I tried to concentrate on the road, but I could feel the tension vibrating off him as he spoke to someone at the station.
‘Okay, text me the home address.’ He hung up, then a moment later his phone beeped and my heart picked up its pace.
‘Change of destination,’ Singh said, then looked at me, remembering who was driving. ‘Shit. You can’t come with me.’
‘Do you think Leon will be there?’
‘Possibly.’
‘Then tell me where to go. You can’t waste time going back for another car,’ I told him, and he gave in, telling me where to go.
‘Where is this place?’ I asked, looking at the address he’d typed into my satnav.
‘Liz Marcek’s house.’
After
Liz looked down at Steve’s blood staining the snow and took a step back. The penknife he always carried around with him dropped from her gloved hand and landed near his body. She couldn’t get any of the blood on her.
It had been so easy. After he found her messages to Cassie, she knew she had to act straight away. All it had taken was one text, telling him she knew who’d saved those messages, and telling him to meet her on the road. She’d parked there last night, before the snow started, then walked up to meet him in the clearing this morning. She’d brought a weapon with her, but when she saw his penknife sticking out of his pocket it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. Then it had just been a case of slipping up behind him when he wasn’t looking. The knife was sharp enough to do the rest.
She didn’t know how she was going to get her car out, but she’d worry about that later. Her heart racing, she looked up. Light was starting to creep into the sky between the heavy clouds but the snow was still falling. She needed to get out of there as soon as possible. Retracing her own footsteps, she got to the edge of the clearing and paused. Was there someone there? She ducked behind a bush and waited.
Her heart pounding, she realised there was someone approaching: it was Leon. She’d sent him a message as Joe, telling the boy to meet ‘him’ out here. That way, he could be found near Steve’s body and she had the perfect person to blame.
When she had first started this, Liz had assumed that Kian would respond best to Joe’s friendship, and had been surprised when Leon was the one who had opened up to ‘him’, but it had worked out well. With Leon’s history, nobody would believe he wasn’t responsible for Steve’s murder.
As she watched, the boy bent down and picked up the knife, then pulled his hand away sharply. It was going even better than she’d hoped. He would leave his own DNA here, leading the police right to him. Along with the messages from Joe, the evidence was perfect.
But then Leon turned, and suddenly he was looking straight at her. She froze, her mind racing, but she realised she still had all the power. She was in a position of authority, and she knew she could terrify a fifteen-year-old boy into keeping his mouth shut.
What have you done?
The boy turned and ran. It didn’t matter. She’d find him.
Chapter 39
We pulled up outside a large detached house in a smart area to the north of Lincoln.
‘It was Liz?’ I asked.
‘She was the one who gave us Leon’s number, so she must have known about his second phone. She’s been planning this for months. But why? Why frame Steve?’ Singh stared at the house as if something about it would give us the answer.
‘There must be something we’ve missed, something in their shared past. This has been going on for months. Liz engineered the scandal that got Jane fired, and I bet she used her influence with the governors to make sure Steve was appointed as the new head teacher.’
‘We haven’t found anything that connects them before September,’ Singh replied. ‘If Liz has been holding a grudge against Steve, she’s kept it pretty well hidden.’
‘Had they ever worked together before? Did he bully her in a previous job?’
Singh shook his head. ‘We would have found something like that. I think Liz has only ever worked at the school for the deaf.’
‘If it wasn’t related to work, it must be something more personal then. Family?’
‘Nobody else lives here,’ Singh replied, nodding at the house. ‘They told me when I asked for the address. As far as we’re aware she doesn’t have any children.’
‘It doesn’t have to be a husband or kids,’ I said, then a thought occurred to me. ‘The first time Anna and I visited Jane, she told us that Liz had been grieving for her brother when the video of Bradley and Courtney turned up,’ I told him.
Singh cocked his head on one side. ‘You think Steve was connected to her brother’s death? What happened to him?’
‘Jane wasn’t certain, but she thought he might have overdosed. When you went to Steve’s old school, you told me you discovered that a member of staff was fired for taking drugs and Steve reported him for drug-driving. He ended up killing himself.’
A look of comprehension dawned on Singh’s face. ‘How did we miss that? I bet you’re right. I bet …’
‘He was Liz’s brother.’
We sat for a moment, looking at the snow-covered garden.
‘Is she at work today?’ I asked.
‘As far as I know. We need to see if Leon’s here.’
I nodded. ‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Stay in the car. I mean it, Paige. Back-up are on the way, but I’m going to see if I can see anything through the windows in case he’s inside.’
I knew I couldn’t argue with him, especially after what had happened the last time we’d worked together in February, when I’d knowingly walked into a house to confront a murderer. I just hoped we weren’t too late for Leon.
‘Don’t do anything dangerous, though,’ I warned him as he got out of the car. He nodded at me, then crunched his way up the path to the front door.
I watched him ring the doorbell first, just in case there was someone in the house. He needed to do things the official way, of course, but I was anxious watching him. What if Leon was in the house? What if he was injured?
After a couple of minutes it was pretty clear nobody was going to come to the door. Singh walked around the side of the house, then disappeared from view.
I tried to wait patiently; I really did. But after a few minutes my curiosity got the better of me and I followed him.
I walked to the nearest window and peered through, seeing a well-furnished living room. There was no sign of Leon or Singh, so I carried on around the house until I came to patio doors leading into the kitchen. I tried the door gingerly, but it was locked. For a brief moment I considered breaking in, but remembered the police would be arriving soon.
As I turned round, I heard the crunch of someone walking over snow, and froze. Had Liz come home and seen my footprints leading round the side of the house? A sudden movement in front of me made me jump.
‘Paige! I told you to stay in the car!’ Singh gave me an exasperated look.
‘I was worried something was going to happen to you,’ I told him, glancing over his shoulder towards the garden. ‘Have you tried the summerhouse?’
I hadn’t noticed the structure at first, tucked away in the corner of the huge garden, but from this angle it was obvious. It wasn’t visible from the road, and I’d been concentrating on the house as I’d come round the back. The wood was painted a white that had weathered over time, and it blended in well with the snow.
‘Not yet. You need to go back to the car.’
‘I’m here now,’ I replied, and I set off down the garden. He quickly followed, our feet sinking into a couple of drifts that came well past our ankles. A quick glance through the window of the summerhouse filled me with relief. Leon was curled up on a sofa, his hands and feet bound and a gag over his mouth, but he looked up when I appeared at the window, so I knew he was alive. I tried the door but it was locked, and when the boy saw me and Singh there was panic on his face.
It’s okay, we’re with the police, I sig
ned to him through the door, but this didn’t seem to calm him. Singh elbowed one of the panes of glass in the door until it broke, while I watched for the back-up he had assured me was on the way. Thankfully, it was only flimsy glass and didn’t require much effort, but he was still careful when he reached inside to unlock the door. He didn’t want a scar to match mine.
Once Singh had got us inside, I rushed over to Leon and untied him.
You don’t understand, she’ll kill us both, he signed to me as soon as his hands were free. He was shaking from the cold, his eyes wide with panic.
It’s okay, he’s a detective, and more police are coming, I told him confidently, assuming they would have arrived by the time I got his feet untied and got him out of there.
Leon shook his head, but allowed me to guide him back through the garden to the front of the house, Singh letting me take the lead with Leon to keep him calm. The police cars I had expected were nowhere to be seen. It shouldn’t be taking them so long to arrive, but we couldn’t rely on them now.
‘Come on, we’ll get you to the station,’ Singh told Leon with a reassuring smile.
No! We need to go to my school right now. The look in his eyes was one of pure panic.
‘What?’ Singh and I were both surprised by Leon’s insistence.
She’ll kill her. I told you! She’s going to kill us both, he said, fear making him look younger than his fifteen years.
Singh and I looked at each other, confused.
‘Kill who?’ the DS asked. ‘Who is she going after?’
I could see the concern in Leon’s eyes as they darted between Singh and me, wondering if he could trust us.
She said she’d kill me like she killed Mr Wilkinson.
I remembered what Samira had told us. The police know it wasn’t you, you’re not in trouble. They just want to take you home, okay?
He nodded, tears in his eyes. I’ve been so scared.
I know, I know, I replied, giving him a hug. But we need to make sure everyone else is safe too. Okay?
He nodded again.
Who is she going after? I asked again.
Cassie.
Singh and I looked at each other, then I guided Leon towards the car. I didn’t want to take him back to the school, but we needed to prevent Liz from getting to Cassie.
Singh put a hand on my arm to stop me. ‘Paige, stop. We’ll send someone out to the school. We need to get Leon to a hospital.’
‘You said you were getting back-up to meet us here but nobody’s turned up,’ I snapped, pulling my arm away and climbing into the driving seat. ‘Ask them to meet us there, but we need to get to the school. If Liz sees we’ve found Leon maybe she’ll give up and leave Cassie alone.’
He made a low growling sound in the back of his throat, but he could see I wasn’t going to give in. As soon as he was in the car I tore off, yanking the steering wheel and taking the corner a bit too fast, the wheels skidding on the snow that was still lying on the road. For a heart-stopping moment I thought I was going to flip the car into a hedge, but I managed to control the skid and keep going.
Liz’s house wasn’t far from the school, and when we arrived I’d barely stopped the car before Leon leapt out.
That’s her car, he told us, nodding at the sleek black sports car I’d been seeing everywhere, parked outside the main entrance. It was Liz who’d been following me, not Mike. I’d been so blinded by my past relationship with him that I hadn’t stopped to think it might be something to do with the case.
‘Paige, you and Leon stay here. I’m going to check her office first.’
I nodded, unwilling to do as Singh asked, but knowing I had to keep Leon safe. As he walked away, he glanced back over his shoulder at me, then went into the main building.
She won’t be in her office, Leon told me, looking past the building towards the residence. She’ll be in there.
I gritted my teeth. We need to stay here and wait for more police. It’s not safe.
Why the hell did you bring me here, then? he asked, frustration making him animated when he signed. We need to stop her!
He was right, and it didn’t take him long to convince me.
Fine. I’m going to check the residence, I told him. But you need to stay here.
No, I want to come with you, Leon insisted.
Absolutely not, I replied with a glare. You told me Cassie’s in danger. I’m not putting you in danger too. Stay here, and if DS Singh comes out again, show him where I’ve gone.
He shot a furious look at me, but stood back against my car with his arms folded. Casting a glance at the main entrance, in case Singh was on his way back, I set off round the corner.
As I approached the residence my heart sank when I realised I wouldn’t be able to get in. The door was locked, and I could hardly ring the bell and let Liz know I was there – if she really was inside.
Casting round for something I could use to break in, I hit on a plan. I balled up some snow and flung it at an upstairs window, hoping one of the boys was up there. The first and second snowballs brought no joy, but after the third one thumped against a pane of glass a small face appeared at the window. It was Kian.
Let me in, I signed to him. But don’t let anyone know I’m here.
The boy frowned at me before he disappeared again, and I wondered if he was going to trust me, but a moment later the door clicked and swung open.
Thanks, I signed, giving Kian a brief smile, then realising Bradley was standing behind him.
What’s going on? Miss Marcek told us to stay in our rooms and not come out for anything. She said it wasn’t safe. The older boy gave me a suspicious stare as he signed.
Where is she? I asked, my heart racing, trying to keep the urgency from showing in my expression. Bradley’s eyes narrowed.
Why? What’s happened?
Leon’s safe, I told him, hoping to distract him with this information. But I need to know, where is Liz Marcek?
She went to talk to Cassie, he said, nodding in the direction of the girls’ corridor.
Is she still there?
He shrugged. I don’t know. Why?
Bradley, you have to trust me, I told him, looking him in the eye. The police are coming, and DS Singh is on his way over. You need to look after Kian, and go and find some other adults to stay with and make sure you’re safe. Is Sasha here?
He shook his head, panic now visible in his eyes. Miss Marcek sent her away, said she’d be here to keep an eye on us. Oh shit. It’s her, isn’t it? Oh shit.
I heard a noise from the end of the girls’ corridor; Cassie’s room. Swallowing hard, I grabbed Bradley’s arm and steered him towards the door.
Go, take Kian and go.
What about Courtney?
I’ll try her door on the way past and send her after you, I promised, steering him towards the door.
For a moment Bradley looked torn between his brother and his girlfriend, but then he made up his mind and ushered Kian out of the building. Left alone in the hallway, I peered through to the communal area. It was empty. I didn’t have anything on me that I could use to defend myself, so I ducked into the kitchen. Taking a bread knife from the side, I made my way up the girls’ corridor.
I couldn’t risk knocking on Courtney’s door in case the vibrations carried through to Cassie’s room, so I opened the door as gently as I could. The girl was sitting on her bed, watching something on YouTube, and she jumped when I caught her attention. Thankfully, she didn’t question me when I told her to find the others, but slipped outside to join Bradley and Kian.
I paused outside Cassie’s room. I could tell someone was inside, but I wouldn’t know what was happening until I opened the door. Pushing it softly, I was greeted with the sight of Cassie sitting on her desk chair, her eyes open but unfocused, and my heart leapt into my throat. The girl blinked, and I breathed again. She wasn’t dead, but by the look on her face she’d been drugged.
Looking up, I saw Liz Marcek standing by the side of
the bed.
Oh, I’m glad you’re here, Paige, Liz signed. She wore an expression of concern that I knew to be fake, but I thought it was safest to go along with her for now. I think Cassie’s taken something. She told me what happened, that she’d been messaging Steve and he told her about his messages to Leon.
I nodded, unsure of what Liz thought was happening.
She and Leon must have killed Steve together when they realised what he was doing. The deputy head shook her head slowly. I wouldn’t have thought she had it in her. But now she’s taken something, I need to get her to a hospital.
I’ll call an ambulance, I replied, pulling out my phone.
No! she snapped, but regained her composure a split second later. No, it’ll be quicker if I take her in my car. By the time an ambulance gets here, in this weather, it might be too late.
What has she taken? I asked.
I have no idea.
Yes you do, I replied, inching closer to her. You gave it to her, didn’t you? To keep her quiet about what she knew. She found out about your little plot to get rid of Jane, and you’ve been bribing her since with messages and little gifts. When she spoke to the detectives this morning she didn’t give you up, you know.
You don’t know what you’re talking about, Liz replied, a scowl darkening her face. She stepped forward, moving closer to Cassie.
The police are here, I told her, moving so I was blocking Cassie from her. I bent down to look at the girl, slapping her hand a few times. Cassie’s head lolled as she tried to turn to look at me. Her hands waved vaguely, but she couldn’t form a coherent sign.
Cassie was easy to manipulate, wasn’t she? I signed, trying to distract Liz for long enough to allow the police to find us. She was jealous of the other students, so you knew if you made her feel special, feel more important than them, that she would keep your secret.
Liz sneered at me. What would you know about it?
I think I know a lot more than you realise. You blamed Steve for your brother’s death, didn’t you? I could see that this had hit home by the change in expression on her face, so I pushed on. You wanted to make him pay, by ruining his reputation. You set up Bradley and Courtney, and engineered a safeguarding scandal to get Jane out of the way, then made sure Steve got the job in her place.
Silent Night Page 30