "But she's still watching us," Kenzie says, looking over her shoulder. "Watching Pip."

  Chapter 11

  Caden and Holly are in the middle of an argument.

  "I'm not saying you can't stay here – just not in my bed. Well, you can – you can have my room, but I'll sleep on the sofa."

  Holly is open-mouthed with shock. "What's wrong with you? You're actually refusing to share a bed with me? It's impossible. You were all over me a couple of weeks ago – couldn't get enough."

  "Well, that was then and things have changed. Like I said, I'll sleep on the sofa." He goes to the fridge and helps himself to a beer.

  "Oh, you have a girlfriend?" She puts her arms around his waist. "Don't worry, I won't say a thing. You and me can still–"

  "No we can't." He pulls away and leans against the sink. "And no girlfriend. When exactly did you have that big argument with George?"

  "This morning – he's such a grouch..."

  "So, you're living with the guy. You have a bit of a fight this morning and you're now ready to jump into my bed? You and him – last night?"

  "Yes, of course. But I just did it to shut him up. I don't even fancy him anymore. Not after you."

  "Thanks, but it's not happening. Look, I'll move my stuff out of the bedroom and you can have it to yourself."

  "Are you crazy? No man would turn me down. Look at me."

  He's looking and will probably regret this for the rest of his life. When he's old and grey – if he lives that long – and he remembers actually turning down a girl who would be a walking sexual fantasy for any man on earth. She is unbelievably hot. But no, it's all wrong, he realises that now. Like a betrayal of the girl he loves. Mia – the only girl he will ever love. You can still be in love with someone, even if they're dead.

  Holly is waving her arms around. "As I said – it's impossible. All men fancy me. Old, young, married, gay – whatever. I'm ... irresistible."

  Hearing her say that just made her a good deal less irresistible in his eyes, but still, he gets her point. Must be her first experience of someone not dropping at her feet as soon as she flutters her eyelashes. A shock to her system. "Holly, it's not you, it's–"

  "No!" She holds up a finger and he sees the first flash of anger on h
er face. "Don't you dare say 'it's not you – it's me'. That's what ugly girls get told." She sticks her fingers in her ears. "Lalalalalala – I'm not listening. In fact, I'm going to go unpack. I'll be back when you come to your senses. You must be coming down with something." She flounces out of the room.

  Thank god for that. Hopefully, she'll see something shiny and it will attract her attention for long enough to get him off the hook for now. He is being a pure bastard, but he's not even sure he actually likes her. Back to the 'poison pen' letter, which he's finally getting a good chance to get a look at.

  The fact it's handwritten makes him think the writer is arrogant enough not to be scared of police involvement. From the mind of a nutter – and/or someone who wants to put the frighteners on – who? Not just Mavis, surely? Blackmail? A warning? They must be getting at Evangeline's murder, unless something else happened that day. Did they witness it? Why didn't they speak up at the time? Or they saw something that seemed insignificant back then, but Lucinda's return triggered a memory or raised new suspicions?

  He turns to the list of information Mavis gave Ana. Everything she could think of about that day. Who was there and what they were doing. How events unfolded. It seems like half the town had turned up. He's making a mental list of names. The visitors, the family, the staff. At that point Curtis Mortimer employed two part-time cleaning women – and Mavis can't recall who they were, a cook, who has since emigrated, the nanny, a housekeeper who's now left the area, some casual ground maintenance staff and a full-time gardener, who is now in his seventies and still lives in one of the cottages.

  It wasn't one person who discovered the girl's body, but a group of them. The local cop and doctor were guests and took charge right away – were they in any way involved in her death? Not according to Mavis, as both had been highly visible to her since the girl was last sighted.