‘Is he ever forceful or rough with you?’ Gina wondered if there was anything in what Noah’s neighbour, Colin, had described. A slight tremble washed over Aimee as she reached for one of the many glasses of water. She took a sip from the dusty glass. ‘If you need any help—’
‘No. Thank you, Inspector. He’s not like that. We went to a party, got off with other people, he’s missing and she’s dead. Have you ever thought something might have happened to him? I don’t know any more.’
Gina took a card from her pocket and placed it on the coffee table next to one of the old glasses of water. ‘If you hear from him or he comes home, you need to contact me immediately.’ Aimee’s gaze flitted from the window to her lap, to over Gina’s head. Gina could tell that she was probably hiding the fact that she had seen him since. ‘As it stands, Rhys is a prime suspect in a murder enquiry.’
The sun shone through the window, highlighting the dust motes in the air. As Aimee turned, she nodded and forced a smile. ‘Of course, I’ll call.’
As Gina and Jacob headed towards the car, she stopped. ‘Of all the things they could have been hiding, it had to be a partner-swapping party!’
‘Well played on getting that out of her.’
‘I just knew something was off. Did you believe her, about not seeing him after the incident?’
‘No, guv. I think she’s holding onto something for sure.’ He slumped into the passenger seat of the car as Gina buckled up. She placed her phone on the dashboard holder and typed the address of their next destination into Google Maps.
‘She’s covering something up, covering for Rhys. Noah never once mentioned the nature of the party. It looks like Jade Ashmore picked Rhys Keegan at the summerhouse out of those glasses. What we need to know is what happened to the rest of the party. Let’s go and pay the host a visit. It’s Dawn Brown, isn’t it?’
Jacob nodded. ‘Yes, she has a boyfriend called Steven but that’s all we know.’
A message flashed up on Gina’s phone.
Hello sexy. Dinner later? X
‘Sounds like you’re on a promise later, guv.’
‘Shut up! This guy just doesn’t take the hint.’ She felt her face burning up as she smiled with embarrassment.
‘Okay, not saying another word.’ He made a pretend zip action with his fingers pinched across his lips. She shook her head and smiled as she drove. ‘Is he nice?’
‘I thought you weren’t going to say another word, Driscoll.’ He stared out of the window, a smile on his face.
‘At least one of us has a life.’
‘Shush.’
‘Okay!’
As they pulled out of the road she mulled over the message. She’d deal with Rex later.
The party ran through her mind. She could see people turning up, uncomfortably sussing each other out, some of them entering into things they weren’t comfortable with. Her smile faded. She felt a shiver run through her body as she thought of Terry and that one incident she’d never spoken about in her life, an incident she’d buried so deeply in her mind until this moment. An incident that was so surreal, it almost felt like it should have merely been a dream.
Taking a deep breath, she indicated left and joined the main road on the outskirts of the estate.
Eighteen
I check my silenced phone and there are no new messages. I have all the time in the world and a part of me hopes that Aimee goes out so that I can make my escape. In slow motion, I place it in my pocket.
My heart feels as though it will fly from my mouth as I hear her jogging up the stairs. First the detectives arrive and now she’s closing in on me. With each step, I can hear her gasping for breath. I know she gets easily overwhelmed and after hearing what the detectives had to say, I can only guess at what’s going through her head. I like that she takes risks in life, that she’s game for a bit of fun. I am too. It’s exciting.
As she reaches the landing, I hold my breath. She can’t catch me behind her lodger’s bedroom door, it would ruin everything. I listen as her whimpers turn into uncontrollable sobs.
‘Answer your phone,’ she yells as she storms through the bathroom door, slamming it closed. She won’t get an answer, of that I’m sure.
I hold my breath as she passes me on the other side of the door, so close, the smell of her sweet sweat fills my nostrils. I exhale. Phew – that was close.
The sound of the shower brings a smile to my face. As she steps in, I creep along the landing for a quick look at her bedroom and my stomach flutters. Her underwear lies on the floor. I pick up the pink pants and rub the soft material across my rough face.I’ll be back soon.I drop them and tiptoe out of the room, past the bathroom door and begin the careful journey down the steps.
The shower goes off. That was quick. I step again and the step creaks.
