Dangerous Shadows

by Whitelaw, Stella

  “What are you looking so cheerful for?” Danielle asked, sipping her drink.

  “I was thinking of some funny photographs for that magazine. It would be different.” Holly tried to keep a straight face.

  “We don’t want funny photographs. They want gorgeous, glamorous photographs, all of me. That’s what they want.”

  “That’s what they usually get. Dozens of photographs shot of the bride. Occasionally the groom gets a look in, as an afterthought, over your shoulder. Maybe a glimpse of the bridesmaid if she is distantly related to a celebrity?”

  “I shall say that you are,” said Danielle, grinning. “I’ll think up a celebrity for you. They’ll take lots of photos of Barry, of course, because he is a celebrity. Did you know he’s famous? Olympic gold medals and stuff.”

  Lily came out with a jug of mango juice for Holly and more rum-punch. Danielle was downing them fast this afternoon. Perspiration was dewing her skin.

  “I didn’t know he was famous.” Holly poured herself some mango juice. “I think I know why Earl, your friend the handsome lifeguard, keeps coming round here, wanting to know who is coming to the wedding,” she said. She intended her statement to give Danielle a jolt. It did. Danielle’s hand on the glass trembled. A drop spilt on her skin.

  “Really? So? Why does he keep coming round?”

  “He’s not going to blackmail you about the swimming together or whatever else happened. He’s got a much bigger fish to hook. I saw this on a Crimewatch programme that I worked on for a few weeks. These crooks get a wedding list of guest names. They know for certain those people will not be at home during the hours of the wedding and reception and then they burgle their homes, even hotel rooms. Earl wanted to know if your guests were rich.”

  “He’s going to burgle their homes?” Danielle did look shocked.

  Holly shook her head. “No, I don’t think he’s actually going to do the burglaries himself. He’s too big and too recognisable. He’s probably going to sell the list of names to some lower gang of crooks, some Bridgetown gang, maybe creaming off a nice percentage for himself. His clothes look expensive. I saw him wearing a very expensive Panama hat.”

  Danielle swallowed hard. “Should we tell the police, do you think?”

  “It might be a good idea. We’ll ask Luke when he comes. Perhaps the police will make a point of patrolling certain residential roads. A police presence is often enough to scare off crime. But, of course, the guest list must be kept confidential. Who else knows the guest list?”

  “I don’t really know. You helped me write the addresses. Luke posted them. The post office, I suppose. They were all in beautiful gold-embossed envelopes.”

  “I remember. Have you got a typed list?”

  “There’s a list on my computer.”

  “And has anyone else access to your computer?”

  “No, no one. Luke doesn’t even know who is coming. He added a few of his business friends and that’s all.”

  “Then I think the list is safe. Maybe it’s going to be all right, Danielle.”

  Danielle took a long drink with a dull, wounded sound. “What would I do without you, Holly?” she said when she came up for air.

  *

  It had been a piece of cake getting off the ship at Bridgetown. Deep Water Harbour was crowded with container ships being unloaded, moving cranes, other cruise ships and smaller private ships. The yard itself was a mass of cranes and lorries.

  As he approached the security scanning machine at the top of the gangway, he handed the female officer the Colonel’s pass and at the same time, in a carefully co-ordinated movement, dropped his navy blazer. The blazer brushed her legs. She took her eyes off the screen for one second, missing the Colonel’s photograph.

  “Sorry, officer,” he said, all charm, retrieving his blazer from the floor. “I hope I haven’t caught your stockings? I will of course replace them this evening if there is any damage.”

  His dancing eyes said that he would like to replace them by hand. Maybe over a glass of champagne?

  “That won’t be necessary, sir,” she said, handing him back the boarding pass.

  “There’s no damage. Have a nice day ashore.”

  He took a deep breath. There was a slight hold-up on the gangway as an elderly lady found the swaying steps difficult. An officer came to assist.

  He hurried down the gangway once it was clear. Several coaches were waiting on the dockside to ferry passengers into Bridgetown. No one was allowed to walk unaccompanied in the dockyard area. It felt great to be on dry land after so many days at sea.

  He had a wad of dollars in his pocket, a free map of Bridgetown, a ‘borrowed’ mobile phone and a lot to sort out. He tossed the Colonel’s boarding pass into a bin. It slid down between crushed Pepsi tins, out of sight.

  “What a creep,” said the female officer. “He actually had the nerve to stroke my leg, picking up his blazer.”

  “Give him a wide berth,” said another officer. “I know that sort.”

  “I hope I never see him again,” she added. And she didn’t.

  *

  Grace Gray phoned Sadie at her flat. It was not normally something that she did, checking up on her daughter. But Holly didn’t sound right on the phone. Perhaps it had been a bad connection.

  “Hello Sadie, how are you? It’s Grace, Holly’s mother. Have you heard from my daughter recently?”

  “She emails when she remembers. She seems awfully busy, doing things for Danielle.” Sadie was bent over, painting her toe nails. She loved red toe nails.

  “She’s sounded a bit odd on the phone recently, as if she was worried. As if something is wrong. And she’s getting bad dreams, she said. Running dreams.”

  “It’s the heat probably,” said Sadie. “And too much rum-punch.”

  “It’s not like Holly to keep anything from me. I wondered if she had told you, being her best friend. There’s something on her mind.”

  “Don’t worry, Grace. She’ll be home soon. The wedding done and dusted.”

  “I hope you are right. I do hope so.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Danielle could barely contain her excitement the next day. Her eyes were sparkling anew, her angel hair flying in all directions, catching the sunlight.

  “I have just had lunch with the most wonderful man,” she exclaimed. “A really intelligent lunch.”

  “Luke? He found some time to eat with you at last?”

  “No, silly. Luke’s my fiancé. He doesn’t have time for socializing. He’s always too busy.”

  True, thought Holly. He was always cancelling lunches because of work when they were in London. He’d fill any gap with ginger biscuits, dunked in coffee.

  “It’s not as if he’s a stranger,” Danielle rattled on. “He was at our pre-wedding party and again at the Grant’s Ball. But I never really knew what terrific company he was until I got him on his own.”

  “That sounds intriguing,” said Holly, wondering who this film star hero/Roman God/Greek philosopher man could be. Not the handsome lifeguard, surely? He didn’t fit any of those categories.

  “I made arrangements to meet him today because I don’t think Luke even listens to me. I had to make sure that Luke would be wearing the right suit for the wedding and when they could both go to Madame Latisse to be fitted for their waistcoats. They are both wearing white and gold brocade waistcoats.”

  “So you had lunch with Barry Armitage, the best man?” Holly couldn’t see Luke in a gold and white waistcoat. But worse was to come. Danielle rattled on.

  “Did you know that Barry is really famous? I mean mega-famous. He won several gold medals at the Olympics. He makes millions every year with sponsorships. And he travels all over the world to compete in different games. He’s not much to look at, not exactly handsome, quite ordinary in fact. But he’s not ordinary at all and anyone who married him would be like a footballer’s wife. Travelling the world, always the best hotels, first class flights, beautiful clothes,
red carpet everywhere. What are those football wives called? WAGs or something.”

  “I know he goes surfing a lot,” Holly said.

  “It’s not only surfing, Holly. He’s an international athlete since the last Olympics. He trains every day and is so fit. Runs for miles along the coast. He’s a super star. The cameraman thing with Luke is a sort of second career, to take his mind off competing. He says it helps him to relax. He’s a very good photographer as well. He’s publishing a glossy book in the autumn. He says he’s going to take some photos of me, some very special ones. Isn’t that great?”

  “Wonderful,” said Holly. Her voice sounded strange, as if she was reciting a written script. She’d had some weird dreams about running. So Barry ran for miles. “It’s good that you are getting on well with the best man. He does have an important role at the wedding. The speech and everything.”

  “He says he’s not very good at speeches. So I’m going to help him.”

  Danielle was going to help write the best man’s speech? The outpouring of words was disturbing. Danielle was sounding like a star-struck teenager, yet she was no teenager. As she had said, some days ago, her biological clock was ticking.

  “Keep it brief,” said Holly. “That’s my advice to any best man when it comes to their speech.”

  “I’m having lunch with Barry again tomorrow. He’s taking me to some fancy place on the east coast with a spectacular view of the sea. I’m so thrilled. I can’t wait. Apparently when he retires, he’ll probably have his own television show, sports commentating. Not that he’s thinking of retiring yet. I think he’s a couple of years younger than me, only don’t tell him, will you?”

  “Of course not, Danielle. Why should I? There’s no reason. He’s only a friend, after all. Why should he be interested in how old you are?”

  “Because he’s interested in everything about me. He thinks I’m fabulous. And he makes a lot of money.”

  “But what’s that got to do with it? Luke also makes a lot of money.”

  “But Luke earns it. He has to work damned hard for it. The big companies simply give Barry the money for sponsorship. He doesn’t have to do anything, just wear a shirt or shoes with their name or logo on.”

  “The perfect best man. Write your name on his shoes.”

  “A perfectly wonderful new friend,” said Danielle, stretching back in the basket chair. “I’m so glad I’ve met him. Perhaps he’ll sign the photos he takes of me and then one day they’ll be collector’s items. Or I could sell them on e-bay.”

  Danielle certainly had some wild ideas when it came to her fantasy life. Holly had to smile. “If we’ll both be going into town tomorrow, we could go together,” she said. Holly had the wedding ring to collect. The shop had phoned to say that the ring was ready. Not exactly her favourite errand but she had promised.

  “Barry’s going to pick me up here,” said Danielle.

  “Are you going on his motorbike?”

  “His bike? I sincerely hope not. I’m not travelling anywhere on a bike.”

  “He has a big bike. A Harley-Davidson.”

  “You wouldn’t catch me on a bike. He’s better come by car. I’ll phone him.”

  “Why not wait and see what he arrives in? It’ll be a sort of test of how well he understands you. Car or bike.”

  “Oh, Barry understands me. We got on so well. It was amazing.”

  “Understanding someone can be a blessing or a curse.”

  *

  Holly need not have worried. Barry arrived in a low-slung open sports car, roof down. Danielle tied a silk scarf over her angel curls and got into the car with a triumphant smile.

  “There, you see, Holly. I had nothing to worry about.”

  Barry saw that Holly was ready to go out, sun hat and glasses, bottle of water, wearing her usual mid-calf jeans and a T-shirt.

  “I’d give you a lift, Holly, but we are going the other way, to the east of the island. We’re going to the Round House Inn. It’s a restored building, very atmospheric, wonderful view of the Atlantic rollers. You’d love it.”

  “Sounds wonderful but I’ve an errand in town so I’ll go on a bus. I like the local buses. They are such fun.”

  “See you at the rehearsal then.”

  Of course, it was the wedding rehearsal later this afternoon. Holly wondered if Luke would remember. She had not seen him last night. She was not sure if he even called to see Danielle.

  The bus was full but two skinny girls shuffled up so that she could share a corner of their bench seat. The plastic leather was hot and sticky but Holly was glad to sit down. The bus jolted over the ruts in the road, the stereo belting out pop music which the two girls joined in. They knew all the words. Holly could not imagine anyone singing on a London bus.

  “Where are you going?” Holly asked the girls. She was still looking for those two beauties for Zoe’s portfolio.

  “We’z going to the market. We want to buy some clothes. My ma washes so much, there ain’t no life left in anything.”

  They were pleasant looking girls but they were both wearing braces on their teeth. Their chatter took up the rest of the journey into Bridgetown. Holly felt she knew their life histories.

  It was sweltering hot in the centre of Bridgetown. The ice sellers were doing great business. She pulled the straw hat firmly on her head and began to stroll towards the street of the jewellers shop. She also wanted to find something beautiful as a wedding present for Danielle and Luke, from the island, but not something that shrieked local souvenir.

  She pressed the security button outside the jeweller’s shop and spoke into the inter-com. “Holly Gray. I’ve come to collect the wedding ring on behalf of Luke Kenyon. May I come in? You phoned Tiger Plantation House.”

  The lock clicked and the door swung open. The same assistant smiled at her.

  “Please come inside, Miss Gray. Thank you for coming. We never like to send valuable pieces by courier. The insurance is very high. Would you like to see the ring?”

  “No thank you,” said Holly. “I’m sure it will be perfect. I’ll wait and see it on the day.” If she was still around, she nearly added.

  The assistant went into a back room to get the ring out of the safe. Their security was excellent. She even had to activate a door code to get into the back room.

  She returned with the ring packed in a tiny gold bag with ribbon drawstring. “I’m sure Mr Kenyon will be pleased with it. And the bride.”

  “Thank you again,” said Holly. “Do I have to sign something?”

  “No, there is no need,” said the assistant. “The transaction is recorded on our CCTV. But this is also for you to take, Miss Gray.” She was holding a similar tiny bag with drawstring ribbon, but this one was in silver. “I believe this is a present for the bridesmaid, from the groom.”

  “For me?” Holly was taken aback. A present from Luke? Her heart sank.

  “Yes, Mr Kenyon chose it when you were not looking.” The assistant was grinning. “He said it was to be a surprise.”

  “Well, it is a surprise. I hope it’s not too valuable.”

  “It is not gold,” said the assistant. “But it is special. Do not open it in the street. And travel back by taxi.”

  “Yes, I’ll take a taxi back. It’s too hot anyway for a bus now.” She put the two tiny pouches in her shoulder bag and closed it firmly.

  The sun was beating down and Holly was glad of the straw hat and the shirt covering her shoulders. Lots of bare necks were burning. Perhaps this was not a good time to go shopping for presents.

  A firm hand touched her shoulder and she spun round, expecting it to be Earl Phillips again, not knowing where to look.

  “Holly, pretend you know me, please. Look as if we are together. Just friends meeting by accident in the street. Don’t be alarmed. Nothing is going to happen.”

  It was Jake Furrows. The last person she ever wished to see and he was standing right in front of her. He was in slim white trousers and a navy blazer,
open-necked shirt and dark glasses. He slipped his arm through hers and pulled her close. Holly froze with fear, then anger.

  “Let go of me,” she said angrily, shaking off his arm. “How dare you even speak to me after what you did to me? Go away and leave me alone.”

  “I only need a very small favour, Holly. It’s nothing much, truly, and then I’ll go, out of your life forever, I promise. I saw you coming out of that jewellers. I need to speak to the jeweller. It’s very important. I’ve some stuff to sell. The price of gold is pretty high at the moment. I only want the weight value. They’ll let me in if I’m with you. I saw you go in.”

  “Get lost,” said Holly. “I’m not going to help you.”

  “But the jewellers will let me in if I am seen to be with you,” he repeated. “Otherwise I’ll have to go to a street dealer and they’ll try to defraud me.”

  “And it’ll serve you right. As you defrauded me.” Holly could barely speak.

  “But you didn’t need the lottery win. You were happy. You had a flat, a job, masses of friends. I had nothing. I needed it, to make a fresh start.”

  “And what have you done with it? What’s your fresh start?”

  “Well, I’ve got a lot of big deals in the offering. People I’ve met, business contacts I’ve made. It’s looking good.”

  “If it’s looking good, then why are you selling gold?”

  “I need a little ready cash.”

  “You mean you’ve spent the lot. Isn’t that why you are trying to sell gold? Is it even your jewellery?” Holly glared at him.

  “It’s my watch, my gold neck chain. A few other odds and ends.”

  “How did you get to Bridgetown?”

  “I came on a cruise ship.”

  “Then I suggest you get back on it.”

  Jack grinned. “I can’t,” he said. “It’s left without me. I arrived this morning. Perhaps I could stay with you? I’ve nowhere to sleep. I’ve spent all of my last cash. Have a heart, Holly. We used to be such good friends.”

  “We were never good friends,” said Holly furiously. “I’m not going to help you in any way at all. Get a job. Work your way home. Don’t you ever come anywhere near me again. If you do, I’ll call the police. I mean it. Get out of my way.”