Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (37 page)

Chapter 50

Charlotte and Mitchell had dozed off on the sofa but as the door of the lift opened Mitch gave her a little shake.

“They're back” he said. Rubbing her eyes she watched as Daniel, Keith, Sasha and Zach filed in. Zach went straight to the decanter and poured four glasses. Charlie reached for her glass of water and took a sip.

“We've got the confession, Duncan recorded everything” he said, slumping down on the other sofa. The adrenaline that had kept him going through the evening had vanished.

“And” Charlotte demanded, firmly awake now. Her green eyes locked onto Zach. He swallowed but held her gaze.

“Yes, she played a part in her husband's death”

“And my Dad”

They all looked at each other, Mitch held Charlie tight to his side. He could feel her heart beating rapidly.

“She stabbed him” Zach uttered, watching her crumple before his eyes. Mitch held on, feeling faint and disgusted at the news but strangely not surprised.

“So we've got her, the police can have the tape and she'll be going down?” Charlotte whispered, before she fled the room. Mitch followed and found her throwing up in their ensuite.

“When will they find her?” Keith asked “I can at least corroborate her story with what I know and did to help”

Zach nodded and finished his drink.

“I'll call you a cab Keith” he said, dialling down to David on reception “Send the bill to the club I'll settle it

“Thanks Zach, appreciate it mate” he shook hands and then went back down in the lift.

“Dan will you ok on the sofa” He asked, but was greeted with snoring. Sasha grabbed a nearby throw and tucked it around him.

“Let’s go to bed honey, I need to sleep” she purred. He stood up and guided her along the hall to the bathroom.

“Let’s shower first I feel dirty” he said, pulling her inside. She let him undress her and then she returned the favour, allowing her fingers to linger on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat start to slow to a more regular beat. The warm water trickled over their skin, soothing and healing. It washed away the last feelings of disgust and guilt. In the bedroom they cuddled up under the covers, she filled his arms, she completed him.

It was late morning before anyone stirred. Zach found Charlotte brewing tea in the kitchen, he guessed Mitchell was still asleep. She looked at him, before holding her arms open.

“I've seen the news, she's dead” her voice flat and devoid of emotion.

“I hope everyone followed the plan, otherwise the police will be here” Zach said. Daniel had done well, he guessed the dose in his mouthful of water had been more than enough. Charlie held open her arms and he filled them, resting his head on her shoulder, the tears trickled down and between her breasts.

“I'm glad, thank you Zachary” she kissed his cheek and ruffled his hair before they moved apart.

Footsteps in the corridor found them looking into Daniel's bloodshot eyes. Zach quickly flicked the off switch on the TV in the kitchen. Charlotte sidled past them and with a coffee for Mitchell in her hands she left the two men to chat. She owed them both but now she had the hard job of telling Mitchell. Despite his vehemence that Felicity meant nothing to him she wasn't so sure. Sliding into bed next to him she pressed her lips to his shoulder, chest and followed the line of dark hair lower.

Her mouth swallowed his cock, licking and sucking in the way she knew he loved. She felt his hand in her hair as before he could protest she straddled him and lowered. She knew she was taking a risk but she needed to feel him, be part of him again. She caught his gaze as her lips silenced any protest. She moved slowly as his hand reached down to help her along. With light gasps she rippled around him and he filled her once more. His arms held her tightly and he felt her tears splash down.

“Did I hurt you” he asked. She shook her head, the tears kept falling.

“I'm sorry, so sorry” she muttered over and over again.

“About what, if you mean Zach it’s all forgiven, I'm getting to like him”

In the end the words got stuck in her throat, she found the remote control and turned on the news. It was the lead story on most channels “Wealthy Health club owner found dead in salubrious club”

Mitchell sat bolt upright and stared at Charlotte.

“Zach or Daniel”

“I don't know, they're chatting in the kitchen, but the early report states it was auto erotic asphyxiation”

Charlotte watched him stumble from the bed to the bathroom, his turn to throw up. She knelt beside him, stroking his back as he shook and trembled. Then she guided him back to the bed, letting him cling to her, almost squeezing the breath from her lungs. His grip felt so desperate, his tears a hot flood upon her neck until he gulped and stilled.

“It’s ok to mourn her, she was you Mum” Charlotte murmured.

“I guess some of its sadness but more relief, our babies will be safe now” his hand slid across her bump, soothing and comforting.

Charlie's phone took the opportunity to ring and she answered her Mum's call.

“Hi Mum”

“Charlotte, I've just seen the news, have you heard, do you know anything about it”

“Yes, we've just seen the news”

“James is a little shell shocked and wanted me to check how you and more importantly Mitchell was?”

Mitchell was listening to the call as Charlie had put it on speaker.

“Stephanie, you can tell Dad I'm kind of shaky but alright”

“Where were you both last night” I asked.

“At Zach's sister Lexie's restaurant with Zach and Sasha having dinner” Charlotte said.

I breathed a sigh of relief at the news, I had been worried about the reason Zach wanted to talk to them last weekend. Now I assumed it had just been to break the ice in case he turned out to be the father.

“I'm glad you're all getting on together, what time will you be home later?”

“Probably early evening, we have an appointment to see Arlene Phillips about our future in the stage show” Mitch replied.

Walking into the lounge they found the others watching the news, each silent in their own worlds.

“So what next” Charlotte asked, her voice trembled “She's still got away free from what she did to my Dad and her own husband”

“I think there's a way around it, Duncan is going to take the audio from the video recording and splice it together so it’s just her admissions. Then we send it to the police anonymously”

Mitchell paused for a moment, his mind reeling but still sharp.

“If you give me the recording I can plant it at the house, as after what's happened I guess I'm her sole heir, unless she decided to recognise my half- brother Darren”

They all mulled it over.

“I'll speak to Keith, he knows a fair bit legally and might have a better idea of the best way to go without running the risk of incriminating ourselves in her confession”

The voices on the news seemed loud to everyone in the silence that followed. Mitchell looked at Charlie then back at Zach, shaking his head so slowly trying to dispel the thoughts that tumbled around there. It was devastating to know that his mother had killed his own girlfriend’s Dad.

“Fucking Hell” he breathed, tears spilled from his eyes, his heart breaking for Charlotte and Stephanie. How could she still love him when he came from that woman. He tried to free his hand, to flee from eyes he felt were accusing him by association. Charlotte clung to him, tears splattered her cheeks as she remembered a Dad she was too young to know.

“Mitch just hold me, don't let go”

Hiding his tears in her shoulder he shrouded her in his embrace. Time stood still as the others tried to avoid this grief and suffering. In the end Sasha stood up, walked from the room and returned with two glasses of water. She touched Mitchell's arm and he stared up.

“I've bought you some water, I'm so sorry about all this, we're here for you, both of you” she said, catching Charlie's gaze at the same time.

Zach passed them the box of tissues to try to blot their skin dry.

“I'd offer you something stronger but I guess you're thinking about driving home”

“Thanks Zach, we're meeting Arlene about the show before we leave, she always wanted both of us” Charlie stammered.

“Good luck with that, I've only seen you dance together that time in the club but you have something special”

“Wow, I hope I get the chance to see you both” Sasha said “I'm a fitness instructor and do lots of dance based classes like step and Zumba”

Charlotte smiled at Sasha feeling that they would turn into firm friends in the future.

Mitchell stood up and went to wash his face down, Charlotte sniffed and wiped hers away. She looked across and smiled weakly at Zach and Sasha, well and truly firm friends because of this. Then she saw Daniel, staring vacantly at the screen, his skin pale and blotchy. Zach noticed her gaze.

“I'll look after him, I'm sure the police will want to contact him since they lived together. He just needs time. I guess he did find something in her to love”

Chapter 51

With their small bag packed and in the car Charlotte and Mitchell said goodbye to the others. They were meeting at a cafe just around the corner so he let Charlie lead the way. Arlene greeted them warmly as they ordered coffee and sat down.

“Look, I'm so sorry about the show and not telling you” Charlotte started out, nervously.

“We've all been young Charlotte and up to that point your performance was faultless. In a way what happened only boosted our popularity”

She took a sip of her coffee and looked at Mitchell.

“Well, thank goodness you're still alive. I didn't want to mourn the loss of a promising talent so soon”

Mitch smiled and tried to hide the tired, haunted look in his eyes.

“So here's my proposal and I hope that it's one that will suit you both” she watched them look at each other before nodding at her to continue.

“Due to the success of the show we're looking at not just a national tour here in the UK, but worldwide which will take longer to organise. I'm looking at between eighteen months and two years to put everything into place, audition for dancers and schedule rehearsals”

“Wow, that's great news” Charlie enthused, the sparkle of excitement in her eyes.

“I will not be auditioning for the two lead characters because I already have them, I want you, both of you”

Arlene let the sentence float in the silence around them. The only sound the quickening of Charlie's breath.

“So rehearsals won't start for at least twelve months so you can take that time together and look after the baby. Then I'm sure we can sit down and chat again so that you can both be sure it’s what you still want”

She smiled and watched the two young dancers taking in this offer. Charlie's hand dropped to rub the top of her bump but her eyes shone, Mitchell's were harder to discern. Arlene finished her coffee and moved to stand.

“You have my contact details and I have yours so we will keep in touch and congratulations on the baby”

“Its babies, I'm having twins” Charlie said, standing to shake hands with the woman who held their future dreams in her hands.

“Well if they inherit your looks and dancing skills I'd better sign them now” Arlene laughed, reaching to clasp Mitchell's hand in a shake. They watched her leave and then fell into each other’s arms.

Charlotte rained kisses onto his cheeks and tried to contain the joyful tears threatening to spill over. This news easily took their minds off what had happened the night before.

“Come on, let’s get home before you get too tired”

“Ok” Charlie replied, looping her arm through his. The drive back was relatively quiet on the roads and with the Dirty Dancing soundtrack blaring through the stereo they both felt lighter and carefree.

Back at the flat Zach watched as Daniel paced the floor, clearly distraught and worried.

“So should I just go back to the house and wait?” He asked.

“I guess, the police will no doubt want to talk to you so you just need to get your story straight”

“Oh fuck, what is my story”

“You had no idea where Felicity was last night and spent the evening at my club”

Daniel nodded “but what if they ask for footage?”

“I have enough stored to be able to cover that, I'll talk to Cal”

“Thanks mate, I'm probably going to have to look for somewhere else to live now. I know I'm not in the Will but I have enough jewellery to pawn”

“Right, I'm going to drive Sasha home and then I'll be back to pick you up. Go get a shower and there's plenty of coffee in the pot” Zach said.

Sasha loitered in the lounge doorway, her small bag in hand and smiled at Zach.

“I wish we didn't live so far apart” Zach said, closing the gap between them and holding open his arms.

“Not for long, I'll talk to Sam and my Mum this afternoon and then if you're free in the week perhaps you can come over for tea”

“Perfect. The clubs are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday nights so if Tuesday afternoon is alright I'll come early”

With his hand on her waist they left the flat just as the sound of the shower started up. In the lobby Zach passed an envelope to David on reception who smiled.

The drive through London was silent but parked up Sasha turned to look at Zach.

“Everything will be fine, she's gone now and we all played our part. Yes we have to live with it but surely its better than looking over our shoulders, worrying about figures in the shadows for the rest of our lives” she leaned in and touched her lips to his. Her kiss was soft and gentle as her tongue nudged to prise them apart. He yielded to her as their kiss took his breath away and the warmth of being loved filled his heart, sealing the scars.

“You're my angel Sash, just don't fly away from me”

“I promise I won't” she let her hand rest on his heart, comforted by the steadily increasing beat.

“Till Tuesday”

“Yes, not long and perhaps if things go well with you and Sam then we can start to make plans”

He watched her walk to the house and wave before stepping through the front door. Then he drove back to the flat and Daniel.

Stepping into the house the scent of a Sunday roast greeted them.

“Hey Mitch, Charlie good trip” I asked from the kitchen doorway.

“Hi Mum, yes it’s all fine, is the kettle on?”

“As always, James is in the lounge and Pam and Peter will be up in a bit for dinner”

I watched them walk through and heard a joyful bark from Jester as he bounded in from the garden. It had been a rather strange morning in the house since hearing the news. James had been both happy and then suddenly morose and then puzzled. I had tried hard to not contain my jubilation at her demise in the face of his changing emotions.

Taking the coffee through I saw a grin cross the face of my daughter.

“So what's the news, clearly you have something that needs to escape” I said, handing them the mugs. Charlie gave Mitchell a nudge.

“We had a coffee and chat with Arlene this morning about the Dirty Dancing show and she's offered us the lead roles when it starts its worldwide tour” he said, saying the words seemed to make it feel more real.

“Yes, so nothing’s going to happen much for a year so I can have the babies and settle into everything before we go on tour”

I stared in disbelief at my daughter’s excitement and turned to smile at James.

“Well, you guys kept that meeting quiet, but congratulations on the news” I said.

“Yes, we'll celebrate over dinner”

The phone rang and I stepped across to answer, it was Darren so I passed it to James. He sounded upset so when James walked out of the room to continue the conversation in the office I returned to the kitchen. Pam and Peter arrived through the open patio doors and with Pam on table duty Peter sat down with Charlotte and Mitchell. James appeared in the kitchen and crept up behind me as I stirred the gravy.

“Mmmmh something smells nice” his breath tickled my earlobe and I leaned back into him.

“Darren ok”

“Sort of, a bit dazed and shocked like all of us. I guess we just wait now for the police to finish investigating and then the funeral. We might have to organise it as her parents are both dead and that leaves me and the boys next choice”

He couldn't see my grimace at the thought of having to wave this woman off, but as his fingers lightly ran down to wrap around my waist I pushed my thoughts aside.

Dinner was a subdued affair despite the excitement of Charlotte and Mitchell's offer. The spectre of Felicity loomed around us, smothering our good moods. I wondered how long the aftermath would linger, a week, a month, forever!