Midnight Girls

by Lulu Taylor

  Mitch was no longer a poor chef but a rich man with a string of restaurants to his name – and now the owner, with Romily, of Colette’s, Oscar’s and Astor House. God alone knew what that would mean for Allegra’s future. Her career had been wiped out at a stroke.

  And all this time, he’d still been with Romily! That story she had told Imogen at Lake Como had been true – but only up to a point. Someone – Allegra perhaps, the de Lisles definitely – had tried to break up the marriage and appeared to have succeeded. And yet all along they had simply hidden their alliance, so that their plan for revenge could be undertaken in secret.

  Imogen shifted on the leather sofa. She recalled Romily, her eyes candid, her expression sincere, telling her that her marriage was over and appearing heartbroken. That had been a lie. Her whole social gadfly routine, too, had been an act, so that she could hide her real role as an empire builder in partnership with Mitch. She must have been kept very busy, in the quiet beauty of Lake Como, acquiring that portfolio of international businesses, running things from behind the scenes.

  An image popped into Imogen’s mind. She and Romily were on the boat, skimming the surface of the water, on their way to Como. She was happy, Romily seemed happy – it had been a marvellous moment. But something was nagging her. There was someone else in the picture, someone she needed to remember … Oh, yes, that was right. Marco … Romily’s handsome young boatman.

  Her eyes flew open. I saw Marco in Colette’s! It was him, I know it was. Gennaro’s nephew who wants to be a DJ … I knew he looked familiar. She gasped as a thought occurred to her. Perhaps he knows something. I should tell Allegra, we could find him and ask him.

  She looked at her watch. It was just after two in the morning. Colette’s was still open. Gennaro would be there and would know where Marco could be found. She must go there right away.

  She jumped up, invigorated by the surge of adrenaline that rushed through her veins. Allegra would be back in about twenty minutes, but that might mean it was too late to get to Colette’s in time to catch Gennaro.

  She ran to Mitch’s study and flung open the door. The buzz of low conversation in the room stopped abruptly and the men inside turned to look at her, instantly alert in case she proved a threat to them. ‘I need someone to drive me to Mayfair!’ she said breathlessly. ‘Right now!’

  It took some persuading to find a volunteer prepared to leave the post that Mitch had assigned to him, but when Imogen said desperately that it might be the key to finding Romily, one of the men had stood up and said, ‘I’ll take you.’

  A few minutes later they were in his standard-issue black Audi, pulling out of the Chelsea street and heading towards Mayfair.

  ‘My name’s Malik,’ he explained as they flew through the near-deserted streets.

  ‘Are you Mitch’s assistant?’ Imogen asked.

  He grinned, showing a row of perfect teeth. ‘Yeah. Kind of. I studied law at Harvard, then went to Stanford and got myself a business degree. Now I’m Mitch’s right-hand man.’ His smile faded and he shook his head. ‘I’ve never seen him so shaken up as he is right now. When we found out his girl had been snatched … it’s been all hands on deck ever since.’ He stole a quick glance at her before turning his gaze back to the road. ‘If you’ve got the breakthrough, I’m the guy who wants to be in on it. It would be the greatest thing in the world if I could help the boss.’

  ‘I hope I’m right,’ Imogen said, pulling out her mobile. She would text Allegra and let her know where she was going. No point in ringing – it would be sod’s law that the phone would go off just when she was picking up the sleeping Alex. Have gone to Colette’s to see Gennaro. Think he might have a clue re Rom. Look after Alex and see you back at Mitch’s house. X She pressed Send and went back to watching the city as they steered through the back streets towards Colette’s.

  *

  Allegra opened the bedroom door as quietly as possible. The room inside was dark, the only sound the deep breathing of Julie. She had not needed to wake the housekeeper this time, having picked up a spare key on her way out.

  She wedged the door open so that light from the hall illuminated the bedroom enough for her to see what she was doing. Inside, Alex was fast asleep on the bed; he hadn’t moved since they’d laid him there, still on his back and cosy inside his sleeping bag. His mouth was slightly open, his rosebud lips parted, and his long fair lashes curled down on to his plump cheeks. She couldn’t help smiling at the sight of him. He’s so delicious.

  She gathered his things together, then picked him up and sat him in his car seat. His head lolled a little but he stayed asleep as she strapped him in. She looked over at Julie, who was in the other bed and still undisturbed. Allegra went over and shook her gently. The housekeeper opened her eyes.

  ‘Julie,’ she whispered, ‘I’m taking Alex, OK?’

  ‘Mmm, all right,’ muttered Julie, and rolled over straight back to sleep.

  Allegra put the handles of the bag over one arm and picked up the car seat in the other. She went carefully down to the front door, trying not to jerk the seat. At the door, she put down the bag and turned the latch. Immediately it had gone back into the lock, the door was pushed open from the other side and she was sent staggering backwards, trying to regain her balance.

  ‘Allegra, I found you!’ Adam panted. ‘God, at last.’ He stared at her, his brown eyes frantic and his body tense.

  She gasped, terrified. Her first instinct was to push the car seat behind her so that Alex couldn’t be seen but it was far too big and she fumbled awkwardly with it. ‘Adam … what the hell are you doing frightening me like this?’ she demanded angrily, trying to take control.

  ‘You haven’t replied to my messages,’ he said, his breath still short. ‘It’s driving me mad. I have to talk to you!’

  He was wearing the same suit he’d had on when she’d left him at Astor House the previous morning. God, it feels like a lifetime ago. He looked scruffy and stubbly, though, a long way from his usual immaculate appearance.

  ‘What messages?’ she bluffed. ‘I’ve lost my phone.’

  An agonised look passed over his face and he closed his eyes for a moment. He took in a shuddering breath and said, ‘No, you haven’t. Listen, whatever you’re thinking … you’re wrong.’

  She blinked hard, trying to take in what he was saying. He looked so unlike her usual calm, dependable, loving Adam that it was like seeing a stranger. He seemed wound as tight as a spring, trembling and frightened. Managing to find her voice, she said, ‘How did you know I was here?’

  He smiled, almost sadly. ‘You didn’t think I knew about this place, did you? But I know everything about you. I’ve known for ages that the McCorquodales use this place as their London base, even if you don’t. It was an obvious place for you to come once it was clear you weren’t in a hurry to go home.’

  ‘So you’ve been watching the house?’

  He nodded. ‘For about an hour now.’

  ‘Why?’ Her mask of cool fell away for a moment and she stared at him with beseeching eyes. ‘Adam – why? Why all of this? You know what I found!’

  ‘Yes.’ He looked away, unable to meet her eyes for a moment. Then he gazed at her imploringly. ‘That’s why we need to talk. Please, Allegra, let me explain!’

  She struggled with herself. She was desperate to know the truth, but this new Adam, shaking and wild-eyed, frightened her and she felt a strong urge to get away from him. And she still had Alex to think of … ‘No, no. I have to go. I’ve got to be somewhere.’ She made to push past him towards the front door, but he put one hand on her shoulder and stopped her with surprising strength. She gasped and looked up at him. ‘Let me go, Adam.’

  ‘No,’ he said, his voice stronger. ‘I can’t let you go. I have to talk to you first. I have to tell you about Sophie.’

  Malik brought the car to a stop outside Colette’s and Imogen was out before Billy the doorman could get to the door.

  ‘I’ll park just up
there,’ said Malik, pointing to the top of the square.

  ‘OK.’ Imogen turned to the doorman. ‘Billy, let Malik in, please. I’ll tell Paul downstairs.’

  The club was in party mode, though members and their guests were beginning to stumble out of the bar and up to the cool evening air, to catch one of the line of taxis waiting to pick up lucrative fares or to meet their drivers in the many Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Mercedes parked around the square.

  Paul the greeter, who also made sure that anyone who tried to enter the club was either a member or a guest, looked surprised to see Imogen appear at that time of night.

  ‘Paul, someone is with me, his name is Malik. Please let him in when he comes down.’

  ‘Yes, madam.’ Paul looked unruffled – a speciality of any member of Colette’s staff.

  ‘Is Gennaro here?’

  ‘I’m not sure, madam. I think he said he might leave early tonight.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ Imogen gasped, and headed off down the corridor towards the bar and restaurant. She glanced around the bar, where some fat, rich old men were being amused by some very young and beautiful girls, but Gennaro wasn’t there, so she went into the restaurant. Only a few tables were occupied now by diners finishing their meals and the room was resonating with music from the dance floor where about twenty people were bobbing and dancing. It was dark, the only light coming from the lamps on the tables and the lights on the dance floor. It was hard to see who was present.

  She grabbed one of the waiters. ‘Where’s Gennaro?’ she demanded.

  He shrugged. ‘Haven’t seen him.’

  ‘Fuck!’ she swore. The waiter raised his eyebrows and hurried off.

  Malik appeared beside her. ‘Success?’

  She shook her head. ‘Come on, this way.’ She went to the back of the club where the wine was stored. Flinging open the door, she almost screamed with relief when Gennaro turned round from inspecting a crate full of empty bottles.

  ‘Yes?’ He came towards her, frowning. ‘Is something wrong?’ He looked suspiciously at Malik.

  ‘Don’t worry about him, he’s a friend. It’s about your nephew … Marco.’

  Gennaro looked grim. ‘Oh. Marco. I knew he was in trouble. He told me he was mixed up in something and wanted to get out of it. What’s the boy done?’

  ‘I don’t know but I think he might be able to help us. We need to talk to him.’

  ‘Is it very serious?’ Worry clouded the manager’s face.

  ‘I just don’t know, Gennaro, and I can’t tell you any more right now.’ Imogen tried to control the nervousness and urgency in her voice. ‘Where is he? Please tell me.’

  Gennaro looked past her towards the restaurant. ‘He’s through there, in the DJ’s box. He’s doing the music tonight. I promised that he could.’

  Imogen and Malik turned to stare at each other, then rushed back to the dance floor as fast as they could.

  Chapter 64

  ADAM SEEMED TO notice Alex for the first time. ‘What’s he doing here?’ He took the car seat from her and pushed her ahead of him into the drawing room.

  ‘I have to get him to Imogen,’ Allegra said quickly. ‘She’ll be desperate.’ Just then her phone beeped with an incoming text.

  ‘Who’s that?’ Adam said nervously. ‘Open it.’

  She reached for her phone. ‘It’s from Imogen.’

  ‘Show me.’

  She handed it over and he read it, frowning. ‘Clue re Rom? What’s she talking about?’

  ‘Don’t you know?’ She watched him carefully as he shook his head, looking blank, searching for any indication that Adam knew what Romily’s situation was.

  ‘Should I?’ If he was faking ignorance, he was doing it brilliantly. There was not a flicker of reaction in his eyes.

  ‘You don’t know why we should be interested in Rom?’ she said slowly.

  His face suddenly cleared. ‘Oh, Rom. Romily. Your old school pal. But you haven’t been in touch with her for years.’

  She felt a chill shiver down her spine. ‘Is there anything you don’t know about me?’

  A muscle twitched in his cheek and he blinked. ‘Not much,’ he admitted with a hollow laugh. ‘Sit down.’

  Allegra watched him put Alex’s car seat on the hearth rug as she sank on to the canary-yellow seat of the sofa. I think Mitch is right. I don’t think Adam is involved in Rom’s kidnap. So what does he want? She tried to stay calm and alert. He was obviously in a highly agitated state. He didn’t appear to have a weapon but that didn’t mean there wasn’t something concealed on him.

  ‘I need a drink,’ he said, glancing about. He went over to the drinks table and poured himself a large whisky. ‘Want one?’ he asked, turning to Allegra.

  She shook her head.

  Adam stayed standing with his back to her and said in a high, tense voice, ‘It really wasn’t supposed to turn out this way, you know.’

  ‘Wasn’t it? What exactly did you want to happen?’

  ‘That’s the crazy thing.’ He turned back to face her, his lips twitching. ‘I don’t know. Every step of the way, what I’ve wanted has changed. Except for one thing. I’ve always wanted to know the truth about how my sister died. You know she’s my sister now, of course, since you found my memorabilia.’ A despairing expression passed over his face. ‘I was stupid to leave it there for you to find.’

  ‘Maybe you wanted me to,’ she suggested quietly.

  He stared back at her, his eyes burning. ‘Maybe. Because I want you to tell me … I’ve always wanted you to tell me … the truth. Those nights when I held you while you screamed and reached for me … I knew the truth was locked up there in your head.’ His voice hardened. ‘Sometimes I imagined ripping you open to get it out …’ Then he laughed. ‘Which makes me sound like a nutter, I suppose. Your worst nightmare.’

  ‘But …’ She tried to stop the fear that had rippled through her from showing on her face. ‘But why would I know the truth about your sister?’

  ‘Come on, Allegra.’ He gave her a look that was almost pitying, and took a big gulp of neat whisky. ‘Because you were there.’

  The office seemed almost eerily quiet after the thudding music of the dance floor. Marco sat on his chair looking very young and scared. Gennaro stood next to him, translating Imogen’s questions, and Malik looked on, listening carefully.

  ‘Did you come to London with Romily?’ Imogen asked.

  Gennaro relayed the question, and Marco shook his head.

  ‘Then why are you here?’

  When Marco replied, Gennaro looked over at Imogen with a worried expression. ‘He’s just said that he came to London to visit me, his uncle. But that’s wrong. I had no idea he was coming and had the impression that he was surprised to be in London.’

  He turned back to his nephew and the two of them talked in rapid Italian, Gennaro looking impatient and Marco round-eyed and frightened, his tone defensive and scared.

  ‘Please, please, tell me what you’re saying!’ Imogen begged, unable to stand the wait.

  Gennaro turned back to her and Malik. ‘He says that he came over with two men but won’t say who they are. They told him he could make some easy money and he was interested, but when he found out that they intended to kidnap his old boss, he didn’t want anything more to do with the plan and ran off.’

  Marco looked about, his eyes terrified, and released a stream of panicky Italian.

  ‘He says that he tried to warn the boss,’ Gennaro said. ‘Sent her some pictures the men had taken, with a note. He says it’s not his fault, there was nothing he could do.’

  ‘What was the plan?’ demanded Malik roughly.

  ‘He doesn’t know,’ Gennaro said, looking helpless. ‘They planned to take her somewhere beginning with B. That’s all he knows. He wasn’t even sure if they were going to go through with it. He says he didn’t know she’d been taken.’

  ‘Beginning with B … In London? Bermondsey? Borough?’ Imogen hazarded. ‘Or further awa
y? Bromley? Brighton?’

  ‘No, no,’ Marco said, shaking his head. He looked very young and very scared.

  ‘OK.’ Malik sounded impatient. ‘I’ve had enough of all this. Tell your nephew he’d better co-operate. That lady is the wife of your new boss and it’s very much in Marco’s interests to tell us everything he knows.’

  ‘Is this true?’ Gennaro asked Imogen, looking shocked.

  ‘Yes, I’m afraid it is,’ she said sadly.

  He straightened up proudly. ‘We will help you because these men are bad and dangerous, not because we are frightened of our new boss, whoever he is. Marco knows very little – he ran away from these men and is very afraid of them.’

  ‘He knows who they are,’ Malik said curtly. ‘We need to know that.’

  ‘He won’t tell – they will kill him if he does, he says.’

  Malik looked grim. ‘He might find the alternative just as bad. Now listen, we’re all going back to the house, understand? We need to go through every aspect of this story and check it all out. Also, we will persuade Marco to give us the names of the men he came here with. He has nothing to be afraid of if he helps us. OK?’

  Gennaro looked over at Imogen who said, ‘Please, Gennaro. He must help us.’

  ‘Very well, we will come.’ Gennaro turned to Marco and talked to him in Italian.

  Malik said, ‘A wise decision, my friend. A very wise decision. You can be sure we’re going to find the men responsible for this, and it will go very much in your favour if you help us. Now let’s go.’

  ‘How did you know I was there?’ Allegra whispered. She was still sitting on the yellow sofa, and Adam was opposite her in an armchair. Outwardly, a civilised scene.

  He sighed. ‘When Sophie died, people said it was suicide. They said she’d killed herself even though the coroner didn’t give that verdict. I knew she would never have done that. Became obsessed with knowing the truth. I spent my teenage years poring over it, trying to figure it out. There was a mystery there, I just knew it.’

  Allegra said nothing but concentrated on keeping her breathing under control while she thought, None of us ever told … except … Romily told Mitch. Is that where the leak happened?