The One You Love (suspense mystery)

by Pilkington, Paul

  Edward turned around. Miranda was shocked at how sad and old he looked. She thought that maybe he had been crying, although she’d never seen him cry before.

  ‘What did you hear?’ he asked.

  ‘Err, nothing really,’ she said.

  ‘But you knew I was talking to Will,’ he stated.

  ‘Yes, but I didn’t hear any details.’

  ‘Couldn’t hear any details,’ he corrected. ‘You tried to listen but couldn’t hear.’

  ‘No,’ she denied. ‘I wasn’t listening in on you, Edward. What is this anyway? All this secrecy?’

  ‘You don’t want to know,’ he said.

  ‘Edward,’ Miranda said, ‘if this is going to work, then we’ve got to trust each other. Love is about trust. You do love me, don’t you?’

  ‘I can’t take this right now,’ Edward said. ‘I might go for a walk.’

  ‘But you’ve only just got back in,’ she said, softening into a more conciliatory tone. ‘Can’t we sit down and have a chat? You’ve been acting strange for a few weeks now - I’ve noticed it. Maybe if you talked things through, then it might help.’

  Edward just looked at Miranda.

  ‘How do you feel about the baby,’ he said, gesturing towards Miranda’s midriff.

  ‘Feel?’ Miranda said, ‘I don’t understand. I’m happy about it, if that’s what you mean. I hope you are too.’

  ‘I didn’t mean like that,’ Edward said. ‘I mean, what are your feelings towards your child.’

  ‘It’s your child too,’ Miranda countered.

  ‘I know,’ he said. ‘What I’m trying to say is, even though the baby hasn’t even been born yet, even though you’ve never set eyes on the baby, you’d probably do anything for it, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘I hope so,’ Miranda said. ‘But I don’t understand, Edward, what’s this all about? Are you nervous about being a father again? I could understand if you were.’

  ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been a father,’ Edward replied, sitting down on the edge of his desk.

  ‘But you are a good father,’ Miranda said, moving over to put an arm around him. ‘I know you’ve had a few problems with Emma and Will, mostly because of me, but things seem to be improving now.’

  ‘Don’t you dare blame yourself,’ Edward said, pulling away. ‘It started long before I met you. When their mother died, when my children needed me the most, I wasn’t there for them. All I cared about was myself.’

  ‘But you were upset too,’ Miranda said.

  ‘I was selfish,’ Edward replied. ‘And I haven’t changed.’

  ‘I don’t think you’re selfish,’ Miranda replied.

  Edward turned to look at her.

  ‘You know, Miranda, I don’t think you know me at all.’

  ***

  It had been worth the journey – ten minutes of frantic motorcycling across the capital, dodging London buses and weaving through lanes of traffic. But that was why he loved this job – the adrenalin rush, the chase for the picture. He imagined hunters got the same buzz. They were both stalking prey, of sorts - one with a gun, the other with a telephoto lens. And in many ways, the lens could be just as damaging.

  ‘Hi,’ he said into the mobile phone. ‘I’ve got some fantastic shots here.’

  The first shot had been of Will talking to the police – fortunately he had parked at some distance, away from the unmarked car.

  Then he got a few great ones of Stuart Harris being carried into the ambulance; including a fantastic close up of his face.

  The guy looked in a really bad way.

  And finally, when he thought things couldn’t get any better, Will Holden appeared at the front of the flats, kneeling down with his head in his hands.

  It was pure soap opera.

  ‘I don’t know what’s going on with all this,’ he said, ‘but Emma Holden’s brother was at Stuart’s flat…I’ve got shots of that, yes. Then the police arrived, followed by an ambulance…. no idea,’ he said, ‘but from what I could see, it looked pretty serious to me.’

  He looked over at the flats. Will was still sitting there, head in hands. If he’d thought about it for too long, he could have felt sorry for him. But there was no time for such emotion, with such money at stake.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, turning his attention away from Will, ‘should be able to get them developed quick sharp. More than time enough for the morning papers – they’re going to love this.’

  53

  ‘So what are we going to do now?’ Lizzy said to Emma, as they sat in her flat. ‘You tempted to go and look for Eric again?’

  ‘I don’t think it would do any good,’ Emma replied. ‘The state he was in, I don’t think we’d learn anything new.’

  ‘Probably right,’ Lizzy said. ‘I wonder whether the police have found out anything yet about who sent the package?’

  ‘They must have found out something by now,’ Emma said. Spurred into action, she pulled out her mobile and searched for the number Gasnier had given her those days ago.

  Lizzy nodded her agreement.

  The call was answered on the second ring.

  ‘Hello,’ Gasnier answered, his tone clipped and impatient.

  ‘Hi, it’s Emma Holden here. I was wondering if you’d found out anything about who…’

  ‘Now’s not a good time,’ he interrupted. ‘We can talk later.’

  ‘So you’ve found something?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Not now,’ he said, sounding distracted. ‘I’ll be in touch.’

  And with that the line went dead.

  ‘What did he say?’ Lizzy asked.

  ‘That it wasn’t a good time.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Lizzy replied, pulling a face.

  ‘I’ve no idea,’ Emma said. ‘But it sounds like something has happened. You could tell – he was distracted by something.’

  ‘I suppose they’ll tell us when they decide to,’ Lizzy mused. ‘But that just leaves us hanging around, in the dark.’

  ‘I feel completely helpless,’ Emma admitted, stretching back and looking up at the ceiling. ‘And I don’t like it.’

  Then her mobile rang.

  ‘Maybe it’s the right time now,’ Lizzy smiled, as Emma reached for the phone.

  But the number wasn’t Gasnier’s.

  ‘Hi, is that Emma?’

  ‘Speaking.’

  ‘It’s Sister Donahue here from the hospital. I’ve got some news about Richard – he’s woken up.’

  ***

  ‘Try not to get your hopes up,’ Lizzy said, as they stood in the lift taking them to the ward where Richard was being treated.

  ‘I’m trying,’ Emma said, ‘but this could be the break we’ve been waiting for. Richard must have seen what happened to Dan. He must have seen who hit him. He’ll be able to clear Dan’s name.’

  ‘I hope you’re right,’ Lizzy said.

  They stepped out and headed down the corridor. Nurse Donahue met them at the entrance to the ward, as if she had been waiting there on guard since her phone call.

  ‘Take things slowly,’ she warned. ‘Richard’s been unconscious now for nearly two weeks. He’s bound to feel disorientated, and it’s important not to push him. The doctors have said that he really shouldn’t be having visitors, but I thought you ought to be able to have a quick word.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Emma said, as they walked towards Richard’s room. ‘Have you told the police that he’s woken up?’

  ‘Just,’ she said. ‘They said they wanted to know as soon as anything happened, and I dare say they want to be the first to see him. But I wanted Richard to see some friendly faces – he doesn’t need an inquisition.’

  ‘No,’ Emma said, remembering Lizzy’s note of caution.

  They got to the room and through the glass Emma could see Richard sitting up, his eyes open. It was the best thing she had seen in weeks.

  ‘I’ve brought a couple of people to see you,’ Nurse Donahue said, entering the room. Emma an
d Lizzy followed behind, and when Richard saw them he smiled, albeit uncomfortably. Emma guessed that his mouth was probably desert-dry at the moment.

  ‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Nurse Donahue said, smiling at them and leaving the room.

  ‘Thanks,’ Emma said, turning to Richard. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Confused,’ Richard said, trying another smile. ‘I feel like I’m dreaming – not much is making sense at the moment.’

  ‘Have the doctors told you anything?’ Emma asked.

  ‘They’ve explained some things,’ he said, his face appearing somewhat vacant. ‘But I can’t say I’ve taken much of it in really. I know I’ve been in a coma for nearly two weeks.’

  ‘Can you remember what happened, in our flat,’ Emma said, knowing that this sort of conversation wasn’t what Nurse Donahue would have had in mind.

  ‘The doctors told me I got hit on the head,’ Richard said. ‘But I can’t remember anything, Em. I wish I could.’

  Emma tried to hide her disappointment. She had pinned her hopes on Richard being able to remember something. ‘So you don’t remember if there was someone else in the flat, apart from you and Dan?’

  ‘I can’t,’ he said. ‘Em, I can’t even remember going to your flat – or even why I was there.’

  ‘Dan’s stag night,’ Emma said. ‘You were going on his stag night.’

  ‘Right,’ he said, looking as though he was trawling through his mind for buried clues. ‘The wedding – have you?’

  Emma shook her head.

  ‘Dan’s been missing since that night,’ Emma said, wondering whether she should be telling him this.

  ‘What?’ Richard said, his face creased with confusion. ‘Dan’s missing?’

  ‘The police thought at first that he was the one who hit you,’ Emma said.

  ‘Em,’ Lizzy interjected, reaching out with a hand. Emma looked at Richard, staring off to his left, and realised that she had gone too far.

  ‘Don’t worry Richard,’ she said, ‘everything’s going to be okay.’

  ***

  ‘I shouldn’t have told him about Dan,’ Emma lamented, as they sat outside the room on a couple of plastic chairs. ‘Did you see his face? He was devastated.’

  ‘You didn’t plan to tell him,’ Lizzy said. ‘And he has to find out sometime.’

  ‘But he didn’t have to find out now,’ Emma said.

  ‘Maybe he did,’ Lizzy replied. ‘Look who’s just arrived.’

  Emma looked up to see Gasnier and Davies talking with Nurse Donahue. They turned and Gasnier spotted Emma instantly. He spoke a few words to Davies and they came over.

  ‘Emma,’ he said.

  Emma stood up – she didn’t like him standing over her like that. Lizzy did likewise.

  ‘Detective,’ she said.

  ‘You’ve already spoken with Richard?’

  Emma nodded.

  ‘Anything I might be interested in?’ he asked.

  ‘He can’t remember anything,’ Emma said.

  Gasnier nodded, as if that is what he had expected.

  ‘I’m sorry about earlier,’ he said, ‘it really wasn’t a good time to talk. I promise I wasn’t dismissing you – I don’t play those kind of games.’

  Emma was taken aback by the apology. ‘That’s okay.’

  ‘I understand how frustrating all this is,’ he said, glancing over to look at Richard.

  ‘Are you going to speak with Richard?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Although we don’t expect him to be able to help, if what you and the medical staff say is true.’

  ‘Right,’ Emma said.

  ‘We’ll do our best not to upset him,’ Gasnier promised. ‘But we’ve got to do anything that can help us to find your fiancé.’

  ‘So you do believe that Dan is in danger?’

  ‘New evidence has come to light,’ he replied. ‘We need to discuss this in a side room.’

  Emma and Lizzy followed Gasnier and Davies into a nearby side room.

  ‘I have some news,’ Gasnier said.

  His stony expression set alarm bells starting ringing.

  ‘We do believe that Dan is being held somewhere,’ he continued. ‘We found evidence at Stuart Harris’s flat that leads us to believe he kidnapped him.’

  ‘Stuart?’ Emma said, taken aback. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘There was a photo of Dan on Stuart’s computer. I’m afraid it showed him tied up,’ he explained. ‘We also found a copy of the letter sent to you, supposedly from Dan. Add to the fact that Stuart’s name was down at the couriers.’

  ‘But you didn’t find Dan?’ Emma asked.

  ‘He wasn’t being held at the flat,’ Gasnier said. ‘Our officers are searching the place for clues as to where he might be.’

  ‘But what does Stuart say about it?’ Emma said. ‘Can’t you make him tell you where Dan is?’

  Gasnier paused and glanced down at the floor. Emma noticed that his hands were clasped, as if in prayer.

  ‘I’m afraid we won’t be able to ask Stuart anything,’ Gasnier said finally. ‘He died an hour ago. I’m sorry.’

  54

  ‘I just can’t believe that Stuart would have done this,’ Emma said as they entered the flat.

  They’d returned shortly after being told the news of Stuart’s death, deciding that there was little else they could do at the hospital. Richard needed to rest, and the police were taking things in hand. Emma had wanted to go and talk with Will, following the revelation that he had been in Stuart’s flat, but Lizzy persuaded her it was best to wait until the morning.

  ‘I can’t understand what he was thinking of,’ Emma continued, closing the door behind her. ‘What did he think he could gain by doing this?’

  ‘Maybe he wasn’t thinking,’ Lizzy offered, heading for the kitchen and filling up the kettle. ‘Maybe he was just doing whatever he thought it would take to win you back.’

  ‘You’re saying he did all this for love?’ Emma said.

  ‘Maybe,’ she said. ‘Love is a pretty strong emotion – it can make people do strange things – bad things. Just look at what Stephen Myers did to you – that was all supposedly for love.’

  ‘It’s not the kind of love that I recognise,’ Emma replied.

  ‘It’s a warped version of love,’ Lizzy said. ‘Some of the worst things are done in the name of love.’

  ‘I’m the common factor here,’ Emma commented.

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ Lizzy chastised.

  ‘Stephen Myers loved me and he died,’ Emma said. ‘Stuart loved me and now he’s dead too. We don’t know if Dan is dead or alive…’

  ‘I’m certain that he’s alive, Em,’ Lizzy said. ‘The police will find him soon, you’ll see.’

  ‘I hope you’re right,’ Emma said. ‘It’s just that, I can’t help thinking the worst. If Stuart did do all this just to get back to me, why would he keep Dan alive? What would he have to gain?’

  ‘Dan must have been still alive,’ Lizzy said, ‘to make the call to the wedding shop – when he cancelled the dress. You heard his voice, so it was definitely him.’

  ‘Yes,’ Emma agreed. ‘But maybe that was Stuart’s plan all along – to force Dan to call them, and make it look like he was just running out on me. In his mind, it would have set it up perfectly for us meeting again – I thought Dan had left me, and then Stuart comes back into my life, wanting to get back together.’

  ‘Sounds plausible,’ Lizzy noted.

  ‘But what really worries me,’ Emma continued, ‘is what happened after Dan made that call. We know Stuart wrote the letter that was supposed to be from Dan. And he must have been the one using Dan’s mobile to text me.’

  ‘The note on the flowers,’ Lizzy said, ‘you said it was in Dan’s handwriting.’

  ‘Stuart could have forged that,’ she replied. ‘But even if Dan was forced to write that, there’s been nothing since. He could have murdered Dan at any time.’

  ‘Do you really
think he would be capable of murder?’ Lizzy asked.

  ‘Who knows,’ Emma said. ‘Maybe Stuart killed himself because he couldn’t face what he’d done – maybe leaving the image of Dan on the computer screen was his suicide note.’

  ***

  Emma knocked and waited for Will to answer. She needed answers to the myriad of questions that had kept her awake most of the night.

  ‘Emma,’ Will said, standing at the door. ‘You’d better come in.’

  She followed him through into the lounge. He was still in his sleepwear, even though it was half past ten.

  ‘Want a drink?’ he asked.

  Emma looked over at the messy breakfast bar and shook her head.

  ‘When did you get back from Canada?’ Emma asked, not wanting to waste any more time.

  ‘Yesterday,’ he replied.

  ‘You came back early,’ she noted, deliberately not sitting down.

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I decided I was just running away – best to get back and face reality, like you said.’

  He moved over to the kitchen and began clearing the plates, dropping them into the sink. Then he started the water and squeezed in some washing up liquid.

  ‘You went to see Stuart,’ Emma said.

  Will turned the tap off but didn’t turn around.

  ‘The police told you,’ he stated.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered. ‘They also told me what they found at his flat.’

  ‘I wanted to tell you last night,’ he said, turning around to face her. ‘But the police said they’d speak to you. I’ve just been waiting for you to arrive ever since. Have they found out any more about where Dan is?’ he asked.

  ‘No,’ Emma replied. ‘At least, they hadn’t found anything last night.’

  ‘And Stuart?’ he asked. ‘Have they talked to him yet?’

  ‘He died,’ Emma said.

  Will closed his eyes.