Only the Brave (20 page)

9.40 P.M.

Allie waited impatiently until Leah came back and was settled in the cubicle again. Leah was still lying down with the brace keeping her neck secure. Allie lifted up the bag to show her.

‘Mind if I have a look in here?’ she asked.

‘No, you can’t!’ cried Leah. ‘It’s private! No.’

‘But you know I’ll only apply for a warrant and search it anyway, don’t you?’

Leah said nothing, just looked up at the ceiling.

Allie moved over her line of sight. ‘Stop messing about,’ she told her. ‘If what I think is inside proves to be right, it would be much better for you to cooperate with us right now.’

Leah still didn’t say anything.

‘Okay?’ Allie prompted.

‘Okay.’ Leah’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Allie unzipped the bag. Inside she could see a jumper and a makeup bag and prayed that Stella Elliott hadn’t been lying. She pulled them out to find a T-shirt and a pair of pyjamas. Underneath those was a pack of notes in a red paper band. Underneath that was another bundle and another.

Allie tipped the money out onto Leah’s chest. She lifted a
bundle
up in each hand.

‘Red bands around twenty-pound notes? I’d say these were bundles of five hundred pounds each. Quite a few of them. Where did you get them from?’

‘It wasn’t anywhere near Jordan Johnson, I swear! For all you know, it might not have been his.’

‘How much is there?’

‘Ten thousand pounds.’

Allie’s eyes widened. Stella had said five thousand – was her best friend selling her short?

‘I found it in the bushes,’ Leah went on. ‘I tripped over him when I was running along the grass and when I bent down to see if he was okay, I saw the bag.’

‘And you just left him there?’

‘I didn’t even remember until this morning that I’d seen him at all.’

‘So he could have been alive!’

‘He wasn’t. I swear he wasn’t.’

‘How would you remember? Selective memory is not an option here.’ Allie tried to calm herself before speaking again. ‘Were you the woman who was seen going into the entrance of Harrison House, around three thirty a.m.?

‘Yes,’ Leah sobbed. ‘I’m sorry! Everything just got out of control and –’

‘It’s called greed. You didn’t think of anyone but yourself. Actually, you didn’t think of anything apart from the money. That’s pretty heartless when a man was dying.’

‘He wasn’t dying! He was already dead!’

‘Save it for the judge. I hope they throw the book at you.’ Allie shook her head in disgust. ‘Leah Matthews, I’m arresting you on suspicion of theft and perverting the course of justice. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something that you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?’

Craig arrived at Flynn’s nightclub.

‘I parked my car around the back, out of the way,’ he told Steve as he let him into the building.

‘Good.’ Steve closed the door behind him. ‘The fewer people to see you the better.’

‘Thanks for this, mate. I owe you one.’

‘You’re not out of the woods yet. Not until I get that money repaid.’

Craig nodded. ‘Sure thing. I’ll work on it as soon as all this has died down.’

‘And I want my five grand back on top.’

‘You never said anything about that on the phone!’

‘Would you have come if I had?’

Craig’s shoulders relaxed. ‘I suppose not.’ He turned in the direction of the staff room. ‘I don’t suppose anyone’s left any grub? I haven’t eaten for hours.’

Steve put an arm around his shoulder and guided him towards the stairs. ‘Never mind that, just yet. Let’s have a drop of the good stuff while we work out our next plan of action. We need to keep you out of this to stop the police from getting wind of what really happened.’

They went upstairs and along the corridor into his office. Craig sat down opposite Steve at his desk. Steve poured two drinks and slid one across to him.

Craig knocked it back in one. ‘Nectar,’ he grinned. The door opened and he glanced up to see three men in the doorway. Shit, it was the clean-up crew.

Quickly, he turned to Steve. ‘What the –’

Steve held up his hands. ‘You don’t think I’m going to dirty these on a piece of shit like you, do you, now?’

Craig heard a knife flick out behind him and saw a bat in the hand of the youngest of the three men. Damien Nielson. A new up-and-coming jack-the-lad, always ready to prove himself. Reminded Craig of himself in so many ways.

‘Just returning the favour,’ Steve smiled.

Craig put up his hands but was dragged to his feet. The wind was taken out of him as Damien administered the first punch to his stomach while the other two men held on to his arms. A cloth bag was put over his head. He struggled but to no avail. He felt another punch to his stomach and then a heavy instrument cracked into his face, bursting his nose.

‘Watch the blood!’ he heard Steve say. ‘I don’t want the police finding evidence of his death all over this room. Use the knife when he’s in the car and get rid of that after too – and the car. No trace whatsoever.’

Steve went out of the office, along the corridor and into the
members
-only room. Even from behind the bar, he could hear Craig’s screams so he put some music on, turned it up. A few minutes later, he watched as they dragged him across the room and out of the building. He checked the screen on the television monitor until both cars were out of view. Then he pressed the erase button.

Only afterwards did he pour himself a whiskey and knock it back with satisfaction. A job well done, even if he did say so
himself
.

10.00 P.M.

With things becoming clearer in the case, Allie decided after all to go and see Karen. She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she left without visiting. As she walked to her sister’s ward, her mind kept going over the events of the past few hours. Once Leah Matthews was fit to leave the hospital, she would be taken to the station for formal questioning and charging. And then maybe they’d get to the bottom of this mess, find out where the money had come from – if it had been hidden in the hedge, if Leah was telling the truth about it after all her lies.

Had Jordan Johnson put the money there, she wondered? Was it anything to do with him and Sophie Nicklin? Had the money been payment for something else? Someone needed to see Kirstie Ryder and Ryan Johnson again.

After ringing Nick to keep him updated, she texted a quick message to Mark.

‘Hope you’re not too lonely. I’m just going to see Karen. Love you. X’

Visiting hours were over but due to the circumstances, she hoped they’d let her in. It was good to get a break. She’d been on shift for sixteen hours and still had to go back to the station before she would go home for the night.

She was surprised when Mark rang her back a few seconds later.

‘I ordered in a curry,’ he told her. ‘I still have a belly the size of Mount Everest.’

Allie laughed out loud and it echoed down the empty corridor. She loved him for wanting to make her do that, more so because it was only now she was realising just how much the past few weeks had taken their toll. He too must be close to breaking point with it all, almost as much as she was.

Apart from her, no one saw Mark when he cracked. He was placid until pushed and although it took a lot to get him to that point, once his temper exploded, he would tell her in a few words exactly what he thought. His words would sting, would break her heart in two, and then he’d feel regretful, say he was sorry and ask her if she wanted a cup of tea.

At times she hated him for it, especially when all she wanted was to have a real good slanging match, throw a few things and make up with frantic sex. But most of the time, she loved him for it. Because no matter what he said, she knew he was being honest and whatever he
had
said in temper had been meant to show how hurt
he
was and not to hurt her. Thankfully the arguments didn’t happen often because they took days to get over. Afterwards, they tiptoed around each other until they could get past the hurt and then the make-up sex was good. It grounded them again. Made them realise they were good together.

That’s what Mark did, Allie knew. In a way, he made her what she was. And she was far too selfish to see exactly what she had in him. Tears welled in her eyes and she sat down in a chair at the side of the corridor. There were only a few people milling around, the lights on dim.

‘Do you think I’m being callous, not being here with her constantly during her last days?’ she asked him.

‘No. I often think you don’t get your priorities right, but it’s what makes you what you are. You’re a stubborn cow at times, just like Karen, but who knows how long this will drag on for.’ She heard him groan. ‘Sorry, wrong choice of words, but you know what I mean.’

Allie squeezed her eyes shut tightly. ‘I think I’ve been expecting it for so long over the past few weeks that I’ve accepted it. It’ll be a shock when it does happen but we both know it will be a relief.’ A lump caught in her throat. ‘I want to be with her, Mark, but right at the end, you know? I can’t sit with her day after day watching her deteriorate until there is nothing left but skin and bones and a working heart.’ She put a hand to her mouth to stop a sob escaping. ‘Keeping busy is the only way I can deal with it. And this case is going to run on alongside it anyway.’

‘Allie, I –’

‘I won’t let her down this time though. Come what may, I’ll be there for her, no matter what I’m doing.’

She heard him gasp. ‘You can’t seriously still think that anyone blames you for being late when Karen was attacked that night?’

Allie shrugged. ‘You can’t seriously think that I won’t ever think that?’

‘You
are
a stubborn cow.’

Tommy had been keeping an eye on what was going on around Harrison House for most of the day, but more so he’d been watching what Jacob was doing. He’d seen Craig Elliott talking to him, seen Jacob on his phone, his eyes flitting around as if he was really important. Kayleigh had been at work so he hadn’t managed to speak to her until now. Unable to take or make personal phone calls, he knew a text wouldn’t be enough. Feeling better now he had seen her, she’d agreed to bend the truth a little. If questioned, she was going to say that he had been with Denton and gone to her at midnight rather than that he had been with her all night.

When he’d got home, the smell of curry greeted him. Jacob and Sandra were busy tucking into a takeaway.

‘Some in there for you, bro,’ Jacob said, shoving another mouthful in. ‘Chicken Jalfrezi, your favourite.’

‘Where did you get the money to pay for this?’ Tommy stood in the doorway. ‘You told me you were broke until your dole comes through next week.’

Jacob shrugged. ‘I have ways and means.’

‘What do you mean, Jacob?’ Sandra put down her fork.

But Jacob didn’t speak. He continued to eat his food, his eyes on the television screen.

‘What the fuck aren’t you telling me, Jay?’ Tommy asked.

‘Nothing! Chill out, man.’ He glanced up at his brother. ‘Did you go to see Kayleigh, get your story straight?’

‘There is no story. You were the one telling lies.’ Tommy folded his arms. ‘First you say you were with Diane, then you tell the police you were with me and then you cock up and tell them I was with Kayleigh and we were with one of my mates, landing us al
l in it.’

‘Leave it,’ Jacob warned. ‘It’s got nothing to do with you.’

‘It’s got everything to do with me!’

Jacob slammed his fork down on his plate and took it through to the kitchen, pushing past Tommy on the way.

Tommy grabbed his arm once he’d put the plate down. ‘I’m not doing jail for you again, do you hear? If you’re in trouble this time, you take it like a man and go inside for it.’

‘Are you saying you won’t stick by me?’

‘Tell me what you’re trying to cover up and I might feel better about it!’

‘But you’re my flesh and blood, Tommy.’ Jacob glared at him. ‘Blood’s thicker than water, right?’

‘That’s not fair. I can’t go to prison again!’ Tommy tried to plead with his brother. ‘I’m not going down for murder.’

‘Murder?’ Jacob scoffed. ‘Whatever gave you that idea?’

‘You know too much, man. And you’re trying to set everyone else up, keep the scent from you.’ Tommy grabbed the back of his brother’s neck and pressed his forehead to his own. ‘Was it you?’ He could feel Jacob’s eyes boring in to his, tunnels of hate. ‘You have to tell me!’ he cried. ‘Did you stick a knife in Jordan
Johnson
?’

Jacob drew back his head and butted Tommy. Tommy staggered back, his hands covered his face as he clutched his nose. Blood poured from it but he was more concerned that Jacob now held a knife in his hand.

‘You said you’d stick by me,’ he shouted, waving it about in front of his face.

Behind them, Sandra came in to see what the commotion was. She screamed at the sight of the knife.

‘Jacob! No, please. Put it down.’

Jacob turned towards her and waved the knife in her direction. ‘Stay out of this,’ he cried.

‘Jay.’ Tommy held out one hand as he wiped furiously at his nose with the other. ‘I have your back. You know I always will.’

‘Liar!’ Jacob waved the knife at him again. ‘You’re trying to trick me.’

‘I’m not.’ Tommy glanced furtively at his mother. ‘Just put down the knife, man.’

‘You remember what we said? Where we were?’

Tommy nodded.

‘You’ll lie for me?’

‘Yes.’

‘No, he bloody well won’t,’ said Sandra. ‘He’s not taking the blame for you again. I won’t let –’

Jacob came at her with the knife.

Sandra screamed and covered her face with her hands. Jacob pushed her to the side, into the wall, and ran out of the door.

‘Jacob!’ The front door slammed behind him.

‘He’s wrong in the head,’ said Tommy. His hands shook as he wiped off the blood.

Sandra put a cloth to his nose and leaned his head back. ‘We have to do something,’ she said.

Tommy shook his head. ‘We can’t.’

‘You can tell the truth.’

‘I have a record. They won’t believe me!’

‘You can try.’

‘No! You saw him, Mum. He’ll hurt me. And if he doesn’t hurt me, he’ll hurt you.’