He introduces us to Joanna’s father, a man I know of by reputation but have never met until now. The grief is evident in his puffy, bloodshot eyes. His voice falters as he invites us to sit.
‘Jo’s mother is not handling it well. She refuses to believe it until she sees Jo's… body,’ he says, his voice trailing off.
‘Is your son aware of what’s happened?’ I ask Daniel.
He shakes his head. ‘Nicola has taken him to the tennis court,’ he says, pointing to the window. I can see them playing, oblivious to the tragedy.
‘Nicola has been wonderful,’ says Donald, looking at her appreciatively.
‘We need to ask you a few questions – if you’re up to it,’ Dario says to Danny.
Donald Beckett gestures towards the kitchen. ‘Please use that room. I don’t want my wife to overhear the conversation.’
The kitchen is enormous, easily the size of my entire house. I’m clearly in the wrong job.
‘It appears that your builder, Neville Logan, has gone missing,’ says Dario. ‘His construction company has recently shut down.’
‘When?’ asks Donald.
‘Not long ago, it seems. How many keys did you have cut when you changed the locks, Mr Neal?’ I ask.
‘Jo got them. Three, I think. One each and a spare.’ He looks shocked when we tell him about the luxury basement.
‘Whoever kidnapped your wife kept her in luxury,’ says Dario. ‘It’s the first kidnap of its kind that I’ve heard of.’
I watch Daniel’s expression closely. He shakes his head. ‘I’ve no idea why someone would do that.’
‘How many people know about the new house?’ I ask.
He lifts his eyes to the ceiling as if trying to remember. ‘A lot. Like I said, we had a little party when the house was finished.’
‘You have to agree, this whole thing is a bit odd. Whoever kidnapped your wife must have had a key, or somehow got hold of one. Can you think of anyone?’
Neal looks confused. ‘I don’t understand how anyone could have got a key. It—’
He breaks off and stares at us. ‘Logan, of course. It was the pool.’
‘The pool?’ queries Dario.
‘It seemed unimportant at the time, but the pool people left us with the wrong size cover and Jo insisted she wouldn’t move in until it was safe for Joel. Logan apologised and said he would take care of it. So Jo gave him her key, or had one cut for him. I can’t remember.’
‘That’s a great help, Mr Neal, thanks,’ I say. ‘We’ll leave you in peace.’
Chapter Forty-Four
Danny
Ican’t face our bedroom. Not now. Her scent will linger on the sheets.
After checking on Joel, I switch off my phone, grab a blanket and settle on the couch, propping cushions behind my head. In my hand, I hold a photo from our wedding night. Jo and I are smiling. We’re happy.
I sip the whisky I poured earlier; its warmth spreads through my body, but it does little to dull the ache. I don’t want to think about her, but I have to. I have to accept that she’s gone.
A tight knot coils in my stomach. I take a shaky breath, fighting the urge to be sick. Slowly, the wave of nausea ebbs, leaving my throat tight and my chest hollow. Then, suddenly, my whole body begins to tremble.
Wrapping the blanket around me, I step onto the veranda and close the double-glazed door behind me. The cold air stings my skin as I lean against the railings and let out a raw howl, deep and guttural, like a wounded animal.
Spent and shivering, I slide down the door, drawing my knees to my chest. My head throbs, and tears burn my eyes as I clutch the photo of Jo in my hand.
