by Lulu Taylor
McCORQUODALE: To the late The Hon. Alexander McCorquodale and Imogen Heath, a son, Alexander Ivo Dunstan McCorquodale.
She felt a shiver of fear. Why was Adam interested in Alex? ‘Oh my God,’ she whispered. ‘What does it all mean?’
His text galvanised her into action. She’d been in a state of near paralysis since she’d opened that cupboard. Now she began to move, frantically. She flew through the flat, picking up her things as she went, then slammed the front door behind her. As soon as it was shut, she remembered with horror that she’d left the cupboard door open, revealing the shrine within, and that the spare key must still be on the coffee table where she’d left it.
Too late now. She had to get away. She needed to get home, to think. Adam was Sophie Harcourt’s brother! The man she’d fallen in love with, the man who’d banished the terrible voice, the man who’d been her rock since Xander’s death … Sophie Harcourt’s brother.
Why does he have those cuttings? Does he want to hurt me?
In the car, she pulled away at speed while dialling her mobile with the other hand. She pushed it into the hands-free cradle and activated the speaker as she turned the car towards central London.
Imogen picked up within a few seconds. ‘Allegra, thank God!’
‘Midge, where are you? Where’s Alex?’ she shouted.
‘I’m at home. Alex is asleep. Where are you? You’ve been gone for hours!’
‘Get Alex and get out of the house, right now! I’ll meet you out the front.’
‘Alex? What are you talking about? He’s fine. He’s fast asleep.’
‘I’m serious!’ Allegra yelled. ‘Pack his things. I’m coming to get you. Be ready for me.’ She pressed End and cut the call before Imogen could ask anything else.
When her Jaguar screeched to a halt in front of the Regent’s Park house, Imogen was ready for her. It was dark. In other circumstances, Allegra would have wanted nothing more than to go inside the cosy house, have some dinner and chat with Imogen about the business of the day. But today was far from normal. Today was the day she’d lost everything she’d worked so hard for. Today was the day she’d discovered that she knew nothing about her boyfriend except that he must believe she’d had something to do with his sister’s death … Her only thought was to get herself, Imogen and Alex somewhere safe, somewhere Adam couldn’t find them. She needed to think everything through, understand it …
She jumped out of the car as Imogen came down the front steps with Alex slumbering in his car seat, warmly tucked in, oblivious of all the fuss.
‘I’ll put him in. You put the bags in the boot.’ Allegra wedged the seat into the back and began to thread the seatbelt through it as Imogen stowed the large amount of luggage that Alex needed, no matter how short the journey.
When they were all safely in the car, she turned to Allegra and said breathlessly, ‘What’s all this about?’
‘I’ll tell you when we get there,’ she said grimly, and the car pulled away from the kerb with a squeal of tyres on asphalt.
The Jaguar wove through the late-evening London traffic, down past Regent’s Park, along the Marylebone Road then over to Marble Arch where they headed south down Park Lane, flying round Hyde Park Corner to head west on the lower side of the park.
‘We’ll go to Onslow Square,’ Allegra said. ‘As far as I remember, Adam doesn’t know about it.’
‘Adam?’ Imogen looked confused. ‘I thought this must be about Romily.’
‘Romily?’ Allegra threw her a startled look. Was Imogen talking about the sale of the clubs? ‘How do you know about Romily?’
‘Mitch told me,’ Imogen stuttered. ‘But I didn’t realise you knew. I was going to tell you when you’d stopped driving.’
‘What the hell are we talking about?’ shouted Allegra, bewildered.
‘Please, let’s just get to the house,’ Imogen begged, throwing a glance over her shoulder to the back seat where her son was sleeping peacefully. ‘We can talk about it all there.’
A few minutes later they screeched to a halt in front of the Onslow Square house. Allegra had not been there for years. She’d shaken its dust from her feet, feeling it represented everything in her life that was holding her back. Perhaps she’d been right.
She pressed the bell. Please, God, don’t let my parents be there!
There was no answer for a long while.
‘Fuck, fuck, fuck!’ she swore, pressing down with her thumb on the bell while Imogen stood, white-faced and anxious, holding the car seat over one arm.
At last, the front door opened and the housekeeper stood there in her dressing gown. ‘Lady Allegra!’ she gasped when she realised who she was looking at. ‘I wasn’t expecting anyone tonight. I was in the mews house at the back when the buzzer sounded.’
‘Hi, Julie. Sorry to spoil your evening. We’re staying here tonight. This is Imogen and this is her baby, Alex, Xander’s son. I’m sure you know about him.’ Allegra pushed past her into the hallway.
‘Of course, her ladyship showed me the pictures. Ooh, what a lovely baby!’ crooned the housekeeper.
Imogen proudly turned the seat to display Alex to best advantage. ‘He’s nearly three months old!’
‘Can we do all the cooing and cuddling when we’re safely inside, please?’ Allegra demanded brusquely. ‘Shut the door, for God’s sake.’
Twenty minutes later, Alex had been transferred to a bed, bolstered in by pillows so he couldn’t roll off, although he usually lay unmoving in his sleeping bag all night long. He was fast asleep.
Imogen and Allegra were in the drawing room, sitting with cups of hot sweet tea and a plate of sandwiches and biscuits in front of them. Julie had retired to her mews flat once she was sure that they were well looked after and had all the towels and fresh bedding they needed.
‘This may be the second worst day of my life,’ Allegra said. She looked grey and drawn, nothing like her usual glamorous self. ‘The day Xander died was the worst. But this is close.’ She looked up at Imogen with tragic eyes. ‘We’ve lost the clubs.’
‘I know,’ Imogen replied in a soft voice. ‘I can’t believe David would do such a thing.’
‘He’s ill,’ Allegra declared emphatically, wrapping her fingers round her tea cup as if seeking comfort from its warmth. ‘I’m sure of it. He’s been strange for months. Forgetting things, getting stuff wrong that is basic for him. I should have taken more notice, made the connections. Today he …’ Her face contorted at the memory. ‘He accused me of stealing money.’
Imogen gasped. ‘Oh my God, that’s terrible! How could he? You’re right, he must be ill. But … I don’t understand. What’s Adam got to do with all this?’
‘Oh my God … Adam!’ Allegra put her head in her hands, chilled suddenly, remembering the shrine in the flat. ‘Midge, it’s terrible. Adam is Sophie Harcourt’s brother.’
Imogen drew her breath in sharply. ‘What?’
Allegra nodded. ‘I found out when I was in his flat this afternoon. What’s even worse, it looks like he’s been stalking me for years and years.’ She shut her eyes, pain on her face. ‘I don’t understand, Midge. I love him and I thought he loved me. It must all have been a lie! Oh, God, do you think he blames me for Sophie’s death?’ She shuddered.
Imogen sat bolt upright. ‘No. I can’t believe that. I’ve seen you together. He loves you, I’d swear on my life.’
‘But, Midge … he’s Sophie’s brother.’ Her voice was tight. ‘How can he love me?’
‘But he can’t possibly know what happened. None of us have ever told. We were never linked to Sophie’s death.’
‘I know, that’s what’s freaking me out. Why? Somehow, he’s made the connection.’ Nausea bubbled in Allegra’s stomach and she held on to the sofa, swaying slightly. ‘God knows what conclusions he’s drawn.’
‘Do you think he wants to hurt you? To hurt us?’ Imogen asked, her face frightened. ‘Is that why you wanted to get us out of the house?’
‘I just don’t know,’ Allegra cried. ‘I can’t believe he’s capable of hurting me – or why wouldn’t he have done it months ago? He’s had every opportunity!’ She had a sudden flashback to her first encounter with Adam, when she’d picked him up in that bar. If he had wanted to, he could have killed her then. No one would ever have known they’d met. But he didn’t. ‘No …’ She frowned. ‘I don’t think he’s going to hurt us. But I wanted to get us both away from the house until I can get my head sorted out.’
‘So you don’t think he could have been involved in what’s happened to Romily?’ Imogen asked in a quiet voice.
Allegra looked at her, her face apprehensive. ‘What’s happened to her?’
There was a mixture of fear and disbelief on Imogen’s face. ‘Oh, Allegra – Rom’s been kidnapped! Mitch came to the house today and told me everything. Ted Mitchell is Mitch, her husband. Their divorce was a sham, they’re still in league with each other … they bought the clubs together. I think she’s been funding his business empire all along. Whoever’s taken her wants twenty million dollars – or they’ll kill her.’
Chapter 62
IMOGEN TOOK SOME persuading to leave Alex behind, but after the long-suffering housekeeper had been woken up again and asked to sleep in the same room as the baby, with the security system in place and the phone by her bed, she finally agreed.
‘We needn’t be long. You’ve got to come with me,’ Allegra said to her. ‘There have been too many misunderstandings and mistakes. We need to stand together now.’
The drive from Onslow Square to Mitch’s Chelsea house was not a long one. Imogen had already called to say they were coming.
‘You’re only just in time,’ he’d told her. ‘I’m leaving in a few hours.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘Not on the phone. I’ll explain when you get here.’
They pulled up in front of a white-rendered, low-built house. They rang the doorbell and a tired-looking maid answered and led them through the ground floor. It was contemporary in style and ostentatiously expensive, with black marble floors, white columns and halogen spotlights everywhere. The chairs and sofas were upholstered in either white or black leather and the tables were of glass, marble or chrome.
‘Very fancy,’ murmured Allegra, as they followed the maid to a closed door. When she knocked, a voice inside called, ‘Come in!’ and the maid opened the door and stood back to let them pass.
The room was a large study, dominated by a vast and extraordinary desk covered in cream crocodile skin. Men in suits stood about it and sitting in the chair behind the desk was Mitch, looking tired and anxious, the least formal of them in a black crew-neck sweater and Armani jeans. He got up when he saw them and walked over. He stopped a few paces away and waited apprehensively as Allegra strode towards him.
She stood facing him, proud and beautiful. She looked him up and down very slowly, and then said in a voice dripping with disdain, ‘So, Mitchell, you bastard, you stole my clubs after all.’
Mitch’s eyebrows flickered in a barely discernible frown. Then he replied in a lazy drawl, ‘Well, I guess you’re the bitch who wrecked my marriage.’
They stood there, facing each other off, antagonism crackling between them.
‘This isn’t going to help anyone,’ Imogen said in a pleading voice. ‘We’re here to help Romily, not have a fight. We can worry about the other stuff when she’s safe.’
There was a pause while Mitch and Allegra still eyed each other suspiciously, then he turned to Imogen. ‘OK,’ he said reluctantly. ‘I’m willing to button my mouth for the time being. Why are you guys here? What have you got for me?’
‘How good of you,’ Allegra retorted coolly. ‘I don’t know if I’m feeling quite as magnanimous, if I’m honest.’ Just then her phone beeped. She looked at it and her expression changed. She held it out to Imogen. ‘It’s from Adam.’
‘“You’re not at my place. You’re not at your place. Where are you?”’ Imogen read out in a faltering voice. ‘Do you think he knows that you’ve found out?’
‘He must by now,’ Allegra said. ‘I left the cupboard door open. He’ll know what I saw.’
‘What’s this about?’ Mitch said impatiently. He gestured round at the men standing silently by. ‘We have work to get on with.’
‘I have a possible lead, someone who might be connected to Romily. I’ve discovered my boyfriend is someone from our shared past.’ Allegra hesitated before saying slowly, ‘Does the name Sophie Harcourt mean anything to you?’
Mitch gazed back at her and then nodded. ‘Sure. I know about what happened. Romily told me.’
Allegra took a deep breath. ‘I’ve just found out that my boyfriend Adam is Sophie’s brother. And he’s been following my every move for years.’
Mitch whistled lightly. ‘OK. I can see that’s serious. It goes beyond your average coincidence.’ He thought fast, frowning. ‘You think this guy might have kidnapped Romily?’
Allegra put a hand on her hip and stuck out her chin. ‘I don’t know. But it’s possible. All three of us are connected to his sister. I thought I should let you know, just in case.’
Mitch turned to a young Indian man and they stood aside for a brief, muttered conversation. The young man then directed Mitch’s entourage back to work at a line of computer screens further down the office. Mitch himself approached Imogen and Allegra.
‘OK,’ he said, ‘your theory is that this guy may be out to seek revenge on you for his sister’s death. I agree he might be best avoided from now on, but I don’t believe he’s taken Romily.’
‘Why not?’ Allegra asked, a flicker of relief in her eyes.
Mitch shook his head. ‘Where’s her car? Her driver and her guard? Those things can’t all just disappear thanks to one weedy English guy.’
‘He could have help?’ Imogen suggested.
Mitch nodded slowly. ‘It’s possible. But snatching one of the richest heiresses in Europe is not something an amateur can pull off; he’d need professional help. And if he’s got that, I’m going to find out about it. That’s why I’m leaving here. I need to see a friend of mine. Time to wheel out the big guns.’
‘Where are you going?’ Allegra asked.
‘To New York. I’m going in an hour and I’ll be there late-morning New York time. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Meanwhile I’m going to get my team here on to this Adam guy – if there’s anything to find out about him, they’ll know it in a few hours. We’ll find out the truth, don’t you worry.’ He addressed Imogen. ‘Here’s what I want you to do. Stay here where it’s safe and keep in touch with Romily’s parents. It’s important that they don’t break and go to the police yet; they must play for time, give the kidnappers the impression they’re collecting the ransom. Whatever happens, they mustn’t pay any money, not yet. I think that would be a death sentence for Romily.’ A spasm of emotion passed over his face as he said the words, but he fought for control.
There was silence while they all absorbed this awful thought.
‘We’ll do what you think is right,’ Allegra said at last. ‘Whatever it takes to stop Adam.’
Mitch nodded. ‘I appreciate that.’ He stared at her hard. ‘I’d hate to think I got you wrong, you know.’
‘I think there are plenty of wrongs to put right,’ she said softly.
Imogen reached for her friend’s hand, and Allegra squeezed it in return.
Chapter 63
ANOTHER TEXT ARRIVED on Allegra’s phone. I know what you found. Let’s talk about it. She shuddered and passed it to Imogen, who gasped.
‘This is really frightening!’ she said, her voice tremulous. ‘I want to be with Alex.’ She looked upset. ‘I can’t believe I’m not with him.’
‘He’ll be perfectly safe,’ Allegra said, trying to soothe her.
‘I want him with me,’ Imogen cried, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I’m going to get him! He’ll be safer here. There are hundreds of heavies to look out for us. Be
sides, he’ll wake up for a feed soon.’
They were still at Mitch’s house, in one of the black-and-white sitting rooms, huddled together on a leather sofa. He’d left half an hour previously to go to the airport. In his study, his associates were on phones and computers, following up leads and now working over everything there was to find out about Adam Hutton or Harcourt, whoever he was. Mitch had told them to make themselves at home, to sleep if they wanted, but they were both feeling too wired for that.
‘Don’t be silly, I’m sure he’s fine,’ Allegra said, trying to soothe her friend, but Imogen was too fraught.
‘I’ll take your car,’ she said, looking for her coat. ‘I can be there and back in twenty minutes.’
‘No, I’ll go,’ Allegra said. ‘You’re too wound up. I’ll go and get Alex. You wait here.’
Imogen sank down into an armchair. ‘OK,’ she said gratefully. ‘I just want to be with him.’
‘Of course you do. I won’t be long.’
Allegra slipped out of the front door and headed for her car.
Imogen curled up on the white leather sofa, feeling much happier. Now that Allegra was fetching Alex, she could begin to relax. She couldn’t wait to see him.
It was late – two o’clock in the morning. Time had flown since she got that phone call from Allegra telling her to get herself and the baby ready to leave. It had been a struggle to grasp all the links in the chain and see how they fitted together. Adam had seemed so nice and normal, so completely professional and utterly dedicated to Allegra: could he really be obsessed with seeking some kind of revenge? She couldn’t believe he was involved in Romily’s kidnap, but what he had in mind for Allegra was a different matter.
She shuddered. They might have known that things they’d considered long buried and forgotten would not stay that way forever.
And now here she was in a house in Chelsea, all alone except for some strange men who looked like they were on intimate terms with the shadowy world of crime and violence.