She had meant every word of it, he realised that. It wasn’t just what she had said, but the way she had said it. The look was so heartless, so devoid of love. Maybe it was what he deserved. It made him feel so lonely.
‘Hi, it’s me,’ he slurred into the phone receiver. ‘I’ve had a bit to drink, yes,’ he replied. ‘It’s Em – she doesn’t want me back. She never wants me back. And she still loves Dan. After everything I’ve done to try and change things, she still loves him – can you believe that? She still loves him, not me. What? Okay, maybe speak to you later.’
He placed the phone back on its holder and stumbled into the kitchen. Nobody wanted to be with him, or even speak to him. He had to accept that this was the end of the road – all those weeks and months of hoping that things would turn out all right. It was what had kept him going.
But she loved Dan, not him.
It was all over.
He opened one of the kitchen cupboards and took out several boxes of Paracetamol, then poured himself a pint glass of water.
***
‘It’s good to see you, Will,’ Edward said.
‘You too,’ Will replied, not sounding particularly convincing. He flopped down into the front passenger seat and closed the door.
‘Thanks for picking me up,’ Will said, as they drove out of the airport. ‘You didn’t have to.’
‘I thought we could use the time to talk,’ Edward answered, as he negotiated a roundabout.
‘Sounds ominous,’ Will replied, looking out of the window.
‘We need to talk,’ Edward said. ‘About a lot of things.’
‘Definitely ominous,’ Will quipped.
‘No, I’m serious,’ Edward said. ‘I know that things haven’t been great between us since your mother died, but things are going to change. I’ve been thinking about it a lot since you’ve been away – I don’t want things to carry on the way they have been. I want us all to be…’
‘A happy family?’ Will offered.
‘Please, Will,’ Edward said.
‘Okay,’ Will said, ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Miranda’s pregnant,’ Edward blurted. ‘I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you.’
‘Right,’ Will said, laughing to himself. ‘Now it all makes sense.’
‘I hoped you’d be happy for me,’ Edward said. ‘This could be our chance to start again – we could get to know each other better – all of us. It would mean so much to me,’ he added.
Will thought for a moment.
‘Okay,’ he said.
‘You mean it?’ Edward said, unable to hide his surprise.
‘I’ve been doing a lot of thinking too,’ Will revealed. ‘Life’s too short. I’ll try my best to make it work.’
‘Will, that’s fantastic.’
They spent the next few minutes driving in silence, heading for London. Edward revelling in the chance of reconciliation; Will musing on how his life would never be the same again after making his revelations.
‘How’s Em?’ Will asked.
‘I haven’t seen her since calling you,’ Edward admitted. ‘I was afraid that if I did see her, I wouldn’t be able to control myself. She might have suspected something.’
‘Would that have been a bad thing?’
‘Pardon?’ Edward said.
‘Well, it would have saved me the bother of telling her myself,’ Will said. ‘That way, I could have stayed on the other side of the world – probably not far away enough for Em, but it would have been a start.’
‘Emma isn’t going to find out about anything,’ Edward said.
Will was bemused.
‘But when we spoke, I thought…’
‘I’ve changed my mind,’ Edward answered. ‘We can’t tell her about what you did. We can’t tell anyone.’
‘I want to tell her,’ Will replied. ‘I’ve decided I want to tell her.’
‘No,’ Edward dismissed.
‘I told someone on the aeroplane,’ Will revealed. ‘I told them everything.’
‘What?’ Edward said, horrified. The car swerved slightly as he glanced across to Will. ‘What the hell did you do that for?’
‘I needed to tell someone,’ Will said. ‘At first I was scared, wondering why I’d done it, thinking that she’d tell someone else and that I’d get into trouble. Then when I got off the plane a policeman came up to me. I thought that was it, but all he wanted to do was give me back my passport – I’d dropped it on the floor.’
‘Christ,’ Edward said, ‘have you lost all your reasoning Will? You do understand that you could go to jail for what you did?’
‘Of course I do,’ Will replied. ‘But back there, standing in front of that policeman I realised that I didn’t feel afraid – I was relieved. I realised that going to jail would probably be the only thing that will really set me free. And when he just gave me back my passport I was actually disappointed.’
‘You can’t do this, Will,’ Edward said. ‘You can’t.’
‘I can handle it, dad,’ he said.
‘You’re living in a fantasy world,’ Edward rebuked. ‘Prison is a horrific experience. And when you do get out, do you think the guilt will have gone? You’ll still feel the same, except that you’ll have lost your sister forever. She’ll never forgive you for what you did.’
‘I’ve made my mind up,’ Will said. ‘I’m prepared to take the chance. I have faith in Em.’
‘And what about me?’ Edward said. ‘Do you think I won’t be dragged into this too? I’m in this up to my neck, all because I wanted to help you, William. If you do tell Em, I’ll lose her too.’
‘It’s the only way,’ Will said. ‘How else are we going to open her eyes to what that guy is really like? We need to get that man out of her life. And if me going to jail is what it takes for Em to be safe, then that’s what I’m going to do.’
‘Maybe there is another way,’ Edward said.
Will doubted it. ‘Like what?’
‘Under your seat,’ Edward directed.
Will reached down and felt around underneath his seat. He placed his hand on a cool metal object.
‘No,’ Will said, instinctively recoiling his hand. ‘Whatever you’ve got planned, I’m not doing it.’
48
‘So what do you think?’ DS Davies said as they tramped down the stairs from Emma’s apartment.
‘I think I’ll reserve judgement,’ Gasnier replied, ‘until we speak to the couriers.’
‘You think we’ll find a name?’
‘I’m sure we’ll get a name,’ Gasnier said, ‘but I very much doubt it will be the name we’re really after.’
‘Do you think Dan Carlton might have sent the card himself? To put us off the scent and get him in the clear?’
‘What do you think?’ Gasnier said, batting the question back. ‘Do you think this is all part of a carefully laid down plan by Dan Carlton?’
‘Could be,’ he said. ‘But personally I doubt it.’
‘Why?’ Gasnier pressed.
‘I don’t know,’ Davies said. ‘Maybe because I just don’t want to believe that he could be so heartless and cruel to his fiancé. Leaving her just before the wedding was one thing, but making her think that he’s in danger, well that would be unthinkable really. If he loves her at all, then I don’t think he’d do it.’
‘I never knew you were such a romantic,’ Gasnier said, staying deadpan. ‘It’s comforting to know not all of us in the force are hard hearted bastards.’
‘I do my best,’ Davies said, trying to hide his embarrassment. ‘I just hope we have more luck with this than with finding the mysterious Eric.’
‘So do I,’ Gasnier said.
The couriers' office was located just south of the river, a few minutes from Waterloo station. As Gasnier expected, it was a small, back street operation - much like the hundred or so other firms in and around the city, plying their trade by making deliveries using motorcycle or pedal cycles. It was a dangerous business – acc
idents involving couriers were commonplace.
‘You’re the police?’ the young girl behind the counter said.
‘Indeed we are,’ Gasnier said. ‘So, can we have the details of who sent the package?’
‘I’ll have to ask the manager,’ she replied.
‘You do that,’ Gasnier said. ‘And if there’s a problem, we’d be delighted to talk with him.’
The girl hurried upstairs and was back within a minute.
‘I’ll need to see some ID,’ she said, ‘then you can have the name.’
They duly flashed their badges before the girl typed on the keyboard.
‘We log all our deliveries electronically,’ she explained, as she tapped away on the keyboard. ‘That way we can keep track of everything.’
‘Lucky for us, eh,’ Gasnier joked at DS Davies.
‘It’s a great system,’ the girl said, missing the sarcasm. ‘You said it went to who?’
‘Holden,’ Gasnier said, ‘Emma Holden.’
‘Emma Holden,’ the girl said, thinking out loud while tapping away at the keys. ‘Yes, here it is,’ she announced. ‘The delivery was requested today and they paid by cash. Here’s the name,’ she said, turning the monitor around.
‘Well, that is interesting,’ Gasnier said, exchanging surprised glances with DS Davies.
***
‘You can’t be serious about this,’ Will said, still horrified from the discovery of the gun underneath the seat.
‘It’s not loaded,’ Edward replied. ‘No one is going to get hurt.’
‘Where the hell did you get it?’
‘One of my friends,’ he replied. ‘He belongs to a shooting club. He shoots competitively.’
He couldn't believe this was happening. ‘What did you tell him you wanted the gun for?’
‘He didn’t ask,’ Edward replied. ‘Just said to take care.’
Will shook his head. ‘This is crazy, absolutely crazy. I think you’ve lost your mind.’
‘Will, this whole situation is crazy,’ Edward replied. ‘Compared to what has already happened, this might be the most sensible thing to do.’
‘My God,’ Will said, ‘just listen to yourself, will you? We’re on the way to a house, about to threaten someone with a gun. Does that sound sensible?’
‘It’s the best way,’ he dismissed. ‘The only way.’
‘No,’ Will countered, ‘it’s not. I’ve already told you.’
‘We’ll just scare him a little,’ Edward said, ignoring Will’s protests. ‘If he thinks we’re really serious, then he’ll take notice and leave Em alone.’
‘It won’t work,’ Will said. ‘I’ve tried it before.’
‘This time will be different,’ Edward said. ‘This time we’ll really scare him.’
‘Hurt him you mean?’
‘Of course not,’ Edward said. ‘We’ve just got to make him believe that we mean what we say. Look, we both know that he’s fragile. It shouldn’t take much to break him.’
***
‘I still think this is a bad idea,’ Will said, as they reached the apartment block.
‘Let’s just get this over with,’ Edward replied. ‘Give me the gun,’ he added, gesturing.
Will shook his head, then reached under the seat and pulled out the handgun, holding it by its very edge.
‘Don’t lift it up so people can see,’ Edward rebuked, grabbing hold of the weapon. He tucked the gun into his waistband and covered it with his jumper, as if he’d done it a million times before.
‘He might not be there,’ Will said.
‘He is,’ Edward replied.
‘How do you know?’
‘I’ve had someone watching the place, to make sure he’s around,’ he replied.
‘Bloody hell, dad,’ Will said, ‘this is madness.’
‘Come on,’ he said, ‘before I change my mind.’
***
Edward and Will had no difficulty getting into the block – someone had wedged the door open with a traffic cone. Will followed his father up the stairs, hoping that by the time they reached the fourth floor he would have had a change of heart, realising just how foolish this all was. He wanted to turn around and walk away, but he had already let down one family member – and his dad shouldn’t be alone.
When they reached Stuart’s flat the door was ajar.
‘Dad, are you sure?’ Will said, grabbing Edward’s arm as he reached to push the door open.
‘I’m sure,’ Edward said, his voice faltering. ‘Let’s get this over with, once and for all.’
As they entered the flat, the first thing that hit Will was the total silence. It was eerie and he didn’t like it one bit.
They moved down the entrance hall and turned to look in the lounge. The room was empty, so they continued past the bathroom and then towards the kitchen.
‘Stuart, we know you’re in here,’ Edward said, reaching for the gun and bringing it out from his trousers. Will hung back, but only a few feet. He glanced over his shoulder, paranoid that Stuart would come up from behind.
They saw Stuart’s legs first, sticking out from behind the kitchen table.
‘My God,’ Will said, pushing past Edward into the kitchen. He looked at Stuart lying motionless on the kitchen floor, and then noticed the empty packets of Paracetamol and the half drunken glass on the table. He looked back towards Edward, who was just staring, emotionless.
Will rushed to Stuart’s side.
‘He’s still alive,’ he said, checking his pulse. ‘Call an ambulance.’
Edward remained glued to the spot.
‘He’s dying,’ Will said.
‘Let’s go,’ Edward said. ‘There’s no reason for us to be here anymore.’
49
‘Thanks for this,’ Emma said, as she and Lizzy exited the apartment. ‘I couldn’t just sit in there, waiting for something to happen.’
‘That’s okay,’ Lizzy said, ‘although I think it’s doubtful that we’ll be able to find Eric when the police couldn’t. Surely he wouldn’t be hanging around the very place where you’d expect to find him.’
‘Probably not,’ Emma said, ‘but I’ve got to try something.’
‘What if Eric doesn’t have anything to do with Dan’s disappearance?’ Lizzy asked.
‘Then we’ve run out of suspects,’ Emma said, taking care while crossing the road as they headed north towards the park.
‘Did you notice a difference in attitude with the police officers?’ Lizzy asked.
‘Maybe,’ Emma said.
‘I think they’re starting to believe you.’
Emma stopped and turned to face her friend.
‘I’m sorry, Lizzy,’ she said. ‘I should have believed you about the letter.’
‘It’s okay,’ Lizzy dismissed. ‘Let’s just forget about it.’
‘I can’t,’ Emma said. ‘I should have listened to you.’
‘Hey,’ Lizzy said, putting an arm around her shoulder. ‘Don’t beat yourself up over it. If the situation had been reversed, do you think I would have been any different?’
Emma shrugged.
‘I’m surprised you can trust anyone at the moment,’ Lizzy continued as they started walking again. ‘This whole situation must be really screwing with your mind. I’m just glad that you believe me now, and that you’re letting me be here to help you through this.’
‘Thanks, Lizzy.’
***
‘It doesn’t look like he’s here,’ Lizzy said.
They had been stood around Primrose Hill for half an hour now, wandering around, scanning the area for Eric.
‘No,’ Emma admitted, looking off to her right, hoping that amongst the people Eric’s face would appear. ‘It doesn’t. I thought maybe if I came up here, then we’d lure him out into the open.’
‘You’re using yourself as bait?’ Lizzy said, horrified.
‘I suppose so, yes,’ Emma replied.
‘Em, this isn’t a good idea,’ Lizzy said. ‘I
f Eric did have something to do with what happened to Richard and Dan, then you shouldn’t really be playing games with him. You shouldn’t put yourself in danger.’
‘Anything’s better than just imagining what’s happening,’ Emma replied. ‘I just keep thinking of Dan, where he is, what’s happening to him. If he’s being kept somewhere, what are the conditions like? He’s been gone for over a week now. Are they feeding him?’
‘I know it’s hard,’ Lizzy said, ‘but you can’t think the worst. Everything might be okay.’
‘No, Lizzy,’ Emma dismissed. ‘Whoever attacked Richard has already shown that they’re willing to kill…if we hadn’t come back to the apartment when we did, Richard wouldn’t have survived. That’s why we need to find Dan quickly, before something happens.’
‘Hopefully the police will find something from the couriers,’ Lizzy said. ‘If they get a name, that could lead them straight to Dan.’
‘I hope so,’ Emma said. ‘But I can’t see it being that easy. Why would the person give their real name, knowing that it was likely the police would investigate where the letter came from?’
‘So what do we do now?’ Lizzy said, looking out across the area. ‘Just wait here and hope Eric turns up?’
‘I can’t think what else to do,’ Emma said. ‘I just know that I need to find Eric, and ask him outright if he had anything to do with this. But if he’s not here, then I don’t know where else to look. I don’t know where he lives – I don’t even know his surname.’
‘Where else would someone who likes photography visit?’ Lizzy asked. ‘Maybe he’s got another favourite location, where he can take pictures.’
Emma thought on that.
‘That’s it!’ she said. ‘Lizzy, you’re a star. I think I know where he might be.’
***
They found him at the photo exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery, standing admiring a huge photograph of Princess Diana. It was one of those seminal photographs that you’d seen a thousand times before, yet never tired of. The Princess’s blue eyes seemed to look right at you, breaking out of the image in three dimensions.
The One You Love (suspense mystery) Page 20