He avoids my question and asks for a clean shirt. I fetch one of Daniel’s.
Then he suggests locking up.
‘I’ll do it,’ I say.
He’s injured. I have the upper hand now.
I lock the front door, head through the kitchen into the garage. My eyes land on a crowbar. I pick it up.
When I return, Neville’s eyes widen.
Does he think I’m stupid? For all I know, they were working together. Maybe the man wanted me dead because I’d seen Neville’s face. Perhaps he wanted the ransom for himself.
Either way, I’m not taking any chances.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Neville
‘Now the truth,’ she says, gripping the crowbar. ‘Don’t think I won’t use this. You’ve kept me from my son. I don’t know why that man wanted us dead, but you’d better start talking.’
I believe her.
‘You need stitches, and soon,’ she adds, her voice softening just a fraction. ‘So tell me, fast, who wants me dead?’
‘Joanna…’ I begin.
She’s breathing hard, the crowbar trembling in her hands. ‘I liked you. I thought you were a decent guy.’ Tears well up in her eyes. ‘But you know who’s behind this. So fucking tell me.’
I take a deep breath. ‘Your husband,’ I say.
She looks ready to faint. The colour drains from her face, only to be replaced by a sudden flash of anger. ‘You’re a liar. Danny would never keep me from my son.’
I could probably disarm her now, but something in her eyes tells me she might actually hit me if I do.
‘The night Daniel was supposed to pay the final bill, he asked me to meet him at a pub near your house. Then he told me he didn’t have the money to pay me.’
‘That’s not true. He saidyouwanted to meet in the pub. He was going to pay you,’ she snaps. ‘Don’t lie to me.’
I lower my eyes. ‘I’m telling you the truth.’
‘Fuck you!’ she screams, slamming the crowbar against the chair beside me. My nerves snap like frayed wires. Okay, yes, she would definitely hit me.
‘Danny would never stop me seeing my son.’
I shrug. ‘Believe what you want. But, someone sent that man to kill us, and the only other person who knows you were here is Daniel.’
She drops into the chair, shattered. ‘Why?’ she whispers. ‘Why would he do that?’
Now that’s a good question.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Neville
ItwasDaniel Neal’s idea to meet at a pub.
‘Better to sort out the finances there, rather than at Jo’s little celebratory do,’ he said. ‘We can go on after.’
