The One You Trust: Emma Holden Trilogy: Book Three

by Paul Pilkington

  Can I risk it?

  She had to. She moved across to the door and paused with a hand on the knob. Again she listened. No sound. Opening the door as silently as she could, she moved out onto the landing.

  Please, let the front door be open, please . . .

  As she crept towards the staircase however, she suddenly heard a noise, and he was on her, grabbing her hair, yanking her back with brutal force.

  ‘Don’t think . . . you’re . . . getting away,’ he said, as they struggled on the landing.

  She managed to lash out with an elbow and connected with his ribs, shaking him off and running for the stairs. But as she went to descend, he pushed her hard from behind and she careered downwards, crashing down the stairs and tumbling head over heels to the bottom.

  Peter Myers stared impassively from the top of the staircase at her lifeless body.

  If she hadn’t tried to leave me, this would never have happened.

  He moved slowly down the stairs and knelt next to her. He brushed back the strands of brown hair that had fallen forwards over her face. Her eyes were closed and it didn’t look as if she was breathing. ‘So beautiful.’

  He pressed two fingers into her neck, and waited for several seconds. ‘You shouldn’t have tried to run.’ He stroked her cheek. ‘Rest in peace.’

  Chapter 40

  Gasnier rapped at the door for a second time, then peered through the downstairs window, cupping his hands against the cool glass. No sign of movement. He cursed the fact that they didn’t have a mobile telephone number for him.

  ‘What now?’ Davies said. ‘Try the others?’

  Gasnier nodded. ‘Yes, let’s go.’

  They walked back down the path but, just as they got to the car, a voice called out behind them. ‘Excuse me?’

  It was the next-door neighbour. A middle-aged woman, who must have been watching them from inside as she did the dishes – she was still wearing yellow rubber gloves, soap suds dangling from the fingers like stalactites. ‘Are you looking for Edward?’

  ‘Yes, we are.’ Gasnier smiled, but inside he wasn’t happy with himself – why hadn’t he tried the neighbours? It was a pretty basic thing. Maybe he was losing his touch. Or maybe he was just tired – his wife had reminded him that morning that it was over a year since he’d taken any significant holiday. ‘Do you know where he’s likely to be?’

  ‘I do.’ She beamed. ‘He’ll be at the hospital, with his new baby.’

  ‘Really?’ Gasnier sensed Davies look over at him. ‘So, congratulations are in order?’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ she said. ‘He’s had a little boy called Jack. He showed me a photograph. He’s such a lovely baby. I think this baby will do him the world of good. Even though he’s quite old to be a new dad.’

  ‘Do you know which hospital they’re at?’

  ‘Oh, yes, St Thomas’. It’s where my daughter went, too.’

  ‘Great,’ Gasnier said, already turning back towards the car. He nodded to Davies. ‘You’ve been a great help, Mrs—?’

  ‘Blackmore,’ the woman said. ‘Elizabeth Blackmore.’ Her face creased slightly. ‘There’s nothing wrong, is there? I mean, at such a happy time . . . nothing’s happened, has it?’

  Gasnier paused at the open car door. ‘Just some routine questions. Nothing to worry about.’

  ‘Because, of course, I know all about what happened to his daughter, Emma, and her boyfriend. I mean, that really was an awful thing.’ She shook her head at the thought. ‘Such a dreadful thing. I’ve known Emma since she was a small child. She always was such a wonderful little girl. I hope she’s happy now.’

  ‘So do I,’ Gasnier replied, getting in the car. ‘So do I.’

  ‘So, how do we play this? Davies asked, as Gasnier parked outside the hospital entrance.

  ‘Well, we don’t want to create a scene. We need to deal with this away from the mother and child. I don’t want to be held responsible for any upset – I know from experience how protective of new mothers the nursing staff on maternity wards can be. And if I remember correctly, Edward’s partner, Miranda, works here, so it will apply more than ever, I’m sure. We just go in there, ask for him to be brought to us, and then deal with things in a private room.’

  ‘Sounds sensible. And if he’s not there?’

  ‘Then we may have to involve Miranda. But let’s hope that isn’t the case.’

  They swept through the sliding doors of the hospital’s main entrance and headed for the lift.

  The maternity ward was on the second floor, its reception straight in front of them. It was staffed by two nurses, one of whom had spotted their arrival. ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘Detective Inspector Mark Gasnier, Metropolitan Police, and my colleague, Detective Sergeant Christian Davies. We’re hoping to find a Mr Edward Holden. We’ve been led to believe that his partner, Miranda, is here.’ He showed his badge, which the young nurse studied. The sound of newborn cries drifted in from adjoining rooms, and a young girl in a blue hospital gown shuffled gingerly past them.

  ‘Just one moment,’ the nurse said, turning to her colleague. ‘Yvonne?’

  The other nurse – the older of the two by some margin – was already looking up from her paperwork. ‘I know who you mean. He’s in with Miranda and the baby now. I’ll go and fetch him. I’d prefer it if you didn’t go onto the ward.’

  ‘Of course,’ Gasnier replied. Great, he’s here. ‘Is there somewhere where we can talk?’

  She nodded. ‘You can use the tea room.’

  Edward Holden entered the room looking like a man bracing himself for very bad news. Gasnier and Davies had remained standing during their minute’s wait, but they had arranged three chairs in preparation for his arrival.

  Gasnier smiled. ‘Mr Holden, hello. If you wouldn’t mind closing the door behind you.’

  He nodded and pushed the door shut.

  Gasnier gestured. ‘Please, take a seat.’

  They all sat down, the two officers facing Edward Holden.

  ‘Has something happened to Emma?’ Edward asked.

  Gasnier studied his face. It was a passable act, but he had seen much better. ‘Do you have something to tell us, Edward?’

  The cracks were already opening up. ‘I . . . I don’t know what you mean. How would I have something—?’

  ‘Edward. You were extremely lucky to escape without charge for what you did, back in September. And you only escaped on a technicality, not because you didn’t deserve to be punished. So, if I were you, I would be very grateful for your good fortune. And I would also ensure that I didn’t place myself in a similar situation in the future. Because, believe me, things don’t always work out so well. Individuals do often get what they deserve.’

  ‘I understand,’ Edward said, softly. ‘I am grateful.’

  ‘Good. So I’ll ask you again. Do you have something to tell us?’

  Edward closed his eyes.

  ‘Mr Holden. Last chance. It would be much better if it came from you.’

  Edward nodded, his eyes still closed tightly. ‘I know where Emma is.’

  Gasnier waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. ‘How do you know?’

  Edward’s eyes opened, tears pooling in them. ‘Because I took her.’

  Chapter 41

  ‘Do you have the photograph?’ Lizzy said, excitedly.

  ‘What photograph?’ Dan replied.

  ‘The one that the person sent you. With you and Stuart.’

  Dan looked puzzled. ‘Yes, it’s in my coat pocket, I think – inside pocket.’

  Without explanation, Lizzy rushed out into the hallway and came back clutching the photograph. ‘I knew it!’ she said, slapping the photograph onto the table. ‘The girl who I saw at Guy Roberts’ house, I didn’t recognise her. I recognised her brother.’

  Dan looked up. ‘It was Stuart Harris’s sister?’

  ‘I’m as sure as I can be,’ Lizzy replied. ‘The resemblance is clear, now I’ve seen this.’
/>   ‘Charlotte does know Guy,’ Sally said, ‘but not very well. Just through Stuart. They’ve never socialised together, as far as I know. Are you saying that she was there with him?’

  ‘She was half naked in his house,’ Lizzy said. ‘My first reaction was that they were together.’

  Sally seemed unwilling to contemplate that idea. ‘Are you sure it was Charlotte?’

  ‘I’d place money on it.’

  ‘I saw them talking at Stuart’s funeral,’ Sally said, almost to herself, her thoughts churning. ‘Afterwards, at the wake, they were talking for quite a while. He had his arm around her. I thought he was just offering her support and comfort.’

  ‘Do you think there’s more to this than just a friendship or relationship?’ Will said to Lizzy.

  ‘Yes, I do.’

  ‘I know what you’re thinking,’ Dan said. ‘Charlotte Harris is another person of use to Guy. Another person from whom he can obtain information for the docudrama.’

  ‘That’s exactly what I’m thinking.’

  ‘But what’s in it for her?’ Will said.

  ‘Maybe she believes in the relationship,’ Lizzy replied. She turned to Sally. ‘Do you think Guy could have seduced Charlotte?’

  ‘It’s possible, I suppose. Guy has a reputation as a ladies’ man, and he’s not afraid to use his position, if you know what I mean.’ She shook her head. ‘I know Stuart always used to joke that he rarely saw the same woman on Guy’s arm more than twice, before the next one came along. They were always quite a bit younger than him, too.’

  ‘But you’d be surprised if Charlotte was having a relationship with him?’ Dan said.

  ‘Yes, under normal circumstances. But I know Charlotte was very low after what happened with Stuart. She likes people to think that she’s strong, but she’s actually quite vulnerable. She’s had quite a few problems, and I can understand how she might be exploited by someone she trusts. If Guy made the first move, she might have fallen for him.’

  ‘And there’s his close connection to Stuart. Charlotte might find it comforting to be with someone who was friends with her brother,’ Lizzy said.

  ‘Yes,’ Sally agreed. ‘It makes sense.’

  ‘So Guy Roberts begins a relationship with Charlotte Harris, for the purposes of getting information off her for the docudrama,’ Will said.

  ‘And the other perks,’ Lizzy added. ‘Charlotte is a very attractive girl. Dating her as a way of getting more information for the programme wouldn’t have been a difficult option for Guy to contemplate.’

  ‘So, what do we do now?’ Will said. ‘Even if you’re right about this, how does it help us find Emma?’

  ‘It doesn’t, really,’ Lizzy replied, looking deflated.

  ‘No, it does help,’ Dan said. ‘It gives us another piece in the puzzle. And it gives us someone else who can maybe provide more information about what has been going on.’

  Lizzy looked more hopeful. ‘You think we should speak to Charlotte?’

  ‘We should let the police deal with it,’ Dan said, firmly. ‘I think the time for us playing private detectives is over. I want to see Gasnier and the rest of the Met all over Guy Roberts and Firework Films. Because I think they’re the best chance we’ve got.’

  ‘Let’s call them now, then,’ Lizzy said.

  But before they could do anything, the intercom buzzer sounded.

  They all looked at each other, for a moment not moving.

  ‘I’ll go,’ Dan said, going out into the passageway. He returned a few moments later. ‘You won’t believe who’s on her way upstairs. Charlotte Harris.’

  Chapter 42

  ‘It’s not what you’re thinking,’ Edward said, glancing between the two officers. ‘You’re looking at me as if I’ve done something to harm her.’

  Gasnier bit back his anger and frustration. ‘Just tell us what’s going on, Mr Holden. Before I’m forced to arrest you, and we continue this down at the station.’

  ‘Okay,’ Edward said, hurriedly. ‘There won’t be any need for that, please. I don’t want Miranda to find out what’s going on. She’s only just had a baby—’

  ‘That much we do know,’ Gasnier said, dryly. ‘If we’d wanted to make a scene, then we would have already done so by now. Why do you think we are speaking in here, instead of approaching you at the bedside?’

  Edward understood. ‘Thank you. I appreciate that you’ve been discreet. And I am really grateful for that.’

  Now it was Gasnier’s time to nod his understanding. ‘As I said, we don’t wish to make a scene. But we have a job to do, just like the nurses in here. We want to find Emma, and bring her home safely. So, Edward, what’s going on?’

  Edward gathered himself. ‘She’s safe. She’s staying at a house I own.’

  ‘She was reported as missing. I take it her husband doesn’t know about this?’

  Edward shook his head slowly.

  ‘So what’s this all about?’

  ‘I was warned not to trust anyone,’ Edward said. ‘Not Dan, or Lizzy, or even Will.’

  ‘By whom?’

  ‘I don’t know. They called me on the phone, and warned me that Peter Myers was coming for her, and that I shouldn’t trust anyone. I decided I couldn’t take any chances, so I took Emma to the house. I reckoned she would be safe there, until Myers is recaptured or I decided what to do next.’

  ‘And Emma agreed to this?’

  ‘She wasn’t that happy, but yes, she did agree to it.’

  Gasnier raised a disbelieving eyebrow. ‘Even though she knew the worry it would cause to her brother and friends?’

  Edward looked uncomfortable. ‘She thinks that they know where she is. I told her that I’d let them know.’

  ‘So as far as Emma knows, everyone is in on the plan?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Except for us,’ Gasnier added. ‘Mr Holden, you are aware that wasting police time is a criminal offence?’

  He looked as if the thought had never occurred to him. ‘I . . . I didn’t ever mean for it to waste police time.’

  ‘Leaving the door to Emma’s flat ajar – was that an attempt to throw us off the scent?’

  ‘Ajar?’ He looked confused. ‘No, I meant to close it. But we were hurrying, so maybe I didn’t pull it to. It certainly wasn’t deliberate.’ Edward’s voice was growing wild. ‘I didn’t want to hurt or mislead anyone. I just want to protect my daughter. I would do anything to protect my children. Anything.’

  ‘I understand that,’ Gasnier said. ‘But didn’t you think that, maybe, we could help protect Emma? And that by misleading us, or shutting us out, you risked making things a lot worse?’

  ‘I see what you’re saying.’

  ‘Do you? Sometimes, Mr Holden, I do wonder whether you understand anything that I say.’ Gasnier let that comment hang in the air for a few seconds. ‘Your behaviour throughout all of this – well, to me, it’s mind-boggling.’ Another pause. ‘So, where is this property?’

  ‘It’s just south of the river,’ Edward replied. ‘In Croydon. It’s a small property we bought recently for rental, and we’re still getting it ready to let out. I thought it was the ideal place for Emma to hide.’

  ‘So Emma will be there now?’

  ‘Yes, yes she will be there. She hasn’t been outside since she arrived. I got supplies in for her. I didn’t want to risk her being seen.’

  ‘Is she contactable? Dan and the others have been calling her, without success.’

  ‘I took Emma’s mobile phone from her, but the house has got an active landline.’

  ‘Then call her now,’ Gasnier said. ‘Tell her that we’ll be along shortly.’

  ‘Me too?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  Edward nodded. ‘What should I tell Miranda?’

  ‘Anything you like.’

  He dialled the number, and waited. ‘There’s no answer,’ he said.

  ‘Keep on the line,’ Gasnier said. ‘She might be in the bathroom.’ />
  Edward waited for a few more seconds. ‘She’s not answering.’ He looked up at the two police officers, suddenly aghast. ‘What if something’s happened?’

  Gasnier’s question was swift. ‘When did you see her last?’

  ‘This morning. Just before I came over to the hospital. I delivered some milk, and checked to see that she was okay.’

  ‘Let’s go,’ Gasnier said, getting to his feet. ‘What’s the address? We’ll get a patrol car over there right now.’

  Chapter 43

  Guy Roberts sat back on the sofa, holding a glass of chilled champagne lightly in his fingers. He finished it in one, and had just poured himself another when the doorbell rang.

  It would be her, begging for his forgiveness.

  He smiled thinly as he stood up, and waited for a few seconds.

  By the time he reached the door, the bell had sounded again. ‘Take it easy, my dear. Don’t come across as too desperate.’

  He would sleep with her one more time. But then that was it.

  He swung open the door with a theatrical flourish. ‘I knew you wou—’

  The slide of the knife blade into his chest was as cold as the glass that slipped from his fingers.

  Chapter 44

  ‘Hi,’ Charlotte said, as Dan led her into the kitchen. Still sporting her brown bob, her pretty face looked puffy, as if she had been crying recently and had not yet fully recovered. She averted her eyes on catching sight of Will, but she was caught by surprise at the presence of Sally, who just nodded a greeting.

  The room was by now pretty full, and there were just enough chairs to go around. But Charlotte didn’t move to sit down. ‘Is Emma not here?’

  ‘No,’ Dan said. ‘We don’t know where she is. We hoped that you might be able to help.’

  ‘It was you!’ Will said, suddenly. ‘The girl at the park, jogging! It was you!’

  She looked away.

  ‘You were pretending to be Emma, weren’t you?’

  She didn’t answer that.

  ‘What’s going on, Charlotte?’ Lizzy asked. ‘Why were you at Guy Roberts’ house?’