Authors: Helen Phifer
***
Kav drove to Cathy’s house, the whole time making sure he wasn’t being followed. He felt guilty that he didn’t need to worry as much as the others. Henry Smith was probably not the least bit interested in either him or Cathy, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be watching. Cathy was quiet, which wasn’t like her, and as he pulled into her drive he grabbed her hand. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Oh just the usual. I was wondering if that freak of a man is going to take away everything I’ve worked so bloody hard for over the last twenty years.’
He smiled. ‘You know that you don’t need to be involved in any of this, don’t you? In fact, I’d prefer it if you weren’t. I’d rather not be worrying about the woman I’m falling in love with getting hurt.’
She looked at him. For the first time in a long time she didn’t have a sarcastic comment to reply with. ‘And I’d rather the man who I find incredibly fuckable didn’t either, but I don’t think we have a choice. I can’t sit back and watch those two fight this on their own. Shit, I didn’t think I even liked anyone, but Annie has a way of getting under your skin without you even realising it. How does she do that? It’s not as if she tries. It just happens.’
‘I know what you mean. I feel as if she’s the daughter I never had. The scrapes she’s been through and she always comes out smiling, wanting to help everyone else and apologising for the mess. I want to see her live out the rest of her life as normally as Annie can. I can’t imagine a world without her in it.’
They got out of the car and Cathy opened the front door. ‘Look at us, we’ve turned into the soppiest and probably the oldest bloody swingers in town.’
Kav shut the door behind him, locking them inside. ‘Less of the old, I can swing with the best of them.’
Cathy leaned forward on her tiptoes and kissed him. He kissed her back then scooped her into his big, strong arms and carried her to the bedroom. ‘Let’s make this a shag to remember, just in case.’
He silenced her with another kiss. Tonight was going to be a long night. They might as well fill it doing something to take their minds off the morning.
Henry didn’t sleep. He was so wired that he couldn’t even close his eyes. The images he saw when he did made him open them again. He had killed a lot of people – seven lives taken and they didn’t normally bother him, but tonight he felt as if each one of them was standing around his bed watching him. He knew it was the thought of finally making his move that was unsettling him. He’d waited so long for this day, but he was terrified that it might not go to plan.
What he needed to do was lure Annie to Beckett House. If he could get her there, then he could ambush her and take her into the boathouse, or better still the cellar. Yes, that would be for the best. It would be just like the last time. The old woman wouldn’t be a problem. He thought about killing her first so she wouldn’t interrupt, but technically he had no issues with her and he kind of liked her. Maybe he could get her to phone the police and request a visit from Officer Graham. He stopped himself.
No, Officer Ashworth, you idiot.
If she asked for Annie Graham it might set alarm bells ringing. He didn’t like her married name. It didn’t have the same ring as her own.
If she turned up with that hulking big pain in the arse he would reassess the situation, but it might just work. Megan could take care of him. As long as she took him by surprise, all she had to do was stick a knife into his side and puncture his liver. He’d bleed to death before an ambulance came. Surely she could manage that. Henry felt a little sick at the thought of finally having Annie in his arms because he knew that she wouldn’t come without a fight, but he would be ready this time.
When the small clock on his bedside table flashed six he threw back his covers and got out of bed. He knocked on Megan’s door, expecting her to be asleep, but she opened it straight away. Judging by the dark circles under her eyes she hadn’t slept all night either.
‘Morning, Megan. I trust you’re feeling a little bit better than you did yesterday?’
‘Morning, Henry. Yes, thank you.’
‘Good, because I need your help today. Things have come to a head. I feel that we need to put an end to this once and for all. Once you’ve helped me, you’re free to go and do whatever you want. I won’t come looking for you and I won’t tell tales should it all go wrong. I appreciate everything you did for me and I owe you more than I could ever repay. Are you ready to finish what I started two years ago?’
For a split second he thought she was going to say no and slam the door shut in his face, but she was obviously working out her survival chances if she didn’t agree, so she smiled at him.
‘I’m ready, Henry. I’ve always been ready.’
He reached out and took hold of her hand. ‘Good girl. That’s what I’ve been longing to hear. Between us we will be invincible and those two won’t know what’s hit them.’
‘I’ll get ready. Are you still mad at me, Henry?’
‘No, of course not. Yesterday was a bit of a revelation for me. I’ve been hiding who I really am and it all came to a head. I suppose it was going to come out sooner or later. You can only pretend to be something you aren’t for a short while before it all comes out anyway.’
He leant forward and kissed Megan’s forehead as if she was his daughter or a family friend. It wasn’t the kind of kiss that you gave your lover and equal.
Megan knew this. She knew that, after whatever happened today, she needed to get away from him, because his view of her had changed drastically in the last twenty-four hours. She could have kicked herself. If she hadn’t teased him about that stupid bitch they would still be living in relative happiness – even if it was a seriously messed-up relationship. She just hoped that he didn’t want to kill her first, but he said he needed her help. Once he had Annie he would be totally preoccupied, so she would discreetly slip away. She had packed a small bag with what few clothes and books she owned. She had left everything in her poky flat when she’d helped Henry to escape.
Maybe once she got away from him she could begin to rebuild her life – that was if she got away. The police might have her arrested before dinner time, but whatever happened, she would walk away with her head held high. After pulling on her black leggings, black T-shirt and black hoodie, she looked like any other goth. Megan stared at herself in the mirror. She missed her blonde and pink hair. She missed the heavy make-up she always used to wear. She had sacrificed everything for him and she hoped he remembered this when the time came.
The smell of bacon frying wafted under the gap in the small, plastic-coated door and her stomach groaned. She hadn’t eaten yesterday after their little spat because she’d been too worried, but she was starving now. She went out and smiled to see Henry cooking away and humming to himself. He was different but happy, and she supposed that was a good thing, for now.
***
Annie woke up still wrapped in Will’s arms. She lay there and stared at him. He was perfect. She loved the way his hair flopped to one side when it got too long, loved his clear blue eyes that crinkled at the corners when he laughed. She even loved the stubble that was growing on his normally clean-shaven chin.
Her stomach felt as if there were butterflies fluttering inside, but she put that down to what she knew might be in store for her today. Although the thought of the next twelve hours made her feel ill, she also felt as if a big weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Should anything happen to her, God forbid, at least she wouldn’t be alone. She was pretty sure that Sophie and Alice would be waiting for her on the other side to show her the ropes. It made her eyes fill with tears at the thought of it, but this was out of her control now. What will be will be. She leant up and kissed Will’s slightly parted lips and he opened his eyes. He pulled her closer to him.
‘It’s not too late to grab our passports and go to the airport.’
She giggled. ‘I think it is, but I’ll tell you what – after this is over you can whisk me away to somewhere hot and exotic to recover, because I think we’ll both need it, and you keep teasing me with thoughts of a holiday.’
‘You’re on. After this is over, if we’re both here to tell the tale, I’ll take you on a round-the-world cruise and keep you locked in the cabin so I know you’re safe.’
‘Sounds good to me. I could do that. I could spend six months locked up with you and do nothing but eat, sleep and read.’
Will poked her in the ribs. ‘I thought you were going to say sex.’
‘Well, of course, there would be plenty of time for that as well.’
He kissed her and she kissed him back, then pulled away. ‘Come on, Jake’s already up. I heard him banging around in the kitchen and this room is right above it. Besides I don’t want to tire you out. We might need to conserve our energy.’
She jumped out of the bed and dashed into the small bathroom before he could grab hold of her and drag her back to bed, even though she wanted to stay tucked up with Will for ever. When she came out of the bathroom he was dressed and on his phone to Stu. He’d given him an excuse for why he wouldn’t be in Barrow today. Said he had to go to Windermere to work and speak to some of the witnesses up there. He finished his call. ‘Well, that’s him in a mood for another week. Honestly, you would think I did this on purpose just to piss him off.’
‘He just wants to impress you, Will, that’s all. He follows you around like a lapdog. He probably thought you’d take him along for the skive.’
‘Well, I would if we were going to be skiving, but I don’t want to put anyone else at risk. I have enough guilt to last me a lifetime as it is without bringing Stu into the equation.’
‘You know he will be gutted, don’t you, when he finds out what you were really doing?’
‘That might be, but at least he’ll be alive to feel gutted. If I drag him into this I can’t guarantee he’ll still be alive by tonight.’
Annie opened the door. ‘Come on, I’m starving. I wonder if Jake has any Coco Pops.’
Will laughed. ‘What is it with you and chocolate-coated cereal lately?’
‘I don’t know, but I can’t get enough of the stuff. You know me, any excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast.’
She ran downstairs to see Alex feeding Alice and Jake grilling bacon. The smell made her gag and she had to rush to the toilet, trying not to throw up again.
‘What’s up with her now? Do you think she’s caught a stomach bug?’
Will shook his head. ‘No, I think she’s a bag of nerves, but she won’t admit it. Have you got any cereal? She said she wanted some.’
Alex pointed to the cupboard next to the fridge. ‘Just about every cereal known to man. Jake can’t resist buying whichever one is on special offer, even if we don’t eat the stuff.’
Will opened it and smiled to see a bright yellow box of Coco Pops. He took a bowl and poured some into it then put it on the table. Annie came in looking sheepish. ‘Sorry, I don’t know what’s the matter with me. Oh my God, you do have Coco Pops.’ She sat down and began to eat while the others waited for Jake to pass them bacon sandwiches. After two full bowls she looked up at them and smiled. ‘Right, that’s better. I’m ready to fight the world now.’
No one dared asked if she was ready to fight Henry. A loud knock on the door broke the comfortable silence. No one had been in the mood for small talk. Jake, followed by Will, went to see who it was. Kav and a very smiley Cathy were standing on the other side. Jake opened the door and they let go of each other’s hands. For once he didn’t make fun. He seemed relieved to see they were both happy. Life was too short to spend it sad and alone. They made their way to the kitchen and he offered them some breakfast, but Kav shook his head. ‘No, thanks, I’ve had a splendid double bacon and egg McMuffin courtesy of the top chef here.’
She pushed him, but smiled all the same. ‘I never told you I could cook now, did I?’
Kav winked at her. ‘No, you didn’t. You didn’t tell me you were such a good…’ He realised he had an audience and stopped talking, but his now red cheeks finished his sentence for him and they all laughed.
‘Right, my little flowers, who’s running this show? Someone needs to be gold commander.’
‘Are you being serious, Kav? This is not strictly police procedure, is it?’
‘No, Jake, it’s not, but someone needs to be the one monitoring and calling the shots. I suggest Cathy. She can run it from her office in the station or in the car with me. I think Will should be silver and I’ll be bronze. However, it will be open to change at any given minute, especially once task force join in; then the chief super will probably step in, but until he does that’s how it is.’
Will nodded. ‘Kav’s got a point. If we all run around like headless chickens, how can we keep an eye on what’s happening? Someone needs to give out orders and call us back to regroup if need be. I agree Cathy can monitor us from her office and make suggestions, but we’ll need to be on our own talk group so the others can’t hear what we’re doing. Preferably one that isn’t being monitored by control.’
‘Leave it with me. I’ll ring up and say we have a minor traffic operation on that we’re running from a different channel so we don’t fill up the airwaves. I’ll monitor what everyone is doing and where you all are, but make sure you keep me updated – no dashing off on your own and being heroic. I’m serious about this. We might not be strictly working by the book, but I still want it done professionally. Do you all understand what I’m saying? Because if you don’t then we go back to doing the same shit we did yesterday. You might feel as if you’re in the latest Hollywood blockbuster, but you’re not. This is real life and, after it’s all over, we are all still accountable for our actions, even if it’s only to each other.’
Nobody dared to argue with her. They were still mindful of her rank and with that came respect, because that was what the organisation had taught them from day one in training school. Will walked Annie outside to his car so he could drive her to where she’d left hers. Cathy and Kav followed, giving Jake time to say goodbye to Alex and their baby girl. Annie looked at Will. ‘Are we doing the right thing? This doesn’t feel right – expecting you all to put yourselves at risk for me. Look at Jake. He and Alex have a perfect life. What if…’