Reluctant Witness

by Rachel Brimble

She sighed. The man was impossible. “Marcus, I—”

  “Don’t roll your eyes that way, Julia. It makes me think my being here bothers you. Like I’m a bug that needs squashing.”

  The tension in the air shot up a notch. Julia knew a potential explosion was brewing. She could feel it crackle in the air around her. She swallowed.

  “You’re right, I’m sorry. Look, why don’t you wait for me in the kitchen? I’ll be right down,” she said.

  “So now you want me to stay? You don’t know how you feel about me, do you?” He smiled. “I’ll tell you what, you get dressed and we’ll go out somewhere.”

  Her stomach rolled uncomfortably. “Out?”

  “We’ll grab a bite to eat. How would that be?”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Sure you are. You have to eat, Julia.”

  “I’m fine. Really.”

  He waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I won’t hear another word. I insist. Now I’ll go downstairs and leave you to get dressed.”

  But his facetious attitude caused her anger to claw to the surface. “Have you forgotten the note you left stuck to my window this morning?” Julia demanded. “Surely you don’t expect me to have dinner with you after that?”

  He slowly got to his feet. “What about it?”

  “You don’t think there was anything for me to get upset about?”

  He shrugged. “It was just a friendly warning, that’s all. I care about you.”

  “A warning? It was a threat.”

  “Julia, Julia...I think you and I need a serious talk. I’ll see you in a minute.”

  He left the room. The lingering look he had given her before he left had made her skin icy to the touch. She would never get through to him. She had to get him out of her house. She scrambled from the bed, pulled on some clothes and brushed a hand over her hair before heading downstairs.

  He sat at the small kitchen table, absently leafing through the morning’s paper.

  She cleared her throat. “Marcus?”

  He lifted his head. “Yes?”

  “Look, I agree we need to talk, but not now, OK? It’s getting late. I’m tired. I want to catch a couple of hours sleep before I go into work.”

  The seconds ticked by like hours. He said nothing as he watched her, his gaze cold and unyielding, his lips pressed together so they showed white. Perspiration broke out on her palms but somehow she found the fortitude to keep her eyes level with his.

  And then he smiled. “One cup of coffee and I’m out of here.”

  “But...”

  “One cup, Julia.”

  She lingered awhile longer before she turned and flicked on the kettle with trembling hands. Julia knew from experience how close he was to losing his temper. She was not the type of girl to run from trouble, but she also had a strong sense of self-preservation. Taking on Marcus single-handedly would not be brave, but stupid.

  She opened the refrigerator door. “Do you want milk or cream in your coffee?” she asked from behind the open door. There was no answer. “Marcus?”

  He was right behind her, his breath hot against her exposed nape. She gripped the milk carton tighter in her hand as she slowly straightened to find his six foot frame looming over her like a dangerous phantom.

  Fear beat a steady pulse at the base of her throat. “What are you doing?” she asked, forcing a laugh. “You scared the hell out of me.”

  “Did I, Julia? Did I really?”

  She suddenly felt incredibly hot despite the cold air coming from the open refrigerator door. “Please, Marcus. You have to stop this. It’s madness,” she said, quietly.

  “I only want to talk to you, Julia. It’s not a lot to ask, is it?” She flinched as he took a piece of her hair and curling it around his finger. “I was hoping you were going to tell me all about the new Detective Inspector?”

  She swallowed. “Inspector Conway?”

  “You’ve been spending a good amount of time with him.” He inhaled a shaky breath. “Which makes no sense to me after what happened to Phil.”

  She closed the refrigerator door. “Don’t do this now, Marcus.”

  “Do what? Remind you how a cop gunned down your brother in cold blood. Mistakenly thinking him an armed robber?”

  “Marcus, please—”

  He dropped her hair, grasped her shoulders and spun her around. “No, Julia, no! The whole town watched your poor mother’s heart be broken, saw your own hatred for the boys in blue. Now you’re stepping out with one as though you’re a couple?”

  “I am not stepping out with him. I am—”

  “You’re what? Come on, let me hear it. What are you doing with him then?”

  His face was white with anger. His face was so close to hers she could smell the scent of a cigarette on his breath. Her stomach rolled. “Look, if we’re going to talk, can’t we at least sit down?”

  His gaze bored into hers before he took a few steps back, allowing her just enough space to squeeze past him. “Fine. We’ll sit down.”

  She walked to the counter and filled two mugs with coffee, her hands trembling. She had to get Marcus away from the subject of Daniel. Or he would know. He’d know that she was attracted to Daniel even though it was the very last thing she wanted to be. Her mother had always said she wore her heart on her sleeve and Marcus had a way of making her slip up, say things she didn’t want to say.

  Exhaling a long, slow breath, Julia picked up the mugs and carried them to the table. Marcus took the seat opposite her.

  “Well? What’s his name?”

  “Who?”

  His grey eyes turned cold. “Don’t, Julia. Don’t play dumb. You and I both know you’re an intelligent girl. What’s the handsome detective’s name?”

  Surely Marcus already knew. Someone at the bank was bound to have mentioned him. Daniel probably had an account, there. Marcus was simply testing her. “Why are we talking about him? I’m more concerned with the note you left stuck to my kitchen window this morning.”

  “I’ll ask you again. What’s his name?”

  Even though she risked infuriating him even more, Julia ignored his question and took a sip of coffee to ease the dryness in her throat. “You were threatening me, Marcus.”

  He tipped his head back, closed his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Then what did you mean by telling me not to do anything stupid?”

  “Julia.”

  The tone of his voice and the chill in his eyes told her if she pushed him much further, there was every chance he would lose it altogether. Feeling sick, she said, “Daniel. Daniel Conway.”

  “Are you fucking him?”

  The question was direct, unexpected and made her blood surge in her veins. “Don’t be absurd. I met him for the first time yesterday. How could I possibly be sleeping with him? Didn’t you just say how coy I am?”

  He smiled. “I said, act. You act coy. There’s a huge difference.”

  Her face grew hot. You cheeky son of a bitch. “Whatever you meant, I am not sleeping with him. This jealousy has to stop.”

  He tipped his head back. “Oh, I’m not jealous, Julia.” He sighed wearily. “Just concerned he has unwelcome designs on you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I dropped by the club last night. The man was literally undressing you with his eyes.”

  The thought that Daniel had been looking at her that way sent a fleeting sweep of female satisfaction through her but she kept her face impassive. “You have nothing to worry about on that score. Inspector Conway gave me a lift to the club because I’d left my car at the station yesterday.”

  His demeanor shifted and the anger dissipated. “You left your car at the station? Did something happen to you yesterday?” he asked urgently.

  Again, Julia felt he was testing her somehow. Still, his seemingly genuine concern was unsettling. Manic almost—as though he were a modern day Jekyll and Hyde.

  “I’m fine”

  “You can’t be if you had to go to the police.
What happened to you?” he insisted.

  “It wasn’t me. It was somebody else.”

  “Who?” He reached for her hand on the table but she slowly slid it into her lap. His jaw tightened for a second before relaxing. “Tell me.”

  “It was Derek Palmer. He was killed yesterday. Murdered.”

  For a long moment, he said nothing and then he let out a derisive laugh. “Oh, for goodness sake!” He leaned back in his chair, laced his hands behind his head. “I was really worried someone had hurt you. Why would the fact that some doddery old man is dead be of any concern to you or me?”

  Anger boiled over inside of her to hear him dismiss Derek’s life which such nonchalance. “He was an important part of this community, Marcus! He had a wife, a family. How can you be so cold?”

  He smiled. “My only worry is you, my love. No one else.”

  She leapt to her feet. “Well, there’s no need to waste any more time worrying about me. I’m not your concern and never will be.”

  “Sit down, Julia.”

  “I want you to leave. Right now.”

  “I said sit down.”

  “Your behavior towards me makes no sense. We barely know each other.”

  “I like you, Julia. I like you a lot, but you, on the other hand, have been determined to fight our relationship from the start.”

  “We went on a few dates,” she cried. “It didn’t work out. Most people accept that and move on.”

  “As will I. Once I feel you have given us the best possible chance to work.”

  She bit down on her bottom lip. There was no reasoning with him, none at all. She decided to try a different tactic. “I understand what you’re saying, Marcus, but I will be spending a lot more time with Inspector Conway—”

  “I don’t think you will.”

  “I was the sole witness to Derek’s killing. The police need my help.”

  He stared at her a while, and Julia’s heart beat a steady rhythm against her rib cage. The tension in the room was thick enough to choke her. When he leapt from his seat, she started to scream but the sound was strangled when his hands locked around her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut. Clawed at his fingers. His putrid breath was hot against her eyelids when he spoke.

  “You will not be spending any more time with Conway, do you understand me?” he asked, though clenched teeth. “You will stay the hell away from him.”

  A kaleidoscope of colors burst behind her eyelids. She tried to nod her agreement but couldn’t move. This was it. This was how she was going to die. Just as the blood began to thunder in her ears, the sound of smashing glass and splintering wood pierced her fading consciousness.

  Marcus released her and she sank to her knees, coughing and spluttering. She opened her eyes to see Daniel charging through her smashed back door. Marcus started to turn, but Daniel was far too quick. Before Marcus could move, Daniel had wrapped one arm around his neck in a vice-like grip while with the other he twisted Marcus’ arm high up his back. Rage swirled in Marcus’ eyes as Daniel wrestled him to the floor.

  Julia watched in horror as Daniel deftly mashed Marcus’ face against the cold tile floor and snapped on handcuffs.

  “You stay right there and cool off, asshole,” he said, giving him a shove. “I’m going to make sure the lady I caught you pushing around is OK, otherwise this arrest is going to get a whole lot worse.”

  “I was not pushing her around!”

  Daniel scowled. “What would you call grabbing her by the neck?”

  “Fuck you!”

  “That’s what I thought. You can just shut your mouth until I’m done speaking to Miss Kershaw.”

  “I’m not one of your average bums, Inspector. I’m a bank manager,” ranted Marcus. “You’ll pay for treating me like this.”

  “From where I’m standing, the average bum is exactly what you look like.” Giving Marcus a final shove, Daniel stepped over him toward Julia. Her heart raced as he sank to his haunches in front of her and ran one solitary finger down her face and across her lips. “Are you all right?” His voice was gentle, his breath coming in soft pants as his adrenaline slowed.

  She nodded, knowing the way he was looking at her was way more personal than the usual cop/civilian consideration but not wanting him to stop. “I’m OK. Thank you,” she said.

  His jaw clenched as he watched her. His cocoa eyes turned to melted chocolate as they darkened. “Are you going to tell me what this was all about before I lock this moron up?”

  Marcus cursed expletives behind Daniel’s back as he struggled to free his hands. She looked over Daniel’s shoulder and faced her demon. “This has got to stop, Marcus,” she said, rubbing a hand over her raw throat. “Look what you’ve done. You’ll be taken to the police station now. Is that what you wanted?”

  He glowered at her. “This isn’t my fault, you bitch!”

  Daniel was on his feet in a flash. He grabbed a handful of Marcus’ hair in his fist and put his face inches away from his. “Listen to me, you jerk. You’re going to spend the night at the station so we can both calm our tempers. But in the morning? I’m going to make sure you pay for what you did here tonight. Do you hear me?”

  “In the morning the first thing I’ll do is file a charge of assault. Take your God damn hands off of me!”

  “With pleasure.”

  Daniel opened his hand and the side of Marcus’ face dropped to the floor with a thud. Julia winced and wondered how he would explain the marks on his face to the customers at the bank. She turned back to Daniel but couldn’t gather the courage to tell him she wouldn’t be pressing charges against Marcus. She was leaving town and she didn’t need a court case, on top of everything else.

  Daniel held out his hand to her. He clasped her fingers in his and pulled her to her feet. They stood facing each other in the shadowed kitchen. She resisted the urge to turn her cheek into his hand when he touched a hand there.

  “I’m going to take him down to the station,” he said, quietly. “But then I’ll be back.”

  “Daniel, I’ve got to work tonight.”

  “Ring Jacob and tell him you’re sick.”

  “I can’t, he’ll...”

  “I mean it, Julia. Either you call him or I’ll ring myself and tell him what happened here.”

  Julia met his gaze and blew out a breath. Her nerves were shot and her throat was sore. It would hardly be her finest hour on stage if she did arrive for work. “Fine. I’ll ring him.”

  “Good. I’ll be back in half an hour, tops.”

  She nodded and watched him roughly help Marcus to his feet before dragging him kicking and screaming through the house. When the front door banged shut behind them, Julia finally let the tears stinging her eyes wet her cheeks.

  Chapter Five

  Daniel locked the cell door behind Marcus Lowell and turned to grip the bars. Not only had Lowell dared to put his hands around the neck of his sole witness—he’d hurt the woman who, over the last forty-eight hours, had filled so much of his mind there had been little space for anything else. And now the piece of shit sat on the solitary bed, meeting Daniel’s glare with cold grey eyes like he’d done nothing wrong.

  “Listen to me very carefully, Lowell,” Daniel said, quietly. “If I have my way, Julia Kershaw will accuse you of attempted murder when I go back to see her. If she doesn’t, I’ll want to know why and if I don’t like what I hear, you’d better be prepared to answer a few questions.”

  Marcus smiled. “You’re living in cloud cuckoo land if you think Julia will ever press charges against me, Inspector. We love each other.”

  “Don’t talk such crap, you moron.”

  “Why don’t you go ask her?”

  Daniel swallowed. “I don’t think grabbing a woman by the throat is demonstrating love, do you?” he sneered. “There’s no way in hell Julia has feelings for you.”

  “Like I said, go ask her,” Lowell smirked, relaxing back on his elbows. “I’ll just wait right here until my brief arrives
.”

  Daniel smiled. “Your brief? Why do you need a brief if you haven’t done anything wrong?”

  “I’m going to need someone to stand on the steps outside this flea-ridden pit tomorrow and explain the huge police cock-up of arresting the town’s most respected bank manager, that’s why.”

  Daniel pushed himself away from the bars. “You’re not the town’s most respect bank manager. You’re the town’s only bank manager. There’s a difference.”

  “Tut-tut, Inspector. Looks to me like that vein in your neck is going to pop right out if you carry on getting yourself worked up like this.”

  Daniel looked at the vermin in front of him. He’d wasted enough time standing here talking to Lowell. He needed to be with Julia right now.

  “I’ll see you in the morning. My sergeant will keep an eye on you until then. He’ll contact your brief for you, too. Have a nice night.”

  It was nearing ten-thirty by the time he arrived back at Julia’s to find the house in darkness. He slammed the car door. If she had gone to The Ship’s Mate, he had every intention of going over there and bringing her home. The woman thought she was invincible, he was sure of it. He rang the bell. Once, twice, three times. Nothing.

  “Damn it.”

  Daniel took a calming breath, then marched around to the back of the house, his arms swinging at his sides. Just as his adrenaline was about to go into overdrive, he saw her. She sat on a swing seat, plump black and white cushions pushed up all around her as she looked out toward the V of ocean he could just glimpse from her garden. He noted the furrowing at her forehead and the way she tightly clasped the steaming mug she held in her hands. He didn’t want to contemplate the strong but unexpected kick in his gut as he watched her.

  Almost as though she sensed him there, she slowly turned to look at him.

  “You finally figured out to come round the back, then?” She smiled. “I thought Thelma had already told you I don’t bother with the front door.”

  She was amazing. He could tell she was still shaken from Marcus’ assault by the tension in her raised shoulders and the quiet sadness of her gaze, but still she smiled.

  He smiled back. “Do you mind if I jump on?” he asked, nodding toward the swing seat.