by Roberta Kray
‘Shit.’
‘Yeah, it’s that all right.’ She tried to force a smile. ‘I guess someone doesn’t like me too much.’
‘I’m pretty sure it’s Tom they don’t like. Have the police got any leads?’
‘Nothing they’re prepared to share with me.’
‘What about the guy who got you out? Have they found out who he is yet?’
Eden shook her head. ‘He disappeared before the police got there.’
Caitlin frowned. ‘I wonder why. A modest hero or…’
‘Or?’
‘Someone who had something to hide.’
‘I know,’ Eden said with a sigh. ‘I’ve been wondering about that too. But why set fire to the place and then rescue me? It doesn’t make any sense.’
‘Unless he didn’t realise you were inside.’
‘It was the middle of the night. Where else would I be? And it was only chance the other two flats were empty. I’ll have to have a chat with Geoff and Sandra, see what they can remember. The police said Geoff helped the guy get me out.’
‘What do you remember about it? Anything?’
Eden shook her head. ‘Not much. I woke up and there was smoke pouring into the bedroom. I couldn’t get out through the living room and so I tried to break the window. That’s about it, really. When I came round I was in the ambulance.’
‘Christ, it must have been awful.’
‘The doctor said if I’d stayed in there much longer… It’s a scary thought. A few more minutes and I’d have been on my way to meet my maker. I could have been knocking on those pearly gates.’
Caitlin grinned at her. ‘Yes, well, be grateful for small mercies. God clearly doesn’t want your company right now.’
‘Is that supposed to make me feel better?’
‘Doesn’t it?’
‘Oh yeah, loads. Even God doesn’t want me. That’s a real confidence boost.’
Caitlin laughed, but then her expression grew more serious. ‘Has Tom been told yet?’
‘I think so. I didn’t want them to at first. I mean, I didn’t want the prison to tell him. I thought it would be better if it came from me, face to face, so he could see I was okay. He’s got enough on his plate without having to worry about all this. And then I started thinking that he could be in danger. Maybe someone’s out to get him too.’
‘They can move him if they think he’s at risk, put him in the segregation unit. He’ll be safe there. No one can get to him.’
Eden felt slightly reassured by this. ‘Good. That’s something, I suppose.’ She glanced over her shoulder at the cars behind, the third time she’d done so in as many minutes.
‘What’s the matter?’
Eden turned back to face the front. ‘What if we’re being followed? They could have been waiting at the hospital.’
‘There’s no one following us.’
‘There could be. They’ll know by now that I got out of the fire. What if they try again?’ She could feel the panic rising inside her. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t stay with you. It’s not fair. I don’t want to put you in danger.’
Caitlin flicked on the indicator and pulled in by a row of shops. The traffic behind flowed on past them. ‘See?’ she said. ‘No one else is stopping. It’s fine. We’re on our own.’
‘Am I being paranoid?’
‘Yes, and you’ve got every right to be after what’s happened. But I don’t think they’ll try the same thing again. Even if they know where you are – which they can’t – they’ve already made their point. And they’ll probably presume you’re under some kind of police protection by now.’
Eden wasn’t convinced, but she gave a nod. ‘Let’s hope so.’
‘Anyway, there are fire alarms in the block, lots of them. And fire extinguishers. You don’t have to worry.’
Eden was quiet for a while. She stared through the windscreen at the streets of Finchley. Too many thoughts were tumbling through her head, all battling for attention, clashing and colliding, falling apart before she had the chance to address any of them properly.
She sighed. ‘There’s so much to do. I don’t know where to start.’
‘You can start by taking it easy for the next few days.’
‘I’m fine. The doctors gave me the all-clear.’
‘Only to leave hospital. Not to dash around like a blue-arsed fly.’
‘I’ve got the insurance to sort out, and the bank, and the car – the keys were in the flat – and I haven’t even got any clothes.’ She glanced down at the grey tracksuit Caitlin had brought to the hospital. ‘I can’t wear this for ever. And I’m going to have to find somewhere else to live.’
‘There’s no rush. You can stay as long as you like.’
‘Thanks, but you don’t need me cluttering up the place. It’s going to be months, maybe longer, before the flat’s fit to live in again.’ Eden wasn’t even sure if she was brave enough to move back in. The thought of returning, of being there on her own, was enough to make her stomach turn over. ‘I’ve got to get organised.’
‘So we’ll take it one step at a time. Don’t worry, we’ll get everything sorted. I know a mechanic who can deal with the car. He’ll be able to get you some new keys. And I can give you a lift to the bank in the morning, drop you off on my way to work. That’s if you feel up to it. Don’t worry if you don’t: I can lend you some money to tide you over.’
Eden looked at her gratefully. ‘You’re a lifesaver. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
‘That’s what friends are for. You’d do the same for me – although hopefully you’ll never have to.’
Eden successfully fought against the urge to look over her shoulder again, but continued to surreptitiously check the wing mirror. She couldn’t help herself. The knowledge that someone had tried to kill her – and had almost succeeded – was always on her mind. The police hadn’t offered much in the way of support, merely suggesting she leave London for a while, maybe go and stay with her father, but that was the last thing she wanted to do. If she was going to help Tom, if she was going to clear his name, she had to be here.
It was a few more minutes before Caitlin drew up outside a small, square, modern block of flats. As they got out of the car, Eden’s gaze swept over the surrounding area, taking in the other vehicles, the people passing by, everything and everyone. It wasn’t just the cold that made her shiver. Suddenly the world had become a very frightening place.
34
On Monday morning, Eden began the arduous task of trying to sort out her life. She started with the bank where she handed over the crime number she’d got from the police, and then endured a long cross-examination in order to establish her identity. Eventually she was able to withdraw a hundred pounds and left the branch feeling tired but elated. At least she now had the cash to buy some new clothes and start replacing all the other things she’d lost.
She yawned as she walked along Upper Street. Caitlin had offered her the bed, but she’d refused point-blank – she was imposing enough on her as it was – and spent a restless night on the sofa instead. Her broken sleep was entirely down to being in a strange place with too many frightening thoughts running through her head. She had found herself jumping at every sound: the ticking of the radiators as they cooled, the gurgle of water running through the pipes, a creak from the ceiling. Three times she’d got up and gone over to the window to look down on the forecourt, checking that nobody was lurking there.
Eden glanced at the watch she had borrowed off Caitlin. It was just after eleven. She hurried round the corner to Pope Street where a man in oil-smeared overalls was already waiting by the Audi with his elbow on the roof.
‘Sorry I’m late,’ she said. ‘Mr Harris, is it?’
‘Call me Snakey.’
Snakey Harris was a tall man in his twenties with a long, narrow face, brown eyes and brown hair. His most distinguishing feature, however, was the snake tattoo that wound around his right wrist, the head coming to rest on the back of hi
s hand between his thumb and index finger. Eden, who had found herself temporarily transfixed by it, dragged her gaze away.
‘Thanks for coming out. I appreciate it, especially at such short notice.’
‘It’s no trouble.’
‘So what’s the verdict?’ she asked. ‘Will you be able to get new keys?’
Snakey shifted his arm off the car, dug into his pocket and took out a couple of keys on a ring. He passed them over to her. ‘Here. These should do the job.’
She unlocked the door without any trouble, climbed in the car, checked that the ignition key was working and then turned off the engine and got out again.
‘That’s great, fantastic.’ She delved into her bag (another loan from Caitlin) and unzipped the inner pocket. ‘How much do I owe you?’
‘No worries,’ he said. ‘I’ll send Caitlin the bill. You can square up with her.’
‘Oh, okay. If you’re sure.’
‘And if you want the bodywork sorted, just bring it into the garage. I’m down in Dalston, behind the station.’
Eden stared at him blankly. ‘What?’
‘Dalston,’ he repeated.
‘No, I meant the bodywork. What’s wrong with it?’
‘You haven’t noticed?’ Snakey stood to one side and gestured towards a long ragged scratch running from the passenger door all the way to the rear. ‘Not too pretty, huh?’
‘Shit!’ she exclaimed. The first thought that came into her head was that Tom wouldn’t be happy, but then realised how stupid her reaction was. He had more important things to worry about. She ran a fingertip along part of the scratch. ‘Look at the state of it.’
‘Some little scrote, probably. I can fix it, though. Good as new.’
‘Right. Yes, okay. I’ll bring it in when I’ve got time.’
‘Caitlin’s got my number.’ He gave a nod. ‘Take care of yourself.’
Eden watched him get in his van and drive away. She returned her gaze to the side of the car, wondering if the culprit was her arsonist. Maybe setting fire to the house hadn’t been enough for him. Or maybe it was someone else entirely, someone like the reporter Jimmy Letts, pissed off that she’d refused to talk, and taking out his frustration in some mindless vandalism.
Eden turned away and began walking along the street towards number twenty-four. As she approached, she could feel her heart beginning to thump. She stopped at the gate and stared up at the building. The door and windows were all boarded up, the brickwork blackened by smoke. She felt light-headed, slightly nauseous, as memories of the fire crowded in on her. She heard the crackle of the flames, felt the intense suffocating heat. What she remembered most clearly were those final few seconds as she tried to smash the bedroom window. Suddenly she was back inside again, fighting for breath, full of panic and fear and desperation.
Quickly she took a step back, her borrowed trainers crunching on the snow. She shook her head, trying to shake off the horror. She breathed in deeply. Calm down. It was over, she told herself. By a miracle she’d survived. But she still had to find out how that miracle had come about. With this is mind, she went next door, hurried up the path and rang the bell.
It was Sandra Holmes who answered the door, her face lighting up as she saw Eden. ‘Sweetheart! It’s so good to see you. What a relief. We’ve been so worried. Are you all right? Come in, come in. Don’t stand out there in the cold.’
Eden smiled and stepped inside. ‘I’m fine. They let me out of hospital yesterday.’
Sandra took her through to the kitchen and waved a hand towards the big oak table. ‘Ah, right. We did call but they wouldn’t say much with us not being relatives or anything. Sit down and I’ll get you a coffee. I’ve just made a pot. Is coffee okay? I can make tea if you’d prefer.’
‘No, coffee’s great, thank you.’ Eden pulled out a chair. ‘I just wanted to say thanks to Geoff for helping to get me out of the flat. Is he in?’
‘He’s at work, I’m afraid. But he’ll be glad to know you’re up and about again.’
Eden watched as Sandra filled two mugs from the percolator. Her neighbour was a middle-aged woman with ash-blonde hair and soft brown eyes. Eden didn’t know her that well but they’d had the occasional chat when their paths happened to cross. Tom, who had lived here longer, was better acquainted with the couple.
‘It’s such a terrible thing,’ Sandra said, bringing the coffees over to the table. ‘Do they know how it started yet?’
‘We’re still waiting for the reports. I think it was downstairs, though.’
‘Faulty electrics, perhaps.’
Eden shrugged. She didn’t want to lie but didn’t want to say it had been deliberate either. That would only lead to a shocked response and a lot of awkward questions, and she hadn’t got the strength to deal with either at the moment. ‘We’ll have to wait and see.’
‘Is everything gone or do you think you might be able to salvage some of it?’
Eden thought back to the blazing living room, sure that nothing could have survived the intensity of the fire. The furniture would have been destroyed, the stereo, the TV, not to mention everything that had been on the table. All the Budapest photographs would have been destroyed too, including the one that may have been of Jack Minter. Damn it! Her heart sank even further as she remembered the letters from Ann-Marie. Now she’d never know what had been written in them; any information there could have been about Minter was gone for ever.
‘Sorry,’ Sandra said, leaning across the table to pat her hand. ‘I don’t suppose you need reminding. Poor you. But the most important thing is you’re safe. Everything else can be replaced.’
Not quite everything, Eden thought, but she murmured her agreement. ‘Yes, of course.’
‘And what about Tom? Is he not here with you?’
‘He’s working abroad,’ Eden said. How could she admit he was in jail? It was too long a story and she had no desire to share it. ‘In the States, in New York. He’s been trying to get a flight. He should be home tomorrow.’ She could feel her face growing redder the more she embellished the tale. Would Sandra guess she wasn’t telling the truth? But if her neighbour did have any suspicions, she kept them to herself.
‘You’ll be glad to have him home.’
‘Yes, I will.’
‘I was just thinking this morning how lucky it was you were still conscious when the chap got to you. We told him there were two of you in the flat, you see, you and Tom. If you hadn’t put him straight he may have gone in again. God knows what would have happened.’
Eden stared at her. ‘Is that what he said?’
Sandra nodded. ‘Do you not remember?’
Eden was certain she hadn’t come round until she was in the ambulance. She had no recollection at all of the man getting her out of the flat. ‘To be honest, it’s all a bit blurry. I wanted to ask you about the bloke, though. I don’t even know what his name is. The police say he disappeared before they got a chance to talk to him. I don’t suppose you remember anything, do you? I’d like to thank him if I can find him.’
‘Well, I only saw him briefly.’ Sandra screwed up her face while she thought back. ‘Let me see. He was tall, broad-shouldered, in his forties, grey hair. I think it was grey… I’m not sure. Oh, that’s not very useful, is it? I wasn’t really paying much attention.’
‘That’s all right,’ Eden said. ‘You had more important things on your mind. There was a lot going on.’
‘Hang on, though. Geoff did say something. He thought he might have been military or ex-military.’
‘Why was that?’
‘Just a hunch, I think. Something about the way he held himself, the way he took control. Geoff was in the army for a while – National Service – although that was years ago. Still, it doesn’t help much, does it? Maybe he’s just the kind of man who doesn’t like a fuss.’
‘Maybe,’ Eden said. ‘It’s a shame, though. If it hadn’t been for him, I’d never have got out of there alive.’ She drank some of t
he coffee and put the mug down on the table. ‘Look, this is probably a long shot but if you see him around, could you give me a ring? He might be local. I’m staying with a friend for now until I… until we find somewhere else to live.’
‘I’m not even sure if I’d recognise him again.’ Sandra got up, fetched a piece of paper and a pen, and gave them to Eden. ‘Write down the number, though, just in case. And I’ll tell Geoff to keep an eye out.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I’ll let you know if he remembers anything else. He was with him, you see, so something might spring to mind. And do let us know if there’s anything, anything at all, we can do to help.’
