by Roberta Kray
Harry shook his head. ‘It’s just procedure,’ he said as if he was still a cop. ‘There’s nothing to worry about. She’ll probably turn up tomorrow.’ He tucked the photo back into his pocket and nodded at Brett. ‘Thanks for your help.’
Brett opened his mouth as though about to protest, but then quickly closed it again as if he suspected – quite rightly – that the more he said, the bigger hole he could be digging for himself.
Back in the car, Harry checked his phone and saw that he had two missed calls and a voicemail message from Jess.
‘I’ve got news,’ she said as soon as she picked up. ‘Keynes was driving on Saturday night. He asked Guy Wilder where he could park.’
‘And he left the bar with Sylvie.’
‘What? You’re kidding!’
‘According to Brett. He says he saw them leave together through the fire exit.’
‘But she wouldn’t have done that, not unless Keynes made her.’
‘Brett reckons there wasn’t any force. He also claims he didn’t tell Keynes about the honeytrap.’
‘Do you believe him?’
‘I don’t know, but you’d have to be a complete bastard – or a psychopath – to stand back and watch while your ex-girlfriend swans off with a man who you’ve just told is the target of a set-up.’
‘Or young and stupid … and wanting revenge. Either way, it’s not looking good. I think we should call the police again, don’t you?’
‘Where are you at the moment?’
‘Home,’ she said. ‘I just came to grab something to eat. I was going to go back to Swiss Cottage.’
‘Huh?’
‘Swiss Cottage. Didn’t you listen to my message?’
‘No, not yet. Look, why don’t we meet up at the office in an hour and we’ll go through everything and decide what to do next.’
Jess breathed a soft sigh down the line. ‘Okay, but I don’t think we should hang about. We’ve got to move on this before it’s too late. If anything happens to Sylvie—’
‘I know. I’ll call Mac and we’ll take it from there.’
‘Right. I’ll see you soon.’
After he’d hung up, Harry listened to her message and thanked God that at least she hadn’t done anything rash. He could imagine her thumping on the doors of the flats in Swiss Cottage, demanding to be let in. But what if Sylvie was there? He still couldn’t figure out why she’d left with Joshua Keynes; it was crazy and completely out of character. Although he hated to admit that he’d been wrong, it was beginning to look that way. With a sinking heart, he dialled Mac’s number and prepared to give him the news.
By the time Harry pulled up outside the office it was almost eight o’clock. He got out of the car, walked to the door and put the key in the lock. It was then that he heard the voice behind him.
‘Hello, Harry.’
He turned to see Ellen Shaw standing there and his heart missed a beat. She had the collar of her coat turned up and her short fair hair was damp from the rain. But it was her eyes he noticed most of all, those wide dark eyes that he had never been able to forget. ‘I didn’t expect to see you again.’
‘Can we talk?’
‘You’d better come in.’
She hesitated before giving a nod.
Harry unlocked the door, switched on the light and then stood aside to let her go ahead of him. ‘It’s the second floor.’ He checked his watch; hopefully neither Mac nor Jess would be here for a while. As they climbed the stairs he could smell her perfume, like summer roses, soft but heady. ‘I’ve been worried. I’m glad you dropped by.’
‘Are you?’ she said, glancing over her shoulder. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me again.’
‘Why wouldn’t I?’
Ellen’s lips slid into a half-smile. ‘I wasn’t exactly welcoming when you came round.’
‘I hadn’t exactly been invited.’
They reached the second landing and Harry opened the door to his flat. ‘Come in,’ he said. ‘Sit down. Let me make you a coffee.’
‘White, no sugar. Thanks.’ She went to the window and looked down at the street. ‘Do you live here on your own?’
‘Yes.’
She gave a nod but said nothing more.
Harry walked into the narrow galley kitchen, put the kettle on and found a couple of mugs. He was trying to stay cool, not to say anything that might make her change her mind, take off and disappear again. Now she’d come to him, he was determined to get to the truth. Whether he was going to like that truth or not was something he preferred not to dwell on. She was here and that was all that mattered.
‘Harry?’ she suddenly called out.
‘Yeah?’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘What are you sorry for?’
Silence.
Harry put down the jar of coffee and went back into the living room. ‘What are you—’ He stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth falling open. Ellen was standing in the centre of the room with a small black revolver in her hand – and the gun was pointed directly at him.
COMING NEXT IN THE HONEYTRAP …
If Harry had known bumping into Ellen Shaw after all this time would end up like this, he would’ve turned round and walked away without a backward glance. She is a woman on the edge and he wants to help her, but he needs to get her to open up first. And that’s not the only thing he’s worried about. Jess is becoming increasingly concerned about Sylvie, especially now that it looks like she was involved with someone shady. Can Harry and Jess find her, and help Ellen, before it’s too late?
Full of strong characters and authentic East End gangland action, The Honeytrap is an enthralling read from the author of No Mercy and Streetwise.
The Honeytrap: Part 4 is available for pre-order now!