TICK TOCK RUN (Romantic Mystery Suspense)

by Elliston, H

  “Hello,” Lee said, smiling.

  I returned Lee’s warm smile, but then worry caught up with me and my heart missed a beat when his gaze landed on Laura. Oh, Christ! Is Lee going to shout at her in front of Paul now that he knows she tried to cover up being Daryl’s mystery girlfriend? It was as though Lee’s presence tainted the house even more, and I could smell catastrophe in the air from the looks crossing between them.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” Paul said, and went upstairs.

  Scowling, Laura returned to the kitchen.

  I whisked Lee into the lounge. “I thought I asked you not to come round?” I tried to speak calmly, but to me, my voice sounded sharp.

  “What? No kiss?” Lee leaned toward me.

  I put my palms on his chest to push him away. “You’re not here to have a go at Laura, are you?”

  I listened for movement beyond the door, too on edge to kiss him.

  “Wow! You blow hot and cold,” he stated. “I warned you I’d drive over if I didn’t hear from you. I’m allowed to be concerned, aren’t I? It’s not every day people have to deal with something like this.”

  “Please don’t be angry with Laura. Don’t say anything to her, and certainly not in front of Paul. She’s got enough to cope with.”

  “You make her out to be a porcelain doll. Don’t worry, I’ll not upset her.”

  Hearing voices in the hall stopped me from continuing the conversation. We sat down, and I gave Lee a kiss on the lips. “You’ve been eating that chocolate cake,” I said.

  He smiled.

  Paul entered the lounge followed by Mark, who sat as far away from me as possible. I took this as an unsubtle snub. Getting him alone and persuading him to look into the origin of our emails would be tricky.

  Paul passed Mark a newspaper. “Here, I saved you the sudoku puzzle. If you finish it before you leave, I’ll buy you a pint of beer. I swear those puzzles get harder each week.”

  “Cheers. You’re on!”

  Laura entered, carrying hot drinks on a tray.

  “Thanks, love,” Paul said.

  Conversation ping-ponged across the room between Paul and Mark about an upcoming football match on the TV. Then Paul started teasing Mark about his driving gloves. “When will I ever persuade you to dump those things? No one has driving gloves these days. I wouldn’t be seen dead in them.”

  Mark laughed, started teasing Paul about his days of the week socks which Laura had bought him.

  It appeared to be a normal gathering of friends in good spirits. Then, the men fell silent, slurped their coffees, and Mark began the Sudoku.

  Lee took my hand in his and rested it on his thigh, but just like me, I could tell he wasn’t relaxed. He felt stiff and had a tight grip.

  I glanced around at everyone’s faces and noticed the atmosphere had a hidden layer. Mark and Lee swapped shifty eye movements and didn’t smile once. I looked between the two of them, hoping to pick up whatever I’d missed.

  Say something, Chelsea! I faced Lee. “Shall I stay at your place tonight?” I said - anything to break the tension.

  He nodded. “Sure. I’d love you to.”

  I felt a little embarrassed by my forwardness, but was pleased he’d said yes.

  Laura left the lounge. To me, the room felt sensitive in her absence.

  When she returned with biscuits, I couldn’t help noticing Paul’s intense expression. He watched her walk across the room offering biscuits to us, and then to Mark.

  “Thanks.” Mark winked at her.

  Laura’s hair swished as she turned.

  Paul stared at Laura with what I assumed were his bedroom eyes. They were part-closed, sparkly, and full of intent. As I continued watching, while munching on my biscuit, I noticed that beyond this, there was something obscure about his look. Laura wasn’t in the best of moods of late. In all likelihood, Paul was still concerned, like I was before I had dragged the truth out of her.

  Lee held a different expression altogether. He now avoided my eyes so deliberately it was as though he’d take a bullet if our gazes met. Lee sat shoulder to shoulder with me. Although his warm hand remained curled around mine, I felt invisible, as if I was a prop. Then I realised. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from Mark. But why? No words, just frosty eye talk rallied between them.

  Reluctant to leave them alone, I let Laura do all the clearing away of the cups. Then, she called my name several times from the kitchen. The men’s questioning gazes moved over to me. They probably wondered why I’d ignored her. I felt awkward. Lee nudged me with his elbow, and then I dashed out of the room.

  On entering the kitchen, footsteps drummed up the stairs. I assumed Paul and Mark had returned to whatever they were doing earlier, and only now that they’d gone did I realise just how on edge I’d been in the lounge.

  “I want you to speak to Lee away from the guys,” Laura insisted. “Find out why he’s here, then get rid of him. If he mentions his brother’s name in front of Paul then, well…”

  “It’s making me nervous, too.”

  “Please, just shove him out the door.”

  “Don’t be so nasty! I’ll get him to leave, but I need to ask him something first.”

  I’d only taken three steps into lounge when Lee reached for my arm and yanked me towards him. “Christ, Chelsea!” His breath blasted across my cheek. “How do you and Laura know Mark?”

  “What?” I asked, stunned he’d stolen my question. “He’s Paul’s best man, and I—”

  “Flippin’ heck!”

  “More to the point, how do you know him?” I asked. “And why were you swapping frosty looks?”

  “I don’t know him.” His voice lowered. “But my brother did.”

  I stepped over his feet and my hand went to my mouth. “Really?”

  “Yes. Mark was Daryl’s patient. I passed him in reception a few times when I dropped in to see Daryl at work. Mark could easily have taken the photo of Daryl’s certificate hanging on the wall of his office.”

  “Bit obvious though, don’t you think?” I slumped onto the sofa. “Anyway, that explains the cold looks between you. I thought it was something to do with me.”

  “Why did you think that?” Lee pursed his lips. After some silent seconds elapsed, he rolled his eyes. “Oh! Not another old boyfriend?”

  My cheeks warmed. “It didn’t last long. I kind of just stopped answering his phone calls. Things are a bit… awkward. But he’s got a soft spot for Laura now.”

  “For Laura? That’s fascinating. I’m starting to wonder…” He glanced around the room, drumming fingers on a cushion.

  A cold tide of dread rolled through me. It became clear that Lee was already forcing pieces together. I pictured the inside of his brain, cogs clicking and turning ever faster.

  Lee’s expression grew more serious. He arched his eyebrows then opened his mouth ready to speak.

  I cringed, realising what was coming. “It’s ridiculous!”

  “Why? Mark knows you, and Laura, and Daryl. So it’s possible he saw them together and worked out they were having an affair. If he likes Laura, then maybe he’s jealous and that is what’s fuelling this. Plus, he’ll have some idea of how much money she can get her hands on. Maybe he tried to scare you in revenge for dumping him.” Lee’s tone contained such conviction that, if I hadn’t known Mark, I might have believed his theory.

  “But Mark’s not short of cash and he doesn’t hate us. So why would he want to hurt us like this? Especially Laura. He thinks the sun shines out of her bottom. It’s just awkward with me, that’s all. Nothing strange about that after a break-up.”

  “I’m just looking at possibilities,” he said. “The motivation might be simple jealousy rather than hate, and scaring you in the process is a bonus for dumping him.”

  Despite my best efforts to stem agitation, I couldn’t stop my foot from tapping. I didn’t dare tell Lee that Mark was intelligent enough to organize and execute the blackmail plan. I decided it best to wait unti
l we weren’t in the same house as Mark.

  “At least consider the idea,” Lee muttered.

  We sat inches apart. Lee’s face, by now, resembled a much older version of himself. Pronounced age lines fanned out from his eyes in concentration. Still seriously hot, though.

  I shook my head. Almost squirming in the seat, I glanced at the door then whispered, “Mark wouldn’t come round here or agree to be Paul’s best man if he’s the blackmailer, would he?”

  “Do you think he’d look less guilty if he hid himself away? Besides, if I hadn’t come round here, you’d never have known he was Daryl’s patient. How could Mark have known that we’re together and I’d come to Laura’s house today? When Mark recognised me, he looked guilty as hell.”

  I searched my mind for an explanation. “Maybe he’s worried you’ll tell us he was seeing a shrink.”

  “He’s worried because, until I walked in, no one knew he was linked to Daryl.” Lee slapped the arm of the sofa. “Mark is a solid suspect.”

  His words echoed in my head. Severely lacking as my detective skills were, I knew that Lee had a valid point. However much I disliked it, Mark fitted the bill.

  I sensed movement in the hall. I glanced at the door, my heart jammed in my throat, my nerves frazzled. “Laura wants you to leave,” I whispered.

  “Not yet.”

  I groaned in frustration.

  “Can you think of anyone else who knows you, Daryl, and Laura this well?” Lee’s quiet voice sounded rough, smoky. He arched an eyebrow. “Apart from me, of course.”

  Lee traced a finger down the length of my arm. I liked him touching me in this way, but was too wired to respond. I lowered my head into my hands. “I don’t want it to be Mark. Laura will be devastated.”

  “But we need to find out.”

  “Oh! I don’t know. I just can’t believe it. First I find out Laura’s got this whole other side to her, and now possibly Mark… I’m starting to wonder if I really know anyone who’s in my life.” I wasn’t sure I could trust my judgement. I’d been feeling this way for a while now. So far this week, I had accused Carl, then Laura, Lee... I was so, so wrong on every count. Laura had deluded me for weeks, months. “Maybe my parents will turn out to be bounty hunters, assassins, or perhaps they’re not even my parents at all.”

  Lee swept my hair back and dipped to see my face. “I’m not hiding anything from you.”

  I raised my head. “Judging by everyone else, I wouldn’t have a clue if you were.”

  “Anyway, back to Mark,” Lee said, reaching for my hand. “We should drop a few hints and test his reaction.”

  I pushed his hand away and growled, “No! Not in front of Paul.”

  There was an unmistakeable trace of suspicion behind Lee’s narrowed eyes. He’d latched onto Mark tighter than a leech engorging blood. A shiver of dread went through me, realising he might not be able to keep quiet. I feared Lee firing questions at Mark would come across so obvious that he may as well pelt him with rocks.

  Our new number one suspect was in the house and it felt creepy.

  The sound of footsteps drifted from the hall.

  “Swear to me you won’t say anything,” I whispered. My pulse picked up. The door handle rattled. Open ears lingered metres away. I faced Lee and pressed a finger to his lips. “Not a word. Hush… someone’s coming in.”

  “So everything seems to be in hand and I can’t wait to marry her…” Paul’s words trailed off on entering the room. “Hey, Chelsea! Lee!” He flashed a brief smile in our direction and slumped on the opposite sofa, followed by Mark, who shot Lee a very brief, but worried look.

  Lee gripped my thigh. Suffice to say, my tension returned tenfold.

  Laura pattered into the lounge. She crossed the room between Lee and Mark, oblivious to walking the invisible line of conflict.

  “Laura. Anything good on telly, honey?” Paul asked.

  Lee nudged me then whispered against my ear. “Say something or I will.”

  His words almost broke me out in a sweat. I wanted to gag him, drag him out of the house and lock him in the boot of my car.

  Agitated, I looked at Mark who was watching Laura, wondering if I was indeed staring at her blackmailer, and maybe even Daryl’s killer.

  I hoped the now blaring TV would diffuse the tension. But clearly, finding solace was not on Lee’s agenda. He indicated towards Mark with his eyes, cleverly using my anxiety against me. If I didn’t speak, then Lee would. A jumble of loose words raced around my brain while I tried to string a suitable sentence together. Lee looked at me again. He arched his brows which, when coupled with him clearing his throat as though warming his voice, forced me into action.

  “The police know who sent the emails,” I blurted out. Phew! I’d done it.

  Laura pressed mute on the TV remote. She shot a heated scowl at me.

  “That’s good news,” Paul said. “I didn’t like seeing you so worried the other day.”

  “Yes,” I replied, noticing Lee’s eyes were fixed on Mark as though Lee had tunnel vision.

  “It must be someone clever,” Paul said. “That email was impressive. Speaking of clever, did you finish the Sudoku, Mark?”

  “Yeah. It was easy. You owe me a pint!”

  Lee brushed my ribs with his elbow.

  Laura glanced sideways at the TV then fiddled with the remote. The sound returned, but she began pinching her lips together with her fingers, as though locking words inside.

  “So?” Paul asked. “Who is it? Who sent the emails and what were they about?”

  I felt flustered. “Oh! Erm. They haven’t given me a name yet. Apparently it’s the account of someone who’s dead.”

  “Jeez,” Paul said.

  Lee eyed me, either expecting or prompting me to say more. Short of coming out with the pinnacle question; Mark, are you blackmailing Laura and did you kill Daryl? I had no other card to play.

  “Does Mark look worried to you?” Lee’s whisper sounded loud enough for everyone to hear. He angled his head, aiming his ear towards Mark, as though hoping to hear his thoughts.

  Laura stood. She skulked across the room towards the hall with an outraged look on her face. She mouthed, “Let’s talk now.”

  Scared to leave Lee in the room with Mark, I hesitated to follow her. But a moment later, I raced into the kitchen because I knew she’d soon shout for me.

  “Spill. Who’s using that dead guy’s account?” Laura dropped her voice to a taut whisper. “And why the hell did you say that in front of Paul?”

  “I don’t have a name. They’re monitoring the account. I only said that to test something.”

  “Great. Ruin my life by making Paul suspicious for a stupid test.” Laura placed her hand on the counter so I couldn’t move past her. “Why’s Lee acting strange? Whispering? I thought you were getting rid of him.”

  I blinked fast, feeling on the spot again. “You noticed, too?”

  “Come on, out with it.”

  “Laura, I’m trying to help. It won’t kill you to drop the attitude for once.”

  A few seconds later, Laura’s face softened. “Sorry.”

  “Okay. Lee’s got this crazy idea into his head, that Mark is the one blackmailing you.”

  “Surely not, Chelsea. What on earth makes him think it’s Mark?”

  “He does act weird around us,” I whispered, giving little away. So, I said, “I mean around you as well.”

  Laura frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

  I glanced over her shoulder. We were still alone. “You must have noticed. He fancies you.”

  Laura’s eyes seemed to widen in delight first, and then again through shock. “I’ve always had a soft spot for Mark. I can’t believe he’s capable of this. No. He wouldn’t do such a thing.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “We’re each other’s back up plan. We joke about it. You know, if we’re both single at forty, we’ll marry each other.”

  “Really?” Wh
y don’t I have one of those? “Maybe he’s doing this to split you and Paul up, out of jealousy. He wants to nudge things along. Now I have to go back in there, before Lee says something in front of Paul.”

  I pushed her aside to return to the lounge.

  She grabbed my elbow. “Hold up. Did Mark know Daryl?” Her smug tone told me she was blissfully aware that if he didn’t, it would rule Mark out.

  “Yes, he did.” I watched her mouth pop open. “Professionally. You weren’t Daryl’s only client.”

  “No way! I’m telling you it’s not him.” She angled her head. “But, saying that, he’s intelligent enough. No. I can’t see it being Mark. He’s my friend. We get on so well. For God’s sake! He’s our best man at the wedding!”

  “Who then?” I asked. “Who else knows all three of us? And don’t say Lee again, or I’ll start accusing Paul.”

  “Shut up, Chelsea. And keep your voice down. I’m starting to think that you want Paul to overhear.”

  Having recognised fury within Laura’s eyes, I chose not to retaliate, just gave her a mental slap instead.

  She hurried into the lounge, probably now more worried than I, that Lee would be firing questions at Mark. I followed her, while thinking, this isn’t so bad. Assuming, of course, that it is Mark, then Lee has it all wrong. Daryl’s death must be an accident. Mark wouldn’t kill anyone. He doesn’t have it in him. He’s just jealous, wants Laura for himself.

  Laura paused in the doorway and I rammed into her back. We were right to worry.

  “So, Mark,” I heard Lee say. A drop sensation sickened my stomach.

  Laura stretched her arm behind her back, felt for my hand and squeezed it.

  Lee continued. “That was some rain storm earlier. Did you get caught in it, Mark?”

  “I was in a meeting,” Mark replied.

  Paul looked at each of them in turn. “Do you two know each other?”

  Ignoring him, Lee said, “You must be on edge with the deadline approaching. But then, you’ve done this before... to my brother, haven’t you?”

  Laura dug her nails into my palm.

  “What deadline’s this?” Paul asked.

  I barged past Laura and butted in, “He’s talking about the best man speech.” I gritted my teeth and stared down at Lee. ”Aren’t you?”