‘Just let her go. She won’t tell anyone and on Monday I’ll get the brooch. In return let Vanessa and the boys go free. You can have the money, Miles, and welcome to it.’
‘You’re bluffing.’
I was, but he couldn’t know that. How could I have trusted this man? What a fool I had been.
Then an idea came to me. Just as it had with Rowde, I was playing this wrong.
‘OK, if that’s what you think, have it your own way. If you are prepared to let my boys die, then there is no point in me living. It’s no go, Miles.
No brooch.’
‘Then she dies.’
I shrugged. ‘Please yourself. She means nothing to me. She’s old and she’s got Alzheimer’s. You’d be doing her a favour.’ Think ‘prison’ I urged myself. Practice what you’d been taught.
There was silence. In it I could hear the sea washing against the boat and the wind as it roared and whistled around us. I held his gaze. After a moment he sighed and released Ruby.
She coughed. Her crying was like a soft whimper. A mixture of bewilderment and fear was in her eyes. I crossed to her.
‘On Monday the brooch will be yours.’ I held Miles eyes. ‘But I can only get it if you call off Rowde. I’m meant to be going to Zurich with him. Let Vanessa and the boys go.’
‘He’ll want the three million.’
‘Then for Christ’s sake tell him where it is.
According to you it’s nothing compared to what Hugo, Max and Edward took from the Jews. Take the bloody brooches and claim what you think is your compensation for your grandfather’s betrayal.’
I could see him thinking about it. I held my breath praying for him to agree.
‘OK.’
I didn’t trust him. He would betray me. He would leave me to face Rowde. As long as I could get Vanessa and the boys to safety before then I didn’t care. As soon as they were out of Rowde’s clutches I would go to the police and tell them everything. I would get protection from Rowde and they would arrest Miles.
I put my arm around Ruby and tried to steer her towards the door but she must have thought I was going to hurt her. She struggled against me. Then breaking free, she screamed and ran outside. I cursed. I couldn’t let her go in that state. I rushed out after her.
At the bottom of the gangway she stumbled and fell onto the shingle below. I hurried towards her and leant over to pull her up. The rain was lashing against us. She was sobbing and filthy.
She was skin and bone and trembling from head to foot. I put my arm around her, but she was screaming something, which I finally realised was: ‘My handbag! Where’s my handbag?’
‘Here it is,’ Miles said.
Something in his voice made me stiffen. I turned. The bag was open and so was his left hand. I saw what was in it. It was the third brooch.
CHAPTER 18
‘That’s mine,’ Ruby cried. ‘Livvy gave it to me.’
‘Livvy’s not around anymore. She would have wanted Hugo to have it,’ Miles wheedled.
Ruby’s face puckered up as though she was trying to recall something.
‘For God’s sake, Miles, take the wretched thing and let me get her into the warm,’ I pleaded with him.
‘No. She knows too much and so do you.
Move.’
He dropped the handbag and now I saw with horror what had replaced it. He was holding a revolver and it was pointing right at us.
‘It comes in handy knowing the criminal fraternity when you want something useful like this.’ He indicated the gun.
‘Miles, you can’t do this.’ I roared.
‘Move. Round to the back of the houseboat.’
My heart was pounding. My mind racing. Was he going to shoot us there?
‘This is crazy,’ I tossed over my shoulder, the wind catching my words and carrying them into the black night. I was half carrying and half shoving Ruby and by now we were ankle deep in water. The cold took my breath away; God knew how Ruby felt. She was crying and trembling, leaning heavily against me. I could see that she was on the point of collapse. ‘You’ve got the brooches, go and get the fucking money.’
‘Gladly, I just need to tidy up a couple of loose ends. Get in the boat,’ he commanded.
I made to protest but saw there was little point.
I climbed in and then helped a whimpering Ruby in.
‘Start it up.’
I did as I was told. The engine refused to start on the first couple of tries. Perhaps if it didn’t work he might let us go, I thought in desperation.
Then the damn thing spluttered into life and was merrily chugging away.
‘Let’s go for a nice little sea journey.’
‘In this storm? You must be mad.’
‘I don’t think so.’ He slipped the line that was attached to my houseboat. ‘Out or I kill the old woman now.’
I knew he was going to kill her anyway, and me, but if I did as he asked it would buy me time to think of a way out of this. The tide was carrying us with it. It was dark and I had to navigate my way through the buoys, just as I had done with Westnam in the boat.
‘Did you kill Westnam?’ I shouted above the wind.
‘No.’
It must have been Rowde then. I prayed that we might be spotted from another boat. But on a night such as this, who would be daft enough to be on their boat? And even if they were they would certainly be down below.
‘Don’t worry, Alex, I’ve got it all worked out,’
Miles sneered. ‘You killed Ruby because she saw you follow Deeta that morning. Then you killed yourself because you couldn’t live with what you had done and you didn’t want to go back to prison.’
‘How will the police know that if I’m dead?’
We were reaching the end of the channel; soon we would be into the Solent and exposed.
‘Because I will tell them,’ shouted Miles above the wind and rain. ‘You confessed to me, your lawyer.’
The gun was rammed right up against poor Ruby but she seemed not to notice. I think she was too far gone for that. None of us were wearing protective sailing clothes; my jeans and sweater were soaked so was Ruby’s thin dress and cardigan and Miles suit. This was madness.
‘We can’t go any further,’ I shouted with difficulty against the roar of the wind and sea.
‘We’ll all be killed.’ The waves were crashing over us. For the first time I thought Miles looked worried. ‘I have to turn back or we’ll all be drowned.’
‘Keep going,’ Miles commanded, stabbing Ruby with the gun. She had stopped crying but was crumpled in the cockpit. I could see her shivering uncontrollably. I was cold and wet, and if I didn’t get her out of this soon she’d die from hypothermia.
Could I overpower him? Would I stand a chance? Could I jump him before he shot Ruby and take him into the sea with me? But what would happen to Ruby? And at this time of year we’d only last a few minutes in the freezing cold water. We were going further, heading around the coast towards the lifeboat station. The sea was so rough that it was like being on a big dipper in the funfair, only wet and not nearly so much fun. I stared at the gun: would it still work if it were wet?
Miles shouted, ‘Keep going.’
He eyed Ruby. I could see that he was working out another way to kill her. I knew that all he had to do was push her over the side. Then he’d tackle me. I could put up a fight but Ruby would be gone.
‘I have to turn back.’ The wind snatched at my words and tossed them into the Solent. I knew it was too late. I couldn’t see over the waves, we were riding them high then plunging into the troughs, the sea washing over us. At any minute a wave could and probably would hit us and take us down with it. I felt behind me. Somewhere there were a couple of flares, kept purposely near the helmsman in case of emergency. This was one all right. I could and should be able to lay my hands on one in the dark. I had to wait for Miles to look away, but I couldn’t wait forever.
Then as a particularly nasty wave bashed into us and
Ruby slid down onto the deck my fingers curled around it. I didn’t know if it would work but it was worth a try. If I didn’t do something we were all going to die. If I tried we might have a chance. Then suddenly the air was filled with a loud bang as the lifeboat was launched, and I could no longer afford to hesitate.
I wrenched out my hand, pointed the flare directly at Miles, pulled Ruby towards me and shot the flare as Ruby and I went over the side of the boat together. A bright white light lit the sky.
I thought I heard Miles cry out. The icy sea sucked the breath from my body. I struggled to hold Ruby above the tumultuous waves; her body was limp and weighed a ton. I concentrated on staying alive, trying to forget the mind numbing cold, the heavy clothes that were pulling me down, the salt that was swilling into my mouth and filling my lungs.
I was losing my grip on Ruby. I couldn’t hold onto her any longer. She was slipping away. I was so cold. I could see David and Philip’s laughing faces before me; I could hear them speaking, see them running along the beach, chatting on the boat with me on a bright summer’s day. My mother was smiling at me, her arms were open and a white light was all around her. I was no longer cold; I was floating peacefully to that white light. It was over. Then strong hands were pulling me back, my mother was fading, the light had gone, something was being tied around me and I was being lifted out of the water.
‘Ruby, ’ I managed to choke.
I heard someone say, ‘It’s all right. We’ve got her.’
CHAPTER 19
Hospital was the last place I could afford to go. Too many questions: like what was I doing in a boat in the middle of a stormy night with an elderly lady? I was the one with the criminal record, not Miles. I alone had heard Miles’s confession. In DCI Crowder’s eyes I was still James Andover. How was I ever going to prove my innocence now with Miles dead? And I was sure he was dead. No one could survive taking a flare full on. I had killed him in self-defence, but by the time I explained that (if they let me) it would be too late to meet Rowde. And meet him I had too because I still didn’t know where Vanessa and my sons were being kept.
In the general commotion of getting Ruby into an ambulance and Miles’s body from the sea I was able to duck into the darkness of Beach House Lane and, shivering in the silver thermal blanket the ambulance man had draped around me, I found a footpath that led back onto the beach and stumbled my way around the shore until I came to the Embankment. No one came after me. My adrenalin and my desperation were keeping me warm and propelling me forward.
There was no sign of life around my houseboat or Scarlett’s. Scarlett’s car had gone and I guessed that she was on her way to the hospital. I hoped Ruby was all right, but I wasn’t betting on it.
A steaming hot shower, a shot of whisky and clean dry clothes and I was once again shutting the door behind me. Armed with a powerful torch I climbed into my car and headed for Steven’s house. There was a light on. It was 2am.
Steven answered the door. He didn’t seem surprised to see me, but then I guessed he was in a state of shock and that numbness that follows bereavement.
I followed him through to the living room. He looked awful. I was no picture either I thought, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror over the tiled fireplace.
‘You said that Miles used to fly into Bembridge regularly. Do you know where he went when he came here?’ I felt as though this was my last chance. Miles had to have a holiday home on the Island, otherwise why else would he come here so often? And I was convinced that must be where he was holding Vanessa and my sons.
Steven didn’t answer me. ‘Please, Steven, this is important to me. Miles is the person who framed me. He’s holding my family hostage and he killed Deeta.’
My words finally penetrated Steven’s sorrow.
‘It was him? The murdering bastard. I’ll kill him for that and for what he’s done to my father.’
‘You’re too late. I’ve done the job for you.’
I sat down heavily. I would have to keep my rendezvous with Rowde. I just hoped he didn’t learn of Miles’s death before then. I would kill Rowde or be killed. I was coming to the end.
‘I felt sure he flew them here, Vanessa and the boys,’ I muttered.
‘A woman and two boys did fly in but they weren’t with Mr Wolverton,’ Steven said.
My head shot up. My heart leapt into my throat. I could hardly dare to hope. Miles had got someone else to do his dirty work, unless Rowde could fly an aeroplane, which I doubted.
‘A small dark-haired woman about forty?’ I asked, eagerly.
‘Mrs Newberry, yes.’
‘You know her?’ I said, surprised.
‘Of course, she and Mr Newberry have a house on the Island. That’s why they fly here –’
‘Who flew them in?’
‘Mr Newberry, of course…’
Gus! He’d brought them here? I sat up amazed and confused. Steven must have got it wrong.
‘When was this?’ I asked.
‘Yesterday morning.’
That shook me. It was the day after Gus and I had returned from Guernsey. After he had shown me the note to say that Rowde had taken them.
It wasn’t possible. Steven must be mistaken.
Grief had made him confuse the weeks.
‘Are you sure it was Gus Newberry?’ I persisted.
‘Positive.’
I held Steven’s eyes. He didn’t seem confused.
He wasn’t lying either. Why should he be?
I ran a hand through my hair and stood up, trying desperately to make some sense of this.
How could he be right? Vanessa and the boys had been kidnapped by Rowde. Gus had been distraught. There had been the note on the kitchen table. Then I remembered. He hadn’t shown it to me. I hadn’t seen what was written.
Gus had picked it up and said, ‘They’re gone.’
Of course they had gone, but not to the Isle of Wight. They must have been staying elsewhere, waiting for Gus to collect them and fly them here the following day. Which meant that Gus knew all along they hadn’t been kidnapped. Gus must be in league with Rowde. Why? What did he want from me? Money? Did he really think I was Andover and he had used my family to get the three million from me? Was Gus in financial difficulty? How much did Vanessa know about this?
‘Steven, where is Gus Newberry’s house?’ I asked, holding my breath, willing him to know.
‘Gully Road, Seagrove Bay. It’s new. Mr Newberry only bought it last year, a three storey house he told me.’
Steven barely noticed me leaving. I stared through the rain-spattered windscreen negotiating the dark, empty roads towards Seagrove Bay.
Behind every deception there was yet another deception. I could hardly keep up with it, or comprehend it.
I turned into Gully Road and drove slowly down it. There were houses on the right hand side only. Towards the end, just before the bay, was a large detached three-storey house. It was in darkness. It was the early hours of Sunday morning. There was no sign of Rowde’s car. I hadn’t expected to see it. This must be Gus’s house.
With a pounding heart I rang the bell. There was no answer. I rang again, this time keeping my finger on it. A light came on in the upstairs bedroom and then in the hall.
‘Who is it?’
Relief flooded through me as I recognised the voice. ‘Let me in, Vanessa.’
‘Alex! Go away please.’
‘Are David and Philip there?’
‘Alex, this won’t help.’
‘Help what?’ She didn’t sound like a terrified kidnapped woman. But then why should she when she had come here with her husband? ‘Do I have to shout at you through the door? I could wake the boys up. Do you want them asking questions?’
‘You can’t take them away from me, Alex.’
So that was it. ‘Is that what Gus told you?’
‘They’re not going to live with you in Switzerland or anywhere else when you claim the money you stole. I’m not letting you take them. I�
��m calling the police.’
‘You do that,’ I said tautly. ‘But first tell Gus what you’re going to do.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Is he there with you?’
‘No.’
She was lying. ‘Tell him I don’t have the money.’
I left her. There was no Rowde or marble man here. There was no kidnap. Rowde had been paid by Gus to threaten me and Rowde had been conned into believing I really did have three million pounds. I didn’t think he was going to be very happy when he discovered he’d been tricked. I didn’t want to be the one to tell him, but it looked as though I might be. It was either that or confess everything to the police. I could just see Crowder’s look of disbelief before he charged me with the murder of Westnam, Deeta and Miles. What was I going to do? I had to go back and confront Gus, and I had to do so in front of a witness, Vanessa.
I turned back, but had hardly gone two paces before a hand gripped my shoulder and spun me round. I was staring into the large, solemn face of DCI Crowder.
‘You’ve been very busy, Alex. I think it’s time we had a chat.’
My heart sank. This could only mean one thing: Crowder was about to arrest me. I had no choice but to fall into step beside him. I could hardly run away. I wouldn’t get far. I could see the waiting car just ahead of us.
Crowder continued, ‘You might like to know that a man’s body has been washed up at Niton.
What’s left of his fingerprints matches those of Clive Westnam. Darren Cobden, the man in the storage warehouse where Joe kept your file, has also been found dead, on the tip at Port Solent in Portsmouth.’
This was worse than I had dared to imagine. I had forgotten about poor Darren, his chocolate covered little girl and his harridan of a mother.
‘Quite a trail of murder and deception, wouldn’t you say?’ Crowder posed.
I snatched my head to look at him. ‘I didn’t kill any of them.’
‘Not even Miles?’
‘That was self-defence. He was going to kill Ruby Kingston and me.’
‘And Westnam?’
‘A thug called Rowde and his henchman are responsible for that. Miles killed Joe Bristow, Darren and Deeta. He was going to kill me.’ I searched Crowder’s face. It was devoid of expression. ‘Please, you have to believe me,’ I pleaded, seeing my freedom slip away.
In for the Kill Page 18