Shit, had we just given the game away to Emily. Her face was an icy mask. Her eyes narrowed on Daniel. Trying to distract her, I said, ‘Thought you’d left them at work.’
A brief look of embarrassment crossed her face. ‘Not exactly,’ she hedged. ‘They were handed in to reception. Someone found them outside the front door of the office.’
Everything clicked into place. ‘Cara said he’d dropped your bag,’ I said, butting in. ‘He took your keys.’
‘My God. What’s he up to? Why’s he following me?’ Emily looked ashen, her breathing shallow. ‘I’m scared. What does he want?’
As if asking permission, Daniel glanced my way before going over and sitting down next to her.
‘Look, Emily,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘A locksmith’s on his way to change the locks but you need to call the police in. You have to report this.’
‘Why can’t Olivia? It’s her fault — and her cousin’s,’ said Emily, turning to him and laying her head on his shoulder. ‘What am I going to do? Oh, Daniel. I’m so glad you’re here.’
He looked up helplessly. I shrugged. An Oscar winning performance.
‘You’d have thought,’ she glared at me as if I was personally responsible, ‘that checks would have been in place to stop this sort of thing. Why didn’t you warn me, Olivia? You’ll have to phone the police. Barney’syourcousin.’
That’s right, put all the blame on me. I don’t suppose it occurred to her that her inflammatory emails had poured oil on a troubled mind.
‘You’re the target,’ said Daniel exasperated. ‘The emails came to you and it was your computer he sabotaged. The brick was probably just random.’ His voice softened as he said this and Emily gave him a sharp considering look. ‘He wouldn’t have known whose room it was.’
Suddenly she was mutinous. ‘If we change the locks, Peter can’t do anything else, can he? He’ll know we’re on to him. That’ll stop him.’
‘No, Emily. Daniel’s right. We have to call the police.’
She dismissed me. ‘Olivia, you’re overreacting. I can’t think about this, now. I’m going to have a bath.’
‘Emily—’
‘What difference does it make if we phone later? It can wait.’ She deliberately turned her back on me.
‘Daniel,’ she said, her tone far sweeter. ‘You don’t mind if I slip off for a soak.’ After a pause she asked, ‘Are you... erm, staying?’
‘Actually, we need to talk,’ he said ominously. My heart skipped, which was wrong of me but she deserved what was coming. I doubted she’d be too bothered, all the signs were that she’d got Daniel’s successor lined up. Then again, she never liked to lose face.
Her fleeting look of worry was quickly replaced by a cocky, knowing look. ‘Anyone want a glass of wine? I think I’m going to need one.’ Before either of us could answer, she wheeled aroundand tripped off to the kitchen as my phone beeped announcing a text message.
As I read it anxiously, Daniel studied my face.
‘Not Kate,’ I said despondently looking up, rolling my head back and kneading my left shoulder which was full of knots. ‘Why hasn’t she got in touch yet?’
‘Try not to worry. It’s still the middle of the night there.’ He stepped towards me and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.
From the kitchen we heard a bad-tempered bang as Emily slammed a cupboard door closed.
I withdrew my hand and pulled a face at Daniel. ‘I’m going to hide in my room.’ I whispered taking my cue for a diplomatic retreat.
‘Can I come too?’ he whispered.
‘Daniel.’ I tried to be stern but I couldn’t help smiling at him, he was doing a puppy dog look. ‘Are you a man or a mouse?’
‘Definitely—’
Suddenly there was a piercing scream. A cry of such terror that it punched straight through to the nervous system. We both reacted in the same way, running panic-stricken to the kitchen.
* * *
An overpowering smell hit us, a rotten, stomach-turning stench that made me physically recoil.
