When I Know Your Name

by Gemma M. Lawrence

  ‘Makes sense, I suppose,’ she said. ‘We were together for two years, and I don’t need to see the inner workings of his laptop to know he’d keep a list of expenditures on me. He’d want to keep a record of everything he bought for me – birthdays, Christmas, holidays. Made sure he’d claim for it I bet, where he could.’

  Ethan took another swig of beer, thoughtful. ‘Well, the deeper search on him will give us more, I just thought the flashdrive might give us a clue.’

  Elena stared at him. ‘No, you just wanted to play.’

  He said nothing but his smile confirmed it.

  She continued scraping at the label on her bottle and tossed the fragments onto the empty pizza box. ‘What about any other searches. Have you found anything?’

  Ethan placed his bottle on the table. ‘No, not really.’

  His hesitation spiked something in her, grabbing her attention. She caught his eye. ‘Ethan?’

  ‘Okay, look,’ he began, holding his hand out. ‘I didn’t want to discuss this yet, not until I’m sure of the facts, but I had started a little digging on your uncle.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘Well, he seems to have very little tech on board to give him an online presence I could check out. I was also struggling to find any important information via my usual methods, so I tasked someone I know to take a little trip to Somerset. Have a look around.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It’s fine, Elena,’ he assured quickly. ‘You don’t have to worry. He didn’t know a thing about it. No harm done.’

  ‘No harm done? A little thing like breaking and entering?’

  ‘He was away. No damage was done to the property, and nothing was taken. It was for information only.’

  She looked at the ceiling and groaned. ‘Whatever. We’re already in deep, what’s a little housebreaking between friends,’ she said as she glanced at him. ‘But I’m guessing by the look on your face that’s not the worst part.’

  He grimaced. ‘Yes, you’d guess right.’

  ‘So hit me with it then,’ she said, bracing herself.

  ‘First, you have to understand that the information I have is not the full picture yet, okay. Try not to panic.’

  ‘Ethan, will you just tell me.’

  ‘It seems that your dear old uncle is pretty rubbish with his money. In fact, he goes through it like water on a hot day. He’s squandered most of his inheritance on a few bad property deals and has allowed massive mismanagement on the farm. He also has memberships to a few expensive members’ only clubs in London. You get the gist.’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘Your uncle was obviously in need of a bailout, because in amongst the mess of paperwork scattered about his office was a letter from your father, replying to your uncle’s request for some money. A loan.’

  ‘A loan? For how much?’

  ‘For an amount pretty close to your ransom demand. He must have been desperate because there were also several decline letters for the same amount from pretty much every bank in the country too.’ He watched for her reaction as he continued. ‘But the problem is that your father refused, said hell would freeze over before he paid a penny towards the farm. That it was not his responsibility, only Edmund’s.’

  ‘Oh God,’ she whispered. ‘That’s motive, surely?’

  ‘Well, it might be innocent enough,’ Ethan said. ‘It’s possible that he found the funds he needed elsewhere; managed to sweet-talk somebody else into giving him the money, or even resorted to a loan shark, but we’d be wrong to ignore it at this point.’

  Her breath caught in her throat which seemed to be tightening with every inhale. She gulped down the beer, hoping it would help to ease the constriction. ‘Yes, you’re absolutely right. We should take this to the police.’

  ‘Not so fast,’ he said, carefully, as he scrutinised her reaction. ‘We need to think about this, figure out what our plan needs to be first.’ He placed his hand over hers. ‘Yes, we could go to the police and hand over the information but, essentially, he hasn’t done anything wrong. Not in the eyes of the law. Even a barrister like your father would agree, this is only circumstantial.’

  ‘But that’s for the police to decide.’

  ‘Yes, of course, but if they go down there asking lots of questions, he’ll know he’s under suspicion, and then we have the added danger of how he might react. Do we want to push someone into a corner where attack becomes the only form of defence?’

  ‘No,’ she said with a long sigh. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Think about it,’ he continued. ‘He’s down there in Somerset, blissfully unaware of what we’re doing and what we know. That gives us a little time to continue the search on him, find out more.’

  ‘I know what you’re saying, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling so trapped.’

  ‘Listen, we’re far from that. We’ll do some more digging, then we’ll go to the police. We just need to hold our nerve for a bit longer. Wait it out. Can you do that?’

  She thought it through. ‘Yes, I think so,’ she said finally, calming herself. ‘It’s not like I have a choice.’

  The buzzer for the front door sounded loudly into the room, puncturing their conversation.

  She looked towards the door.

  ‘Expecting anyone?’ Ethan asked as he glanced at her.

  ‘No one.’

  The door buzzed again, jolting Elena in her chair.

  ‘All right, look, we’re going to answer it,’ Ethan said as he stood and moved across the room. ‘If it’s Charlotte or your parents, fine, just get rid of them, but if it’s someone you don’t know, I’ll handle it.’

  The buzzer sounded for a third time and she tensed, unable to move her body into action.

  ‘Elena, just answer it, or I’ll do it,’ he ordered.

  She stood and crossed the room, grabbing the phone. ‘Yes?’ she said, keeping her eyes on Ethan.

  ‘Er, hello,’ a woman’s voice said at the other end. ‘Is this Elena Dumont?’

  ‘Who wants to know?’

  ‘I have a delivery for her.’

  ‘Well, I don’t want–’

  Ethan snatched the phone out of Elena’s hand.

  ‘I’ll be right down,’ he said, his tone calm as he pressed the entry button.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Elena cried, as he hung up and went to the door.

  ‘We don’t know what this is about, but it’s better that we understand it than ignore it. Keeping one step ahead, remember?’

  ‘But I don’t like it. I’m not expecting anything.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter, because I’m going down instead of you. Anything strange and I’ll soon sort it out.’

  She grabbed his arm. ‘No, I don’t want you going down there. What if it’s dangerous? I don’t want you getting hurt.’

  He looked down at her hand clutching his arm. ‘Elena, I can look after myself. Nothing’s going to happen to me, so you can let go.’

  She paused, nodded, and released her hand.

  He hurried down the stairs to the front door, and she hugged her arms around herself as she watched him disappear. She was unable to hear what he was saying, but the muted conversation was calm, and nothing that gave away any kind of danger. Breathing easier now, she waited for him to return.

  In his hand was a large posy of white lilies, edged with gypsophila and evergreen leaves, arranged in a little green pot. In the centre of the arrangement was an envelope, clipped onto a long plastic stalk.

  ‘What are those?’ she asked as she moved back to let him into her apartment.

  He shut the door, and she noticed immediately his rigid posture and clenched jaw.

  ‘I think you need to open the envelope.’

  Nervously, she took the arrangement from him and pulled out a hand-written note.

  R.I.P Miss Dumont. Loved, and sadly missed.

  She stared at the words, her eyes wide with horror, as the hairs on the back of her neck prickled her skin. ‘What the hell is this?
’

  He took the posy from her and tossed it onto the table. ‘It does change things a little.’

  ‘A little?’ she said as she felt the pulse of her heart beating in her throat. ‘The person who did this to me is back, and they’ve just let me know they want me dead. This is as real as it gets.’

  ‘Elena, relax, no one can get to you while I’m here,’ he said as he reached for her.

  His words pricked her senses into overdrive, making her take a step back from him, as she questioned every decision she’d made since her release.

  He watched, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Yes, that’s right,’ she whispered. ‘You’re here. How convenient.’

  ‘What, you think this is me?’ he exclaimed, his eyes bright with indignation.

  ‘Well, you’re the only one who knows I’m here right now.’

  ‘This is your home. Everyone who knows you has this address.’

  She shook her head. ‘Yes, I know but …’

  ‘But nothing,’ he said, moving closer to her. ‘You need to think this through.’

  ‘I’m trying,’ she stammered, taking another step back. ‘But you’re talking too quickly. You’re trying to confuse me.’

  ‘I’m not trying to confuse you,’ he said, his composure firmly in place as he continued towards her.

  ‘Is this a game to you?’ she asked. ‘Are you playing with me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘You, so keen to help. But is it all a lie?’

  ‘You know it’s not.’

  ‘Do I? I mean, you and me, it’s totally out there,’ she said. ‘I trusted you so quickly. Maybe too quickly.’

  ‘Elena, this needs to stop right now,’ he ordered.

  ‘Why? Why should I stop? What if I said I want you to leave?’

  He shook his head. ‘You know that’s not going to happen.’

  Momentarily overwhelmed, she glanced at the door. His eyes followed hers.

  ‘Ah, I see,’ he said, the corner of his mouth curving to a smile. ‘So now you’re deciding whether to run. Is that correct, Elena? To escape.’

  She shook her head, tried to deny it, but she couldn’t shape the words in her mouth.

  ‘Yes, you are. You’re doubting me, aren’t you? You think this is my doing. The person who wants to help you.’

  ‘I have plenty of people who want to help me,’ she managed, immediately angered by her feeble statement.

  He moved closer.

  Don’t touch me. If you touch me, I’ll never be able to leave.

  ‘But do they know you like I do?’ he questioned. ‘Do they care for you like I do? Want to keep you safe?’

  He reached for her, but she pushed his hand away. ‘Don’t.’

  He raised an eyebrow, a silent reprimand, and reached out again. She faltered and let him take her hand. He pulled her closer as confusion blurred what was real and what was feared, causing a noise in her mind that was deafening.

  He held her close in a tight embrace, but there was no threat, no sense of impending danger. He gently kissed her hair, but said nothing, perhaps understanding that all she needed was time for the storm to pass. Feeling her body slump, she leant against him, the will to resist drowned out by the unused adrenaline saturating every muscle and fibre within her.

  She lost herself for a moment, encased within his arms, and steadied, wishing that touch alone could infuse his courage directly into her. Resting her head on his chest she focused her breaths, wondering if this was what madness felt like.

  ‘Am I ever going to be free?’ she breathed.

  ‘I’ll make sure of it,’ he answered. ‘I’m going to find the person responsible, I promise you that.’

  She looked up at him, stared deep into his eyes, desperate to believe him. And by the way he held her, it felt right to rely on her instincts again. ‘I’m sorry for doubting you, Ethan. This is messing with my head.’

  ‘You don’t have to apologise. I understand.’

  She nodded. ‘I’m just so terrified.’

  ‘I know you are, and that was the aim of this little message.’

  ‘Well, whoever sent it should pat themselves on the back, because it succeeded.’

  ‘I hope they enjoy it because it’ll be the last time,’ he said firmly. ‘Now, go and pack a bag because we’re going back to mine. It’s too risky for you to be here now.’

  She hurried to her bedroom, in no mood to argue. Working quickly, she rifled through her wardrobe and drawers, pulling out clothes to throw into a bag, adding a few essentials – toiletries, make-up, shoes. She finished up and went back to Ethan, numb at the thought that she was about to abandon her home, a place she loved; her haven. But it was time to be pragmatic, this was necessary to her survival. Still, she couldn’t help but wish for an ounce of confidence that this nightmare would ever be over.

  Chapter 23

  Five days had passed since the sinister floral arrangement had been received, and there was no denying how much safer she felt by being here with Ethan; how good it felt to be hidden away from prying eyes. She worked hard not to let the knowledge that someone was out there, waiting for their chance, to overwhelm her.

  Ethan was watchful, attentive, perhaps aware that whatever trust they had built had taken a hit by the events at her apartment. They continued with their plan and followed up leads, but most would frustratingly fall apart upon closer scrutiny. A small glimmer of hope came when Ethan successfully managed to eliminate her friends, their partners and any of her work colleagues. And although he wouldn’t fully eliminate Adam, he could find nothing of any consequence there, either.

  Now, it was time for a date she could delay no longer; to revisit her parents and use the flashdrive. Something she had fought to do alone, despite dreading it, and despite Ethan’s initial refusal. She’d called her parents, suggested a visit, persuading them she wanted to start again.

  Once showered, and with a towel wrapped around herself, Elena leant against the sink to apply her make-up, swiping her hand across the mirror to de-mist it first. Her mind played out every kind of awkward conversation with her parents, and the logistics of how and when she’d use the flashdrive.

  Ethan strolled into the bathroom and slid his arm around her waist, tearing her away from her thoughts, as the warm, spicy scent of his cologne filled the air.

  Smiling at his reflection in the mirror, she twisted the mascara wand back into its tube. ‘What a good impression of domestic bliss we’re creating here. Anyone would think we’re a nice, normal couple.’

  ‘Don’t ever let us be that,’ he murmured as he nuzzled her neck and trailed his hands down the length of her sides, lingering against the curve of her breast under the towel. ‘Such a shame you have to go. I could think of far more interesting things to be doing.’

  He didn’t need to elaborate, she understood, remembering the delights of the night before. Delights of his skillful mouth, causing pain which, when she cried out, was quickly replaced with soft kisses that left her senses confused but craving more. Of hands that had held her tightly as he teased and caressed her body, ignoring her pleas to stop and then not stop, deliberately tempting and depriving it of the pleasure it yearned until she thrashed in a frenzy of need. Only then did he hit her with an onslaught of sensations that had her screaming out incoherently, unable to breathe. No, he had no need to elaborate.

  ‘Well, if you will keep sending me out on these missions,’ she goaded, as she turned to face him, gently pushing her body against his. ‘You’ll be demanding that I call you ‘Sir’ next.’

  ‘Now, that’s a tempting concept,’ he breathed, a smile on his lips. ‘And one for later.’

  She bit her lip and looked up at him, her gaze lingering on his lips. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really, and I suggest you go and get dressed now, before I change my mind.’ He moved back reluctantly and gestured for her to walk by.

  ‘Have you always been this officious?
’ she asked, as the glint in his eye made her tingle.

  ‘Always,’ he replied, smacking her behind as she moved past him.

  She went to his bedroom, a little peeved that he’d seen through her delaying tactic, and pulled out some underwear and a navy dress from her bag. ‘This will have to do,’ she sighed, remembering how hurriedly she’d packed, resulting in a dress that was slightly creased. She slipped it over her shoulders, the cool fabric hugging her body, the skirt draping in delicate folds at her knees.

  ‘It looks to be doing very well,’ he remarked, leaning against the door frame, his eyes roaming over her. ‘You look beautiful.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she said with a smile when she caught his gaze linger at the V-shaped neckline.

  She grabbed her clutch bag on the chair and stepped into the heels she’d dropped beside it, quickly checking herself in the mirror, smoothing out the fabric of the dress. It was already looking better, and she knew that by the time she arrived at her parents, the creases would be gone.

  ‘Ready to go?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, I think so,’ she said, his words suddenly causing nerves to dance in her stomach at the daunting task ahead of her. She felt the beaded pattern of the clutch begin to imprint itself into her hand and loosened her grip.

  ‘Elena, don’t panic,’ he soothed. ‘It’s going to be fine.’

  ***

  Ethan pulled up outside Elena’s parents’ house, switched off the engine and walked around the car to open her door. As she got out of the car, he opened the back door and pulled out a smart jacket.

  ‘Ethan, what are you doing?’

  ‘I’ve changed my mind,’ he said as he swung the jacket on.

  Panic filled her. ‘I thought we’d agreed, I’d do this alone.’

  ‘Yes, but I’d like to see their faces when we walk in together,’ he said as he looked at her parents’ imposing home. ‘I feel like playing the game tonight.’

  ‘No, Ethan, please,’ she hissed. ‘This is too dangerous. You must go. Before they see you. I’m serious.’

  ‘So am I,’ he replied. ‘Unless, of course, you don’t want to play along?’