“That’s the plan.” Jack looks deep into my eyes. “It’s time to leave the ghosts in Beauford Manor.”
THIRTY-SIX
MONDAY
Jack has left for work and I take out Laura’s laptop to see if she’d written anything more about her affair with Tom. A sudden thought grips me as I scroll through the pages. Has Jack read these entries? Did he know that Tom had an affair with Laura? I consider the implications if Jack knew about the affairbeforethe anniversary party on board the yacht. What if he found out that night? Would it be a motive for killing her? If he isn’t aware of the diary on the laptop, it leaves me with the moral dilemma of whether I should tell him. The problem being that it would likely destroy Tom’s life, because I have no doubt that Jack would fire him again. He mentioned in the garden that he trusted him and that trust would be shattered.
The other part of the puzzle is whether Ruby knew about the affair between Laura and Tom. Has she been keeping a secret all these years to protect Jack from the truth or make sure he had no reason to be suspected of Laura’s murder?
As far as I’m aware there was no police investigation into Laura’s death until the coroner’s report came down seven years later to say she was lost at sea. I can only assume that, when the accident was reported, law enforcement didn’t consider foul play. The witnesses on board must have convinced them thatLaura fell overboard. Why wasn’t there an investigation? I’ll ask Tom when I see him and hope that he’s honest. I find the file and scroll through the pages. Laura must have been desperate to have Tom in her bed with Jack sleeping right next door. If Jack was giving her meds each night, who did she believe was drugging her food? He’d be at work during the day. I’ll ask Sue before I leave if she administered any daily medication to Laura. If she didn’t, who did… unless someone else was involved? Who would gain from keeping Laura in a drugged state? Then, what if everything was in Laura’s mind and she wasn’t drugged at all?
August 20
With Tom on my side, bringing me meals and occasionally sharing my bed, I manage to avoid most of the drugs. Although my phone is still missing, no doubt to keep me isolated, I’ve stopped asking the staff to search for it. I’m becoming sneaky and now I’m watching them. They have no idea I’ve been listening to Jack whispering to them about me in the hallways. Each day I’m getting stronger. Having Tom living in the house is a double-edged sword. Our attraction is strong but I’m sure the staff are becoming suspicious. It concerns Tom that one hint of anything between us, Jack will ruin him for life and kick me to the curb.
I read the entry twice. Maybe she was feeling better because of Tom’s attention and not because she wasn’t being drugged? The next entry is five days later. I can almost feel Laura’s confusion. She’s spiraling out of control.
August 25
I’ve ended my fling with Tom. A few things he said to me didn’t add up and now I don’t trust him. I’m starting to believe his so-called attraction toward me was part of a plan. I’m sure our affair was to give Jack an excuse to divorce me and take the kids. Looking back, it’s obvious to me now. Even so, ending the affair hurt me. I cried for days and I’m fighting overpowering depression.
I know Jack is involved in this charade as he keeps Tom close but hardly looks at me. I’m spiraling out of control. Days go by and I don’t notice. I have blanks in my memory and the worst part of it is that, now, Tom is turning his attention to Ruby. He figures I don’t know but I’ve seen them sneaking around together.
I need to fight back and stop them feeding me drugs. So I have started ordering takeout. Not one person questioned me about that but now my medication arrives three times a day and Sue stands and watches me take it. The little pills are easy to hide and they all go into the toilet.
The question of Tom comes up again. Is he involved as another facet of Laura’s delusions? I’m glad my question about the meds is answered. If she’d been given medication to help her condition and not taken it, it would account for her rapid deterioration. I lean back in my chair and stare out of the window. In some ways I feel sorry for Laura. It seems to me that she pushed people away and ended up with no one to turn to. What I need to determine is whether my husband is guilty of her death or innocent. I’m torn between the Jack Laura portrays in her diaries, and the man I know. Although he admitted he married Laura out of duty rather than love, I honestly can’t see him being cruel to her like she insists. Even after she almost killed their son, he didn’t divorce her but remained by her sideand sought professional help for her. It must have been terrible for Jack, watching his wife slide into insanity.
I shake my head trying to avoid the doubt and confusion sneaking into my mind. I’m making excuses for Jack because I love him and I can’t allow my feelings to cloud my judgment—my life might depend on it. I slowly weigh up every piece of information I’ve gathered. I need to speak to Tom before I come to any conclusion because he is the last player in this tragedy. Did Jack discover Laura was having an affair with Tom—or did he plan it? If not, it would give Jack a motive to kill her, but would he dirty his own hands or ask Tom to do it? After all, money was no option. But what if it was an unplanned affair? I know Laura informed Jack about Ruby’s affair. I believe jealousy drove her to do it and she wanted to hurt Tom—a woman scorned and all that. How far would Tom go to prevent Laura from telling Jack about their affair? Laura had no love for Jack, she despised him, so hurting him wouldn’t be in the equation, but she’d know Jack would ruin Tom. In Laura’s state of mind, it would only be a matter of time before she twisted the knife and told Jack—it would be the ultimate victory—two lives destroyed in one go. So now, I’m sure, either Jack or Tom murdered Laura. She didn’t fall from the yacht; she was an experienced sailor. I’ve no doubt someone pushed her.
I collect the keys for my silver BMW, tell the GPS where I want to go and set off. My car has that new car smell and drives like a dream. I follow the coast road enjoying the sights of my new home. I try to make mental notes of the different stores and features along the way but the opulence of the area is a little overwhelming. As I enter the city the traffic is horrendous and it takes longer than I expect. Relief floods over me when I spot the glass and metal building. I follow the ramp to the underground parking lot and punch the code into the panel. A metal gate grinds open and I drive inside. As instructed, I head for theelevator sign and find six bays with J.Hunter written above them in bright-yellow lettering. I park beside Jack’s red Porsche and collect my purse. I drop a lanyard over my head and make my way to the elevator.
The man standing behind a long desk in the foyer gives me a curious stare as I walk toward him. I push my purse under one arm and smile. “I’m Mrs. Hunter. I believe Tom is waiting for me to arrive?”
“Right away, Mrs. Hunter.” He lifts a phone on his desk and presses a button. “Tom, Mrs. Hunter has arrived.”
A tall man with sandy hair comes out of a room and walks toward me and then does a double take. I hold out my hand. “You must be Tom. Jack has told me so much about you.” I smile. “Have I got food in my teeth?”
“Ah—no.” Tom’s cheeks pink. “I’m sorry for staring. You remind me of someone I knew in college.”
I nod. “Caroline?” I smile and we shake hands. “Yes, I know. I’ve seen pictures of her. Tragic accident, I believe, like Laura. I hope three’s not a charm and that I don’t suddenly fall off a building or something.”
“I hope not.” Tom stares at me. “Jack has had enough sadness in his life. Where would you like to start?”
I glance toward his office door. “Is there someplace in here I can get a coffee?”
“Sure, I have a coffee machine in my office.” He smiles and it’s a nice smile. “Jack is a great boss. He makes sure we have plenty of coffee so we stay awake on the job.”
I shut the door as I walk inside his office and he gives me an inquiring stare. “I’d like a private chat, if you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Tom goes to the coffee machine. “Make yourself at home. Jack is very happy. I’ve never seen him smile so much, since you married.” He hands me coffee in a nice big mug.
I sit opposite his desk and sip the brew he made for me. “That’s good to know. I’m happy too. Although I hate the house. I wish we could live anywhere but there. The building is spectacular but it ends at the front door. Inside, the place is a decaying mass of rubble.” I sigh. “That’s not what I want to speak to you about. Do you mind talking to me about the night Laura died?”
“No, not at all.” He smiles. “Jack mentioned you were curious about what happened. I’m glad to help.”
I lean forward. “It’s difficult stepping into Laura’s shoes. I understand she wasn’t exactly stable around that time. What do you remember about that night?”
“What exactly do you want to know?” Tom curls large hands around his coffee cup. “I went over it one hundred times with the police.”
