Kerry’s laughter turned hysterical. ‘I want the answer to that question too. Ed came home yesterday and before making his sleazy confession, he asked me the very same thing. Just what the bloody hell is going on here?’
‘We have also found something else out. It’s not only the company you own, you own every asset too. You own this house, your parents’ house and a whole smattering of rental properties, businesses and restaurants, including Reed Corporation. You own every car, every office – the whole lot, it’s yours. It has been for years.’
‘The lot?’ In an instant, it was as if Kerry had sobered up slightly. ‘Does Ed know this?’
Gina shrugged. ‘Did you or anyone tell him?’
‘I’ve only just found out. How could I have told him? I might get away with just giving him half of this house.’ Kerry grabbed the wine bottle and hurled it at the oven, glass shattering everywhere. ‘My father told me to get a prenup but I just laughed. We fell out over it. Am I going to have to share everything with that cheating prick? Everything my parents worked so hard to build up? I suppose I’ll have to speak to Dad when—’ The woman’s face paled as she stood. ‘Excuse me.’ She half ran and staggered out of the room and Gina heard her retching as she ran along the hallway.
The distribution of her family’s wealth was the least of her problems but Kerry couldn’t see that yet. Gina had confirmed everything they needed to know. She gave Jacob the nod to get everyone on standby and in position. Jacob showed her the message from Wyre that had been emailed to both of their phones.
The warrant has come through. Give me a call when you get a moment. I have something, it may or may not help.
She called Wyre. ‘What have you got?’
‘We bailed Robin Dawkins and he called us when he arrived home. He said he can’t get hold of Cassandra Wilson, his partner. She’s not answering her phone and that’s not like her. He called her work and they told him that she hasn’t been in today. He’s concerned. I don’t know if this is anything to worry about or if it has anything to do with the case but given that she’s cropped up a few times, I thought I best mention it.’
‘You were right to. Alert everyone. Leave now and we’ll meet you at the house.’
Gina slid off the stool and hurried to the door. As they left, she spotted PC Kapoor pulling up on the drive. ‘Stay with her. She’s in the bathroom at the moment and I don’t want her left alone.’ Kapoor nodded and Jacob followed. ‘We have to go – now!’
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Gina crept around Trevor and Alison Reed’s large house, hitching her black trousers up her waist. Her shirt had rolled up under her stab vest. Passing the kitchen window, she peered in. ‘I can’t see anything unusual. I can’t see the Reeds either.’
Jacob followed her closely. PC Smith nodded as he received news that Wyre and O’Connor were covering the front door.
Silently, Gina stepped around the planters and stopped at the back door before trying the handle. ‘It’s open.’
She nodded back to PC Smith. ‘Call Kapoor, tell her to keep Kerry there.’
As Gina leaned against the door it creaked open.
‘I recognise those boots. Cassandra Wilson was wearing them when she made her statement.’ She held up a hand to silence the chafing of coats against stab vests. Nothing, not a sound came from the house. She crept through the boot room and pushed the kitchen door open. ‘Mr Reed, Mrs Reed. It’s DI Harte and DS Driscoll from Cleevesford Station. We have a warrant to search the property.’ She pulled the paperwork from her pocket along with her identification and held it in front of her as she headed through the kitchen. Silence followed. ‘Cassandra Wilson?’
Jacob and a further two officers followed her in, all of them listening intently. She thought Kerry’s kitchen had been large but it paled into insignificance compared to this vast open plan kitchen diner. Two couches and a coffee table adorned the one end, complete with coffee table books on wildlife and business. Everything gleamed and the dark shaker kitchen looked newly installed. As Gina passed a large dresser full of best china, she spotted a scuff mark on a white door. Maybe it was the pantry or it could lead to the hall. She edged closer and pressed the handle. ‘Mr Reed. Mrs Reed. Cassandra?’ Again, there was no answer. She pushed the door open and gestured for the two officers to continue to the lounge while she and Jacob headed down the cellar steps.
Jacob reached for the cord and the light flickered on. ‘DI Harte and DS Driscoll. Hello.’ Three steps down, Gina spotted the wine racks.
‘Anything, guv?’ Jacob whispered.
The light flickered again and all she could hear was the intermittent buzzing noise they made. Gina felt a surge of adrenaline run through her body as she spotted the red pool. ‘Get a paramedic,’ she said as she hurried down and kneeled beside Cassandra. She began to untie the woman’s hands to release her from the chair. Removing the gag, she leaned in and hoped more than anything she would feel the young woman’s warm breath on her cheek, but there was nothing. Blood seeped from her head where she’d hit the floor. An angry cut from her temple to her ear led Gina’s gaze to the red marks on her neck. She reached for her wrist and felt for a pulse. ‘Where are the paramedics?’
‘They’re coming, guv.’
‘Hurry, I can feel a pulse.’
Cassandra coughed and began to choke. Gina kept her on her side and reached into her mouth with her index finger. She coughed again and a piece of tooth escaped from the side of her mouth as she tried to murmur. ‘You’re safe. I’m DI Harte and help is on its way.’ She snatched the scarf that had been in Cassandra’s mouth and placed it hard against the wound on her head to try to stem the bleeding from her face.
‘Mr Reed…’ A blood bubble escaped the side of her mouth.
‘Shh, try to remain still.’
‘Airport.’ As the word escaped her mouth, she let out a pained scream and her head flopped back.
Gina listened as the paramedics thundered down the steps and pushed her aside.
‘You’re going to be alright. You’re safe now,’ Gina called over the commotion in the hope that Cassandra had heard her. She stepped back and pulled out her phone, getting immediately connected to Briggs. ‘It’s the Reeds, Trevor and Alison Reed. We’ve just found Cassandra Wilson in their basement left for dead. She managed to say airport. They’re leaving the country. Get word to all the airports and, for good measure, the ports and the Eurotunnel too.’
