‘I know it sounds crazy,’ she began, ‘but I’ve been thinking – maybe Stephen Myers isn’t really dead.’
Will shook his head.
‘But what if the person they found in the canal wasn’t him?’ Emma tried. ‘His dad said that they couldn’t identify him visually.’
‘They would have used dental records.’
‘Maybe they didn’t,’ Emma countered. ‘Maybe they just assumed that it was him, and didn’t do the proper tests. I might have been right all along, and it was Stephen Myers that has been doing all this. Everything pointed to him from the very beginning.’
Will blew out a deep breath, closing his eyes. He started to cry.
‘Will, what’s the matter?’ Emma moved across to comfort him.
Will shook his head.
‘What’s up?’ she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
‘I know he’s dead,’ he said, struggling to fight back his emotions. ‘I saw him.’
‘What do you mean?’
Will looked up, his face contorted with grief and regret and his eyes glazed with tears. ‘Please forgive me, Em,’ he pleaded. ‘Don’t hate me. Everything just got out of hand – if I’d had time to think, I wouldn’t have gone along with it. But I thought I was doing the right thing.’
‘You’re worrying me, Will, what are you talking about?’
‘Stuart Harris. He killed – murdered – Stephen Myers.’
‘What?’ Emma said, horrified. ‘But they said he committed suicide.’
‘No,’ Will said, shaking his head, ‘it was meant to look like a suicide, but it was murder. Stuart murdered him.’
‘How do you know this?’ Emma said, standing up, feeling the urge to move away from her brother. ‘Please tell me you’re not involved.’
‘I’m sorry, Em. I was involved. I helped him dispose of the body.’
64
‘I don’t understand,’ Emma said, pacing backwards and forwards across the living room. ‘Tell me that you’re joking about this, Will.’
‘Why would I joke about something like this?’ he said, looking up at her through teary eyes. ‘I’ve been carrying around this secret for years, Em, and it’s been tearing me apart.’
‘Then tell me everything,’ Emma instructed, still not sitting down. ‘From the beginning.’
‘Well,’ he began, struggling to find the words. ‘You know how I told you that we had warned Stephen Myers off you – that was true. We knew he’d started coming down to London, watching you, taking photographs. Stuart and I tried to reason with him, and then things got a bit nastier. Stuart threatened him, saying that if he didn’t leave you alone, something bad might happen.’
‘Go on,’ Emma said.
‘Well, I didn’t really agree with what Stuart had done, but it seemed to work. I thought Stephen had finally got the message. But then one night I was in my flat – I can still remember what I was watching on the TV – and I got a call from Stuart. He was really freaking out, saying that something had happened with Stephen and could I come around to your place straight away. So unfortunately I did.’
‘And he’d…’
Emma couldn’t bring herself to say it.
‘I got over to yours. You were out performing. Stuart answered the door – he was soaking wet, his face and shirt were dripping, like he had been swimming fully clothed. He let me in and took me through to the lounge, and Stephen was just lying there on the floor. Dead.’
Will’s words didn’t seem real. Stuart was a murderer? ‘Did he say how it happened?’
‘He told me that Stephen had come around, forced himself into the flat and then pulled a knife on him. They fought, and as they were fighting Stephen fell over onto the knife. I assumed he was telling me the truth.’
‘But he wasn’t?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t true at all. Stuart Harris used me. He said what he needed to so that I would help him dispose of the body. And I did. I was so stupid. We wrapped Stephen up in bed sheets, then took him down to Stuart’s car and put him in the boot. Then we drove up to near Stephen’s home. Stuart thought we could make it look like suicide. We found a really isolated stretch of canal and dropped him in, along with the knife.’
Emma looked out the window, taking some deep breaths. Her brother was an accessory to murder.
‘Say something, Em,’ Will said.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ she admitted. ‘This is all so… oh, I don’t know. So unbelievable.’
‘I hate myself for what I’ve done.’
Emma turned around to face him. ‘How could you have done it?’
‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Everything happened so fast, but I guess at the time I was just trying to help. Stuart and you were going to get married, and I thought that him killing Stephen was just an accident. I was trying to help him out – I thought he was innocent.’
‘But he wasn’t innocent. You said that Stuart hadn’t been telling you the truth about what happened with Stephen.’
‘No, it didn’t happen how he said.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Because one day when I was round at yours, I found something. The set of photographs showing Stuart with the girl.’
‘The photos the police just showed us?’
Will nodded.
‘He found me looking at them and told me the truth. He’d started an affair with a girl he’d met at an audition – it had been going on for a couple of months. Then one day Stephen came around, with the photographs, threatening that unless Stuart left you he’d show you them.’
‘So he killed him to stop me finding out about his affair?’
‘Exactly,’ Will confirmed. ‘When he told me, I didn’t know what to do. I was already panicking about what we’d done, but knowing the truth made it worse. I wanted to go to the police, but I was scared of what might happen to me.’
‘But what I don’t understand,’ Emma said, ‘is if Stuart was willing to kill Stephen just so we could be together, why would he then walk away?’
‘He started losing it. I mean, really cracking up. At first I thought what he’d done hadn’t affected him, but it had.’
‘And all the time I thought it was to do with not getting work.’
‘Eventually I think he just decided that he needed to get away from anything that reminded him of what he had done, including you.’
‘But he decided he wanted me back now. Why?’
‘A couple of months ago he called me,’ Will said. ‘I hadn’t heard from him for years, so it was a shock. He started threatening to call the police and tell them everything that had happened. He said that he was prepared to take me down with him, unless I gave him money. So I did.’
‘Will!’ Emma said.
‘I know. I know it was stupid. But I was frightened. I just wanted him to go away. He said he would, but he kept coming back, asking for more. Then he started talking about wanting to get back with you. And then Dan disappeared.’
‘You thought it was Stuart from the start?’
‘I… I wasn’t sure,’ he replied. ‘But, yes, I did wonder whether he had done something. I found something in your bathroom. A photograph.’
‘A photograph?’
‘One of the set taken by Stephen. I found the photograph next to Richard.’
‘And you didn’t tell me?’ said Emma, her anger rising. ‘You found something like that and kept it to yourself?’
‘Yes,’ Will said, hanging his head. ‘I’m sorry – I’m a coward, Em.’
***
Emma watched the steam rise from the kettle. She had retreated into the kitchen, needing to get some space from Will. She made two cups of tea and brought them through to the lounge. Will was standing up, looking out of the window.
‘Here you go,’ Emma said, handing him one of the cups.
‘Thanks,’ he said sheepishly, avoiding her gaze. ‘Look, Em, I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to talk to me again. I should have…’
‘Don’t,’ Emma interrupted. ‘We haven’t got time. I’ve been thinking, and the important thing here is to think whether what happened with Stephen helps to explain what happened to Dan, and Lizzy. Do you think it’s connected?’
‘I don’t know. But the fact that someone connected with Stephen was still taking photographs of you, even after Stephen had died, makes me think that it may have something to do with it.’
‘I agree,’ Emma said. ‘If it wasn’t Stephen though, it probably could have been one of two other people – Stephen’s mum or dad.’
‘But what would be their motive? What would they have against Dan?’
‘Maybe it’s me they want to hurt.’
‘But why?’
‘I don’t know. Look, maybe it isn’t them. It’s a bit of a leap to link that photo to Dan’s disappearance – I doubt the police would think that it was worth following up. But I just can’t think of anything else, apart from Guy Roberts, but would he really do all this just for publicity? We’re clutching at straws really, aren’t we? And while we’re standing here, who knows what has happened to Lizzy.’
‘I think we should go and see Dad,’ Will announced.
‘Why?’
‘You’ll just have to trust me. I know I haven’t done anything to deserve it, but I think Dad might be able to help us find whoever is behind this.’
65
‘Dad knows about all this, doesn’t he?’ Emma stated, as they neared their father’s house. ‘He knows about what happened with Stephen.’
‘I told him, yes,’ Will admitted.
‘How long has he known?’
‘Since the beginning. I needed someone to talk to about it, and he was the only person I could turn to.’
‘And did he help?’
‘What do you think?’
‘So why do you think he might be able to help now?’
Will stopped just before they reached the house.
‘He called me this morning,’ he explained, ‘and told me to make sure you were okay – to stick with you wherever you went. I think something had happened to make him react like that.’
‘He didn’t say anything else?’
‘That was it,’ Will said. ‘I know I should have pressed him, but at the time I just had my mind focussed on getting to you as quickly as possible. He did sound worried about you.’
‘That doesn’t sound like Dad.’
‘Try not to be too hard on him, Em. He tries.’
‘You’ve changed your tune.’
‘If I can’t try to forgive Dad for everything he’s done to us, then why should I expect you to try and forgive me?’
‘You’re right,’ Emma conceded. ‘Time to stop lamenting the past – we’ve all done things we regret.’
They walked on, reaching the entrance to the house.
‘Looks like he’s out,’ Emma noted, looking down the empty drive.
‘Miranda must be in,’ Will replied, ‘the bedroom light’s on.’
They had to knock three times before Miranda came to answer the door. Her face was streaked with make-up, making her look like some kind of sad clown.
‘What’s happened?’ Emma asked.
‘Edward’s gone,’ Miranda said, breaking into a series of sobs. ‘I think he might have left me.’
Emma and Will waited impatiently in the lounge while Miranda regained her composure.
‘Did Dad say where he was going?’ ventured Emma.
Miranda shook her head, dabbing her eyes with a tissue provided by Will. ‘He wouldn’t say where he was going. I asked him, but he just told me not to worry. You know how he is, he likes to keep things to himself. He didn’t even take his mobile phone with him.’
‘He didn’t say when he’d be back?’ Emma said.
‘He said he’d see me tomorrow – he’s staying somewhere overnight.’
‘Going on a long journey,’ Emma mused. She looked across at Will, who had obviously heard her mutterings.
‘Did he leave suddenly?’ Will asked.
‘Very,’ said Miranda. ‘He didn’t give any warning about going out, especially not going somewhere and staying overnight. I’d suggested that we watch a DVD tonight, relax in front of the TV, and he’d said he’d love to. Then the next thing I know he’s on his way out of the door.’
‘Something happened,’ Will said, too loudly.
‘Is something wrong?’ Miranda’s face lit up with new anxiety. ‘Is your father in trouble? Do you know something? If you do, please tell me.’
‘Nothing’s wrong,’ lied Emma, flashing a reprimanding glance at Will. ‘Not that we know of, anyway.’
Fortunately Miranda accepted the lie and calmed down.
‘Do you mind if I just pop to the bathroom?’ Emma asked.
‘Of course not,’ Miranda replied.
Emma got up and, from behind Miranda’s shoulder, gestured for Will to follow.
‘I’ll go and make us all a drink,’ Will said. ‘Tea with one?’ he asked Miranda.
‘Thanks, Will,’ said Miranda, staring into space, ‘you’re both a big help.’
***
‘What are you looking for?’ Will asked, as Emma searched their father’s study.
‘I don’t know,’ Emma said. ‘Anything that might help – something must have triggered Dad to call you, and made him leave like that.’
They found the envelope in the bottom desk drawer, containing the newspaper cutting reporting Stephen’s suicide.
Local loner discovered in canal.
Parents distraught.
Emma peered into the envelope and found the accompanying note.
‘My God,’ Will said, staring at the note. ‘They know what really happened.’
‘Dad’s gone up there. I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.’
‘He has a gun.’
‘What?’
‘He borrowed it from a friend,’ Will explained.
‘We’ve got to get up there,’ Emma announced, ‘before this gets any worse.’
66
‘Do you think Miranda will be all right?’ Will asked, as they sped along the motorway.
‘I hope so,’ Emma replied, concerned that she was already feeling tired, with over a hundred miles of darkened road still to go.
‘We’ve been too hard on her, haven’t we?’ Will commented. ‘She didn’t deserve getting caught in the fallout between Dad and us. We should have kept her out of it.’
‘I know,’ Emma agreed. ‘I just hope for her sake – for all our sakes – that Dad doesn’t get himself into trouble.’
‘He’s trying to make things right,’ Will commented, ‘to make up for the past few years.’
‘He could make things worse,’ Emma said, ‘if he goes storming in there with a gun. Who knows what could happen.’
‘Do you think there’s a chance that Dan and Lizzy are okay? Do you think whoever has them might just have kept them there, and not hurt them?’
‘For the past two weeks I’ve been praying that Dan is okay,’ Emma said. ‘But I just don’t know. We’ve just got to hope that they are both all right.’
‘I won’t forgive myself if anything has happened to them. This is my fault – someone’s taking revenge for what I did, and you’re the one suffering.’
‘You didn’t kill Stephen Myers,’ Emma stated. ‘Remember that.’
‘But I helped to dispose of his body,’ he replied. ‘I was part of it. And whoever sent Dad that newspaper cutting knows that.’
‘I wish the police had taken me seriously,’ Emma lamented. ‘I don’t think they’re going to send anyone up there, are they?’
‘Doesn’t sound like it, from what you told me,’ Will agreed. ‘You could have told the police the whole story, you know. If you’d have told them everything, they might have been more ready to believe you. I’m ready to take responsibility for what I did.’
‘It would have slowed everything down. They’d have wanted to bring us in for questio
ning. I know what Gasnier is like. We don’t have time for all that. Anyway, I need your support – I don’t want you locked up in a police station.’
‘But I’m just saying, if you want to tell the police, then I’ll completely understand. It might even be good for me. I’ve been holding onto this secret for too long.’
‘You’re a good person, Will,’ Emma said. ‘Don’t ever forget that.’
It was one o’clock in the morning by the time they reached Stephen’s parents. Emma slowed to a stop on the opposite side of the road. She and Will sat there for a few seconds, just looking up at the house, which was shrouded in darkness.
‘I can’t see Dad’s car,’ said Will, scanning up and down the street.
‘No.’
‘We might have got here before him,’ Will offered. ‘We did make good time.’
‘Maybe,’ Emma replied. ‘Are you ready?’ She reached for the car door.
Will nodded.
They crossed the road, with no sign of movement along the whole street, and knocked on the door.
There was no answer.
Emma tried another few times, before knocking on the front bay window.
‘What now?’ Will said when there was still no movement.
‘I don’t know,’ she replied, looking up at the top window. ‘Maybe we’ve got this all wrong. It might not have anything to do with Stephen’s family – anyone could have found out what had happened to Stephen and could be doing this.’
‘You’re right,’ Will agreed. ‘Dad might not even have come up here, might he, if he suspects or knows that it was someone else?’
‘Exactly,’ Emma said. ‘This could be a red herring.’ She paced up and down the pavement, clutching at the back of her neck. ‘Why won’t this end?’ she shouted in frustration.
Then the door of a neighbouring house opened.
‘I’m really sorry,’ said Emma, as the man, dressed in striped pyjamas, glared at her.
‘You looking for Mrs Myers?’ he asked sternly.
The One You Love (Emma Holden suspense mystery trilogy) Page 26
