Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (29 page)

Chapter 37

On the way to the station James looked across at the pale skin of his son's face.

“Mitch, it will be ok, just tell them the truth”

“But will they believe me?”

“I gave Rob up in Warwickshire the file that you sent to Simon's friend to decode”

Mitch turned and stared at his Dad

“What was on it? She had files on all of us, including Charlotte and you from years back and Stephanie”

“File of staffing rota's from Hereford Hospital that I need to get Stephanie to corroborate belong to her husband Mark”

The dim light from the passing street lights highlighted the white of Mitchell's skin. First Charlotte pregnancy and now more intrigue about his mother's past. His head was spinning as they reached the station and were ushered in.

Placed in separate interview rooms Inspector Peters walked into the one with Mitchell and handed him a coffee. He noticed the nervous shake of his hand as he quickly put the mug down.

“It’s ok, I just need to clarify who you are and ask you a few questions”

Mitchell nodded his head, all the while his eyes flitted to the door as if afraid she would appear.

“Is she here?”

“If you mean Felicity then yes she is, locked up in a cell so there's no need to be afraid”

Mitchell took a sip of coffee but still the fear gripped him, he had lived with it for five months now and it still suffocated.

“So tell me about how Felicity, your mother, kidnapped you. Please take your time and try to speak clearly as I will be recording this conversation as evidence”

Sitting across the table Inspector Peters listened as Mitchell replayed the events of his drugging, the fake bike accident and then the trip to America where he assumed the identity of Matthew Carmichael-Astaire. All the while his heart pumped a bit faster and his mind showed him images of Charlotte.

“Thanks Mr Cooke, if you can just wait here while we speak to James and then you can both leave but we may need to speak again tomorrow”.

As he crossed the room he laid a hand on this young man's shoulder, he could feel the quiver of fear. His story had been incredulous but just the clarity in his eyes told him it was the truth. Inspector Peters had heard many liars in his time and this young man was not one of them. He entered the other room and found James pacing the room.

“Is he ok?”

“Yes, I just need to ask you a couple of questions and then you are free to leave for the night but we might need to ask you further questions after our interview with Felicity tomorrow”

James nodded and then sat down and once again Inspector Peters listened as James filled him in on the files that Mitchell had found.

“So what about the rota lists for Hereford Hospital, do you have any way to corroborate that they are the shifts of Stephanie Eden's late husband” Inspector Peters asked.

“I'll need to speak to Stephanie and we have been interviewed by Chief Inspector Blackstar so he might be able to get clarification from Hereford Hospital”

“That will be fine for now, I may need to interview you again tomorrow so can I take contact details for you and Mitchell?”

Once James had confirmed the hotel and his phone number Inspector Peters showed him out and they caught a taxi back to the hotel.

Inspector Peters walked slowly into the holding cells and found Felicity sitting calmly on the bench.

“Can I go now Officer, I assume this has been some sort of mistake?”

“I'm afraid not but as its late we won't be questioning you until tomorrow so if you need to contact your representation then let me have his details?”

“Oh there's no need for that but can you tell Daniel that I love him”

Peters walked away and back to the waiting room and the young man called Daniel.

“Felicity is being detained until tomorrow, I will need to know where you are staying tonight and may need to speak to you tomorrow”

Daniel nodded and Maya clung to his arm as he gave Inspector Peters the address for Zach's flat and then his mobile phone number.

“Did she say anything else?”

“Only to tell you that she loves you”

Hearing those words told Daniel that he needed to contact Keith and fill him in on the situation.

In the hotel James turned to Mitchell

“Do you fancy a drink?”

“Yes, don't think I'll sleep without one” Mitch sighed, feeling James' hand on his shoulder. The bar was still opened so they walked in and James ordered two brandies. He tapped his glass against Mitchell's

“Here's to having you back”

“Thanks Dad” Mitch managed, gulping back the golden liquid quickly before his throat constricted from the tears trying to rise. James did the same and then they took the short walk to their rooms.

James watched him enter before slowly opening the door across the corridor. I heard the click as he tried to pull it closed and I reached to switch the bedside lamp on.

“Sorry I didn't mean to wake you” James said.

“I wasn't asleep” I murmured, watching as he pulled off his clothes and I lifted the duvet. He glimpsed my naked body and slipped in beside me. I opened my arms to him and revelled in the way he filled them, making me complete. My lips found his and our tongues collided with joyful abandon. I saw the glint back in his eyes, the one that had been missing since Christmas.

His body pressed against mine, squashing my breasts but failing to keep my nipples from staying erect. His eager fingers trailed the swell of breast, the valley between and then furrowed deeper before his tongue took over. I was helpless in his sexy assault, panting as my blood boiled and my emotions teetered on the precipice of desire and love. Snug in the aftermath I lay in his embrace.

“I still can't believe it” I breathed

“I know, Mitchell back and us grandparents soon”

“Tell me I'm too young for all this”

“You and me both”

A shaded image of Felicity fluttered in the shadow of the curtains while my eyelids closed. I just hoped that this arrest would be the end of things but I somehow knew that her snake like abilities might allow her escape. If that happened then none of us were safe. I shivered and James pulled the covers around us, his arms the protection I needed to ward off the nightmares.

In the room Mitchell stood for a moment, his gaze out over the still bright lights of the capital. His mind was back in time to their very first time, the magic and wonder of Charlotte's sweet skin joined to his. Then the worry and fear seeped in, checking the door was shut and locked he raced to the bathroom and threw up the remains of lunch and the brandy. He shivered, kneeling on the tiles and held his head in his hands. The events of the last few hours were overpowering. He stood up and started the shower, hoping the warmth of the water would warm the ice flow inside him.

Zach watched the door, waiting to see who would return from the police station. When Daniel and Maya walked in he breathed a quiet sigh of relief that they had detained Felicity.

“I'll show Maya to the spare room” Dan said. This would give him time to call Keith from the privacy of the hallway phone. Zach nodded and took a gulp of wine, it tasted bitter on his tongue.

“Is it ok for me to use the phone, the battery in my mobile has died” Dan shouted from the hallway.

“Yeah, go ahead”

Zach waited a few moments and then picked up the spare handset in the lounge. He listened to the conversation between Daniel and Keith as they discussed the Health Spa computers and the storage unit. They both sounded worried when the conversation petered out.

Dan slouched into the lounge, poured a large glass of wine and slumped onto the nearby sofa, opposite Zach.

“So, what's happening?” Zach asked.

“The police will be questioning Felicity tomorrow but I don't think they have anything solid so she'll be out in a few hours”

“Look Dan, please tell me you're not wrapped up in all this”

“All what” Dan shrugged “How can they charge her with kidnapping her own son”

Zach finished his wine and swapped to the harder stuff, pouring two good measures of Jack over ice. He handed the one to Dan and sighed.

“Just be careful, she'll pin it all on you if you don't protect yourself”

Dan laughed, the JD slid down his throat in one burning mouthful.

“You're just fucked now that you've lost Charlotte back to Mitchell. I don't know how she put up with your twisted desires”

Zach was across the room before the last word tripped off his tongue. He pushed Dan back against the cushions, he could see the surprise and fear as their eyes locked.

“If you dare say anything else about Charlotte that brand on your butt will seem like a mere scratch to the skin.

“Oh, touchy, she must have gotten under yours” Dan laughed, relief as Zach loosened his grip and stood up.

“You're still a mate but you're skating a little close to the edge”

Dan stood up and the two of them wandered up the corridor. Outside the spare room Dan paused, his hand on the handle.

“Well, since the cats away I think I'd better cheer Maya up. Do you want to join me?”

“Nah, I'll pass”

Zach watched Dan disappear before he took the other spare room. On the way he passed the dining room, furniture still piled up to allow a practice space. The spectre of Charlotte in the moonlight danced in his mind.

Chapter 38

The sun glinted in through the pale blinds and I nuzzled into the heat of James.

“I guess we'd better go and tell the others the news”

“In a minute, I've missed too many morning kisses from my wife” he breathed, his lips touching and tasting.

After our usual over indulgent use of shower gel I knocked the door for Sarah and Chris, Pam and Peter. James did the same for Mitchell and knowing he would be a little while he joined us at the table.

“So what happened at the station” Pam asked, as James took the seat opposite her.

“They're holding Felicity ready for questioning today, then I'm not sure. I guess they either detain or release her”

A silence fell and before James could continue all eyes were drawn to the figure approaching the table. Pam stood and rushed to enfold him in her embrace. I caught his eye and saw him swallow a lump in his throat. He took the seat next to her, his shoulders hunched slightly. Having been such a confident young man I could see the broken shell he was trying to hide. It was like seeing my scared, depressed self. Through breakfast every time a tea cup clattered or the door of the dining room opened his eyes darted there in fear.

“We will drop Pam and Peter off and go home if you guys need to stay until Charlotte is out” Sarah said. I reached across and squeezed her hand.

“Thanks Sarah” her eyes met mine, telling me without words that if I needed her I just had to call. I smiled and mouthed “I know”

In the taxi to the hospital Mitchell kept his head bowed and James laced his fingers through mine. In the waiting room I turned to Mitchell.

“We'll go in first and then you can have some time with her. I guess she'll be surprised to see you” I smiled in reassurance. I stepped into the room, James behind me to find Charlotte sitting up against the pillows. A flame of colour brushed her high cheekbones. She was still connected to the drip and monitor but she held out her arms to me.

“Hey, sweetheart, you look a lot better” I said, brushing a kiss to her forehead.

“Hi Charlie, you gave us quite a scare last night” James joked, sitting down in the chair next to mine.

“Well, you'd better stay seated then for the next one” she said, grinning at us both.

“I've been for my scan this morning and I'm expecting twins”

She reached to hand me the grainy scan photo from the bedside cabinet. James leaned over and took it from my shaking fingers.

“Twins” I breathed, studying the two tiny shapes “are they ok?”

“Yes, just a little on the small size for nearly 6 months”

I glanced across at James and we exchanged smiles.

“Well we might be able to surprise you” he said. Standing up he opened the door and motioned to Mitchell.

“Is it Mitchell” she asked.

“Yes, how did you know?”

“That's another story” it was her turn to smile as I put the photo down and left the room.

Mitchell hesitated in the doorway, afraid to see the same pale figure that had crumpled before his eyes on stage last night. But then her eyes found his and a tentative smile turned up the corners of her lips.

“Mitch” she cried, the first tear tracking its path on her skin. He was powerless to resist, closing the space between them and finding her hands outstretched to him. They felt small in his but strong as she held on.

“Oh Mitch, I'm so sorry, this is all such a big mess” she stuttered, a river of tears flowed “I'm just so glad you're alive”

Mitch remained silent. His throat tight with emotion as his own tears fell. Then he leant forward and his lips kissed her forehead, her cheek, her nose and then her lips. A tentative touch at first, the second lingered longer. Their tears mingled together only stopping as they drew apart. Mitchell felt his legs starting to shake so he sat down, his eyes never leaving her face.

“You were amazing up there”

“Not as good as when we dance together” she whispered, fresh tears threatened “Arlene wanted both of us”

“I saw you at the airport, the girl in the hat”

“Yes, I knew it was you. That was when I found out I was pregnant”

“Is it mine?”

“You mean are they yours?” She glanced across to the photo on the side and he picked it up. He saw the outline of two little bodies, clinging together.

He shook his head in wonder at the image before looking up.

Charlotte reached for his hand. She took it in hers and placed it on the bump beneath the covers. He waited and then felt a tiny barrage of kicks, his heart leapt. In that moment it didn't matter, he loved her and he loved the life growing inside.

“I hope they are yours, but they might be Zach's. I can explain...I thought you were dead....I was lonely and missing you and....” She was silenced by his lips on hers again.

The monitor beep increased as Charlotte's heart leapt at his kiss and then it kept going up and up. A nurse burst in and they sprang apart as she checked the monitor and Charlotte.

“I think you need to rest again” she smiled. James and I had followed her in and took in the sight of our children mid kiss.

“You need to stay in another night but we'll come back again this afternoon” I said “so just do as the doctors say”

Mitchell lingered for one more kiss, struggling to let her go. Her smile the last thing he saw when he closed the door.

Zach was watching the main entrance of the hospital and once Stephanie, James and Mitchell had disappeared from view he strolled in. With a bit of persuasion the Nurse let him in to see Charlotte. Pushing the door open he stepped inside, alarmed by the beeping of the machine and the drip in her arm.

“Zach” Charlie gasped, watching as he advanced to the bed. He pecked her cheek lightly and perched on the edge of the mattress.

“You're looking better than you did yesterday, you certainly stole the show” He took a newspaper clipping from his pocket and gave it to Charlotte.

“New show brings a rising star so bright that even her dramatic ending to the performance fails to tarnish her brilliance”

Charlotte felt a blush rising up her neck and peeped over the top of the page to see Zach grinning back at her.

She read the whole article and then tried to hand it back to Zach.

“No you keep it, you deserve every word of praise. I was totally blown away by you on that stage”

“Yeah, but I really did stuff up the ending” she rubbed her belly, feeling another light volley of kicks. She put the clipping on the side and it knocked the scan image to the floor. Zach leant down and picked it up, took a long look and then his eyes met hers again.

“Twins, you should be huge by now”

“Yes, that's why I'm on the drip. I've got to eat more, rest and no dancing until after they're born. I just hope that Arlene will forgive me”

“Yes, so you should listen to them and not be so stubborn”

“You can talk” she joked, he looked away from her bright gaze. His mind had returned to the thought of the babies being his, but he shook it away.

“Well, I guess I'd better leave you to the resting part. I'll drop your suitcase back at your home when I go back tomorrow”

“Thanks Zach” she breathed “I hope we can still be friends” her voice dropping to a faltering whisper.

“Of course, just get better or I'll...” He arched his eyebrow, his gaze hot and Charlie felt a tingle in her ass.

He turned to kiss her cheek again but this time Charlie moved and his lips brushed hers.

“Take care, Lottie”

“You too, Zachary”

“Shall we find a bar, I could do with a drink after that shocking news” James laughed. He put his arm around me and Mitch trailed behind us. The nearby pub boasted a delicious menu so we ordered food, drinks and I left the two of them at the table to use the ladies. On my return James was on the phone.

“It’s the police” Mitch said, as I sat down at the table. I watched James finish the call and return to the table.

“There's good news and bad news”

“Ok, let's hear the bad first?”

“They can't detain Felicity any longer so she's been released on bail pending further investigations”

“Charlie” Mitch said “What if she tries to do something to her” his skin had turned white and I saw the knuckles clench.

“Calm down Mitch, the police are monitoring Felicity and the hospital staff have being advised to not let anyone other than family in” James assured.

“I'm going back there, I can sit in the waiting room”

“Mitchell let the police do their job, you need to conserve your energy Dad to be!”

The atmosphere lightened as Mitch tried a tentative smile.

“Ok, Grandad” he retorted.

“So what's the good news?” I asked.

“The police in Hereford are re-opening the Mark Eden case as long as they can corroborate that the files held on Felicity's pc are directly related to Mark's shifts”

The ice in the glass of my gin and tonic rattled as my hand shook and I turned to look at James in shocked surprise.

“What files and why didn't you tell me sooner”

“I didn't want to say anything while you were worrying about your Mum in New Zealand, the only issue is that they will need hard evidence to prove it, your word will not be enough they will need confirmation from the Hospital”

“Or would a diary belonging to me help?” I asked, a grin spreading over my features “I've kept the ones from the year Charlotte was born just to keep track of appointments but I also kept Mark's shifts in there too so we could attend the relevant scans together” I was struggling to control my excitement “We just need to search through some of the boxes in the attic when we get home”

With a new spring in my step we finished our meal and returned to the hotel. After visiting Charlotte again we were informed that she would be discharged in the morning.