They both dressed and went downstairs for dinner.
Nico was sat at a table in the dining room when Veronique walked in for dinner. He stood up in disbelief, when he saw her with the blonde hair. He called across the room, over the heads of all the other diners and they stared at him and the sound of his loud voice. She looked across when she heard her name called, and she ran over to his table. She ran straight into his arms, and cried with laughter. They kissed passionately in front of everyone, not caring who watched.
“Oh my darling, I love you,” he said when they came up for air. He held her head in his hands and kissed her again and again. They suddenly remembered where they were and laughed and sat down. A couple of diners applauded sarcastically when they stopped kissing, and they grinned happily in their direction. They couldn’t stop talking to each other, both wanting to say so much, and yet, not saying everything they wanted to.
Suddenly, Veronique looked up, and squealed with delight when she spotted Dean. Both of them stood up and called across to him. Behind him, Ellen was walking in too and had spotted them, before he did. They walked across towards them laughing and began hugging and kissing in delight. There was background chatter as the other diners complained about them, to each other, but the four of them were oblivious to everyone else in the room. They were so happy.
Dinner was a great celebration. All of them were happy. All of them safe in the belief that each of them had killed Matt, yet none of them said a word to the others. They just enjoyed the moment for what it was, four friends all happy.
Matt got angrily into his car. He had had enough. He would find and kill them all one by one. Slowly. He would kill Ellen, his wife, Veronique his sister, Nico, her lover and Dean, his former business partner. He would keep all the money, and the businesses, and not have the hassle of them turning up in his life again. If he couldn’t have Veronique, no one else would. He got into the car and revved up the powerful V12 engine. It roared to life and he sped out into the road. His head hurt from his fractured skull. He still felt groggy from all the sleeping pills they said he took, but he didn’t remember taking, and he wasn’t quite thinking straight. Objects still span, and were sometimes blurred with his vision, but the one thing he was sure of, he was going to kill them all.
As he got angrier and angrier, he pushed the car, faster and faster. Other cars were coming towards him and they flashed and beeped their horns as he drove past. He laughed at their jealousy. They could beep all they wanted. He was the king of the road. Their cars would never drive as fast as his, be as expensive as his. They were just jealous. A car came round the corner, and the driver drove towards him, pointing to the back of his car, his face white with terror. He laughed, and laughed, as the car sped passed beeping its horn frantically, but when the next car did it and the next car, he suddenly checked his rear view mirror, and saw the back of the car on fire. He slowed down, and jumped out, just as the car burst into flames. The explosion deafened him and a large fireball enveloped him, an instant before he blacked out.
As they clinked glasses once more, Veronique stood up to make a toast.
“Lady, and gentlemen, present,” she nodded first to Ellen, and then, to Dean and Nico. “I should like to make an announcement.” They all looked up expectantly. She looked at Nico and grinned.
“I should like to ask Nico, ask you” she paused, and smiled again “to marry me.” Nico looked really surprised.
“I didn’t know it was a leap year.” He said as he smiled.
“It isn’t.” Veronique said laughing. “Will you or won’t you?”
“Of course.” He laughed happily. “I thought you would never ask!” He stood up and they kissed.
Behind them, several police officers all started walking towards their table, and they all turned and blanched. Dean and Ellen stood up, ready to be led away. Nico sighed, stood up, and shrugged to the others, fully expecting to be taken out in handcuffs.
“They have come for me,” he said to them all.
“No. It has to be me,” Veronique said in reply.
“No. We think it’s us,” Dean said, as Ellen nodded. They all looked at each other in a state of confusion.
“Madame Mellor?”
“Yes?” Both Ellen and Veronique replied in unison.
“You must come to the hospital at once. There has been a terrible accident.”
“Listen.” Nico whispered as they all walked out together. “We all have to pretend we haven’t seen each other for ages. I think it best if we all arrived at the hospital separately. We must make out we don’t know what happened whatever they say. It could make all the difference.” They all nodded and continued to follow the policemen.
Nico, Dean and Veronique all returned to their hotel rooms to wait and let Ellen go to the hospital then they all left the hotel one by one.
Epilogue
“I am sorry, we did everything we could, but his injuries were too extensive. I am afraid we lost him.”
“Lost him?” Ellen didn’t dare hope.
“Yes. I am afraid he is... dead.”
Whatever the doctor said after that point, Ellen had no idea. She could see his lips moving but didn’t hear another word. Her mind was rejoicing and repeating over and over again. “He’s dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! What a relief. She was free. She wanted to do the “happy dance” all around the corridor of the hospital.
Ellen realised she was standing alone. The doctor had gone. The next thing she knew, Dean, Veronique and Nico were all around her. They were all cuddling her. Both Ellen and Veronique were crying tears of relief as Nico and Dean just gave a nod to each other, a simple nod of understanding.
Inspector Le Sime watched them closely in their joy they had all forgotten his presence, their preoccupation was with each other. He stood up and sighed.
“I am sorry to interrupt your...grief, but I must inform you now that because Mr Mellor is dead; that you must all come down to the police station and answer a few questions; just routine of course.” He signalled to another police officer and they all walked out of the building together.
The sun shone brightly through the high windows of the wood panelled courtroom. Ellen sat stiffly in the dock. By her side Dean, Veronique and Nico sat together. Now was going to be the decision that would decide the rest of their lives.
The judge entered the chambers and they all stood. He sat down and peered over his half moon glasses. The case had been long and tedious. They all had a motive. They had all confessed to wanting the man dead. They all refused to be tried separately. It was a most unusual and unsatisfactory case, quite unprecedented.
There was a general whispering amongst the people waiting. The lawyers approached the bench and a heated argument ensued much to the annoyance of the judge.
“Learned gentlemen, please! Remember you are in a court of law and not a bar.”
“I am sorry your honour, but the state versus the accused cannot continue.”
“What?” The prosecution looked aghast.
“No your honour,” the defence continued, “I have been trying to inform our learned colleague of some surprising last minute evidence. Evidence that totally changes the proceedings and which came to my attention only five minutes ago.”
There was shocked whisperings in the room and Ellen looked at the others with her. They were as confused as she was. The lawyer paused theatrically.
“The wreckage of the car shows that it was a fuel leak which allowed the fuel to drop onto the exhaust. It has just been confirmed and apparently this can happen, rarely I admit, in cars of this vintage. This proves that none of my clients had anything to do with the death of the deceased with the car. None of them even mentioned this but each had confessed to the intention of killing him by another method. In addition, the housekeeper has just found a letter written by the deceased, informing of his intent to commit suicide. It had blown under a nearby garden bush, but we think it was originally on a table by the pool and connected to the time tha
t the police themselves, had to take the deceased to the hospital. It appears that he committed suicide.” He handed the letter up to the judge who peered at it seriously.
Veronique and Nico held hands tightly. Ellen felt the blood drain from her face and Dean looked serious.
“Has this document been verified by a calligraphist?”
“Yes your honour.”
“Well, that changes things doesn’t it?” The judge leant across to the doc and looked at them all. “So be it. The State versus The Accused is dropped due to new and substantiated evidence. Case dismissed.”
There was an outcry of surprise in the court. The four of them sat there in disbelief. They had done it. They had pulled it off. The perfect, well almost perfect, murder.
“It’s not possible.” Ellen’s voice surprised her. She wasn’t even aware she was talking. Shivers ran up and down her spine.
Never was Veronique so grateful to Matt than she was right then, that he had insisted that she hand wrote most of his business letters and he just signed them. Now when it really came to it, he had just proved their innocence. They turned to one another and hugged. They cried again with laughter with joy and with relief. Ellen felt strange. It was as though she were watching everything happen through a fog. She suddenly felt dizzy and started to swoon. Dean caught her just in time and he laid her down on the bench. They all looked at her and waited for her to come around. A few moments later she opened her eyes and she smiled.
“Dean, I have to tell you something. I have to be honest.” He looked at her, concerned showing in his eyes. “As Matt’s widow...”
“Yes?” he said fear in his voice. She started to cry again, but in happiness. “I inherit everything he left. We will get all our money back that was stolen and we get the company and assets back too.” He started to laugh with her.
“None of that matters my darling as long as we are together.”
“I have to tell you something else as well.”
“What now? We get his French villa too? Why don’t we let Veronique and Nico have that, if they want it? It can be our wedding present to them.”
“No, it’s something else. I don’t know how you will take it.”
“Whatever you tell me will be okay. I love you.” She sat up and looked at him.
“I’m pregnant.” As she spoke her hands covered her stomach protectively.
Dean took her into his arms and they hugged. Veronique and Nico were too busy kissing to hear.
“I hope it’s Dean’s.” Ellen thought as she kissed him passionately.
An Important Message from the Author.
If you have personally been affected by any parts of this fictional book or are in a situation of domestic violence or sexual abuse, please seek professional help immediately. You are not alone and there is no need to suffer in silence. There are people and groups out there who are here to help you.
There is no shame in seeking help for your situation. You can be happier without it. It can happen to any one, both men and women. You do have a voice; use it.
No sexual abuse or violence of any sort should be tolerated. No one has any right to beat, hit, harm or threaten you (and/or your children). You are a valid human being with every right to be loved for who you are. Do not to make excuses for them or be a victim. It is not your fault. It is never permissible for anyone to hit, harm or abuse you whether sexually, emotionally, physically or mentally. All abuse carries scars. So please be strong, seek help and believe in yourself.
There is always a better future...if you want it. I believe in you.
In strength and support,
Viveca Benoir
Other books by Viveca Benoir
Coming Soon in 2014/5
Matt – the Beginning
What made Matt the way he was? Who was he before he turned murderer? Was there ever a chance he had a heart? This novel takes you back into Matt’s past and shows you what happened to make him the man we all love to hate. Smouldering dark passionate secrets reveal as the pages turn. Can we forgive him?
Ellen’s Son
Ellen’s son was happy until he found a letter saying his father could be a guy called Matt. Who is Matt? And who is his real father? His life turns upside as he discovers more and more about the people in his life Ellen, Dean, Nico and Veronique.
Be thankful, he doesn’t know you. He is a twisted guy.
Dancing With Devia
When one woman decides she has met the man for her, she will do everything to get him in to her life, even if she has to resort to murder. The fact that he is already married means nothing to her. Anyone that stands in the way of her happiness becomes a target, until she gets what she wants. You had better hope she doesn’t want you.
Julian’s Jury
When Julian finds out what really happened to his life, he goes on the rampage and swears revenge on the woman, Devia, who has ruined everything for him. You wouldn’t want to be in her shoes.
About the Author
Viveca was born in W. Germany to British military parents and her early years were spent in Europe, as a result of this she speaks six European languages. (Basically meaning she can order food everywhere).
Viveca likes 'fine wine' (as in anything that is wine is fine by her), adores writing and traveling. She plays the cello, and loves to go sailing whenever she gets the chance. She has five adult children, and they are her biggest achievement in life.
A passionate believer in learning new things, Viveca is now learning to fly, and is currently studying for her private pilots license.
Viveca can be reached on:
www.vivecabenoir.com
www.facebook.com/vivecabenoir1
www.goodreads.com/VivecaBenoir
And google+
Read more at Viveca Benoir’s site.
To Murder Matt Page 29