The Air You Breathe (HEARTFIRE Book 3)

by Jave Kavfi

  "I told you not to get out," Caden says, as he turns to look out of the back window. "But put your foot on the gas – we don't want to be around when those two get conscious enough to follow. Damn – I wish I hadn't left my knife at home – their tyres would have been ripped to hell." He turns back to Sarah. "Sorry, you okay?"

  "Yes, I'm..." She's trying to pull the front of her dress shut. It's torn and the buttons have come off.

  "Here." Caden has taken off the shirt he had on over his t-shirt and handed it to her. "You any idea who that pair of apes were?"

  "Not local. I only met them tonight. I was having a quick refreshment in a beer garden. I got talking to one of them – he seemed nice enough, and offered me a lift home. He stopped the car and another one got in. How could I be so stupid?" She bursts into tears.

  "Hey, look – don't take it out on yourself. We'll take you home and–"

  "No," she says quickly. "I don't want my mother to see me like this."

  "We'll go to our place," Ana says. "But shouldn't we contact the police? Did they–"

  "No police – my family are the police around here. I don't want them to know about this. And thanks to you two, what they were planning didn't happen. Yes, your place, please. Just so I can calm down and get cleaned-up a little."

  "I still think we should try to persuade her to go to the police," Caden is saying. "Those guys will do that to someone else at some point and almost certainly have before. You talk to her when she comes out of the bathroom. It'll be better coming from a woman. I'll make myself scarce."

  "We can't. It would involve you giving a statement. You know you have to lie low as far as all that is concerned."

  "I know, but ... damn it. It's bad enough we let that weirdo go – the one who was creeping around here. Now there's another two. It bugs the hell out of me."

  "Me too, but you heard her – she really doesn't want to report it. And we can't risk it, Caden. The sooner you get your identity sorted out the better. And that was terrifying – the size of those men. I thought they were going to kill you. You were very brave."

  "Brave? I was shitting myself. You notice one was twice the size of an actual fridge? If Sarah hadn't jumped on his back when she did, that little 'episode' would have had a different outcome. That's the last time we go out unarmed. Maybe I should go to the gym and bulk out. Take up kickboxing. Something. And you – when are you going to start doing as I ask? Getting out of the car like that – you could have been–"

  "Quiet, she's coming back."

  "I had no intention of going out," Sarah is saying, as she sips a coffee. "But my mother was asleep and I was upset about something. My own fault – I make so many mistakes. It was a surreal night. I was being accused of something, and to be honest, I didn't have a leg to stand on, because I was guilty as charged. But, well, it got crazy. Accusing me of stealing a doll, of all things, and–"

  "A doll? It wasn't that woman – what's her name – the doctor's wife?" Ana asks.

  Sarah looks astonished. "Ruby. How did you know?"

  "Just ... she recently bought a doll from someone we know. It was found at Ryden, in the pet cemetery. Seems she might have been highly attached to it."

  "Oh ... well, that explains a lot."

  "You want to tell us some more?" Caden says. "It's just that I'm working at Ryden and I've got a bad feeling about it. The place, that family, what I've heard went on in the past. Just trying to work out how it all fits in."

  Sarah nods. "I always had the feeling things weren't right at that house. I really didn't know the family that well. Saw the girls with their noses in the air in town. Had some social contact with them over the years, but we didn't move in the same social sphere and I always had the idea they looked down on me – my mother did cleaning for them at one point. Ruby's mother was their housekeeper for a while. Her doll was in the cemetery, you say? Well, I've a good idea how it got there, if what I've recently been told is true.

  "It's a bit of a coincidence, you asking about Ryden. I was talking to Miss Patterson, who was nanny to the Mortimer girls for many years. She'd been hoping to get a job looking after Lucinda's children and was very upset when her offer was refused. Seemed to think the younger one needed her, for some reason. Decided she was going to leave Dashbury after she went out to tell Lucinda how insulted she was at being rejected for the job. She was so bitter about it she spilled the beans on a lot that went on there. The girls were an awful pair. Bullies, and it appears Miss Patterson covered up for them. Ruby was one of their victims. They possibly buried that doll in the cemetery – it does sound like the sort of thing they would do. Cut all Ruby's hair off too, right down to the scalp – and got away with it. She was a timid little thing back then and wouldn't stand up for herself. She's certainly making up for that now...

  "What else did she say... Yes, that the father was 'filthy' but she didn't elaborate on that. About the death of his second wife, Madeline. You might not know, but she took her own life. According to Miss Patterson, she did it because she was being blackmailed over some indiscretion, and left a note explaining that. But the note was conveniently destroyed, so as not to cause a scandal. It was assumed Madeline's mental health problems were the sole cause of her suicide. But even before her affair, she was highly troubled. The girls gave her a terrible time and she had discovered some things about her husband that drove her to the edge of despair. According to Miss Patterson, she was planning to leave him, but instead took that fatal overdose and died a horrendous, lingering death. Poison – she may have got it from the shed they kept all the gardening supplies in. There was no question of anything sinister, as only the girls were at home at that point. I asked her to explain more, but by then I think she was regretting saying too much."

  "That's shocking – poor Madeline. But they still went ahead with the picnic that year," Ana says.

  "Yes, but that's the Mortimers for you. They make their own rules and suit themselves. The family were like that from way back, according to my mother. Mostly rumours, but there was some talk about them. Favouring their own, if you get what I mean, and disposing of those they tired of or who caused them problems. Who knows what's true, but they were certainly rich enough back then to buy themselves out of trouble."

  "What do you know of the day of Evangeline's death?" Ana says, with as much innocence as she can muster. "When I heard about it, I became a little obsessed by what happened."

  "Not a thing, I'm afraid. I was away during the time of the picnic – we were staying with relatives in the city for a while. But it was purely an accident. My uncle was there – he was in the police force at that time. He immediately checked the scene and it was clear there was no foul play." She puts her mug down and stands up. "I need to go. My mother's on her own and may have woken up by now. Thank you so much for rescuing me. And, Ana – I'll get this t-shirt washed and back to you as soon as I can. Sorry, I might have stretched it a little."

  They see her to the front door and as she's walking away she says, "Yes, now that Lucinda's back, I expect there will be more drama at Ryden, and I'm not impressed with that new husband of hers. Strange that, her marrying a man who lived so near here as a child."

  "Her second husband is American, according to what I've heard," Caden says.

  "Well, he might have moved to the States at some point, but he lived in Larksbury for a while. It's a village not too far from here. He was at school with me – not for long, a year, perhaps, before they moved away. Took me a while to recognise him, but even after a good length of time, I never forget a face. His is not that distinctive and he's changed a lot, obviously, but he still has the same nervous habit he had back then. He'd touch one finger off each of the fingers of one hand, then repeat with the other hand, as if he was counting. It was rather strange – and he was doing that at the restaurant when Lucinda introduced him to me. It might have triggered a memory, but I think I remembered him mostly because I disliked him as a child. I don't recall why I did, or any specific in
cident, he just made me uneasy, for some reason. He was the plausible type and didn't get into trouble, but there was something about him that set my nerves on edge. Sat right next to me in class and I always got this cold feeling from him. Sometimes I'd catch him watching me with a blank expression on his face." She gives a small shudder.

  Caden and Ana exchange glances. "Do you recall his name?" Ana asks.

  "Jonathan – I don't recall his last name."

  "Lucinda told me he'd never been to the United Kingdom before," Caden says.

  "Well, that's not true. Damn, I wish I could remember his surname. It will come back to me – I'm normally very good with names, even from so far back. I wonder why he's lying about never having been here."

  "Me too," Caden tells her.

  Chapter 27

  Holly kisses the top of Boris' head. "I think I'll get him a little harness so I can take him out for a walk. He's very doggish, so no-one will think it strange."

  Ana's signing for a delivery of books. "You will not. Not going into work today? You hardly do, when I think of it. I'm not even sure what you do at George's company."

  "That delivery man was so eyeing me up," Holly says when he's barely out of earshot. "I'm sort of George's personal assistant and hardly need to go in when he's away. I show up now and then and come up with a few ideas. Help out a little and always bring the staff coffee and cakes. The girls tell me their troubles and I give them such good advice – mostly about their problems with men. I would say I'm head of human resources, yes, that's it. They phone me when they're not feeling well and I always tell them to take the day off – or three, if they need it. I look through job applications and help to pick the best ones, and I don't even need to go in for that, do I? Most of it is done online.

  "The men love me, and I'm incredibly popular with the girls, though some of the older women have such a bad attitude, but that's because they're jealous, so I ignore it. It's much better than working here – I don't know how you can stand it. It's all books, books, books."

  "You know me – book mad," Ana says, as she checks the new stock off a list. "I meant to ask about your uncle. I was wondering if – sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." She puts an arm around her friend's shoulders.

  "It's all right, I'm just feeling fragile today – you know how sensitive I can be in general, but especially about Uncle Denny. Yes, he was a drunk and did all kinds of crazy things, but I did love him." She sniffs back tears, and sighs. "It was the sight of all his old photographs that set me off. Why are you and Caden so interested in them anyway?"

  "They're fascinating – a lot of the people we know are in them. It's weird to see them when they were younger. And you know Caden is working at Ryden and he's got interested in the history of the place and the Mortimer family. That's what I was going to ask you about, because your uncle took a good number of photographs there. But we'll leave it – not important just now."

  "He didn't like them."

  "He didn't? Why not?"

  "I think he didn't – he only mentioned it once, when he was having one of his mammoth drinking sessions and I was stuck indoors because of the rain."

  "What did he say?"

  Holly puts Boris down and stands up. "Oh, I can't remember now – it was ages ago. Where's Caden? Why is he always out?"

  "Working. Why don't you phone him?"

  "I did. About a dozen times and then he told me to stop. Was asking if you are okay. Sometimes I think he doesn't care about me and is only interested in the sex. I was too, at first, but I really like him now. I mean, I adore the sex – but I think it might be love. Did he say anything to you about me?"

  "Um ... no, he doesn't talk to me about things like that." She's not about to say he thinks his relationship with Holly is fun, but not in the least bit serious. They both need to watch out.

  "I bet you're relieved that you keep being sick. It means you haven't got fat yet – I can't even see the slightest bump."

  "Well, I have, but only a tiny one. But the sickness – there's nothing to be relieved about in relation to that. It's mostly in the mornings, though, some people have it all day – so I'm pretty lucky there."

  "I hope it's a girl, so we can dress her up. I know you'll want me to be a godparent, but I'm not doing it – it sounds so old. Not 'aunty' either – aunties are always frumps. We'll think of a special name for me. I wish Caden would hurry up and come back. I miss him. He just has to go out of a room and I start to pine." She claps her hands together. "I've the best idea. I'll go out to Ryden to see him. It will be a surprise and he'll love it. We might do it against a tree – he'd be well up for that. Ha-ha – was that a pun?"

  "He'll be working and there'll be other men there. Maybe you should wait and–"

  "No, no, I'm doing it." She's spreading on lip gloss and running a brush through her hair. "Just think – if him and me get married, we'll be related! Won't you just love that?" She sprays on perfume and flies out the door.

  Married? Oh uh – maybe Caden should be clearer with Holly about his intentions...

  Chapter 28

  "Jonny's a liar," Kenzie says to her mother.

  "Really, Kenzie, that's enough of that. Jonny is a very honest man. What brought that on?"

  "He says he doesn't smoke but he does. Only people who smoke have lighters and he's got one."

  "People have lighters for other purposes, you know. Honestly, you do get some strange ideas. Help me put the shopping away, darling."

  "I saw him with the lighter when he was burning the book and the letter. I think it was Pip's drawing book because now he can't find it." She slumps across the table. "I'm bored. This comic is boring. I've read it all. Why did you take so long?"

  "Mmm ... what? Oh, I had to go into the city for a business meeting."

  "Why couldn't Jonny go to the stupid meeting? You could have stayed here."

  "He wanted me to do it – he has a lot of work to do on the house. Didn't you hear me? I asked you to help me."

  "No. My leg's sore. Please don't send Pip to the same school as me, Mummy. He'll embarrass me. He should go to a special school. The kind crazy kids go to."

  "Really, Kenzie ... special school... You know Pip's been ill and has been through a difficult time, but he's a perfectly intelligent little boy. I'm sure I forgot something – the supermarket was so packed I could hardly think straight. What was that about a letter?"

  "He burned one. Pip's probably insane. He says he saw another lady."

  "What lady?"

  "I don't know. A different one. First he comes crying that he saw a lady in his room. So I had to let him in my bed. And tonight he's saying he saw another lady. The first one had a white dress on and the other one was old and he didn't say what she was wearing. What's wrong Mummy? Your face looks funny."

  "Nothing ... I'm just tired. It's been a long day."

  "Why don't you sit down and I'll make you something to eat," Jonny says from the doorway.

  "Oh, I didn't hear you come in. I had something at the supermarket café. Just couldn't wait. Kenzie said you've all eaten. Thank you for that." She kisses him on the cheek.

  "No need to thank me. My family too. No reason I can't cook. You look tired. Why don't you go for a nice hot bath and relax. I'll finish putting the shopping away."

  "I could do with it, I'll admit. Yes, I think I will. Oh, the meeting went well. I did try to phone you but it appeared to get switched off."

  "Sorry – up a ladder with a drill. Need to work flat out to get this place into shape. Yes, the meeting, I knew it would – you are far better at that kind of thing than me. Up you go. I've a few more things to do outside, but we can sit and unwind later with a nice glass of wine – how does that sound?"

  "Perfect," she says as she goes out the door.

  Jonny is putting food into the fridge. "Now, Kenzie, what's all this about ladies? You shouldn't encourage Pip with that kind of talk."

  "I don't. He said he didn't see the one today properly and could
only see her shoes but he told me what they were like and I told him they were old lady shoes. What's that on your shirt?"

  He looks down at himself. "Where?"

  She points to his cuff. "There."

  "Oh, that's just paint. I've been painting the dining room. No point spending money on decorators when we can do it ourselves. How about a chocolate biscuit? But don't tell your mum."

  "The dining room paint is white. Why is that dark? It's ... did you cut yourself?"

  He's looking at her but not answering. She looks up at him, then down at her comic. He goes back to unpacking the food.

  "Did you?" she says. "Cut yourself?"

  He slams the cupboard door shut, comes over to the table and pulls her up by her arm. "Little girls who ask too many questions cause problems."

  "You're ... you're hurting my arm. Jonny..."

  He lets go and sits down in a chair opposite her. "I'm just thinking of you at your new school. I heard they don't like that around here – girls who are too inquisitive. Makes them unpopular and they get bullied. You ever been bullied, Kenzie?"

  "No," she says, rubbing at her arm and looking down at her comic.

  "You sure?"

  She looks up at him. "Nearly one time." She picks up a pen and starts to fill in a quiz.

  He puts his hand over hers and she lets go of the pen. "This is what I mean, Kenzie. I worry about you getting bullied. The local school is bad for that."