‘I’ll deal with that in the morning. Terry would never allow me to go anywhere. My mother would have helped me to escape his hold, I just couldn’t reach out to her.’
‘Reach out to me then, don’t let him have a hold on you any more.’
She shook her head, fully aware that she was beginning to slur her words. She had to hold back. Why was he so damn easy to talk to? ‘I have to go. Can you please drop me back?’
He removed his hand from hers then pulled his car keys from his pocket. ‘Come on then. You need a good night’s sleep before the big day tomorrow. It’s going to be an early one.’
‘I’m a terrible person.’ She tried to stand but her handbag was wrapped around the chair. He hurried over and untangled the strap before taking her hand and leading her out to the car park.
‘Do you think I’m a terrible person?’
He shook his head and placed an arm around her. ‘Of course not. You’re the most caring person I know and I just want you to be happy.’
She halted him in the middle of the car park, stared into his eyes and pressed her lips on his as a drizzle of icy rain chilled her sweltering body. ‘You’re a good man, Briggs.’ She dropped his hand and walked to the car, trying to open the locked door.
He pressed the central locking. ‘Get in, Harte. Let’s get you home.’
As he pulled off the gravel car park she instantly regretted opening up, even a little. The beer, her mother, Mary, the thoughts of Susan being under Ryan’s control. Ryan’s aggressive nature. The woman who called in from the phone box. Her mind was awhirl with the lot. Her nightmares, Terry, Hannah. Where was her life going? If only her mother was still alive. She’d at least have someone to confide in.
As they pulled up, Briggs frowned.
‘Are you coming in?’
‘I’d love nothing more, but no.’
‘Come on. I’ve got a bottle of vino that needs drinking.’
‘Please tell me you won’t drink it. Go in, have a glass of water and go to bed. Those are my orders. You’re visiting Dale’s partner first thing and you need to be on top form. I’ll keep you updated on the dog search.’ He stroked her hair and she nodded. She gazed into his eyes as she grabbed her bag and stumbled out of his car. Her cheeks burned as he pulled away. What had she just said and done? Loneliness had got the better of her and she’d totally embarrassed herself. How pathetic of her to think that Briggs would just be switched on by her after all the times she’d rejected him.
Fifty-Three
Back to your shed, your sanctuary. Does it make you feel safe? That knife you grip, it’s pathetic, nothing more than something to saw bread with. I could wrestle it from your feeble hands within seconds but I won’t. For now, I’m enjoying the game, you give me too much entertainment. I deserve to enjoy your suffering. I smell your fear, I smell your sense of panic, your anxiety, your worry. That’s why you’ve never been close to anyone, you won’t allow yourself to love, to live.
I grab my phone and hit send on the text.
Whatever you do, don’t call the police. Don’t call anyone. I’ll be in touch. Your dear friend, Susan. We need to go back to the beginning, where it all started. I’ll explain later. I’m going back. Xxx.
I know you, Stephanie. You won’t be able to resist going back. You’ll fight the idea for a while, but not for long. Little Susie needs you. Go along, go to Susan.
I puff on my vape as I head through the passageway ready to go back to my lair. Ooh, who’s this calling? I knew you wouldn’t like that email.
Fifty-Four
Sunday, 17 November 2019
Gina and Jacob followed Lawrence Dunn through the long dark hallway. Shivering, she hoped the room he was leading them too was a little warmer. Her head pounded despite the paracetamol she popped before leaving the house. Her face flushed as she mulled over her evening with Briggs. Ever the gentleman, he hadn’t taken advantage of her when he could see she was a little merry and down. Had she said too much to him? She wished she could remember the whole conversation.
Lawrence held his hand out, gesturing for them to enter the snug. She could see his life had been plunged into disarray following the news of Dale’s murder.
The gas fire instantly made for a cosier feel in the room. Blankets were piled up at one end of the settee and an empty bottle of brandy looked like it had rolled along the wooden floor into the middle of the room leaving only the slightest film of deep brown liquid pooling at the bottom. Gina looked away, that very pooling reminded her of the way the blood in Dale’s body had pooled. She swallowed as he gestured for them to sit. ‘Just dump that rubbish on the floor.’
She grabbed the pile of magazines and newspapers and did exactly as he asked, adding to the mess. Trinkets adorned the hearth, little horse brasses on leather strips, crystal animals and a Rubik’s Cube. There was such an eclectic mix to add to this eclectic rural cottage. She gazed out of the window to where a row of three vans were lined up against a wooden fence, which led her gaze across the moody Warwickshire landscape. She’d researched Lawrence, he was in the house clearance business. Gina’s mind wandered as he opened a large bottle of beer and stared at the dancing flames as he took a swig.
Lawrence, forty-seven years old and rough around the edges. Thick wrists and chunky fingers, strong looking. Totally bald, not a hair on his scalp – could he have been the figure that their witness, Alicia, had seen hanging around Susan Wheeler’s car? She wondered if jealousy was a motive.
A large snake tattoo coiled around his neck, leading down his jumper. She spotted the bookshelf in the corner and honed in on some of the titles.Animal Farm,TheCanterbury Tales,Wuthering Heightsand many more stacked the shelves tightly, to the point it looked fit to burst. Gina didn’t consider herself well read, especially in the classics, but she had readWuthering Heightsat school. ‘You like to read?’
‘Yes. That surprises most people when they look at me but I have a degree in English Literature.’
