Either Side of Midnight

by Tori de Clare

  Naomi hurried down the garden and found Dan beyond the gate frantically splashing light onto every dark corner. She took hold of his arm and he swung round, ready to attack.

  ‘It was a phone,’ Naomi whispered. Dan breathed out and relaxed. ‘Lorie’s phone.’

  His eyebrows crunched together. ‘Sure?’

  ‘Certain.’

  ‘What do we do?’ Dan’s voice was quiet, but not calm.

  ‘We find her. Now. We can’t let her leave.’

  Beyond a row of spaced-out fir trees – which looked like great black giants in the darkness – on the border of the garden, a grassy embankment led to the low stone wall. Naomi lunged for the firs and squeezed between them, catching her arms. Dan followed. The slope was steep just at this point. Naomi scrambled up and hopped over the wall. There was a small dark shape tucked into the side of the road not far away. Even in poor light, the Mini was unmistakable. So Lorie was still around somewhere.

  ‘Got her,’ Naomi whispered to Dan who was right alongside.

  ‘Now what?’

  ‘When she comes out of her hiding place, we’ll be waiting.’

  ‘She has to be that way,’ Dan whispered, indicating beyond the car to the rear.

  They moved quietly to the front of the car, which was half lodged in long grass. They crouched. The wait was short. Someone was trotting up the deserted lane, panting hard. Naomi peeped out and confirmed to Dan that it was Lorie. She was holding her phone out in front of her as she ran, pressing buttons.

  ‘Now, before it’s too late,’ Naomi mouthed.

  The footsteps drew closer. Dan held his palm out to Naomi, universal sign for hold still. He pulled a penknife from his pocket and opened it out. When Lorie was right up to the car, they heard her say, ‘Nathan, it’s me.’ Dan leapt out and seized her from behind. Lorie screamed and dropped her phone. Out of pure luck, it skidded Naomi’s way. While Dan wrestled to restrain Lorie, Naomi scooped it up off the road. Lorie, in a desperate attempt to warn Nathan, started screaming that Naomi was alive.

  Naomi straightened up. Dan had Lorie pressed against the car, one arm twisted up her back. She yelped. He released a little pressure.

  Dan turned to Naomi. ‘Did you cut Nathan off or does he know?’ Naomi shook her head. There was a tense silence. ‘Naomi?’ Dan’s voice was frantic.

  ‘He knows,’ Naomi whispered.

  ‘No,’ Dan yelled suddenly. He pulled Lorie slightly away from the car and rammed her hard against it. ‘You could have walked, Lorie. But you had to come back here didn’t you? And now we’re all screwed.’

  Lorie half turned, spat at Dan, missed. Dan pushed her arm up her back again until she cried out.

  ‘You’ve betrayed your own brother,’ she said. ‘How could you do that?’

  Dan inhaled a few noisy breaths. ‘Your best friend is here in case you hadn’t noticed,’ he said, pulling Lorie free of the car, shuffling her round until Naomi was face to face with her a couple of metres away. ‘You remember her don’t you?’

  Naomi paced forward, closing the gap. She glared at Lorie. Lorie glared back.

  ‘How dare you lecture Dan on betrayal?’ Naomi was standing in front of her now. Dan held Lorie’s arms. ‘You’re finished, Lorie. You failed. You had everything once, and now I’m going to leave you with absolutely nothing.’

  ‘I’d love to see how. Nathan knows exactly where I am, and it won’t be long before he sends someone out for me,’ Lorie said, out of breath. ‘You’re out of your league, Naomi. You’ve no idea what you’re fighting here.’

  ‘All I have to do is walk into a police station.’

  ‘So why haven’t you then?’ Lorie hissed. She didn’t wait for an answer. ‘Because Dan’s warned you that the consequences of being seen are too risky and that Nathan has powerful connections that you two don’t stand a hope against. And because you’re naive and stupid.’

  ‘Oh, you think?’ Naomi lashed out and back-handed Lorie across the face. Lorie struggled to fight back, but Dan held her tight. ‘That one was from me.’ Naomi slapped her hard across the other cheek. ‘And that was from my parents who’ve loved you like you were their own daughter.’

  ‘Bitch,’ Lorrie screamed.

  Naomi moved closer. ‘Well, it’s amazing what it does to a person being tricked into marriage, then being snatched and buried alive, then being taken and tied to a bed and being left for days with nothing to do but think. And then finding out that the people you loved most were responsible, and the person you loathed most was your only real friend. You kind of find yourself in a situation like that. I recommend it. In fact, I’m betting Dan could arrange the same treatment for you too.’

  ‘Let’s do it,’ Dan said, pressing the blade of the knife into Lorie’s neck until she didn’t dare move. She drew shallow breaths.

  ‘I know you won’t hurt me, Dan. You haven’t got the guts.’

  ‘I’ve sliced into dead people plenty of times, and you’re dead to me already.’

  ‘Take her to the house. I’ll bring the car,’ Naomi said.

  ‘We can’t stay here,’ Dan said, panic in his tone. ‘Not now. Don’t you see?’

  ‘We can’t go anywhere tonight, Dan,’ Naomi argued. ‘Besides, we have a hostage which gives us some leverage. We’ll use her if we have to – if she’s worth anything to anyone.’ She stretched out one hand in Lorie’s direction for the keys.

  Lorie glared at her and held on to them. ‘You unbelievable bitch.’

  Naomi took a step closer and leaned her head forward until they were almost nose-to-nose. ‘I haven’t even started yet, but I think I’m learning the ropes. I’m not that innocent girl you followed up the aisle in my sister’s place before you took off with my husband, Lorie.’

  ‘Husband,’ Lorie mocked. ‘He was never yours. He was never even attracted to you.’

  ‘Sure about that?’ Dan cut in. ‘What if Nathan enjoyed having two girlfriends?’ he shot into Lorie’s ear. ‘Nothing turns him on more than playing games with peoples’ heads. You know that better than anyone. When your jealousy didn’t drive him crazy, Lorie, it amused him quite a lot.’

  ‘You know nothing about our relationship,’ Lorie yelled.

  ‘Then how would I know this, “Do you enjoy kissing her, Nathan?” And he never answered your question because it entertained him too much to see you beg and then throw your little tantrums.’

  Lorie tried to lash out, but Dan restrained her. The knife cut into her neck and started to ooze blood. ‘So I’ll answer your question, Lorie, seeing as Nathan never will. He loved being with Naomi and especially kissing her. She never tried too hard to impress him the way you had to, and the fact that he could never have her meant she drove him wild. So he was never yours either.’

  Lorie, who’d been flicking her attention away from Naomi’s eyes, glared into them now without blinking. Naomi said, ‘I was with him for an hour in that hotel room, Lorie. He didn’t expect me to live, so how do you imagine we passed the time?’

  Lorie shook her head and breathed hard. ‘You did nothing.’

  Naomi managed to smile. ‘Nothing? All that pent up frustration over months. What, you think he turned me down when I stepped out of the shower and didn’t bother to get dressed?’

  Tears of rage pricked Lorie’s eyes.

  Naomi carried on. ‘You think I didn’t know how to seduce him? The fact that I had no experience was what made him want me most.’

  ‘The only way he wanted you was dead.’

  ‘You know, looking back, it didn’t feel that way to me. Nathan was very keen to make the most of what time we had left.’

  Dan leant into her ear again. ‘Nathan uses people, haven’t you noticed? You served his purposes once, and now you’re no longer useful to him. Knowing Nathan, I’d say the relationship has run into a dead end.’

  ‘You’re lying, both of you,’ she yelled, eyes still on Naomi. ‘We’ll soon find out where Nathan’s loyalties lie. I know he loves me.’
/>
  ‘He doesn’t know the meaning of the word,’ Dan replied. ‘Now move it. Time for bed.’

  ‘I have to get the money to Solomon.’

  ‘You should have thought of that before you came here.’

  ‘I have to settle it by tomorrow. Let me go.’

  Dan hesitated, so Naomi stepped forward. She took hold of Lorie’s arm and prised the keys from her hand. ‘You’re going nowhere.’ Dan started to march her away, but he looked anxious as he glanced over his shoulder.

  ‘Lovely view from the window,’ Naomi called.

  Naomi got into Lorie’s car, blocking the verbal abuse Lorie was hurling back at her. Satisfied she’d convinced Lorie that Nathan would send a search-party, Naomi found a smile had settled on her lips as she considered the real truth: that Nathan knew nothing. The battery had dislodged as soon as Lorie dropped the phone. Naomi assembled it and switched it on. There was a message from Nathan, which said, ‘Why aren’t you picking up? What the hell was the screaming about? Any news about Dan’s girl?’

  On the screen in bubbles were the previous few messages they’d exchanged. Naomi got the picture pretty quickly. She pressed the screen to reply. ‘Tripped in the dark. Hurt my ankle. Dropped my phone. Dan was bluffing about the girl. Nothing happening. Staying in B&B. Off to bed now to put my leg up. I’ll set off early tomorrow to deliver the money to Solomon.’

  Boiling inside, it took a few seconds for Naomi to muster the composure it took to finish with two of Lorie’s signature kisses. Having managed them through gritted teeth, Naomi sent the message, switched off the phone and fired the car engine.

  <><><>

  After an hour of yelling and stamping her feet, Dan went up to the room where Lorie was secured, and sedated her. Dan re-bolted the bed to the wall and moved it so she could use the bathroom. He returned to Naomi in the small sitting room. They looked at each other for a few moments without speaking, then he sat beside her on the sofa, arms spread over the back either side. He looked exhausted.

  ‘She’s right,’ Dan began. ‘We’re out of our league with no way out. And we’re not safe here anymore.’ Naomi half smiled back at him. ‘What do you know that I don’t?’ he asked.

  ‘Nathan knows nothing. No one’s coming to save her skin.’

  Dan sighed in relief. His head dropped forward and he pushed both hands through his hair. Naomi produced Lorie’s phone and showed him the recent messages, stopping before the one she didn’t want him to see.

  ‘However much she winds you up,’ Naomi continued, ‘do not tell her that Nathan isn’t coming.’

  ‘I won’t.’ He relaxed and tipped his head back against the Chesterfield sofa. ‘Why did you lie when I asked you about it?’

  ‘Instinct. I thought we could use it.’

  Dan reached out and found her hand. He covered it with his and squeezed. Dan’s hand was strong and warm. Naomi looked down as Dan tentatively weaved his fingers through Naomi’s and held them there. Naomi allowed it. Seconds stretched on until, eventually, Dan let go.

  ‘Sorry,’ he said.

  She was watching him. ‘I’m not.’

  He looked at her now with his piercing blue eyes, expression serious. ‘Naomi, you know I have . . . feelings for you. I know the circumstances are awful, but I can’t help it. I’m not expecting –’

  ‘Dan,’ Naomi absorbed his gaze. ‘Things are . . . complicated, you know? I’m not even sure who I am right now.’

  Dan nodded reflectively. ‘Well, I think you’re amazing.’

  Naomi half smiled. ‘Nathan said that to me once.’

  ‘Difference is, he didn’t mean it.’ Naomi went silent a beat. ‘Can I ask you something?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘On the wedding night, did you and Nathan actually –’

  ‘No.’ She dropped her head. Dan stroked her hand.

  ‘Sorry to ask. I just needed to know. I wouldn’t put anything past Nathan.’ He paused. ‘I’m so relieved.’

  ‘Me too.’ Naomi swallowed, gathering the courage to voice what was troubling her. ‘Dan, tell me the truth, did Nathan really enjoy being with me?’

  Dan closed his eyes, opened them. ‘Honestly, I don’t know. I’m sorry. I heard her asking him a couple of times. I heard him dodging it in his typical way. I know Nathan and how he thinks. I wasn’t going to let her humiliate you, so I unleashed some ammunition I knew would hurt.’

  ‘You and me both.’ She couldn’t add anymore. She should have despised Nathan, but it was easier to blame Lorie and see Nathan as a victim, which was also stupid and illogical. Time to start thinking with her head.

  ‘I’m sure of something though,’ Dan said, pulling her from her thoughts. ‘For what it’s worth, kissing you was the best moment of my entire life.’ He paused. Their eyes locked. Naomi found herself mesmerised by the colour and intensity of them. ‘Even though you thought I was my brother.’

  Naomi shook her head. ‘At some subconscious level, Dan, I knew you weren’t Nathan.’

  ‘Really?’

  Naomi smiled weakly. ‘Nathan has never kissed me like that. I don’t think he’s ever wanted me that badly.’ Her smile fell away and she eyed Dan seriously. ‘And I’ve never wanted him as much as I wanted you that night.’

  There was a charged silence where the only sound was the measured persistence of the hall clock. Eventually Dan cleared his throat and looked away and changed the subject. ‘So, what are we going to do about her?’ He flicked a finger towards the ceiling even though Lorie’s room was not directly above.

  ‘We’re going to finish her. Finish this. Clear up the mess somehow.’

  ‘And how’re we going to do that without ending up with a bullet in our necks or the police believing you were as much involved as Nathan?’

  ‘I have an idea, but I want to think it through. Do you have a computer?’

  ‘Course.’ Dan rushed to his room and appeared within seconds with an iPad. ‘What now?’

  ‘A few days before the wedding, my parents gave us a lot of money. We set up a joint bank account and deposited the cheque.’

  ‘Why didn’t he just transfer Solomon’s money to him?’

  Naomi shrugged, but her mind got working. ‘I’m guessing a guy like that strictly wants cash, which I’m guessing takes time. I’m also guessing Nathan wanted me out of the way before he took a chunk like that out of our account.’

  Dan squeezed her shoulder.

  ‘Let’s hope he hasn’t changed the password,’ Naomi added.

  ‘He thinks you’re dead. Why would there be a need?’

  Naomi logged into the bank’s website and tapped in a user name and password. The screen went blank. Naomi held her breath.

  ‘Thank goodness,’ she said as the account details flashed up on the screen. A transfer had been made six days before, of fifty thousand pounds payable to Miss Loretta Taylor. There was still more than a million in the account.

  ‘Bingo,’ Dan whispered, looking over her shoulder. ‘This is proof of Lorie’s involvement. It’s taken her a few days to convert it into cash. Twenty for me, the other thirty for Solomon. She must have it with her.’

  ‘Give me your bank card, Dan.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘I’m about to transfer a large sum of money.’

  Dan reached inside his pocket for his wallet and produced a bank card. ‘Do you know what you’re doing?’

  ‘Yes. I’m stopping Nathan from getting his hands on my mum’s inheritance, so it’s going into your account for safekeeping.’ She looked steadily at Dan and tried to take the card off him, but he held on. ‘I know I can trust you.’

  ‘Of course you can trust me,’ Dan said. ‘But when Nathan notices it’s gone –’

  ‘It will be too late,’ Naomi said.

  ‘Too late for who?’

  Naomi eyed Dan, but dodged the question until he finally let go of the card.

  ‘I’m only sorry I won’t see his reaction.’

  ‘You’re
making me nervous, Naomi.’

  Naomi made no comment as she read Dan’s details and emptied all the money into his account except the twenty pounds Nathan had put into the account to activate it. She handed the iPad to Dan. ‘Done. I’m tired now. I need to sleep. Can we talk tactics tomorrow?’

  ‘First thing,’ Dan said, standing up. ‘I’ll go and change my bed for you. I’ll sleep down here.’

  Naomi stood up too. ‘No need. I’ll be fine down here.’ She looked at him and could see the objections in his eyes. ‘I don’t want to be anywhere near her upstairs. I don’t trust myself.’

  Dan considered it a moment and his face softened. ‘OK.’

  <><><>

  It was impossible to know when the right moment to leave would arrive. Naomi was lying on the sofa the way she had been for hours: on her back, wide awake, fully dressed, afraid of making a noise. She was clutching Lorie’s car keys and her phone – her only source of telling the time – which she was checking every few minutes. For what seemed like an age, Naomi had stayed still and waited, listening, distracting herself by going over fine details in her head. It was almost three in the morning when everything upstairs finally settled into quiet. Dan, directly above her, had stopped turning over in bed.

  At eight minutes past three, she got up to quietly locate something to write with, and on. She padded into the kitchen armed only with Lorie’s phone for light. She found a print-off of the cottage details that Dan had brought for the address and which was blank on the back. Beside it was a pencil and Dan’s bunch of keys. Naomi scribbled Dan a note, which she read back in her head.

  It said:

  Dan　–

  Whenever　you　find　this,　don’t　leave　the　house　or　try　to　follow　me.　I’m　not　bailing　on　you,　but　let　Lorie　believe　I　am　and　play　the　role　well.　If　I’d　talked　the　plan　over,　you　wouldn’t　have　agreed　to　take　any　risks.　We　can’t　hide　any　more.

  I　have　Lorie’s　phone.　Wait　for　me　to　call　you.　If　Nathan　rings,　stay　calm,　get　out　of　earshot　of　Lorie.　Tell　Nathan　she　never　showed.　Deny　she’s　been　here　at　all.