AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘And he sent it to you and that’s what got him killed. It’s why Paul cut his tongue out.’ I hesitate before I ask my next question, unsure if I want to know the answer. ‘Krisha, did he die before or after it was removed? There was so much blood.’
‘There hasn’t been an autopsy yet.’
‘But you said someone from the coroner’s office was at the crime scene. They must have told you something?’
Krisha momentarily breaks eye contact with me and I have my answer.
Bile rises quickly up my throat at the thought of what that poor man endured in his final moments. I hurry to the kitchen but I’m not quick enough to reach the sink and I vomit over the draining board and down the front of the cupboards. Krisha follows me and,without batting an eyelid, dampens two tea towels and helps me clean up the mess.
‘Why was Paul on police bail when you knew how dangerous he is?’ I ask.
‘It’s standard procedure in the early days of an investigation. We didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with anything at that point.’
The brunt of my frustration is thrown unfairly in her direction. ‘How about now? Is cutting out the tongue of a pensioner and killing him enough evidence?’
Krisha looks at me sympathetically. I know before she says it that her hands were tied. But it doesn’t make it any easier to accept.
‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘And I don’t understand why Paul didn’t kill me too. He’s had plenty of opportunities and I’ve done more damage to him than Walter did.’
‘Only he can tell you that. But I hope you two are never close enough to find out.’
Krisha eventually leaves just as dawn is breaking, and finally, for the first time since finding poor Walter’s body, I find myself alone. Without the resources to spare an officer, an empty marked police car is parked outside the front of the bungalow. It doesn’t offer much in the way of comfort though. In my bed, I barely sleep. Each time I feel myself drifting off, I wake up with a jolt, believing that Paul is standing over my bed, watching me, laughing at me, and promising me that soon, I will be next.
I might be unaware of his whereabouts, but I’m convinced that he hasn’t finished with me yet.
CHAPTER 58
MEREDITH HARPER
The kettle is already on when there’s a knock at the front door. I don’t need to use the spy hole to see who it is. She is spot on time.
‘It’s lovely to see you again, dear,’ I say to Connie and give her a hug. If anyone could do with one right now after all they’ve been through, it’s her. ‘Please come in.’ She is carrying a large shopping bag with a wrapped, awkward-shaped object inside it.
She hangs up her coat and we make our way into the kitchen. Something about her has changed, like this version of her is mimicking the one that came just a fortnight ago. Someone has ripped an irreparable chunk from her soul. I’ve been there. All these years later, I remember how that feels as if it were yesterday. I’m not sure I ever quite recovered and I doubt she will either. I beckon her to sit.
‘I know it’s a silly question, but I’ll ask it anyway,’ I begin. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m okay,’ she replies.
‘Really?’
She shakes her head. All she manages to say is ‘No’, before her voice cracks. I lean closer to her and place my hands on hers.
‘I’ve been watching the news so I’m aware the police are still searching for Paul. His face is everywhere, so he can’t hide forever, can he?’
‘I hope not. It’s taken me hours to get to yours because I’m so paranoid he’s following me. I changed trains three times and even hid in a café on a platform at Milton Keynes station, staring out of the window searching for his face in the crowds. And I still have a sense that he’s watching me, even now.’
‘It sounds like you were very careful, so I’m sure he isn’t. But you can’t live your life forever in fear.’
‘What choice do I have?’
‘You are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you like. If you don’t think Paul knows about me, then he won’t have any idea where you are. The house is only poky but—’
‘Thank you, but no,’ Connie interrupts. ‘I won’t risk another person being hurt because of me.’
We discuss Paul further, and the police manhunt following the murder of her friend. She explains that while the police can’t publicly say they believe he’s to blame for the killing without prejudicing a potential court case, they have named him as a suspect who should not be approached if spotted. Connie also tells me how they’ve given her a personal alarm to use in case of an emergency. I soon get the impression she wants to draw the conversation to a close, so I let her change the subject when she’s ready.
‘Have you had any more thoughts about who Tom was?’ she asks.
