by Jade Winters
‘What the fuck did you do?’
Keri dropped her hand to her side and stepped back. ‘Do? Why nothing. But if you’re interested in what I want to do … I want to fuck you senseless.’
‘You stole my story.’
Keri took a long sip of wine, using the tip of her tongue to rescue a droplet of red liquid on her lip, before saying. ‘I stole your what? I didn’t steal anything.’
‘Are you saying you didn’t look at my notepad?’
‘Out of curiosity. Listen, I’m a fucking journalist, Astrid. What did you think? That you were the only one who knew about her boyfriend? You need to get your priorities straight.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘If you weren’t so bowled over with little Miss Snowflake you wouldn’t have sat on this story. It’s dynamite. But no, you forget why you’re here. To report the news. If you want to fuck the local eye candy, fine. But don’t have a go at me for doing my job.’
‘I was doing my job. Responsibly. You haven’t done anyone any favours by publishing that story. You’ve just turned a missing girl’s case into a media circus.’
‘Isn’t that what news is? Or am I missing something? We produce content that gets people to read our shit. And you wonder why your paper is going down quicker than the Titanic. Get with the program, Astrid. The public aren’t interested in your morals. They want gossip. They want blood. They want to boo the bad guys and root for the underdog. They want a pantomime and that’s what I give them.’
‘And that makes it all right, does it? That instead of focusing on finding a missing girl, they’ll be more interested in blaming the baby’s father? This is a real life Jeremy Kyle show isn’t it?’
Keri shrugged. ‘Who cares what it is? All press is good press, no? Surely what matters is that people will pay attention now.’
‘A school boy could be hounded out of school by the media. He’s sixteen, Keri. He’s a child. Is any of this getting through to you?’
‘Nope. He’s old enough to make a baby, he’s old enough to be treated like any other adult.’
Anger ripped through her words. ‘You’re a hardnosed bitch, do you know that?’
‘I’m saving the best till last,’ Keri said coolly.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
Keri pressed her fingertips to her lips, suppressing a smile beneath them. ‘It means the next story out is about your little Snowflake.’
‘You’re talking shit. What’s she got to do with Lexi’s disappearance?’
‘Nothing directly. But there’s a human interest story there. I take it you know about her mother?’
Astrid frowned. ‘Her mother is dead.’
‘No, Astrid, her mother isn’t dead. That’s what Snowflake’s fake private detective told her. He even managed to knock up a fake death certificate. Poor little Snowflake was fleeced I’m afraid.’ She smirked. ‘Stuart McMann has a long list of convictions for fraud.’
‘How do you know all this?’
‘I have my contacts. And money talks.’
‘So if Callie’s mum’s alive, where is she?’
‘In jail, where she has been for years,’ Keri said matter-of-factly.
‘In jail?’
‘Yes, serving life. For killing Callie’s brother.’
Chapter Thirty-One
There were so many questions racing through her mind that Callie didn’t know which one to address first. She felt almost like a statue as she stood in the middle of the living room. Her eyes moved in the direction of Roxy, who had now pushed herself into a sitting position and was staring wide eyed across the room at her husband. Disorientated, Callie’s emotions scattered all over the place as she tried to reassemble her thoughts into a more coherent stream. Had she heard right? Was Robert going to confess to a wrongdoing? It certainly looked that way. But what was she going to do with the information? Go to the police and hand him in? Could she do that to a man who had played such an important role in her life? Think about Lexi. She’s the innocent victim in this.
‘What happened, Robert?’ Callie asked, dreading to hear the answer.
‘It will come out eventually,’ Robert’s voice cracked.
‘What did you do?’ Callie pressed.
He didn’t answer or say anything in response for what seemed like forever. When he did speak, his once strong, confident voice wavered. ‘We had a fight.’ A long pause. No doubt considering how much he should reveal.
He glanced up at Callie. ‘You know how hot-headed she could be. We normally fought but this time it was different. I lost control. I didn’t mean to—’
‘Enough, Robert!’ Roxy was on her feet. Her voice no longer slurred or weak. It was now calm, measured. ‘You’re tired and you don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘I do, you’ve got to understand—’
‘That’s it. Callie, I’d like you to leave please.’
‘Roxy,’ Callie said in disbelief. ‘I think you should let him speak. If he knows where Lexi is—’
‘If he does, I’ll deal with it. Now please just leave.’
‘I’m going to have to tell the police.’
‘Tell them what? I’ll deny ever hearing him say anything.’
‘Roxy … I can’t believe you’re doing this. I thought you cared—’
‘I do. About my husband,’ she said ushering Callie to the door.
‘You know it’s a crime to obstruct justice, don’t you?’
‘Until they find a body, there’s been no crime committed.’ She opened the front door and waited for Callie to step outside. ‘Don’t get involved in this mess, Cal. It’ll only end in tears.’
Did that really just happen? Callie asked herself as the door was slammed shut and she stood alone on the doorstep. Had Roxy lost her mind? Robert had just about confessed to having a bust up with Lexi, something he hadn’t told the police, or Roxy it seemed.
Callie slowly made her way back to her Jeep. Her mind in a daze. She needed to speak to Elaine. Elaine’s opinion was the only one she trusted. Callie had known Elaine most of her life, after all they had gone to school together. Elaine had always been a little serious and a loner since childhood, with very few select friends. But as she aged her eccentricities became more prominent making it hard for her to mix with most people. She isolated herself, from both friends and relatives, and it was probably also one of the reasons why Callie asked her to work for Mountain Tours. To expose her to social situations.
The drive to Elaine’s was made in record time. Adrenaline still pumped through her veins, causing her hand to shake as she pressed the doorbell.
Elaine pulled the door back looking flustered.
Had someone put something in the drinking water? Everyone seemed to be acting very strangely tonight. ‘What’s up with you?’ Momentarily distracted by the frantic look in Elaine’s eyes.
‘Quick come inside,’ Elaine said speaking in a hoarse whisper. She dragged Callie into the passage by the lapel of her jacket as the door swung shut behind her.
‘What’s the matter? Has something happened?’
‘Shhh.’ Elaine indicated for Callie to follow her through to the kitchen.
Above, Callie could hear voices filled with tension. She recognised Astrid’s voice, but not the other. ‘Who’s Astrid talking to?’
‘Another reporter. I think they’re having an argument. Over something big. Astrid was furious.’
So she was the one. The woman Callie had met earlier. She connected the dots. It made sense now. She was her lover. No doubt they were arguing about her; Astrid’s bit on the side. Or was she being totally paranoid and their argument had nothing to do with her at all.
‘What’s the reporter’s name?’ she asked out of curiosity.
‘Keri Butler.’
‘Shit! She’s the one who leaked Lexi’s pregnancy on the internet,’ Callie said more to herself than Elaine.
Elaine’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘What? Lexi’s
pregnant?’
‘It seems that way.’
The news still had Callie reeling. How long had Lexi known for? More importantly, why hadn’t she confided in her? Callie would have been there for her. Talked to her about the options available to her. Things would never have got this far. It wouldn’t have caused an argument with Robert. Callie would have gone to speak to him. Warned him in advance. Prepared him for the impending shock. Then he wouldn’t have hit her. Or whatever else he may have done. And Lexi would still be here. And I would never have met Astrid.
At that moment in time, Callie didn’t know if that would have been a blessing in disguise.
Elaine walked over to the fridge and took out a can of ale. ‘I need a drink. That poor, poor girl.’ She pulled the lid, took a mouthful and closed her eyes. After a few more sips she said, ‘At least we know why Lexi’s gone missing now. I’m glad she’s not been kidnapped or, God forbid, murdered.’
Callie hated to be the one to burst Elaine’s bubble, but she had to tell her what had happened at Roxy’s place. ‘There’s more to it than that.’
Had Astrid not been otherwise engaged, she could have spared Elaine the details and dumped the distressing news on her instead. Reporters loved drama after all. They weren’t like normal everyday people, who would buckle under the weight of a diet of bad news stories. No. It was what reporters lived for.
Elaine’s face clouded with anxiety. ‘You’re going to tell me something bad, aren’t you?’
‘It’s about Robert.’
‘Go on.’
She chose her words carefully. Not wanting to get straight to the part that still shocked her. A man hitting a young woman. A defenceless, pregnant girl. His child. ‘Robert knew about Lexi’s pregnancy …’
‘And?’ Elaine said impatiently.
‘And they had a fight—’
‘What d’ya mean they had a fight? A verbal fight, right?’
‘No, Elaine. Robert hit her. On the day she went missing.’
The colour drained from Elaine’s face. ‘Oh my God. You don’t think?’
‘I don’t know what to think,’ she said in a subdued voice. ‘Before he could say anymore, Roxy shut him down.’
‘This just gets worse. Do you think we should go to the police?’
‘That’s what I came here to talk to you about.’
The kitchen door swung open and Astrid walked in. A scowl embedded in her normally relaxed features. She eyed Callie as if she were an apparition. Astrid clearly wasn’t expecting her to be standing in Elaine’s kitchen. Funnily enough neither was Callie.
‘I didn’t realise you were here,’ Astrid said, with the warmth of an iceberg.
Elaine was right. She was majorly pissed off.
‘I just popped in to see Laney,’ Callie said.
The atmosphere was awkward. Not the usual lightness. No flirting. Jesting. Only standoffishness.
‘I’ll just grab a bottle of water and I’ll be out of your way.’
Callie’s gaze followed Astrid to the fridge. ‘I’m surprised it wasn’t you that broke the news on Lexi’s pregnancy.’
‘Some people have all the luck,’ Astrid said taking a bottle of water from the fridge and striding past her and out the door.
‘Bloody hell, is anybody talking to anybody in this house?’ Elaine said with a look of despair. ‘I don’t know whether to tell you this.’
‘Tell me what?’
Elaine dropped her gaze slightly. ‘Have you and Astrid done the … you know … deed?’
‘What?’
‘Okay, you don’t have to tell me,’ Elaine said quickly. ‘But if you have, there’s something you need to know.’
The muscles in Callie’s stomach involuntarily twisted. She might need to know, but the big question was—did she want to? If it was going to confirm what she already thought, then the answer was no.
‘Is it about—’
Elaine didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence. ‘I think something’s going on between Astrid and Keri.’
The pain in Callie’s stomach worsened. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘I saw them in a … compromising position earlier.’
‘Oh.’ Callie rubbed her face with the palms of her hands. More to hide the shame she felt than anything else. She had been taken in, screwed to the highest level and spat back out again.
‘Now you’re upset, aren’t you?’
‘No, Laney. I’m fucking angry for being taken for a fool.’
Callie wasn’t going to take this lying down. She was going to tell Astrid exactly what she thought of her.
‘Where’re you going?’ Elaine called after her as she darted out the door.
‘To have a word with Pinocchio. Which room is she in?’
‘One.’
Stomping up the stairs, Callie had no idea what she was going to say to Astrid, only that she wanted to hear it from her own mouth. That Astrid was a cheat and a liar and she had used her, taken advantage of her.
Callie banged on her door. She didn’t care if Keri heard her. She didn’t even care if Keri was in the room with Astrid. She’d give them both a piece of her mind.
The door opened. So did Callie’s mouth. Then it snapped shut. Astrid looked devastated. Like her world had just collapsed inwards.
‘Is everything all right?’ Callie asked. Her anger deflated as fast as a pricked balloon.
Astrid rolled her eyes. ‘Hunky dory.’
It was obvious she wasn’t looking for sympathy or understanding. In which case, Callie wouldn’t give her any. She had to remind herself, she was the victim here. Astrid had fucked her over. Not the other way round. ‘So have you got anything to say to me?’
Astrid’s eyes were guarded. ‘About what?’
‘About what?’ Callie said incredulously. ‘How about the fact that you slept with me despite having a girlfriend?’
Astrid’s features relaxed for the first time. If she hazarded a guess she would say she even looked relieved. ‘Oh that. Elaine told you, huh?’
‘That’s what people who care about each other do. Tell the truth.’ The fire began to rise again at Astrid’s indifference. ‘I actually thought you might have a conscience somewhere up there in that brain of yours.’
‘It’s not what you think. Keri is …’ She paused.
Callie’s hands were firmly placed on her hips. ‘Go on. I can’t wait to hear how you’re going to weasel your way out of this one. Keri is what?’
Astrid raked her fingers through her hair. ‘Is a woman I had a little fun with back in Manchester.’
‘Like you had a bit of fun with me?’
‘It was nothing like that, believe me.’
‘So are you saying there’s nothing going on between you two?’
‘Definitely not. What Elaine saw earlier was a misunderstanding.’
Callie snorted. ‘A misunderstanding?’ she repeated trying to buy time.
‘That’s right.’
‘You really must take me for a fool.’ She was fluctuating between believing her and thinking she was nothing but a seasoned liar.
‘Anything but,’ Astrid said wearily.
Callie narrowed her eyes. ‘So what were you two arguing about? I take it it was Keri you were arguing with.’
‘Yes it was.’
‘What were you rowing about?’
‘You.’
She inhaled to find some calm. ‘Me?’
‘Yes.’
‘What about me? If there’s nothing going on between you two, why would she feel threatened by me?’
‘I think you’d better come in. I have something to tell you.’
Callie raised her eyebrows. ‘Sounds ominous.’
‘Just come in.’ Astrid stood to one side. ‘Please. I don’t know how to tell you this.’
Callie slapped her hand against her forehead. ‘Oh Jesus. Please don’t tell me you have an STI.’
Astrid’s forehead creased. ‘What? Are you crazy? No, I don
’t. What do you take me for?’
Relief swept through her. ‘Then I don’t know why you would be so sombre.’
‘It’s about your mother, Callie.’
‘My … mum?’ Callie asked. She tasted grief. ‘What about her?’
Astrid started slowly. An uncomfortable look was etched on her features. ‘Keri did some digging into your past.’
Every muscle in Callie’s body tensed. She didn’t want to go through all this again. Hearing about her mother’s suicide once was bad enough, she didn’t need to hear Astrid tell her what she already knew. ‘Why would she do that?’
‘I don’t know. Anyway that’s beside the point. Keri found out something about your mum and she’s going to write about it.’
Her heart was in her throat. ‘What did she find out? That she committed suicide? If that’s the case Keri really isn’t much of a reporter. I already knew.’
‘Callie.’ Astrid paused, seemingly unsure how to proceed. ‘Your mum’s alive and well.’
‘Yeah right. I bet she believes Elvis is alive and living in Vegas.’ Laughter spilt out of her unexpectedly. It quickly died down and she grew serious. ‘Are you trying to fuck with my head? Is this what all this shit is about? First Keri. Now my mum.’
Astrid reached out and took her hand. ‘Please, listen to me. I would never do anything to hurt you. Ever.’
Callie roughly brushed away her tears. ‘Then don’t—’
‘Your mum’s in prison,’ she blurted out.
Callie snatched her hand back. Not sure she’d heard right. ‘What are you talking about? Prison? I don’t believe you.’
‘It’s true.’
‘I saw the death certificate.’ Callie knew she was clutching at straws, but what else could she do? She had held the document in her hands. Seen the cause of death—suicide—with her own eyes.
‘It was fake,’ Astrid said gently. ‘Keri’s got proof.’
‘But the private detective said—’
‘He lied. His name was Stuart McMann right? Keri knows all about him. She just sent me an email.’
Astrid reached for the computer on her bed. She turned it around so Callie could see the screen. ‘Look for yourself.’
Callie looked down at the screen and at the man who she thought had been helping her find out what happened to her mother. A sob caught in her throat as she read the long list of convictions attached to his name. How the hell could this have happened? By hiring someone from Gumtree and not checking their credentials. She didn’t know what to do with herself. Scream with happiness or cry out in frustration. Her mum was alive. Alive. A sinking feeling overcame her. So why didn’t she get in touch with me for all these years?