by Clare Revell
Sara raised an eyebrow. “After the way you two washed up after lunch? I don’t think so.”
“What happened at lunch?”
“Dave came over for something or other and ended up staying. They washed up. Short story is we’re now two plates short.”
“They fell out of my hands,” Luke protested.
“Uh huh.”
“And the long story is?”
“They’re not saying. That’s why I gave you the short story.”
Mary stood. “I’ll wash. You young folks start the film.”
Sara rose slowly and smiled at her aunt. “I don’t feel young, but sure.”
She headed from the room, the others behind her.
****
Mary caught Luke’s arm as the others followed Sara. “Keep an eye on her. She’s not doing as well as she makes out.”
“I will. At least she’s down here and not upstairs brooding.”
Mary smiled. “She likes your company, not that she’ll admit it.”
“I like her company, too.”
Luke went through to the lounge. He sat next to Sara, his hand almost touching hers but not quite. He glanced down. She wasn’t wearing her rings. He hoped Carole hadn’t noticed, and he made a mental note to ask Sara to put them back on in the morning. Carole would wonder why she wore no rings, since she was supposed to be married—to him.
Two hours later, the film finished.
Dave put down his drink. “It’s late. We should be making tracks.” Dave’s yawned. “I’ve got tae be in work at six AM.”
Luke motioned to the howling wind and rain outside and shook his head as he took out the DVD. “You’re tired and the weather is awful. You shouldn’t drive.”
“Nae, we’ll make it home,” Dave protested.
“Didn’t they say ‘no unnecessary travel’ on the weather forecast? I’d say going home was unnecessary.”
“It’s only ten minutes down the road.”
Luke raised an eyebrow, but the girls didn’t notice. “That’s not the point. You’ll be safer here tonight. Sara will say the same thing.”
Dave lowered his voice. “And ye’ll put us where?”
“I’ll figure out something.” Luke shook his head. “Sara, can I have a word?”
“Sure.” Sara followed him into the kitchen. “What’s up?”
“We have a problem. The weather’s too bad for them to drive home.”
“Then they stay here.”
“That’s what I said. Dave is worried about where we’ll put them. Aunt Mary is sleeping in the only other room with bedding.”
“They can sleep in your room. You can share mine. It’s not like we haven’t done it before, is it? We can put the spare sheet from my bed onto yours. Besides, we need to keep up the cover story and Carole thinks we’re married.” She paused. “And it’s not like I can’t trust you to behave.”
He nodded. “You have my word.”
“That’s sorted, then. Oh…While I think of it, did you contact a lawyer?”
“Yes, I did. Dave suggested his. You should get the papers in the next few days.”
Sara smiled at him, hesitated for a moment, and then hugged him. “Thank you.”
Luke hugged her back. “You’re welcome.”
Sara pulled back and went through to the lounge. She smiled over at Dave and Carole. “We’ll make the spare bed, and you can stay here tonight.”
“Are ye sure? Are ye needing a hand?” Carole asked.
“Yes, to the first question. No, to the second. Aunt Mary and Luke have been volunteered. Thanks, though.”
****
Under Sara’s direction, Aunt Mary removed the bottom sheet from Luke’s bed and replaced it with the top one from Sara’s bed. Then, as she had only washed the bedding the day before, she turned the duvet and pillows over.
Luke took all his things off the night table and put them and some clean clothes in Sara’s room. He left a clean pair of pajamas out for Dave while Sara put towels and one of her nightgowns out for Carole.
Mary touched Sara’s arm. “Are you folks sure about this? I don’t mind having the other room.”
Sara shook her head. “It’s fine. It’s only one night, and we’re supposed to be married. We can’t have Carole finding us coming out of separate rooms in the morning. Besides, the leftenant’s promised to be on his best behavior.”
Dave and Carole came up the stairs, ending the conversation. “Are ye sure it’s nae bother?”
“None whatsoever,” Luke assured Dave. “The bed’s ready. There are night things and towels on it for you.”
“Thanks.”
Carole smiled at Sara. “It’s very kind of ye tae put us up like this.”
“It’s what friends are for. Goodnight.”
“Night.”
Luke turned to Sara. “I’m going to lock up. I won’t be long.”
“OK.” Sara went down the hall and into her room. She sat down on the bed and buried her head in her hands.
After a few minutes, Luke came in, closing the door behind him. He crossed the room and sat next to her. “What’s wrong? You look worried.”
Sara shook her head. “Everything, nothing, I don’t know. Carole keeps asking questions. I can’t remember what I said anymore. It’s one lie after another. What if she guesses the truth? What if I slip up?”
“You won’t. It’ll be fine.” He paused. “Do you want me to sleep on top of the sheet like before?”
“That’ll be difficult. It’s on your bed.”
He smiled at her. “Sara, you can trust me. I’m here to protect you. I promised I wouldn’t make a move on you and I meant it.” He held her gaze for a moment before he grabbed his pajamas, and went into the bathroom.
I wouldn’t mind if he did. Well you know what I mean, Lord. She changed and climbed into bed.
When Luke came back in, he turned off the light and slid in beside her. “Night, Sara.”
She smiled. “Night, Leftenant.”
****
Just after two AM, Sara woke with a jump.
“No,” she screamed, sitting bolt upright. She sat there, tears pouring down her face.
Luke put the light on, instantly alert. “Sara? What’s wrong?”
She turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him like a ship clings to its anchor in a storm, shaking and sobbing.
Luke hugged her, not letting go. “I’ve got you.”
“He was trying to kill me.”
He rubbed his hand over her back to comfort her. “It’s all right. It was a bad dream. It’s over now.”
After a while, she calmed enough to talk. “Sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. It’s all right. What happened?”
“Austin found me.” Her voice shook as she spoke. “He was going to kill me.”
Luke’s grip tightened. “It’s all right. You’re safe now. I’m here. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“You won’t always be here.”
“Sara, I’m here until he’s caught. To get to you, he has to go through me. I’ll be here as long as you need me.”
“All right.” She leaned into him, her body still shaking.
“You want some cocoa?”
“No, don’t leave me.”
“All right. Want me to pray?”
“Please.” Sara stayed in his arms as he prayed, his words helping her calm down.
Luke reached out and turned off the light. Then he lay down again, not letting go of her. “Night, Sara.”
“Night.” Sara curled with her head on his chest. His very presence made her feel safe and secure. It felt right being here, and part of her didn’t ever want to move. She could feel her body reacting to his scent and nearness. What was it about him that made her feel like this?
****
Sara sat in the kitchen the following morning, while the others ate breakfast. She’d only been sick once this morning, but she hadn’t slept after the n
ightmare and most likely looked as bad as she felt if the worried expression on the other faces were anything to go by.
Sara felt guilty for the pleasure she’d taken from lying in Luke’s arms the previous night. In her mind, her marriage had been a sham and was over. In a few days it would be legally so when the annulment came through. Anyway, Jamie was dead, so it wasn’t as if she was cheating on him. Not that anything had happened between her and Luke.
She was no longer convinced she’d seen Jamie outside the chalet. And if, by some miracle, he did turn up…she would get the annulment changed to a divorce and be done with it.
Luke came back in, having seen Dave and Carole out. “I’m calling the doctor. Your aunt agrees.”
“It’s a conspiracy, but fine, go and ring him if it’ll stop you moaning.”
Luke winked at her. “For five minutes, then I’ll find something else to moan about.”
Sara shook her head. “I would poke my tongue out at you, but Aunt Mary doesn’t approve of such childish behavior.”
Luke smirked. “She’d better stay a few more days then. I’ll go call the doc and arrange a home visit.”
“I could go to the surgery.”
“Home visit.”
Sara raised her hands in defeat. “All right, home visit.” She shook her head playfully at him as he left the room.
Mary finished her tea and put down the cup. “You really should be honest with him about how you feel, dear. Rather than hiding behind his rank the way you do. You’re not fooling me when you call him Leftenant.”
Sara sighed. “What good would it do? He’s on duty, and he’s a cop, so nothing will come of it.”
“Police officers have feelings, too.”
Sara picked up her cup. “The last bloke I got involved with was a liar and a murderer. It’s too soon, even if the leftenant does like me, which he doesn’t.”
Luke came back in. “The doc’ll be here between twelve and four. They can’t be more specific.”
Sara smiled, hoping he hadn’t overheard her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to his stealth mode. “That’s fine. Surprised he could make it at all today. Back home, I’d have to be dying before they’d send a doctor out.”
“Well, he works for the department. He has to come as soon as possible, especially if it’s a witness.” Luke pierced her with his eyes. “I’ve got a favor to ask.”
Sara put the cup down. “What’s that?”
“Would you wear your wedding ring?”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “Why?”
“Humor me. Carole might get suspicious. Dave will have to deal with the questions. We were lucky she didn’t notice last night.”
“I can’t wear that ring. I no longer have it. I put it in the bin along with my engagement ring, and the dustmen have already been.”
Luke turned around muttering under his breath. Sara watched him and then noticed the matching expression on her aunt’s face. “Like I said yesterday, my name is no longer Mrs. Barnes. It’s Miss Daniels.”
Luke spun around. “For now it’s Mrs. Nemec.”
“It was Jamie’s ring. One he most likely bought with drug money or blood money. I don’t want it and it’s gone.”
The doorbell rang. Luke shook his head and left the room.
Sara turned to her aunt. “You’re not backing me up on this one?”
Mary shook her head. “I’m sorry, dear, but you have to go with the cover story. You know that as well as I do.”
“Yeah,” Sara whispered. In her heart she knew that. And had it been anyone else’s ring she’d wear it without debate. “I’ll find something else to wear, or maybe I can tell everyone my fingers are too swollen to wear my rings.” She sighed as Luke came back in with Dave and someone else. The stranger with him was tall, balding and suited, with an air of authority.
Luke led him over to her. “Sara, this is DCI Shepherds.”
Sara shook Shepherds’s offered hand. “Chief Inspector.”
“Mrs. Barnes.”
Sara took a deep breath, about to correct him, but Luke glowered at her, and she thought better of it—even if she had been going to say Mrs. Nemec. Maybe she’d fought him on that one too many times. “This is my Aunt Mary.”
Shepherds shook her hand. “Pleased tae meet ye.”
“And you.”
Shepherds turned his attention to Sara. “Mrs. Barnes, I need tae talk tae ye about yer husband.”
Sara took a deep breath. “Is that Leftenant Nemec? Or do you mean Jamie Barnes or Robert Foster?” She paused. That made her sound like she’d been married three times, not just the once.
“Yer late husband.” Shepherds turned to Luke. “Where would be the best place tae do this?”
“Probably the lounge. It’s more comfortable in there.”
Sara grabbed her crutches and stood. “I want Aunt Mary there. She knows the whole sorry tale, and I’d only tell her anyway.”
Shepherds frowned, but he didn’t say anything.
“Hi, Dave.” Sara smiled a greeting to him as she headed though to the lounge. She sat on the couch with her aunt next to her and Luke sitting on the other side, his hand almost touching hers. She didn’t care what impression it gave. She wanted him as close as she could have him. He was meant to protect her, right? So he could protect her from whatever was coming next.
15
Shepherds voice was deep and grated on Sara’s nerves as he spoke. “Some things have come tae light over the last two days regarding yer late husband. Lieutenant Nemec insisted I fill ye in.”
Sara took a deep breath. “So the files were correct, and he was really Robert Foster, murderer, drug dealer, and arsonist.”
“Aye. He was born Robert James Foster.” Shepherds repeated what Luke and the files had told her the previous day. “Eighteen months ago, the Met picked him up in a big drug raid. He turned Queen’s evidence in exchange for immunity from prosecution and protection. They gave him a new identity and relocated him. Ye know the rest.”
Sara straightened. “Eighteen months? That was when I first met him. He was new in town and didn’t know anyone. We hit it off straight away. Why didn’t he tell me any of this?”
“He couldn’t. Foster was, tae all intents and purposes, dead. This was a fresh start, a new life. He had tae report in every week, and the Met kept close tabs on him.”
“They could have told me after he died. I mourned and buried someone who didn’t exist.”
Dave spoke for the first time since entering the room. “Sara, we need tae ask. Is there anything ye can remember about Jamie that might be useful? Friends, work colleagues, that sort of thing?”
Sara shook her head. “No. He said his parents were dead. That he had no family. He went on business trips every three months or so for Stafford—the firm he worked for. He said he’d always worked for them, but I guess that was a lie, too.”
“Have ye any idea where he went on these trips?”
“He’d go all over, though the trips never made much sense when he tried to explain them. One was to the Far East, Japan, I think. Then there was one to New Orleans. There was one to Chicago. That one lasted almost a week. Six days. He got back from that one two days before the wedding.”
“How long did the others last?”
“Four or five days. He was always back home for Thursday. He had an appointment he couldn’t break on a Thursday. A date with the parole officer, I assume?”
“Aye. Did ye ever accompany him on these trips?”
Sara shook her head. “No. He never even offered. We spent our honeymoon in Blackpool.”
“He spent a week in Chicago, and took ye tae Blackpool?” Dave looked at Luke. “It’s a seaside resort in North England. No’ exactly the kind o’place a jet setter goes on honeymoon.”
Sara studied her hands. “He said he had business contacts there. I was so cross with him for combining our honeymoon with business, but what could I do?”
“Did he see these contacts b
efore he died?” Luke asked.
“No. The visit to the cinema was the first time we left the hotel. He wanted to go. He said the fresh air would do me good.”
“Did he call anyone or receive any phone calls?”
Sara thought for a moment. “There was one call, no idea who, though. It was about five minutes before he decided we should go to the movies. He didn’t even give me time to change.”
“He took the call, and then he decided to go out?” Luke had that connecting-the-dots look on his face that she was beginning to know all too well.
“Yeah, I wanted to stay in, but he insisted. He even went and got my bag for me.”
Shepherds fixed his eyes on Sara. “I need ye tae tell us about the trip tae the cinema and Jamie’s death.”
Sara squirmed. She wasn’t the one on trial here. “Is that really necessary?”
“Aye, it is. I’m sorry tae put ye through this again, but ye may remember something new. And when it comes tae court ye’ll need tae give evidence under oath.”
She took a deep breath. “We left the hotel about six-thirty and drove to the cinema. The car park was a five minute walk away, down an alley. We left the cinema about nine-forty-five, I think. We headed back to the car. I walked into someone. There was a knife. It glinted in the street light. My bag was pulled off my shoulder, and I got pushed to the ground.”
Sara took a deep breath, her voice shaking. “Jamie gave chase, trying to get my bag back. He caught up with the man, and they fought, and Jamie fell. Then Austin shot me. He was going to shoot me again, but there were other people coming, so he ran away. I reached over to Jamie. I held him. He died in my arms…”
She broke off, unable to continue. Luke gripped her hand and she squeezed it, silently thanking him.
“How did ye know it was Austin?”
“Jamie recognized him. He told me and I pointed him out in the photo ID thing.”
Shepherds watched them. “Sara, I know this is hard. I’m sorry tae push ye like this. Is there anything else ye remember, no matter how small? The man ye bumped into. Was it Austin?”