Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (30 page)

Chapter 39

Zach left the flat early to avoid any further run in with Dan, he left a note on the table telling them to leave the key with David on reception. He wandered into the cafe on the corner, ordered a coffee and thought about Charlotte and Sasha. Then he thought about Dan and the stupid mess it looked like he was in together with Keith. How gullible they were to Felicity's charm. He knew he needed to speak to Keith, warn him and hopefully get him on side. In Zach's opinion even prison was too good for Felicity as his mind started to formulate an even bigger plan.

Storming out of the police station Felicity hailed a cab back to Zach's flat, she was livid. He must have called the police although now she knew that Casey was actually Charlotte perhaps her ex-husband had played a part in her arrest. The door banged shut as she strode up the corridor. There was no sign of Zach and his note on the table only confirmed it. Without him to take the full force of her anger the next in line was Daniel, after all they were supposed to be friends.

She pushed open the door of the master bedroom but it was empty, the bed untouched. She opened the door of the spare room and paused in the doorway. Daniel was pumping in and out of a prone Maya who was squealing in orgasmic delight at his every thrust. In two strides she was towering above the pair at the point of Daniel's release. Grabbing his shoulder she yanked him back and he went sprawling onto the covers, his spunk wasting in an arc over Maya's stomach and then onto the sheets. Maya cowered against the pillow, now fully aware of Felicity's wrath. Feeling the sting on her cheekbone as Felicity's palm connected with it.

“You little slut, get out of here now and take your clothes and plane ticket with you. You were never good enough for my son but I thought at least you would have distracted him”

Maya bunched up the sheet over her cooling body and fled to the bathroom. Daniel stood up, shame coloured his cheeks.

“Look Felicity, Mistress I can explain. It's not what it looks like”

“Fuck no, now how am I supposed to look at it you bastard. You FUCKING BASTARD”

Her hand caught his cheek and she dug her nails into his pretty face, they drew blood that seeped onto his fingertips as he reached up.

“You can get out and dressed too, we're over”

Daniel stood his ground, the pain in her gouges steeled his determination.

“I don't think I'm going anywhere, well except the police station to tell them the real story”

“With what evidence” she laughed.

“Oh I have enough, don't forget I spoke to Keith last night, the three of us are in this together whether you like it or not”

He watched her back away, her face pale as she took in the power of his words. Maya scuttled out of the bathroom and within five minutes had left the flat. Daniel inched away from Felicity towards the door.

“Get dressed” she barked “You can keep that stink on you until we get to Miranda's flat in Park Lane. Then and only if I think you're penitent enough will I allow you the simple pleasure of a shower. If not I may need to deploy the whip on you”

Dan tried to catch her eye with a tentative grin but she remained stony faced. The taxi journey was silent, Felicity locked onto the need to remain innocent of all the charges the police were investigating. It was not just the kidnapping of her own son, but the death of her husband and the death of Stephanie's husband nearly eighteen years ago. Daniel was mulling over Zach's words from the night before. He was skating on thin ice now with Felicity and as marriage was definitely off the table after this morning perhaps it was time to leave. But leave on his terms not hers.

Mitchell returned to the hospital alone that afternoon and as Charlotte was tired just sat beside her bed while she slept. His hand never left hers, his eyes watching the rise and fall of her belly. Arlene had sent flowers and Get Well wishes along with other cast members. Looking at the card he wished he had his mobile phone so he could call and thank them.

The next morning Charlotte was off the drip, eating and the pink rapidly returning to her skin. The Doctor said she was free to leave and when her Mum, James and Mitchell arrived to take her home she leant against his frame. In the back seat of the car she fell asleep, her head in his lap. He let his hands slide through her blond hair. Back at home she took the spare double in Darren's old room, Jester finding his spot by her feet and refusing to leave unless called. Mitchell would have done the same but the police needed him to give a further statement. He also had to fill in a mountain of forms to reclaim his identity.

I had never been more pleased to get home, the long flight, Charlotte's collapse and news and the return of Mitchell had zapped my strength. James had asked for a week's leave and the next morning I picked up the phone to do the same.

“Hi Greg, its Stephanie” I said, when he answered on the second ring.

“Stephanie it’s great to hear from you. Are you home now?”

“Yes, but I just need another week to get back on top of things”

“Sure, I heard all about the arrest, it made the news”

“Aren't you glad you never pursued her any further”

“Too right, well good luck and I look forward to catching up with you a week Monday. Leave me a free slot of your time at ten”

Zach was back at work and after another interview with the police he just needed to wait. It didn't take long for the phone call from Daniel to light up his mobile phone screen.

“Hey Dan, everything ok”

“You were right, I need to talk but I'll come over to the club tonight”

“Ok, see you later”

It was his usual monthly Burlesque night when he saw Daniel walk in at around eleven. Zach met him at the bar, ordered them drinks and they went upstairs to the office. He noticed that the first glass hardly touched the side so he offered Dan another and lounged back into the corner of the sofa.

“So what's changed?” Zach asked.

“Everything, Felicity found me fucking Maya when they let her out on bail. Maya has gone back to the States and I very nearly got my marching orders too”

“What saved you?”

“I told her I could either help or hinder the police investigations”

“So why do you need me?”

“I need help, sooner or later I'll either be thrown out or she will find a way to pin it all on me, just like you warned”

Zach finished his own drink, glanced at the cameras and caught the end of Clare's performance. The crowd roared their enjoyment but he turned back to his friend. He listened to Daniel's part in the kidnapping of Mitchell including the purchase of the drug. He stored this nugget of information and added it to the plan he had in mind. Daniel also told him that Keith had been involved and possibly still had Mitchell's mobile phone.

“I think she's involved in something deeper. Keith said they wanted files from the Health Spa from the time her husband had his accident” Daniel said.

“Do you think she killed him?”

“After her treatment of her own son I guess I wouldn't put it past her. We were involved by then but she never asked me for an alibi that night. As far as I can remember she was out with Kenneth, Amber and Celine at a dinner that Anthony was joining her at. When he didn't appear she called in at the club on her way home and found him”

“So what do you want to do?” Zach asked.

Dan finished his second glass and it rattled as he placed it on the table.

“Fuck Zach, I don't know, I really don't fucking know”

Glancing at his watch Dan stood up and stared at Zach, fear shadowed the brightness of his eyes.

“Leave it with me, I might have a plan but I need more time to think about it. Just stay cool, do what she asks and let me know if the police have spoken to her or you for that matter”

“Thanks mate, I don't deserve you as a friend”

They both exchanged a look that told of their shared past and scars. Dan left through the club so that he had an alibi should he need it. Zach poured another drink and sent Keith a text message requesting a meeting the next morning. He scrolled down his phone list and lingered over Charlotte's name. Then further down to Sasha, all the while his mind working overtime on his plan to get even with Felicity.

Chapter 40

Zach was late arriving at the cafe but Keith was waiting, two cups steaming on the corner table. Keith looked as pale and worried as Dan had the previous evening.

“Mr Madison” Zach said, sliding into the seat opposite.

“Mr King, it’s good to see you. How can I help?”

“I've been talking to our mutual friend Daniel and I believe that you might be in as much trouble as he is”

Keith glanced up as the door opened and closed, letting in a family. For a private detective he was really jumpy this morning.

“So what's happening with the police and their Felicity investigation?”

“They've seized the computers and files from the Health club but not her private pc which is still in storage”

Over the coffee Keith revealed his part in Mitchell's fake death and his sketchy knowledge of Anthony's death.

“How long have you been employed by Felicity?” Zach asked.

“Over twenty five years now. I did some work for her when she was manager of Warwick Leisure Centre. She asked me to find out some information on some Doctor's shifts in Hereford. She paid well for that and then we kept in touch. She knew I was always up for the work especially when she started to dangle her gilded carrot of an invitation to one of her party's. Not that she ever delivered on that one!”

“You don't remember the name of the Doctor do you?”

“Yes, he was a young chap, promising surgeon called Mark Eden. I found out later that he was murdered in the car park one night”

Zach hid his surprise at the surname, it was the same as Charlotte's and Stephanie's. Instead he drained the dregs from his cup and made to stand up.

“Wait, I need to know whose side you're on.” Keith asked.

“Yours and Daniel's, I need that bitch dealt with”

“The girl I found for you?”

“Yes, she was my first girlfriend, Felicity destroyed both our lives and I need revenge”

Keith reached down into his briefcase and pulled out a mobile phone.

“Daniel was meant to destroy this. It belongs to Mitchell and for some reason I knew I should keep it”

“Yes, do that. I will be back in touch soon and you never know Keith I might just get you that invitation you've been waiting for”

Back in his office Zach fired up his pc and typed in Mark Eden and waited. The newspaper links for the Hereford Times came up immediately. He was struck by the likeness of features that Charlotte shared with her father. The report was brief, detailing a nightshift that had ended in a stabbing in the hospital car park. The only evidence they had found was a knife and a needle. Zach dug deeper and found further reports and then the obituary. Then the trail went quiet as the police closed the file, unable to find the supposed drug addict they claimed carried out the crime.

Zach sat back, he was no detective but he read enough books and watched enough TV shows to find this verdict puzzling. Drug addicts were prone to violent attacks for money or more drugs but to have the foresight to wear gloves and leave a clean used needle! His hand itched to phone Charlotte but when he looked at the date on the paper he realised that she would not be able to help. The date of his death was only a few months after her birth.

He pulled up the number for Love Shack radio and Stephanie's office number. He dialled and waited.

“Stephanie Eden oops I mean Stephanie Cooke's office, Jack speaking. How can I help?”

“Hi Jack, its Mr King I was hoping to speak to Stephanie is she around?”

“She's not back at work until next Monday can I help?”

“Oh it’s not advertising, it’s a more personal matter. I don't suppose you have her mobile number?”

Jack hesitated, he assumed that as Mr King had attended the wedding they were on a more informal basis. But then again she had told him not to give out her personal information to anyone.

“Tell you what I'll pass on your number to Stephanie and get her to give you a call”

“Ok, just tell her to ring the club as soon as she can it’s about Mitchell”

“Mitchell?” Jack exclaimed, but the other end of the line was silent.

After his radio shift Jack jumped in his car and drove over to Stephanie's house. The last word of the conversation had played on his mind all day and he also wanted to catch up with his best mate. He rang the doorbell and waited, it was James who answered.

“Hi Jack, come on in I'm sure Steph would love a chat”

I heard his voice and beckoned him into the lounge.

“Can you bring another glass?” I called to James.

I pulled Jack in for a hug and inhaled his spicy, sweet scent. James arrived with the extra glass.

“I'll be in my office, let you two catch up on all your gossip”

“Yes, if you stay you'll only distract Jack with your good looks” I giggled, Jack and James blushed. My husband blew me a kiss and his eyes a look hotter than the sun.

“So what do I owe this pleasure?” I asked, pouring Jack a glass of pinot and settling down next to him on the sofa.

“A strange phone call, but hey it’s great to see you. You look amazing, love the tan”

“Yes New Zealand was lovely but I'm glad to be home. I missed everyone including you!” I tipped my glass against his and took a long swallow.

“So this phone call, do tell?”

“It was from Mr King , he wanted to talk to you and the last thing he said was the name Mitchell”

I stiffened in my seat, aware of Jack's stare. I swallowed, my mouth dry.

“Mitchell is alive, it’s a long story but we need to keep it quiet at the moment while the police investigate Felicity. Did he say anything else?”

“Just that he needed to talk to you” Jack said, the shock evident in his face. “He asked you to call him at the club”

I reached for my phone, I had the number saved so I pressed call and waited.

“Hi Zachary, its Stephanie I've just got your message”

“Hi Stephanie, I'm not really sure where to start but I think we need to talk about your husband Mark”

“Mark? Jack said it was about Mitchell?” I was confused.

“I used his name so that you would call me, I think Felicity might be behind the murder of your first husband Mark”

My hand was shaking, beads of sweat formed on my forehead and I had to take a deep breath. Jack reached for my other hand and squeezed it.

“I spoke to someone this morning; he was responsible for getting your husband's rota's for Felicity. I'm sorry for your loss”

“Will this person testify?”

“I hope so, he was also involved in Mitchell's fake death. He's terrified of what Felicity might pin on him so I think he could be persuaded to talk” Zach said.

I looked up to see that James had walked into the room and was staring at me.

“Mr King, can I call you back. Will you be able to give me the person's name?”

“I'm working on that, can I call you?”

“Yes, but please don't take too long. I have an appointment with Chief Inspector Blackstar in Hereford on Friday about this case”

Zach hesitated and then said.

“How's Charlotte?”

“She's fine, bed rest for this week and then I'll have the problem of keeping her from doing too much once she's allowed up”

“Tell her I said Hi” then before I could say goodbye the phone was silent. I reached for my glass and finished the wine in a single mouthful.

“Are you ok?” James asked.

“Yes, I've just spoken to Zach, he may know someone who got Mark's rota's from the Hospital for Felicity”

James sat down, the same smile played on his lips, matching mine. Jack just looked at the two of us, completely floored by the information the last half hour had thrown at him.

With another bottle of wine opened I filled Jack in on the events of the last forty eight hours including the news of Charlotte's pregnancy. His face was a picture by the time he left. Mitchell came down, slipped into the kitchen and made two mugs of Hot Chocolate. He took the upstairs and I heard the click of the spare room door. James stood up and held out his hand.

“Hot-tub or bed?” He asked.

“Let’s do both”