by JL Simpson
“Really? Bullshit.”
Solomon smiled. He had the man’s interest. “I bullshit you not. Did you ever look at Cameron McAlister for the accomplice?”
“We interviewed McAlister a number of times but he was like Teflon, nothing ever stuck.”
“Based on what I have to date, it appears he’s been fencing stolen property through a man who used to work at Sothebys, a Graham Harrison.”
“I don’t know how I can help, Mr. Solomon. I’m retired.”
“McAlister is dead, Mr. Masters, and his demise appears to have triggered a series of murders. Can you tell me anything about McAlister that might help me out?”
“After Sidebottom died, the little toad went to ground. Disappeared off the face of the earth, probably worried his partner had given us a death bed confession. McAlister’s wife swore up and down she had no idea where he was. She’d just buried her no-good father and misplaced her husband and yet she was devoid of emotion. The woman was seriously strange.
“Their kid, Greg, I think his name was, was just as bad. That boy worried me. He was about ten the last time I interviewed his mother and the boy was sullen and withdrawn. He smirked at her attitude toward the police. Not an ounce of respect for the law. I’ve no doubt he’s gone off the rails.”
Solomon frowned. He’d not taken much notice of Cameron McAlister’s marriage details online. “McAlister was married to Sidebottom’s daughter Nancy?”
“No, the other one, Linda. We interviewed the whole family. Nancy was mortified that her father was a thief who ended his days in jail. She’d had nothing to do with him after her parents divorced, but Linda loved her old man’s reputation. If her husband was involved, it would be because she encouraged it. No doubt the kid’s a criminal too. Nasty family, the lot of them. I’d have loved to have found a way to lock them all up.”
Solomon thanked the man and said his goodbyes.
Linda had known all along that Tomas Jenks was her husband, Cameron, and yet she’d flat out told Daisy she had never seen him. Greg had lied too. Whoever was behind the murders was somehow connected to the McAlister family, and from what he’d just heard, his money was on Linda.
She’d not been at the front desk when Graham Harrison was killed. If Cameron died without a will, she got everything. What if Harrison got cold feet about fencing more stolen goods? No doubt she’d recruited him. He might have threatened to go to the police. Was that why King was at the museum? Was Harrison going to spill his guts to King? What else had he known that would be of interest to the people King worked for?
If Linda was the emotionless criminal mastermind Masters seemed to think she was, she would probably go to any lengths to protect herself and to ensure she kept her fair share of the money. Stuart McAlister had been poisoned before he was stabbed. Poisoning was usually a woman’s choice of murder weapon. Had she got bored waiting for him to die? And what had his crime been against her? Whatever was going on, Linda was Solomon’s prime suspect.
He hit the icon to read the message he’d received from Timothy. He’d intercepted Daisy but they were headed in the wrong direction. Bollocks. Daisy was unbelievable and what the feck was Paul thinking? They weren’t taking the risk to Daisy’s safety seriously. He tapped in a reply and shoved his phone in his pocket.
He checked his watch. If the M25 wasn’t crawling with traffic, he could be there in less than three hours, provided he could hire a powerful enough car and avoided any police speed traps. No matter how horny Paul was, he needed to be thinking with the head on top of his shoulders, but until he got Daisy into bed, Solomon doubted the man could be trusted to slow down and stop her before she came to grief. The last thing they should be doing was going anywhere near Linda McAlister or her family, Maura Sidebottom included.
Chapter Forty-Six
Daisy slowed as she approached Maura Sidebottom’s house and pulled into the curb. There was no sign of life. Maybe she was still missing? Solomon could probably find out who had told the police she was back home.
Timothy’s phone rang as they all climbed from the car. Paul waited for Daisy to join him on the pavement. He smiled as he grabbed her hand. She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his.
“So, Ms. Heir Hunter, what’s the plan, and how long is this going to take?”
Daisy tugged him toward the front gate. “The plan is to see if Maura has anything that proves Tomas Jenks is her brother Cameron, and whether she has any pictures of his wife, Linda.”
“Why do you need her picture?”
“Because I am almost certain she’s a woman I’ve crossed paths with. When I showed her a photo of Tomas Jenks, she swore she had never seen him before. If the woman I met is the missing wife, she has a lot of explaining to do.”
“Explaining to you?”
Daisy shook her head. “God, no. The woman is a dragon. The police can interview her. I’ve got no idea who has been killing off the people related to Cameron McAlister, but I’m sure she would be able to offer some insights.”
“Sounds like a woman best avoided.” As they approached the front door Paul slowed down and glanced over his shoulder. “Do you think we should wait for Timothy?”
Daisy reached the front door and then turned to see what was taking Timothy so long. He was deep in discussion on his phone. He ended the call and shoved his phone in his pocket.
“It looks like he’s coming.” Daisy took a closer look at the door. It wasn’t quite closed. She gave it a gentle push and stepped inside. “Hello?”
Paul turned to Timothy, who had finally arrived at the front door. “What’s going on?”
“That was Mr. Solomon. He says we should go to his house and wait for him.”
Daisy sighed. “And how long will that be?”
“He’s getting a car and will be home as soon as he can.”
Daisy took a step down the front hall. “We’re here now so we might as well see if Maura’s home first.” She raised her voice. “Maura? It’s Daisy Dunlop. I need to speak to you about your brother Cameron. Are you home?”
Paul grabbed her elbow. “How about you wait here? I’ll check upstairs. Timothy can you do the downstairs? If there’s no sign of life we leave, agreed?”
Daisy nodded and Timothy set off down the hall. Paul patted Daisy on the bottom. “Let’s get this done so I can get you home and into bed, where you belong.”
Daisy grabbed his hand. “I love you.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Love you too.”
She let his hand go and watched as he disappeared up the stairs. Her heart pounded. All this creeping about in empty houses was setting her nerves on edge. Nothing good ever came of snooping around. Maybe they should have waited for Solomon. At least he had a gun. She took a step toward the stairs.
Timothy reappeared from the kitchen and shook his head. “Nothing, and from the age of the milk in the fridge it looks like the place has been empty for a while.”
Someone had deliberately led the police to believe Maura was back home. Daisy had no idea why but she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Whatever was going on was best left to the authorities. She moved to the bottom of the staircase and shouted, “Paul?”
A loud thump and a cry of pain filled the air. Daisy started up the stairs but Timothy grabbed her around the waist. “Wait.”
She fought to get free as Timothy shoved her back toward the front door before taking the steps two at a time. The poor man had barely made it halfway up the staircase when someone hurled themselves full pelt into him. Daisy could hardly make out what she was seeing. Both bodies tumbled down the steps in a mass of arms and legs. Timothy’s head hit the hall floor with a sickening thud.
The other body disentangled itself. Greg! His shirt was stained red. He stared at her, wiping at the front of his shirt with his hands, spreading the blood. Oh, God, had someone stabbed Greg? Was the killer still upstairs? Daisy’s stomach ached as her gaze flew to the empty staircase. Had the killer struck
again? Was Greg the murderer’s newest victim? Why would Linda attack her own son? Timothy moaned and rolled up onto his hands and knees. Paul still hadn’t appeared and he hadn’t answered her when she shouted for him. She moved toward the stairs and then hesitated. Greg stood motionless staring at her. She couldn’t see any sign of a stab wound but if he kept losing blood he wouldn’t last long. God, she couldn’t watch someone die. She should call the police and an ambulance, but first Greg needed medical attention. Daisy walked toward him. “Are you hurt?”
He shoved her, sending her tripping backwards into the wall. Before she could regain her balance, Greg disappeared out the front door. Should she follow him? Where was Paul? Daisy ran to the bottom of the stairs. “Paul?”
Daisy’s heart was pounding so hard it ached. She called again as she clambered up the stairs. The landing was empty. “Paul?”
She followed a trail of blood to Maura’s bedroom. Daisy’s clothes were suffocating. Heat swept her body, covering her in sweat. Her mouth was dry, her stomach rolling and her heart was on the verge of exploding. She took a moment to steady her nerves. Maybe she should find a weapon? What weapon? Paul might need her help. She couldn’t wait to search for one.
She blew out a breath and gently pushed the door open. Paul was doubled over, leaning against the bed with his back to the door. He hadn’t caught the killer. He was alone so why hadn’t he answered her? A chill spread over her body. Paul let out a low moan as a sob escaped her lips. She launched herself across the room and grabbed Paul’s face. “Paul. Paul.”
He moaned again but she couldn’t make out what he said.
She showered his face with kisses. “What? What, Paul? Talk to me.”
He whispered but she couldn’t hear him. She moved her face closer. “Paul?”
His breath gurgled in his chest and blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
A whisper escaped him again. “I love you.” He toppled over and landed on his back. A large kitchen knife was embedded in his chest. Her heart stopped. No! No! No! She dropped to her knees and cradled Paul’s head. Tears streaked her face. “Don’t you dare die on me, Paul, you hear me?”
She got no answer. Was he even breathing? She couldn’t tell. He couldn’t die. He couldn’t leave her and Sherman. “Timothy! Timothy!”
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. She hoped to God it was Timothy and not Greg coming back to finish what he’d obviously started with Paul.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Solomon ran down the corridor and barged through the doors, sending them banging into the wall. Daisy spun around and Solomon came to a stop. Her shirt was stained with Paul’s blood. Tears streaked her face.
He crossed the waiting room and pulled her into his arms. Her body shook with each sob as she fell apart. Timothy had called to say Paul had been stabbed. Fecking hell. He should have been the one with Daisy. He should be the one with a carving knife buried between his ribs.
Daisy’s sob’s slowed.
“Daisy.”
She lifted her face and stared at him. Her eyes were full of pain. He needed to know, but he daren’t ask. Daisy lifted her hand and wiped at her tears and snot. Solomon fumbled in his pocket and handed her a handkerchief. She blew her nose. Daisy managed a watery smile. “He’s in surgery. They haven’t told me anything yet.”
“He’s still with us. Don’t give up hope.”
Solomon’s phone rang. Daisy pushed out of his arms and headed for one of the plastic chairs. He checked caller ID. “It’s Timothy.”
“You should get that. He got a huge bang on the head and yet he was still there when I needed him. Without Timothy, Paul wouldn’t have made it to the hospital.”
Solomon hesitated for a moment and then accepted the call. “Timothy, are you alright?”
“Fine. Fine. Where are you?”
“I’m at the hospital with Daisy.”
“Any news?”
“Not yet.”
“I thought you might want an update.”
“What is it that you want to tell me?”
“The police arrested Greg outside Glenys’ house. He’s got nothing to say but he looks like your killer. They found his aunt Maura’s body wrapped in black plastic in the garden shed. His mother was dead in her bed; her throat had been cut. There’s no sign of her sister, Nancy. It looks like he was hell bent on killing his whole family and anyone involved with them.”
“What about Marcus Matthews?”
“A man in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Solomon took a deep breath. He’d gotten it so wrong. He’d never pegged Greg as the one to watch out for. “Thanks, Timothy.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Daisy got to her feet and started pacing. “This is all my fault.”
“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I should never have left you alone.”
She ran her fingers through her tangled curls. “I should have stayed put. God, if I could go back I’d never have taken this fucking case. If Paul dies…” She sobbed. “If Paul dies….”
Solomon crossed the floor and pulled her into a hug, rocking her gently and pressing kisses to the top of her head. “Shh, Princess. We need to stay positive.”
“What about Sherman? We need to tell Sherman.”
“All taken care of. Ben’s mum is bringing him to the hospital.”
“What do I tell him?”
“There’s nothing to tell him. No news is good news, Princess.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “It is.” She nodded. “It is.”
The door to the waiting room swung open. Solomon turned and stared at the doctor. Christ, the man had a poker face.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Daisy paced in front of the window. Solomon leaned back until the front legs of his plastic chair lifted off the floor. “Will you not settle down? You’ve barely stopped all morning.”
She blew out a breath and checked her watch. “How long did they say?”
“They didn’t.”
“How long can it take?”
“Hospitals are government departments. In my experience nothing is ever quick. What’s the rush anyway? He’s been here for two weeks, what’s another half-an-hour?”
“Half an hour? It’s a routine final examination and some discharge paperwork.”
Solomon chuckled. “And then you get him all to yourself for a whole weekend.”
Daisy shoved a hand through her curls. Paul was still recovering but she’d promised to give him whatever he wanted whenever he was ready. Paul had told her yesterday what he planned to do, but she was worried he might be doing too much too soon. They had a whole lifetime of sex ahead of them. Maybe she could stall him for a week or two. And if she couldn’t? What if she killed him? She wasn’t the only one who’d missed Paul. “Maybe we need to revise Paul’s plan.”
“Why would you do such a thing?”
“Sherman might like to spend the weekend with Paul. A boy needs his dad.”
“The boy still has his dad.”
Daisy frowned. “Solomon?”
He shook his head. “We’re not going to talk about my da.”
The door opened and Daisy squealed and ran across the room into Paul’s waiting arms. She hugged him, being careful not to bump his newly healed wound. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely.”
Daisy gave him a kiss and then pulled out of his embrace and linked her hands with his. There was no way she was letting him go anytime soon.
Solomon lifted Paul’s bag off the end of the bed. “Let’s be going then.”
Paul smiled at him. “No hug?”
Solomon crossed the room, pulled him into a one arm embrace and kissed him on cheek. Paul smirked. “And there I was thinking you didn’t care.”
Solomon shook his head. “I don’t and if you ever tell anyone I kissed you, you’ll be needing more stitches. Now get yourself moving, Doughnut. I’ve big plans for the weekend.”
Paul glanced
at Daisy. “So do I.”
Daisy blushed. “Are you sure you don’t need to rest?”
“I’ve done nothing but rest. And just to put your mind at ease, I asked the doctor if I was fit enough for sex.”
Solomon held the door open. “Did you not give it a tug in the shower to make sure it works like I suggested?”
Daisy stared at Solomon. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“I wanted to make sure your man was up to the job. You’ve been unbelievably cranky since he stopped delivering the goods.”
“I’ve been cranky because he got stabbed.”
Solomon smiled. “So you’ve not been missing the sex then?”
“I don’t talk to you about my sex life, and neither does Paul.”
“So he won’t be telling me whether he tugged it in the shower?”
Paul looked from Daisy to Solomon and back again but said nothing. Daisy stepped through the door first and caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She glanced at Paul. “Did you just give Solomon a thumbs up?”
Paul grinned and Daisy rolled her eyes. “You are both so juvenile.”
Solomon wrapped an arm around Paul’s shoulder. “How about we get your cranky wife home and into bed, or onto the sofa, or the kitchen table?”
Paul nodded in agreement. “Don’t forget the shower. I’m very fond of the shower.”
Daisy slapped a hand over Paul’s mouth.
* * * * *
Sherman was waiting for them in the front hall when they got home. Solomon was the first through the door with Paul’s bag which he took upstairs. Daisy hung back and watched Paul and Sherman embrace. They were completely wrapped around each other. Sherman had become less affectionate as he’d gotten older but somedays you just need a hug. They pulled apart and Paul dropped a kiss on his cheek and ruffled his hair.
Sherman let out a howl of protest. “Dad. I spent ages on my hair.”
Paul smiled. “Sorry. I forgot you’re not my little boy anymore.”
“Are you sure you’re all better?”
“I’m fine. Want to see the scar?”
