by Carol Wyer
I refrain from kissing her. I’ll try hard to wipe this image from my mind. I want to remember the lady in the tulle princess gown, whose golden hair hung in glossy curls and who was my world, not this woman, bone thin and world worn. I experience tightness in my chest like an invisible python is squeezing the life out of me and a horrible, howling, wild noise fills the room. I think it is coming from my father but it is not. It is coming from me.
I have failed her. This part of my perfect plan has not worked out but I shall make sure the second part does. Someone will pay heavily for this and that someone will be Abigail.
44
Jackson Thorne sat opposite her, fingers tapping lightly on the table, his body infused with nervous energy.
‘Thanks for seeing me.’
‘It’s no problem. I was surprised you phoned.’ Robyn sat back in the leather Rocket chair and observed his actions.
‘I don’t know who else to talk to. I didn’t want to rush off to the local police. My wife Abigail believes someone is targeting us. Our cat was killed and nailed to our door last night. Abigail insists someone has been phoning her and is watching our movements, but the calls and texts have all been deleted from her mobile. She’s making all sorts of wild claims and can’t prove any of them. I’m worried about Abby but I’m also worried that someone killed our cat because of me.’
‘Go on,’ said Robyn. ‘Tell me what you think and I’ll see how I can help.’
‘This chap Lucas who you’ve been looking for. He was after me for a whole week, pestering and pestering and I didn’t get back to him. What if he did this because I didn’t contact him?’
‘Pestering you about what?’
‘He wanted to meet up. I ignored his calls. I thought he was a salesman. Sometimes they don’t say they’re from a company and you speak to them thinking they’re a client, and they try to flog you all sorts of stuff. I was overworked and I didn’t want to talk to any salesman. I was out every day on flights and had no time for him.’
He stopped and placed his hands flat on the table and looked at Robyn.
‘Okay, here’s what really happened. After the fifth or sixth message, I rang Lucas Matthews back just to get rid of him. He answered his phone and I spoke to him,’ he said and exhaled heavily. ‘He wanted me to give Abigail a message. He wouldn’t tell me what that message was over the phone only that it was very important and I needed to pass it to her, as she would never listen to him. I asked him why not but he repeated that he needed to speak to me in person. I took him for some weirdo. I told him I wouldn’t pass on anything and to quit calling me. I was pretty rude to him. I thought the bloke was trying to wind me up. I really didn’t consider it to be any more than a lousy prank call from some oddbod. He didn’t ring again after that.’
‘He wanted you to pass a message to Abigail?’
‘That’s right. I didn’t think much more about it after the telephone conversation. I figured he was unbalanced and I didn’t bring it up with Abby in case I worried her unduly. She doesn’t know him. If she did, the name would have cropped up in conversation at some stage during our married life. We don’t hide stuff from each other. I know about her life before me and there has been no mention of a Lucas Matthews.’ He heaved a sigh again. ‘After I went to bed last night and had calmed down, I worried he had been hounding Abby because I wouldn’t answer his calls and that he actually killed Toffee. I know. It sounds a ludicrous idea now I’ve spoken it out loud to you but I’m clutching at straws.’
Robyn observed his face as he spoke, searching for telltale signs he was lying but he seemed sincere, his eyes never leaving her own, lines etched on his forehead as he tried to work out why anyone could commit such a callous act. She wondered if Abigail would seem so truthful if she were interviewed. She would keep quiet about Lucas being dead. She wanted to see what Abigail had to say first.
‘I can’t think what he’d achieve by murdering your cat. Let’s run through other possibilities.’
‘I can’t think of any others, Detective. I’ve been awake most of the night trying to fathom out who would do this. The only clue I have is that Abigail received a text before she found Toffee. It said something like “This is what happens to people who keep secrets” and I have been keeping a secret, DI Carter, keeping it even from my wife.’
‘Go on.’
‘Gavin Singer, a colleague had a fling, an affair, or one-night stand, whatever you want to call it, with Abigail’s friend Zoe. Gavin really does not want word of it to spread to his wife and the best way was for us to promise to keep quiet. I couldn’t say anything to Abby, especially as she’s friends with Zoe. She’s got such a high moral code when it comes to fidelity and marriage and would be incredibly disapproving of Zoe shagging a married man. You know how women get chatting. She’d definitely say something or tell her other friend Claire, who’d tell another friend, and before you knew it, Gavin’s wife would find out, and that would be awful. I hope to goodness it isn’t because I’ve kept quiet that Abigail is now a victim of some nutcase.’
‘It would have to be someone who knew of the affair and was aware you’d made that pact. If they were harassing you and your wife, they’d also be doing the same to Stu and almost certainly to Gavin and Zoe. Why would you be the one to suffer? I expect the others have had no stalkers or mysterious phone calls, or they’d surely have mentioned them to you. You’re good friends. It’s most likely unrelated to Gavin and Zoe, and to Lucas Matthews. Have you made any enemies that you know of? Neighbours? People whose business you’ve acquired, or disgruntled clients, or anyone who might feel let down by you?’
‘I can’t come up with anyone. The business is sound and to my knowledge all our clients are satisfied with what we offer. We haven’t had any complaints lodged against us. Same with the staff. We all get along well. I’ve known most of the guys who work at BizzyAir for a long time.’
‘So, maybe it is someone who Abigail knows. Did you discuss her concerns? She thinks she’s been watched, you said?’
‘I didn’t discuss her concerns, as you call them. They were more like bizarre rants at the time. It all happened late last night after we discovered Toffee. It was Abigail who found him. She phoned me in a complete panic. Fortunately, I’d just touched down and was at the airfield. We had a tail wind and got back sooner than I expected. I left Stu to deal with the clients and offloading, ensuring the aircraft was hangared and so on and charged home. It was pretty gruesome seeing him nailed to the door. Then we had an almighty row and I slept in the spare room. She wasn’t up when I left this morning. I had your number from when you spoke to us before, so I wondered if you could help. I’m not sure if this is the sort of thing detectives look into.’
His eyebrows rose, creasing his forehead further as he looked at Robyn. His pallor and bruised circles under his eyes indicated a sleepless night.
‘I didn’t handle the situation very well. I thought she was being hysterical. It’s been a tough few months since Izzy was born. Abby hasn’t been herself. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great mum, but it’s been a huge change for her and she’s been withdrawn and reclusive. Especially the last couple of months.’
He scrubbed at the stubble on his chin. ‘I’m not criticising Abby but some days she’s too cocooned in her own world with Izzy to see there’s another world turning around and around without her.’
‘Well, I think we should look into her allegations. How about I drop back with you and have a chat to Abigail?’
‘I can drive you there now if that’s okay.’
‘I’d prefer to follow you. I have to head off to an interview afterwards.’
As Robyn walked to her car, she thought about how she’d deal with Abigail. It was a great shame about her cat, but not only did Robyn want to know why Lucas was trying to contact Abigail but she had another reason to question the woman – Abigail knew Zoe.
45
Now
Stupid damn cat. It was supposed to get into the bag
I’ve brought around and then hide out at my house until Abigail was frantic with worry. She loves it to bits and I was looking forward to seeing her worried sick about losing it. Instead, the stupid animal tried to escape and when I cornered it, it hissed and struck out at me. So much for being a tame cat. Cats have sixth senses. Maybe it could see the evil in me.
I smooth antiseptic cream on the deep scratches on my wrist. I don’t want to get the wound infected. It stings like mad but pain doesn’t bother me. It’s nothing compared to some of the cuts I’ve given myself over the years. I’m not into animal cruelty, but once that thing drew its claws and attacked me, I acted in self-defence and bashed it on the head to quieten it. I didn’t know it would take such little effort to kill it. All that working out in my makeshift gym has given me a strength I didn’t know I possessed. It’ll be useful for the next part of my plan – getting rid of Lucas.
I mentally go over what I’m calling my ‘Abigail Torment List’ to cheer myself up.
Have I made her anxious? Yes.
Have I begun to alienate her from her friends? Yes.
Have I caused fractures in her relationship? Yes.
Have I gradually removed those she loves from her life? Yes.
Have I left her unhinged and alone and wishing she was dead? Not yet but I soon shall.
Looking at the limp body of what had once been Abigail’s pet, I decide to leave it for her to find. That’ll make her see I’m not playing about. So far she hasn’t quite understood that I’m someone who will cause bedlam. Besides, I’m sick of her droning on about Izzy and Jackson and her bloody perfect life. I’ve listened to her for long enough. It makes my head hurt. Abby has it all. Well, not at the moment. Nothing like discovering your pet cat nailed to your door to spoil your day.
My father thinks that comment is hilarious and laughs so loudly I can hear the sound reverberate around my room.
46
Abigail stared at her phone, her brow creased in bewilderment. The clinic had phoned. The doctor wished to talk to her about the blood tests he had administered when she was sick, and she was to attend the clinic later that same day.
She hadn’t spoken to Jackson since their conversation the night before. She had deliberately stayed in bed, Izzy by her side, until he got the message and went to work. She couldn’t deal with the whole Jackson and Zoe thing. She had spent most of the night awake, wondering if Zoe would be capable of killing Toffee, and had come to the conclusion that jealousy did strange things to people. She had seen the film Fatal Attraction. It was possible that Zoe, let down by Jackson, had killed Toffee in a fit of pique. The rational part of her mind reasoned that Zoe would not harm a living creature, until she remembered a conversation she had had with the woman. They had been at a nightclub and Zoe was tired, yawning most of the evening and unwilling to dance. She’d been kept awake by the neighbour’s dog barking all night for three nights in a row and it was getting to her.
‘Bloody animal,’ she had said. ‘I was this close to going downstairs and banging it on the head with a shovel.’
While Izzy was playing contentedly in her playpen, Abigail rang the only person who would understand.
‘What’s happened?’ asked Claire. Between sobs, Abigail explained about Toffee. Claire was enraged and upset in equal measures.
‘How could they?’ she said. ‘Not Toffee. He’s such a gentle, sweet cat.’
Abigail felt hot tears run down her face once more.
‘Oh, Abby, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Have you spoken to the police? Scotland is so far away from you but I can come down. I can get in my car and come back to you. I could be there by tomorrow. You need some support.’
‘I’ll be all right. Don’t return on my count. You can’t give up on this job. You’ll lose your contract with the magazine. You wanted it so badly. You can’t back out of it over this. And, I don’t want to call the police. I think I know who’s behind it.’
Claire was silent at the other end of the phone.
‘I think it was Zoe,’ said Abigail. ‘I think it was a bunny-boiler moment of jealousy.’ She couldn’t hold back any more and told her best friend all about the photographs and Jackson’s denial.
Claire let out a growl of rage. ‘That cow. She’s destroying your life. What’s possessed her? Just because she normally throws herself at every available man, she assumes she can ruin her friend’s marriage and then, when she doesn’t get her own way, she does this! It’s outrageous. I’m going to go around to her house as soon as I return and tell her what I think of her, and then I’m going to report her for doing this to Toffee. She can’t get away with it.’
‘Claire, leave it. It’s my problem. I’m going to fix it. Leave it, please. First, I need to talk to Jackson. I have to uncover the real details of what’s been going on with him and Zoe. It’s only fair.’
‘I think you’re being far too generous. I’d probably have shredded all his uniforms by now and then started on him with the scissors when he returned home. I guess that’s why I live alone. I’d make a terrible girlfriend. You do what you have to and remember I am here if you need me.’
‘I’ll tackle Jackson about it again when he comes home. Wait a minute. I can hear his car now. I’ll phone you later.’
* * *
Jackson’s Maserati roared into the driveway as she ended the call. He came into the house with a tall, athletic woman in her early thirties.
‘Abby, this is Detective Inspector Robyn Carter. I contacted her. I thought about what you told me and we need to find out who did that terrible thing last night.’ He couldn’t bring himself to be blunt. Izzy squealed in delight at seeing her father and held up her hands to be picked up, wriggling to the end of the playpen to reach him.
‘Hey, Splodge,’ he said, leaning in to collect her. The baby stared at Robyn with large eyes then gave her a huge grin.
‘She’s such a show off,’ said Jackson as Izzy tried to attract Robyn’s attention by leaning across in her direction and beaming at her. Robyn grinned back.
‘Come on, Izzy, let’s get Rover.’ Jackson reached into the playpen and brought out her toy dog, handing it to Izzy and settling her down on his knee.
Abigail observed the scene with a detached air. ‘Sorry to have troubled you, Detective but we don’t require your help,’ she said, tersely. ‘I’m pretty certain I know who is responsible for it.’
‘You do?’ said Jackson, his mouth opening in surprise.
‘So do you. It’s Zoe Cooper.’
‘Zoe? That’s impossible.’
‘I think a woman scorned is capable of many things,’ retorted Abigail.
‘What are you on about?’ he replied, his voice rising.
‘You and Zoe. It’s quite simple. You are shagging Zoe. Zoe decides she wants to spend more time with you so she attempts to make my life miserable and drive me crazy with anxiety, phoning me to let me know you are being unfaithful, making me doubt our relationship, then tries to scare me by killing our cat.’
‘This is completely crazy. For one thing, I am not having an affair with Zoe. I told you all this, last night. When did you dream up this latest ridiculous scenario? And for the record, I’m getting thoroughly sick of you constantly accusing me of having sex with various people. Can we get back to the real concerns instead of this nonsense?’
Abigail directed her attention to Robyn and spoke with an icy calm she did not feel. ‘An anonymous person sent me photographs of him with Zoe,’ she explained to Robyn who had been quietly observing the couple’s behaviour. ‘They were attached to an email. There were three photographs. In the first she’s kissing Jackson and then there were some of him—’
‘Someone is messing with your head, Abigail. I haven’t touched Zoe. Talk to her. She’ll tell you the truth. It isn’t me in the photographs. It can’t be. I don’t want to discuss it any longer. I brought DI Carter here to try and assist. I was concerned that there was some truth to what you told me about being hounded and watched.�
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‘Then if it isn’t you, who is in the photographs?’
‘Will you drop it? It could be anyone but it isn’t me. Be reasonable. Zoe’s had lots of relationships. You know that. She’s always got a new bloke on the go.’
Robyn spoke up, ‘I think you need to trust your husband, Abigail. Is it okay if I call you Abigail? The mind can play tricks on you and sees what has been suggested even though it isn’t real. Without the photographs it’s difficult to say who is in them. Who are you going to believe? Someone who hasn’t even got the courage to reveal who they are, and is obviously trying to cause trouble, or your husband who you know well? Listen to him and talk to your friend Zoe before this all gets out of hand.’
The fight went whooshing out of Abigail. Robyn was right. She dropped onto a chair. ‘Okay,’ she mumbled.
Jackson rose. ‘Izzy needs changing. I’ll sort her. You talk to DI Carter. Tell her what you told me about the person who’s been calling you.’
After he left the room, Abigail rubbed her eyes. ‘I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into this.’
‘It’s not a problem. I wanted to help. I’m terribly sorry about your cat.’
‘Thanks.’
Abigail fell silent. Robyn needed to gain her trust. ‘Is that your sister?’ Robyn asked, spotting a photograph of Abigail with a woman about the same age as Abigail. The woman sported a nose ring and dark cropped spiky hair. She was sitting on a bed, with an arm around Abigail and posing with a very small baby in her arms. The picture was next to a wedding photograph of Abigail and Jackson.
