Jade looked away from him, shaking her head. “So, you know about everything I suppose.”
“Yes, I do. I know about ‘Princesses’, the drugs, and that you’re not the only girl from the supermarket working there. I know how they operate and where their buildings are. Are you angry with me Jade, for what I’ve done? I know it was wrong, but…” he paused; there wasn’t an acceptable excuse, and he knew it.
“Angry? Of course, I’m bloody angry, Ethan!” she clenched her jaw, and her eyes looked glassy.
“You’ve been following me without me knowing. But you saved my life, so what can I say? Thank you for stalking me?”
She raised her hands in the air and gave an entirely humourless laugh.
“I’m sorry, Jade, I am so sorry. I got it wrong. I should have gone to the police straight away. I know that now. I thought if I could figure it all out, then I could tell them who to arrest and keep you out of it completely. If it had worked, you wouldn’t have had to give any evidence or move away.”
“Right. How selfless of you,” Jade replied in the same deadpan tone.
He knew he deserved it and thought better of trying to defend himself further.
“What do you plan on doing now then, with everything you know?” she asked.
“I’ve already been to the police, with Stacy,” he mumbled, knowing that it might enrage her further.
She stared at him wide-eyed again, her eyebrows raised.
“After you got attacked, I realised I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to go to the police and tell them everything so that they could take ‘Princesses’ down. I spoke to Stacy, and I told her what had happened to you. She agreed to come to the station with me, to prove that what I was saying was true. She was so brave, Jade, she told them everything. But her family have had to move somewhere else, under protection.”
“Jesus, poor Stace!”
“I’m sorry, I know I’ve messed up. But Stacy is safe now, and so are you, once the police figure it all out and arrest whoever is behind it all.”
He sat opposite her for a few minutes, watching her take it all in.
She shook her head a few times and took several deep breaths.
“Next question,” she broke the silence as she turned to face him. “What was your message about earlier, telling me to leave Renee’s?”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” he replied. Debbie and Karen would have dropped the card off at the police station by now, and DS Harris will take it from there. He was nervous about upsetting Jade further by telling her that Renee might be the elusive ‘Boss,’ who had exploited her for months.
“No more secrets Ethan! Tell me,” she pressed, as her bright blue eyes bored into his.
“Fine. But you won’t like it. Debbie said something to me at work today,” he started.
“Debbie?” replied Jade, over the noise. “I thought she was in prison for murdering Jan and Cait?”
“No, the police were holding her, but they dropped the charges, so she was back today. Debbie said that the same person who killed Janice, Caitlin and Dawn was also the boss of ‘Princesses’. And that they worked at the supermarket with us.”
“No way, no it can’t be… how does Debbie even know about ‘Princesses’? This is mad!”
“Is it mad? Think about it. Isn’t it a coincidence that at least three girls from the supermarket got caught up in it? What if Janice and Caitlin, and then Dawn figured out that a colleague was behind it? And what if they got killed because of it?”
Jade looked shell-shocked, and he couldn’t blame her. It was a lot to take in at once, particularly on top of his confession and apology.
“But who would do that?”
“Well, Debbie thinks it’s Renee. You see, that’s why I sent the message, and why we drove to Renee’s to find you, after you told me you were there.”
Jade burst out laughing.
“No, no, you’ve all got that wrong! Renee? No way, she’s not a murderer!”
“Well, what about her cat, Princess,” he protested. “Just like the cat on those horrible business cards, isn’t she?”
“It’s a coincidence,” Jade replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“She wouldn’t have put such an obvious link to herself on them, would she? More likely it’s someone trying to frame her.”
“But think about how she’s been, missing days at work, moody. You said yourself; she was frantic earlier.”
“Yeah,” replied Jade with a smile. “She’s in trouble alright, but it has nothing to do with ‘Princesses’.”
“What is it then?”
“It’s her secret Ethan, so I’m not going to tell you. But you’ll find out soon enough. Trust me, it’s nothing to do with ‘Princesses’,” answered Jade.
She rubbed the condensation from her glass with a wry smile.
“You know, Ethan, people are so quick to think the worst of Renee, because she’s from New Grange. But more often than not, the richest people are the worst, not the poorest. We’re just exploited and judged more.”
Ethan sat back in his chair. He’d been quick to believe Debbie when she voiced her suspicions about Renee. But that was more about the evidence in front of him, than Renee being from New Grange, wasn’t it? He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“Well if it’s not Renee, then who is it? Seeing as you seem to be in the know.”
Across the table, Jade’s contemplative expression returned. Her eyes darted back and forth; her eyebrows narrowed. After a minute, her breathing quickened, and she grabbed the edge of the table.
“What?” he leaned towards her.
“If Debbie’s right, and it is all linked, then I think I know who it is. Oh, God. It could be. That’s why she…”
“Who?” he asked as she strained to get her phone from her pocket.
“Oh no, my battery has gone. Do you have Renee’s number on your phone?” she asked.
“Renee? No, I don’t. I thought you said she wasn’t involved?”
“She isn’t, but I need to speak to her. Have you got money for a taxi?”
“Yeah, of course, I can order one now. Back to mine?”
“No, not to yours. If we can’t ring Renee, we need to go to her. She’s at Fair Lawns. I heard her say it earlier.”
“Fair Lawns?” he repeated. “Why would she be there?”
“Do it, Ethan, please order the cab, and I’ll explain on the way.”
He followed Jade out of the pub. Her realisation, which she hadn’t shared with him yet, seemed to have energised her. They saw their cab in the distance and waved at it eagerly. The driver flashed his lights through the rain in return. As the car waited to clear the traffic lights, Ethan turned to Jade and took a deep breath. She looked up at him, her jaw clenched.
“Thanks, for getting us the cab,” she muttered.
“Does this mean we’re still friends, then?”
“Possibly,” she replied with a sigh. “But that is all we will ever be.”
“I know,” he mumbled and, for the first time, he accepted it.
31: Revelations
Monday 24th December 2018, 18:00 – Renee
Renee followed Debbie, Karen and Kevin back into the reading room. Her two colleagues’ sudden presence at The Manor left her perplexed. What on earth could they need to tell Gillian on Christmas Eve? And didn’t they know she was away?
A few minutes ago, Renee had felt so relieved, happy, and most of all, excited about the future. Kevin had reacted the way she’d hoped he would. Soon enough, they’d be setting up a new life far away. And this, she realised, was what she’d wanted all along.
It amazed her that no-one, apart from Marie, had figured her secret out before now. Her sudden abstinence from alcohol and cigarettes and her baggy clothes, her time off of work and last-minute sick days, were all dead giveaways.
The thought of bringing up the baby alone didn’t trouble her too much. But she’d lived in fear of Gillian, or anyone, putting two and
two together about the father. It didn’t matter anymore though; by the time everyone at the supermarket found out, she’d have left Melwood for good. She would already be on her way if it wasn’t for Debbie and Karen’s sudden arrival. It seemed that she and Kevin had one last hurdle to overcome before they escaped into the night.
“What are you doing here?” snarled Debbie, pointing her finger at Renee.
“Well, I see the inside of a police cell has done little to improve your manners. What does it matter to you?” asked Renee, as she turned to Karen with a baffled look. Karen shook her head and looked away immediately, refusing to meet her eye.
“Don’t look at her, answer me,” growled Debbie, her shaking hand still pointing towards Renee.
“Look, it’s really none of your business,” sighed Renee. She turned to look at Kevin for support but didn’t get any.
“You’re interrupting a very private conversation, and I don’t know why.”
“I’m here to see Gillian, to warn her,” replied Debbie.
Renee wondered if the police had made the wrong decision, letting Debbie go. She felt a prickle on the back of her neck.
“She’s not here, Debbie. Please leave, you’ll see Gill after Christmas,” interjected Kevin, with an attempt at a laugh. A redness was starting to creep up his neck.
“So,” mused Debbie, as she pulled her phone out of her pocket. “If I call Gill now, she’ll answer and tell me she’s away as planned, and that she’s well?”
“No!” Renee and Kevin shouted at the same time, but it was too late. Debbie raised her eyebrows and pressed the call button.
“Debbie, hang up now, don’t tell her Renee is here,” hissed Kevin.
Beads of sweat had started to form on his forehead. Debbie held the phone to her ear for some time. Please don’t pick up, willed Renee. She breathed a sigh of relief when Debbie muttered ‘answerphone’. But instead of hanging up, Debbie walked to the far corner of the room to leave her message.
“Gill, it’s Debbie, I’m at your house, but you’re not here. I need you to let me know you’re OK. I have to speak to you, urgently.”
Kevin reached Debbie as she finished her message. He grabbed her by the arm and began to drag her towards the reading room door.
“You need to leave,” he ordered, as Debbie dug her heels into the carpet and struggled to free herself.
“Let go of her!” cried Karen, and Kevin loosened his grip. “Kevin let go. I’ll take her home, I promise, Debbie, come on,” she continued, grabbing her friend’s other arm.
“What, leave the house without Gillian, with her still here?” replied Debbie, as she threw them both off and pointed again at Renee.
“What exactly do you think I’m going to do?” asked Renee in exasperation. She stepped back from the altercation, perched on the sofa closest to the door and folded her arms over her stomach.
“Oh, I don’t know! Maybe kill Gillian to protect your secret, as you did with Janice, Caitlin and Dawn?”
Renee opened her mouth to respond, but, for once, she didn’t know what to say. She looked at Kevin for support, but he was staring at Debbie wide-eyed, rubbing his jaw. A vein on the side of his temple had started to twitch.
“What? What the…?” stuttered Renee, as she struggled to process Debbie’s accusation.
“I had nothing to do with that. Is that what you think of me? That I’m capable of murder?”
“That, and the rest!” accused Debbie, as she glared down on her from the middle of the room.
“Your time is up, Renee. We’ve figured it all out. ‘Princesses’, the cat, the girls, the drugs, the murders, and you.”
“I don’t know what you’re on about. Do you need help? Karen, she needs sectioning! Kevin, does this mean anything to you?”
Renee laughed and looked at Kevin, but he stood by the armchair, staring out of the window. Why wasn’t he telling Debbie that her accusations were baseless?
“I’m calling the police, to tell them to come and arrest you,” muttered Debbie. She removed her phone from her pocket again.
“Oh, go ahead, but it would be a waste of time! I can prove I didn’t kill anyone straight away,” replied Renee with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“How’s that then?” asked Debbie, as her thumb hovered once again over the dial button. “I’d love to hear this!”
“I was with him,” Renee pointed at Kevin. “The night Janice and Caitlin died. And yeah, we were up to no good, but not the murder kind of no good. We were right here, in a room upstairs. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Renee!” Kevin groaned, finally turning away from the window. He raised his hands and pushed his hair away from his face. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, for God’s sake Kevin! They were about to find out anyway, given what we’ve decided tonight. What does it matter?” She turned back to Debbie.
“We’ve been seeing each other for over a year. I know, awful us, poor Gillian! But it’s become a serious thing, and I’m here because I’m pregnant and he’s going to leave Gill. I was sick on the night Dawn died, after my scan. So, there it is, my big secret is out. Now can you do one and leave us to it, please?”
Kevin groaned again at Renee, his face now a very dark red. Karen turned towards her, too, looking both shocked and amused. Debbie shook her head in disbelief.
“No! You’re lying…” Debbie whispered. “You’re in it together, the two of you. You’re making up this affair to cover yourselves!”
Renee rolled her eyes, stood up, lifted her jumper to her waist and shrugged her shoulders.
“Oh my God,” laughed Karen. “Well, this explains a lot. Come on Deb; we’ve embarrassed ourselves enough. Let’s go.”
Debbie’s shoulders dropped, and she slumped towards Karen. “Just because she’s pregnant doesn’t mean she wasn’t involved in the other stuff,” she grumbled.
“Kevin, was I with you on that night Jan and Cait were killed?”
Renee paused as Debbie and Karen turned to Kevin, who gave a stiff nod, then resumed looking out of the window.
“So, Debbie, why don’t you head off to think about who doesn’t have an alibi?”
“Marie, I bet she’d do it if you asked her to…” replied Debbie, the accusatory tone returning to her voice.
“Well, I can tell you now she didn’t. She was at home on the night Janice and Caitlin died, messaging me, and she was with Rachel on Halloween night. Rachel, her girlfriend. I’ve met her, and she told me all about their cosy night in together watching horrible scary films.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Yes, she has a girlfriend,” laughed Renee. “I told her to come out with it, but she was nervous. Especially as someone called her a fat dyke in front of all her colleagues recently.”
“Well, I didn’t know she actually was,” muttered Karen.
“And what about you, Karen?” continued Renee. “Marie thought it might have been you. God knows why you would do it, but Marie seemed certain that you had something to hide. Why don’t you go and reflect on that, Deb, and leave us alone?”
Renee had expected both Debbie and Karen to leave at that point, tails between their legs. Instead, Karen turned a shade of red which rivalled Kevin’s, and Debbie turned to her best friend.
“Well, Karen? Tell her! You were with Pete.”
“Yes, I do have something to hide,” spluttered Karen, as Debbie’s eyes widened. “But it’s nothing to do with this, I promise. Deb, I wanted to talk to you about it this evening, but you’ve dragged me here instead.”
Debbie waved a hand, encouraging her best friend to speak.
“Fine. OK, fine,” rushed Karen. “I’ve been having an affair with Steve. I was with him on both nights.”
“Oh, you could have come up with something a little more original Karen,” laughed Renee.
“It’s true,” snapped Karen as she took her phone from her pocket and passed it to Debbie.
“Check the messages. He’s s
aved in my phone as ‘Steph.’ Pete found out yesterday, he saw the messages, and he’s divorcing me. Says he’s keeping the kids.”
Debbie comforted Karen as she suddenly burst into tears.
Jesus, thought Renee, will they ever leave? She looked at Kevin and gestured for him to take control of the situation and remove the two women.
“Right,” said Kevin, “now we’ve cleared all this up, you need to leave, both of you.”
Karen nodded and reached down to grab her bag. Debbie remained rooted to the spot; her eyes stared into space.
“Wait,” she muttered. She looked down at the phone in her hand, and her face turned pale.
“If you’re telling the truth, Renee and Kevin, then there’s someone else who isn’t.”
“That’s enough. Get out, Debbie. Now!” Kevin ordered as he reached out to grab her again.
“Oh Renee,” groaned Debbie, as she grabbed Kevin’s wrist to hold him off. “How could you not have realised this, all this time?”
For the second time that evening, Renee’s neck prickled with fear. Not only did Debbie look terrified, but Kevin’s face had drained of colour too. The vein on his head was twitching non-stop. Even Karen dropped her bag, her eyes open wide in fear. But what did Debbie mean? What should she have realised?
Behind her, just beyond the door to the reading room, the hallway floorboards creaked. A chill ran down Renee’s spine as she realised that there was someone other than herself, Kevin, Debbie and Karen at The Manor.
32: WhoDunnit
Monday 24th December 2018, 18:00 – Vincent
Two emails arrived in Vincent Okafor’s inbox in quick succession, breaking his chain of thought. He looked at the subject lines, took a deep breath and sprang to life with a grin. Despite the importance of his requests, he hadn’t expected a response this side of Christmas. He opened the attachments and rushed through the text. At a glance, it seemed to confirm the hypothesis he’d worked on for the last 24 hours, since the release of Debbie Gomez.
Killer Princesses: Gripping and gritty, a twisty and tantalising thriller... Page 22
