Traitor in the House

by Caz Finlay

  ‘But why not tell Stuart and phone the police?’ Grace asked. ‘It was her chance to escape.’

  ‘Fear. You and I both know that women in fear for their safety are often very compliant. It’s a defence mechanism.’

  ‘Of course,’ Grace said. ‘Or she was protecting her child?’

  ‘Either way, she was used to collect evidence to incriminate Stuart. He said it wasn’t unusual for her to turn up whenever she was in need. She had seemed hurt and was scared but she wouldn’t tell him why. She told him she was going away for good and asked for a keepsake to remember Daisy by. He offered her a teddy bear or a doll, but she didn’t want anything like that. He recalled her asking for a hairbrush, but he didn’t have one. He picked Daisy up from school twice a week and never had cause to brush her hair as she is by all accounts a very neat and tidy little kid. When he mentioned that she had lost a tooth while playing at his house a few days earlier, Nerys asked for it. He said no at first. It was Daisy’s first lost tooth and he was supposed to have given it to his aunt, but Nerys was insistent. He gave it to her, reasoning that there would be more lost teeth for his aunt but none for Nerys. Then he agreed to let Nerys spend the night and claims that he woke up to her masturbating him. He didn’t stop her, although they had never had a sexual relationship before. She left shortly afterwards. I can only guess at this, but I suspect Nerys must have known she was going to die when she visited Stuart and she knew that something with Daisy’s DNA would also hold the DNA of the man responsible for it all.’

  ‘Clever girl, Nerys,’ Grace said as she smiled in admiration. Then she raised her glass in a toast. ‘To Nerys, Tracy, Ellie, Anna, Melanie and Samia,’ she said quietly. ‘May they never be forgotten.’

  Her three dinner companions raised theirs too and toasted the victims.

  Grace was clearing the dishes while Michael entertained their guests in the living room when she heard footsteps behind her.

  ‘Need any help?’ Leigh asked.

  ‘Don’t be silly. You’re a guest,’ Grace said. ‘I’ll be done in a minute anyway.’

  ‘Thank you for inviting me,’ Leigh said with a smile.

  ‘You’re welcome. And how else was I going to find out about Barrow’s arrest? I hope they convict that bastard and throw away the key,’ she said.

  ‘Me too.’

  ‘It sounds like you’ve got a pretty good case though, Leigh.’

  ‘Yes. I couldn’t have done it without you though. I really appreciate your help.’

  ‘I’m happy I was able to. Don’t go getting any ideas about me helping you out again though,’ Grace said with a grin. ‘I’m not coming over to the dark side.’

  Leigh laughed and placed her wine glass on the counter. Grace looked at her and wondered if she had ever seen Leigh looking so relaxed and happy before.

  ‘Don’t worry. I won’t ask again,’ Leigh said as she raised her hands in surrender. ‘I’m not even sure if I’m going to stay in the job, to be honest.’

  ‘What?’ Grace asked as she shook her head in surprise. ‘But you love your job.’

  ‘I used to. I guess I still do, but this whole thing with Barrow…’

  ‘And John?’ Grace added.

  Leigh laughed. ‘Is it that obvious?’

  ‘You both seem very happy. That much is obvious,’ she replied as she picked up the wine bottle and refilled their glasses.

  ‘I’ve never met anyone like him before, Grace. I should despise him. I should hate everything he stands for…’

  ‘But?’

  ‘Well, obviously I don’t, do I? So, what does that say about me and my principles? Do I actually have any if I’m willing to let myself fall for a man like John?’

  ‘Just because he sometimes does bad things, doesn’t mean he’s not a good man, Leigh,’ Grace said.

  ‘I know that. But I can’t have him and my job. So…’ Leigh said and then shrugged.

  ‘Have you spoken to John about it?’

  ‘God, no. I don’t even know if he wants anything serious. I don’t know if I do. If I did give up my job, it wouldn’t be for him anyway, but because I’m not sure I can do it any more. The job used to be my life, Grace. But lately I’ve been wondering if the sacrifices I’ve made have been worth it. I’ve been feeling restless for a while, and all this shit with Barrow has made me question whether I want the job to be the only thing I have in my life. So, whether John is in the picture or not, I need to think about my future. And if John is going to be a part of it, I can’t be a police officer, can I? Anyway, for now it’s just a bit of fun. I mean, John is the typical eternal bachelor.’

  Grace sipped her wine and took a step towards the door, signalling Leigh to follow. ‘I have known John Brennan for many years and we have been good friends for about five of those. I have never once known him to bring a date to my house for dinner. In fact, I have never once met one of the women he was seeing. Read into that what you will,’ she said with a flash of her eyebrows.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Michael sat in the warm office of Morrison Property Management while the CEO’s secretary poured him and Luke a coffee.

  The new restaurant they were opening in Chester was Grace’s latest pet project and the original plans had needed to be scrapped and redrawn because the place was a listed building. Despite her paying the surveyor to comply with regulations, there had been some significant oversights, which she had learned of that morning and which meant a further delay. She had dropped the kids off at school and nursery that morning and headed off through the Wallasey tunnel. She was not a happy woman. Michael smiled to himself as he thought about the poor bastard who was going to feel his wife’s wrath today. Despite who she was, and the fact that ordinarily his wife could work miracles, even she had no sway over Chester Council’s Listed Buildings office.

  As a result, Michael had been drafted in to oversee the last day of negotiations for a new contract with the biggest property management company in the North West, who were looking for new security contractors. From what Grace had told him, Luke had done an excellent job so far, and the only reason for her, and now his, presence was to reassure the CEO that his company was a priority. Grace had told Michael that all he would need to do was sit in the office, drink coffee and look good in a suit. But when Chris Morris had walked into the room, Michael had been caught off guard. He realised that Chris must be short for Christine. He supposed that was what he got for making assumptions, and now he understood better Grace’s comment about looking good in a suit. Christine had held out her manicured hand and shaken his, holding onto it a few seconds longer than could be considered necessary. She smiled at him sweetly before walking around to her desk and taking a seat.

  Michael sat and listened to the negotiations, and realised that beneath her sweet smile Christine was a ruthless negotiator. Luke handled himself well and Michael realised that Grace was right. He was suitably impressed. Luke Sullivan had just gone up significantly in Michael’s estimation and he was beginning to see why Grace valued his input so much.

  ‘You’ve been very quiet, Mr Carter,’ Chris suddenly said, her blue eyes staring into his as though she was trying to see inside his soul. He imagined she was an intimidating opponent, or partner, to most people, But then, most people weren’t married to Grace.

  ‘I think Luke has covered everything, Ms Morris. You have our terms. We out-perform our nearest competitor and your current supplier in both efficiency and service, and for minimal additional costs. We can send one of our associates back tomorrow if you’d like more time to think it over, or you can pick up your beautiful Mont Blanc pen and sign those papers,’ he said with a smile.

  Chris smiled at him. ‘You know your pens?’ she said with a raised eyebrow.

  ‘My wife uses them. Apparently it’s a thing?’ he said with an exaggerated shrug.

  Chris nodded and picked up the pen from her desk.

  Ten minutes later, Michael and Luke were climbing into Luke’s Audi S3 with
a signed contract.

  ‘Grace will be happy when you tell her Chris has finally caved,’ Luke said. ‘I was worried she was going to hold out for us to match her current provider for a minute.’

  Michael smiled at him. ‘Never give them more for less, mate. It makes us look amateur. We provide a premium service for a premium rate.’

  ‘You were great with her. She scares the shit out of me.’

  Michael laughed. Luke had done all of the hard work really. ‘Well, I learned from the best. You did a good job. She was going to sign anyway, I just hurried her along.’

  Luke smiled appreciatively. ‘Thanks, Michael. It feels good to have closed the deal at last.’

  ‘I’ll let you tell the Boss,’ Michael said with a wink. ‘I won’t steal your thunder.’

  Luke laughed as he pulled the car away from the kerb. ‘Thanks.’

  Michael’s phone started to ring and he took it from his inside pocket.

  ‘Hiya, Murf,’ he said as he answered, having seen his face flashing up on the screen. ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘Is it ever lately, Boss?’ Murf asked with a chuckle. ‘I swear I’m getting too old for this shit.’

  Michael smiled. Both he and Murf had been saying they were too old for this game for the last five years. ‘What is it, mate?’

  ‘There’s a woman here asking for Luke and Danny. Says her name is Glenda. She looks like she’s just been dug up, but she’s a persistent mare. She’s refusing to leave until she speaks to one of them and has plonked herself on a stool at the bar. She’s causing merry hell but I can’t exactly cart out a little old lady, can I? Besides, I think she’d scratch my eyes out if I tried. I wouldn’t mind, I only popped in to put some money in the safe for Jake.’

  ‘For fuck’s sake,’ Michael snapped and then turned to Luke. ‘Who is Glenda?’

  Luke frowned at him. ‘I only know one Glenda, why?’

  ‘Because Glenda is at The Blue Rooms wanting to speak to you or Danny. Who is she?’

  Luke’s face paled. ‘It can’t be.’

  ‘Can’t be who?’

  ‘Danny and Stacey’s mum. She’s the only Glenda I know of. But it can’t be her.’

  ‘Murf said she looks like she’s been dug up.’

  Luke gave a long sigh. ‘It is her.’

  ‘Then you need to get to the club and deal with her, because she’s giving Murf aggro. Or phone Danny and ask him to go and have a word with her?’

  ‘No. Danny doesn’t need to know anything yet. Let me speak to her and see what the hell she wants. Although, knowing Glenda, it will be money. You mind coming with me?’

  ‘We’re on our way, Murf. See you in half an hour or so,’ Michael said as he hung up the phone.

  ‘Thanks,’ Luke said to him. ‘She’s a right handful and I wouldn’t mind some back-up.’

  ‘How long has it been since Danny saw his mum then?’

  ‘God, years. She left when he was thirteen and I don’t think he’s seen her since.’

  ‘And she just turns up now after fifteen years? Fucking hell! The cheek of her.’

  ‘She’s fucking vile, mate. Vile.’ He spat.

  Grace sipped her glass of wine and looked at the other three women around the table in Stefano’s. They were all so different, yet so alike. Even Leigh was looking relaxed as she laughed and chatted with Jazz and Stacey. But then, since she had started seeing John, she looked much more relaxed in general. And John seemed a lot happier too. She wondered if they would make it work, and how they would manage to, given their very different career choices.

  Grace noticed her mobile phone ringing on the table and saw Michael’s name and photograph appear on the screen.

  ‘Hi, love,’ she answered. ‘How did the meeting go?’

  ‘The meeting?’

  ‘Your meeting with Chris?’

  ‘Oh, Chris?’ he said as though he had forgotten about it. ‘It was good. I’ll let Luke fill you in later.’

  ‘Okay. Well, I’m glad it went well.’

  ‘Hmm, you might have mentioned Chris was a woman though.’

  ‘Well, you shouldn’t have assumed the CEO was a man.’

  ‘I did that because her name was Chris, not because she was the CEO.’

  ‘Liar,’ she said with a laugh.

  ‘Can you meet me at The Blue Rooms? I haven’t got my car and I thought we could drive home together. We could pick up a takeaway on the way. I can’t be arsed cooking, can you?’

  ‘Sounds like a good idea. Is everything okay?’

  ‘Yeah. Why?’

  ‘Well, you forgot about your meeting with Chris and you’re on your way to the club?’

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing. Something Luke has to sort out. I’ll tell you about it later.’

  ‘Okay. What time do you want picking up?’

  ‘About an hour. We’re just on our way to the club now.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll see you in an hour,’ Grace said.

  ‘Bye, babe.’

  Grace put her phone in her handbag and fixed her attention back on the group.

  ‘Do you fancy another one, Grace?’ Jazz asked as she held her empty wine glass aloft.

  ‘No, thanks. I’m driving. I think I’ll order a coffee though,’ she said as she signalled the waiter for service.

  ‘Oh, I could go for a coffee,’ Leigh agreed. ‘I’m driving too.’

  ‘I’ll have another wine, Jazz,’ Stacey said. ‘Shall we get a bottle?’

  ‘Why not? I have no baby duties this evening. Connor, Jake and Danny are introducing Paul to his first football match,’ she said with a roll of her eyes.

  Grace laughed. ‘Connor was so excited about it this morning.’

  ‘Aw, that’s so cute,’ Stacey said.

  ‘Oh, you wouldn’t believe it, Stacey. You’d think they were going to Anfield, not sitting in our living room.’ Jazz laughed. ‘Paul even has his own little Liverpool kit. It is very cute actually.’

  ‘What will Connor do if he turns out to be a blue like his grandad and uncle though?’ Grace said.

  ‘Oh, don’t even joke about that, Grace. Can you imagine? I think it would break Connor’s heart, honestly,’ said Jazz. ‘He can’t wait to take him to the match when he’s older. Him and Danny have even been talking about getting a box at Anfield.’

  ‘Oh no. Really? That means Jake and Michael will want one at Goodison too,’ Grace said with a groan.

  ‘Apparently, it’s good for business,’ Jazz said. ‘As if they won’t just be there with their mates!’ she snorted.

  ‘I hope they do. I love the footy,’ Stacey said.

  ‘So do I. Although I’m a Man U girl myself,’ Leigh added.

  ‘Me too!’ Jazz screeched. ‘Nobody around here will ever admit to that. I knew I liked something about you, Leigh!’

  The four women broke into laughter as the waiter approached their table to take drinks.

  Ten minutes later, when Grace and Leigh had their coffees and Stacey and Jazz had topped up their wine glasses, Leigh proposed a toast. ‘To the incredible women who cracked the Liverpool Ripper case,’ she said as she raised her mug into the air.

  ‘I’ll toast to that,’ Jazz said with a smile.

  ‘Me too,’ Stacey added.

  Grace raised her mug too and looked around the table at the four unlikely friends. ‘Cheers, ladies.’

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Michael leaned back on the leather headrest in Luke’s car and closed his eyes. It had been a long day and he was looking forward to getting home. At least Grace was meeting him at The Blue Rooms and they could drive home together. He felt like he’d hardly seen her for the past few days, but the kids would be at their grandparents’ for the night, and that always meant an early night and a sleep in. He smiled to himself at the thought.

  The sound of Luke’s mobile ringing interrupted the Bruce Springsteen song he was enjoying on the radio and Michael heard Luke answer before a woman’s voice filled the car.

 
‘Can I speak to Mr Sullivan?’ she asked.

  ‘Yeah, speaking,’ he answered gruffly.

  ‘Hello, Mr Sullivan, it’s Helena from the hotel. I’m so sorry to bother you but there seems to have been an anomaly with your bill.’

  ‘What?’ he snapped.

  Michael opened his eyes and looked across at his companion.

  ‘There was a bottle of champagne on room service that wasn’t paid for,’ she said curtly.

  ‘Shit!’ he cursed under his breath. ‘I’m just in the middle of something. Can I call you back?’

  ‘I understand you’re busy, but you persuaded me to allow you to not use a card for the room,’ she said pointedly. ‘I really need you to pay this bill today,’ she added, an air of desperation creeping into her voice.

  ‘I’m sorry, Helena,’ he said, turning on the charm. ‘I really appreciate you helping me out yesterday, but I’m in the middle of something right now. Can I call you back in an hour, and I’ll pay over the phone?’

  ‘I’ll be here until seven,’ she replied with a sigh. ‘Please ring back before then or you’ll get me into trouble.’

  ‘I will. Thanks. Speak later,’ Luke said as he ended the call.

  ‘What was all that about then?’ Michael asked Luke with a raised eyebrow.

  ‘Nothing. Just a mix-up,’ Luke said breezily but Michael noticed the skin on his neck turning pink.

  ‘Why were you in a hotel yesterday? You were working with the lads last night and the night before.’

  ‘I didn’t stay overnight,’ Luke replied as he kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

  ‘Oh, I see. Just needed it for a few hours, did you?’ Michael started to laugh. ‘That explains the champagne.’

  Luke continued to stare at the road.

  ‘So, who is she then?’

  ‘No one,’ Luke snapped as he shifted in his seat.

  Michael was starting to think Luke was hiding something bigger than an afternoon rendezvous. ‘Why didn’t you just use your place?’