by Hoy, E. S
“Sorry girls did I interrupt something, I am starving let me treat you ladies to my cooking abilities” looking in the fridge he grabbed some leftover chicken, a piece of chorizo sausage and began chopping an onion. Eve was stunned but the two girls were most impressed when they were eating his jambalaya. Tara spoke with her mouthful;
“Oh my God Nathan; a talented chef too, what more could a girl ask for.” After they were full up Tara made her excuses and went to her room. Nathan sat watching the news while Eve popped upstairs to get Rory’s number from Tara
“Eve promise me you will meet somewhere public and you will keep me in the loop. I need to be on the end of a phone in case you need help. Bring him up here; maybe to a hotel or something, he won’t care where as long as he gets you alone.” Eve knew she was right; he would go wherever she told him; a plan was forming in her mind.
Eve walked back into the lounge where Nathan was relaxing, she bent down to kiss him and he dragged her on to his lap.
“Not now lover boy; we will go up when Tara is settled for the night, we can have our fun then.” Eve could feel the stirrings of his groin so gently got off his knee, Freud jumped up to take her place.
“I am just nipping out to put the bins out and check on the garage, Tony has been here all weekend so I want to see how he is doing.” Nathan nodded and she slipped outside, the bins were already in place so she rattled them around a bit and then went into the garage. The atmosphere in there was now light and fresh, the walls had been covered in a screed and Tony had made a start on levelling the floor. He was going to build some cupboards for her father’s tools. That reminded her she must ask Detective Newton about the hammer, whether or not it was a match. Pulling out her mobile she typed in Rory’s contact number and waited whilst it rang.
“Hello Rory Cartwright speaking” Eve could feel bile rising in her throat at the sound of his voice.
“Rory its Eve you wanted me so here I am” She could hear him shuffling on the other end, it sounded like he had company so was getting some privacy.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me down wild child,” shuddering at his pet name for her, it brought back all her old insecurities.
“What do you want Rory? If its money then you are wasting your time I have spent it on my house. I have a job starting in a few months but I won’t see any money for a while” she waited for his reply
“I don’t want cash I want to reacquaint myself with you. You are all grown up now so I won’t be breaking any laws; plus you are beautiful. Every guy wants a piece of your ass, the difference is you will have to give it to me.” Eve was flabbergasted, he seriously wanted sex? She was not prepared for that. She decided to arrange a meeting but then take some cash with her anyway, drain the last of Ian’s savings. Rory may still be bought, she hoped so anyway. Eve wanted to get it over with so arranged the meeting for Tuesday evening at a local hotel. There was a pub on the grounds so she agreed to meet him at the bar. Rory was trying to persuade her to meet in his room but she was having none of it. A drink to loosen them up before his room was how she convinced him.
As Eve exited the garage she spotted a female standing across the road watching her house; she was wearing a baseball cap. Eve thought it was the same woman who found Freud so she shouted to her but she darted away. It dawned on Eve she was probably a reporter, she wondered how many would be outside if they knew Nathan was staying here, she had to try and keep him incognito. Thinking of Nathan made her body tremble; as she entered the kitchen Tara grabbed her.
“Did you call?” Eve told her the arrangements; Tara was happy with her decision to meet in public, neither of them knew what the outcome would be but at least they didn’t have to wait too long to find out. Tara needed to pop out for a bit so Eve grabbed the moment and walked into the lounge. The moment she walked into the lounge she faced Nathan, blocking his view from the television. Trying to be seductive she began unbuttoning her blouse then gave him her best sultry pout and walked up the stairs, she felt a little silly but it had done the trick. Nathan was racing up behind her, he turned her towards him at the top and their mouths locked together. Walking backwards into her room Nathan pushed her down on to the bed.
Chapter 10
Eve is naked lying beneath Nathan, his hands stroking her inner thigh then brushing gently across the scar that skimmed her midriff. Bending forwards he kissed her there; Eve drew in a trembling breath and the muscles of her sex clenched with anticipation. Her breasts felt so heavy they were almost painful. His hand cupped her sex at the same time as his teeth grazed her nipple, his thumb teased her opening never quite entering her but teasing her into frenzy.
Her back arched and her hips ground instinctively, desperate for him to bring her to a climax. Opening her eyes she watched him as he smiled and he entered her so swiftly she cried out in surprise. They moved together in perfect harmony, their movements slow and gentle. They made love until she felt him shudder above her bringing her own orgasm in a rush that took her breath away. She closed her eyes smiling at the satisfaction of knowing her body gave him such pleasure. They slept until the sun broke through the curtains.
Tuesday arrived as did Eve’s nerves, Nathan sensed something was wrong but she kept busy pruning trees in the garden so avoiding his interrogations. She had told him that she was meeting with the solicitor tonight so her alibi was set; strangely her father was not to be seen that day. It was the first day he had stayed away since they had met. She wondered if he found Nathan’s presence a deterrent. Dressed down in jeans boots and cap Eve headed out, she noticed the female reporter hanging around outside again.
The pub was quiet and Eve ordered a glass of wine for courage and waited for her nemesis to turn up. An hour later he had still not arrived, he must want her to sweat, she tried his phone but it went straight to answer machine. There was a lot of commotion going on outside she had heard sirens arrive in the car park about twenty minutes previously. Eve decided to walk out; there was no way she was hanging around for that creep. As she ventured into the car park she noticed a crowd of people all congregated outside the hotel.
“Excuse me” she said to an older lady near the back “What is all the commotion about?” The lady explained that all the guests had been evacuated, they had no idea why. Eve made her way to the car when she saw Detective Newton, and he spotted her and wandered over.
“Miss Purnell what a surprise to see you here. I meant to call you today, the hammer was a match for your mum’s wound, we only found your two prints on it but I think we can assume it was your father. Two murders in less than a month, we have never been so busy.” Eve felt ice trickle down her spine
“There has been a murder here?” he nodded,
“We have a body, no ID or mobile phone; we have no clue who he is? The receptionist who found him remembers checking him in so we should have something to go on. Anyway it looks like I am needed so I will see you again soon take care Eve” As he walked away Eve was rooted to the spot, too much of a coincidence; a murder and Rory not showing up. Stumbling to her car she drove home desperate to speak to Tara. When she parked up she took a moment to compose herself, after all she had no proof the body had anything to do with Rory at all.
Nathan was cooking when she got back and Tara took the opportunity to drag Eve upstairs to find out what had gone on.
“He never showed Tara, I sat there in a state for over an hour, in the end I left. There had been a murder at the hotel and the car park was full of cops, I saw Detective Newton and he told me a man had been dumped behind the bins.” Eve paused as she saw the colour drain from Tara’s face,
“What is it? You think it was Rory too don’t you? I knew as soon as I heard, it is too much of a coincidence. But who would kill him? And who knew he was even there? Maybe he was robbed and it was just bad luck. Detective Newton did say his mobile phone had been stolen. Perhaps he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Tara sat on Eve’s bed in shock; they tried to work out what was going on. Na
than shouted up the stairs to them
“Eve you have visitors, the police are here they must have some news about your mum” Tara threw an anxious glance at Eve who had begun to tremble.
“Nathan is going to kill me, oh Tara why was I so stupid?” They trailed downstairs and Eve opened the door to Detective Newton
“I am sorry to call in so late but I need to talk to you about the incident at the hotel tonight. May I come in?” Eve led the two men into the lounge where Nathan and Tara were already seated. Nathan was staring expectantly at the Detective; Eve gritted her teeth knowing what was coming.
“Miss Purnell could you tell me why you were at the Crown Hotel this evening” Eve swallowed and risked an apologetic glance at Nathan.
“I had arranged to meet an old acquaintance, Rory Henderson, he was attempting to blackmail me. As it happens he never showed up, I sat in the bar for over an hour. I had given up when I saw all the commotion outside and bumped in to you. The body was his wasn’t it?” Nathan was hissing through his teeth, she could tell he was desperate to admonish her.
“Yes Miss Purnell, we found his checking in details and after doing a search we noticed he had been living in the same care home as you. It was too much of coincidence that he travelled all the way from London to be in the same hotel as you. It wasn’t a huge leap to connect the dots; he has a colourful history; I am sure there won’t be many tears shed over his demise. However I need to treat him like any other victim, now do you have any proof of this alleged blackmail?”
Tara dived off the sofa and ran upstairs to retrieve the envelope Eve had entrusted her with. Nathan stared hard at Eve who resolutely avoided his eyes. The detective read through the contents and passed it to the other officer.
“We will need to keep hold of this, tell me how you arranged this meeting tonight and what time you arrived” Eve spoke with as much clarity as she could;
“I used the phone number he had given, rang him Sunday afternoon, he told me he didn’t want money he wanted me. He threatened to publish a few photos as you saw and so I arranged to meet him. I was not going to offer myself to him before you jump to the wrong conclusions; I had a cheque for him. Rory is a lot of things but he loves money most; I thought I could persuade him to accept the cash and leave me alone. I arrived at seven and left at eight fifteen, the bar man can confirm that as I was sat in a booth directly opposite.” Nathan could not contain his fury any longer and stood to his feet
“How foolish are you Eve, you can’t handle pieces of shit like him on your own. You should have come to me; we would have handled it through solicitors. You are not alone in a kids home now, you can’t just brave things out anymore you have to depend on other people.” His words stung Eve and she knew he was right but the detective hadn’t finished his questions.
“Who else knew about your meeting tonight?” Tara whitened and looked extremely uncomfortable
“I told nobody but Tara, and before you jump to ridiculous conclusions she was here with Nathan all night so you can forget that line of enquiry.” Tara and Nathan both confirmed they were together and that satisfied the Detective.
“Miss Purnell since you have arrived in my town we have two bodies. Now I appreciate the first was nothing to do with you; but it seems you have a guardian angel as regards Mr Henderson, he was going to cause you a lot of problems and someone removed him. It was most likely bad luck but I can’t rule out this connection either, someone may have done you a huge favour but I need to find out who that is. I will be in touch again, once I have checked out your alibi, I am sorry you are being dragged into this I will see myself out.”
Nathan stood to his feet as his phone vibrated he frowned when he saw the caller ID
“I have to take this don’t think that I have finished with you yet either.” Eve watched as he went outside to take the call. Tara was still shaking, standing up she walked over and hugged Eve
“It will be okay, you will see; I am going to bed, you two need to talk. Don’t let this come between you, at the end of the day Rory being gone is a good thing despite the way it occurred. Detective Newton is right you must have a guardian angel up there.” With that she left Eve alone with her thoughts, she stood up and looked out of the window. The woman with the cap was stood across the road staring in at her, Eve pulled the curtains across. At least the press wouldn’t be surprised at the police visiting; the discovery of a body in her garage had already made the news. Hopefully they would assume the visit was linked to that, and not dig about for more dirt.
Nathan walked back in looking tense; he grabbed Eve by the shoulders
“Something has come up I have to go back to London, I am sorry to leave you with all this going on but it looks like you don’t need my help anyway.” He headed upstairs to pack his few things into a holdall. Eve sat down stairs wondering if she had completely blown it with him; her independent streak may have just ruined the best thing she ever had. Nathan came down stairs putting his bag on the floor he pulled her to her feet.
“I am angry Eve, only because I care, that man wanted sex and he could have taken it without permission. You put yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily, I understand why you did it but I don’t like it. While I am away think about this Eve; can you really open yourself up and allow me in? If you can’t then it won’t work between us. I want to take care of you and I want to be allowed to love you but only if you let me in.” He kissed a very stunned Eve and then walked out of her house. Nathan had said he wanted to love her; love was a huge deal for Eve. Could she open herself up to a whole world of expectations? Remove the walls around her heart and leave it vulnerable? Eve had no idea if she could be that strong but one thing she did know; was that when Nathan closed the door she felt empty and hollow. Nathan had filled a gap inside her and she liked it, happy was a word she would use to describe her last few weeks and she would like to hold onto that feeling. Eve had a lot to think about and some alone time was probably a very good idea.
Chapter 11
Eve woke up the next morning with the same hollow feeling inside, she missed Nathan already. She wondered what had been so urgent that he had to leave in such a rush. The house seemed quiet noticing the time she sat up, Tara must have left already without saying goodbye; she was really stressed last night. It was probably good that she could focus on her friend for a few days, Nathan and Michael had taken all her attention recently.
Thinking of Michael she wondered where he had been yesterday, apart from her trip to London she had not gone a day without seeing him at some point. Eve slipped her robe on to go down stairs when she felt something in her pocket; she slipped out a little red book. Eve had totally forgotten the diary she had put in her pocket in the garage. She took it downstairs with her made a drink then sat in the conservatory to read it.
The diary was from the year 1989, Eve was born in the September of that year. She began skimming through January; Leila must have been seeing Michael then, she wondered whether there were any mentions of him. As Michael never discovered her pregnancy that would mean his departure would have been in the next few weeks. Reading through January she was surprised to find no references to Michael at all, in fact she only spoke of Ian and Izzy. They were worried about Isabella’s state of mind, apparently she had become withdrawn. Ian wanted Leila to take her to a Dr; as he was that concerned. Eve wondered if Izzy had worked out her mother’s secret and that was what had unsettled her. It fitted with her dad’s reason for them breaking up; he had said Leila was concerned about Izzy.
February was much the same and then March was almost blank apart from one single entry a small passage on the 18th;
I feel so guilty, how did I not see this, how did he hide it. My poor baby what are we going to do with her? Ian wants to kill him, I don’t blame him he deserves it. We have to put Izzy first now forget him he has gone. We can’t change what he did, and we can’t undo it. All we can do is deal with it…….
Eve was a little confused Leila didn’t sound
like a woman who had just broken up with her true love. Reading the earlier extracts Eve didn’t sense any unhappiness in her relationship with Ian. Eve was about to read the next entry when Michael knocked on the window startling her. She looked at the clock and realised she had been so engrossed the time had flown by. Although she was still in her robe she let him in curious as to why she hadn’t seen him the day before.
“Eve sorry did I make you jump? You were deep in thought, that book must be fascinating.” Eve wrapped her robe tight feeling a little exposed
“It is a diary of mum’s I forgot it was in my pocket I was just reading about Izzy and how distressed they were over her state of mind. It is no wonder the two of you decided to break up” Michael was staring at the diary as if it was the most sacred book in the world. Eve made a snap decision
“I will go and throw my gardening clothes on, you put the kettle on and if you like have a read you may find some answers about me, and it is from the year I was born.” Michael was visibly moved by her offer so she left him to it and went upstairs. By the time she came back down, a drink was made and Michael was holding the diary looking confused.
“Eve did you find the other pages? Some are torn out just after the entry you were reading, it seemed to me Leila was going to explain but the next two weeks are missing” Eve snatched the diary off him scanning it thoroughly. She had not noticed any pages gone, yet you could see the edges remaining, she couldn’t understand it at all.
“I didn’t notice at all, maybe it was too painful and she ripped them out, I am so cross that box has gone to the tip, maybe the pages were loose. Sorry Michael I thought you may find out how I came to be, are there any references to her pregnancy in there?” Michael shook his head, Eve was gutted she was so excited when she found that this morning. They drank in silence then Eve broached the subject of his disappearance yesterday. Michael looked exhausted now she had time to look properly, he must be burning the candle at both ends.