He passed it to me, already unlocked although I knew the code. I always had. I redialled Carissa, my heart beating obnoxiously loudly.
“What’s happened?” I interrupted her usual introduction which hadn’t changed in all the time I’d known her. “What is it?”
“You’ve had an email sent in the early hours of the morning from Peter Cash. He’s rather upset.” Carissa was matter of fact. “He knows where you are. I’ve let your security team know but it seems they were prepared for it anyway.”
My heart hit the floor. “I thought it would’ve taken him a bit longer.” I knew at some point he’d work out I was on Anglesey. It was known I used to come here; with social media, not much could be kept private.
“He knows you’re with Caleb Tominey, so he’ll probably be able to work out where you are. I wouldn’t let it change your plans, Zoey. He’ll find you pretty much wherever, although I know that’s not what you want to hear.”
She was right. I didn’t want to hear it. I saw Caleb looking at me, and I figured he’d probably heard what Carissa had said.
“I’m putting you on loudspeaker so Caleb can hear.” I was panicking even though I knew I’d taken precautions, the fear that I’d never be able to be sure that Peter wasn’t watching me pulling me under.
“Hi Carissa. We speak again.” Caleb sat down next to me and put his arm round my shoulders. “Zoey looks like she’s seen a ghost.”
“I know that look.” Carissa was rarely complimentary. She sighed audibly. “I’m guessing that you’re not aware a photo of the two of you was shared yesterday. You were sofa shopping and if you picked the brown velvet loveseat, good choice.”
“Thank you,” Caleb said, managing a grin. “I take it the photo’s upset this Peter Cash?”
“Got it in one. There’s a ton of speculation that you’re dating Zoey, Caleb, and it seems to have tipped Peter over an edge. What he’s written is descriptive in its violence and the police are concerned due to the level of threat. It’s finally got their attention anyway, which is a good thing. But what’s stuck the knife in, is that the rumours about Zoey retiring have gone viral. I must’ve seen about fifty videos on it in the last hour all saying that you’ve turned your back on performing.”
“Why’s that bothered Peter?” Caleb frowned at me. “Wouldn’t he prefer other people to not be staring at Zoey?”
I shook my head. “Peter believes I’m in a relationship with him, and when I’m singing, I’m singing to him. He’s used my songs to create this fantasy where we’ve been in a relationship for years. He’s always sent more letters and messages when I haven’t been on tour.”
“How long’s this been going on for?” Caleb looked like he was about to explode.
“About fifteen months.” I answered before Carissa. I knew she’d try to cover for me because I’d been adamant that Caleb shouldn’t know because I knew what his response would be, because we’d been here before, kind of, just not on this scale.
He folded his arms and stepped away from me, looking out of the window, saying nothing.
“We’re having a meeting with the detective in charge in an hour, Zoey, you need to be on that call. Killian O’Hara will be on it too as the police are aware you’ve got private security in place. There’s a criminal psychologist who’s been consulted and he’s said this combined with the relationship will be perceived by him as a double attack. Caleb’s taken you away from him.” Carissa lacked her usual bounce which was making me feel even more twitchy.
“Do we need to issue a statement saying Caleb and I are childhood friends and there’s no romance? And something about me focusing on songwriting for the next twelve months, so it doesn’t sound permanent?” I was upset and angry and consumed with guilt. All I wanted was some freedom, some time to be me or find who else I was. I’d danced to the tune set by the record company, my mother and manager for so long – I didn’t want to perform for the sake of Peter Cash.
“The psychologist person suggested you flaunt a relationship with Caleb. He theorised that while Peter thinks you’re in a relationship with someone like Caleb – tall, strong, masculine, all those alpha qualities and I hope Caleb’s ego can cope with that, and I’m always happy to deflate any ego – he won’t actually do anything because he’ll be scared. He thinks Peter’s more likely to try to do something if he thinks you’re single because he’ll blame you for not playing your part as he sees it. While you’re with Caleb, he’ll blame him. You can ask more questions about it at the meeting, Zoey. My suggestion is to get a photo of you and Caleb up on social media with just a heart as the caption, if Caleb agrees to that.”
Carissa let the silence hang for a minute.
Caleb turned around, the light from the window making his figure a silhouette.
“We can do that.” He spoke quietly. “That’s no big deal. I’ve been in Zoey’s photos before. What are the police doing to catch him if it’s been going on for fifteen months?”
“They’re trying to find out who he actually is,” Carissa said, no background noises for once. “Peter Cash isn’t his real name. Killian thought they’d found it out, but it turns out to be another pseudonym. Peter’s pretty skilled online; he hides his tracks.”
“Roe Holland who lives here in Puffin Bay’s pretty skilled too,” Caleb said, sitting back down on the bed. “He’s part of Killian O’Hara’s team.”
“I believe so. Have a think about how you want to play it with the publicity. I haven’t responded to any requests for comments yet. Will you be okay?” Carissa sounded tense.It worried me when Carissa was concerned for my welfare.
“We’re spending the day cleaning Caleb’s flat. If we can do that, I can survive anything.” It was almost true.
“Well, okay. I’ll send you the link for the meeting with the detective – which email?”
I went through those details with Carissa, aware there was a large, rock of a man who was waiting for answers.
“What do you want to know?” I said when I passed him his phone back.
“Why didn’t you tell me and is there anything else you’re leaving out?” He shook his head slowly.
