Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (40 page)

“Absolutely, follow me”

In the office he let them sit down so they could view the footage on the big screen. He saw them watching intently and then relaxed back into the cushions as a drunken Daniel was led from view by Cal.

Zach switched the footage back to real time as the club was filling up.

“Thanks for your time Mr King” they shook hands and he led them back down into the Lobby.

“You run a good club here, hardly ever get called out so just keep it that way”

“Is your investigation over, I'm sure my friend Daniel would like to assist with the funeral arrangements. They've been together for nearly four years”

“Give us a day or two and I think we'll be done. We have Mr Livingstone's mobile phone number but he may need to contact another friend of yours Mitchell Cooke, who we believe is Mrs Carmichael-Astaire's closest living relative”

“Thank you Rob, Kieran I'm glad to be of assistance”

He watched them leave and let out a small sigh of relief before walking to the bar for a drink.

“Thanks Cal”

“No problem, boss” he handed Zach the JD and left to serve a group of girls at the other end of the bar.

“Everything ok” Dan asked.

“Yes, they think they'll be done in a day or two”

“Good, thanks for this. Learning the ropes is keeping my mind off things”

“Well, I may introduce you to someone else who will help to keep you occupied. Sherrie will be transferring to the other club with you this weekend” Zach raised his eyebrows and grinned.

“You'd better fill me in later then” Dan chuckled and then turned to serve some more drinks, the club was filling up.

Chapter 55

Rob knocked on the door early Tuesday morning and I answered it.

“Morning Rob, come on in I've got the kettle on” I said.

“Thanks Stephanie, its James and Mitchell I need to speak too”

“Sure, James is in the kitchen, I'll just pop up and give Mitchell a shout”

I knocked on the bedroom and heard a muffled groan that was Charlotte.

“Mitchell, are you awake? Rob is here to talk to you and James”

“Ok, Steph, I'll be down in ten minutes”

“Any chance of a cuppa, Mum”

“Yes, I'll bring one up”

Back in the kitchen I poured coffee for Rob, James and one for Mitchell. Then with a tea in hand I went back upstairs and bumped into Mitch, fresh from the shower.

“Here, take that in for Charlie”

“No problem, she's in a right grumpy mood this morning”

I heard the tremor of fear shake his voice.

“Don't worry, Rob seems in a good mood so hopefully its positive news about your Mum”

Mitch frowned at the Mum word and entered the bedroom.

I stayed clear of the kitchen discussion but within an hour James was showing Rob out, clapping a hand on his back and smiling. I stepped in to find Mitchell hunched over his mug of now cold coffee.

“Refill”

“Yes please” James replied, walking in and reaching to enfold me in a hug. Mitchell nodded and started to get up from the chair. We both watched him leave and heard his footsteps on the stairs.

“So fill me in” I said.

“The case is closed, accidental death the verdict. However it also means the Hereford investigations are also closed again with no new information they have to leave it”

“So, what’s next?” I let the information sink in that I would never know what extent she played in Mark's death.

“Funeral planning, meeting the solicitor for the reading of the will and then after that....I guess all of us reclaiming our lives” his lips touched mine, a tender touching of our souls.

“Hopefully that will give Mitchell some closure”

“Yes, I guess I'd better call her solicitor, he picked up the piece of paper on the table with Rob's scrawl on it.

By the end of the day Charlotte had surfaced, Mitchell had spent the day dancing and I'd heard more good news. Sarah and Chris' house had sold and their offer on the place around the corner accepted. It felt great to make plans to help with their move in the next few months.

On Friday James and Mitchell set off to the solicitor’s office to hear the will. Pulling up outside the austere buildings James looked across at Mitch.

“It will be ok” he said, seeing Darren pull up and park next to them. There was one other car in the parking area and Mitchell watched Daniel step out of it. He looked across and acknowledged him. They all filed in and waited for Mr Tyler to deliver the last will and testament of Felicity Carmichael-Astaire. An hour later it was all over and they emerged into the bright sunlight.

“Well at least we get to share out the sale of the house” Mitchell said to Darren “I'd been worried she would only name me”

“Yup, the money will come in handy if we can get it shifted in this slow housing market”

“So Health club owner” James said to Mitchell.

“I don't want it, I just want it gone. I'm not even sure I want the money”

Daniel had slipped off and driven away, he had a week to clear whatever he wanted from the house. At least Mitchell and Darren had not argued with that clause or the ownership of the Mercedes. They would be well off for the rest of their lives if they invested wisely. Dan knew he would have enough for a small house and no mortgage and with the job offer from Zach things were not too bleak. In some ways he didn't miss Felicity at all, in other's her absence made his heart ache.

Pulling into the driveway James smiled at the other cars parked there.

“Looks like we have visitors”

Mitchell nodded, still in shock over the will. Estimates on the Health Spa were in excess of two million. As for the house and grounds he guessed around eight hundred and fifty thousand split down the middle to make four hundred and twenty five each. Walking in they found a happy crowd of people in the lounge. Charlotte and Sarah shared the couch, both with their feet up on the pouf fee. Chris perched on the one arm whilst Charlotte's friend Julia was on the floor next to Jester.

“So how did it go?” I asked, getting up from the armchair to let James sit down. Mitch hovered by the other arm of the sofa, his hand reached down to touch Charlie's shoulder.

“I think I'll leave that up to Mitchell but the next step is to get the funeral arranged. The money's all in place so it’s just the time and place I have to book. Fair play my ex laid it all down on paper”

Julia took that moment to stand up.

“I'd better get over to Simon's but if you and Mitch want to meet at the local Italian later then we can easily arrange an extra couple of chairs”

“Thanks Julia, I'll let you know before six” Charlie said. Mitchell let her out and then slipped away from the crowd to their room. Charlotte noticed and eased off the sofa to find him. She had spent a great morning catching up with Julia and then when Sarah and Chris arrived, Sarah with an obvious bump they had shared pregnancy cravings and gripes. Her Mum had even joined in with her strange fetish for pickled onions.

Mitchell was lying on the bed, motionless and staring at the ceiling. 'She's like the Wind' playing on the stereo. She cutched up beside him and he wrapped his arms around her.

“So?”

“I don't know where to start” he mumbled. He planted light kisses on her neck and cheek, the action helped to sooth the jumble of figures in his head as her scent wafted through his senses.

“Darren and I get to split the sale of the house, she left me The Health Spa business which if sold should net around two million at the lowest price”

Charlotte trembled in his arms, the shock catching her off guard, the feel of hot tears of relief pricked her eyelashes.

“Are you happy?” She asked.

“I just don't know how to feel anymore. I don't miss her and at the end I hated her for everything she planned and did to James and your Mum”

“But you still miss her?”

“I guess, the early childhood part of our relationship”

He pulled her even tighter, almost crushing the breath from her lungs and making the babies start up a volley of kicks that made him release his hold slightly. He reached down and circled his palm over the taut fabric of her t-shirt.

“Think about the security we can give our babies” Charlie whispered “think of all the good charities that need a donation”

She felt him nod his head before his lips touched hers. The lyrics of the song touched them both as their hearts beat in time.

“Feel the breath on my face, her body close to me”

In the end they cried off on the Italian double date and stayed in, toasting their prospective good fortune with the people who mattered most in their lives.

Chapter 56

The funeral was the following Friday and despite getting Mr Tyler to contact all her friends the church was sparse of bodies. Charlotte held tight to Mitchell with Darren and Sophie next to them. Pam and Peter shared the pew with us. The final seats were filled by Zach, Sasha, Dan and a gentleman that was introduced as Keith Madison. The service was short before we shuffled out into the overcast and dark summer day. A rain storm was threatening in the distance.

Daniel threw in a lily but then we all took a handful of dirt. I tried to hide the smile on my face as I threw it down and it shattered on the top of the solid oak casket. I turned and just caught Charlotte's eye, she saw my smile as she was trying hard to conceal her own. Mitchell, Darren and James were stony faced; no tears were shed by our family. The only one who cried was Daniel. I watched Zach hug his friend and Sasha put a comforting arm around his shoulders. When his sobs stilled he walked over to Darren and Mitchell.

“I've taken my things from the house so it’s all yours now” he held his key out, Mitchell didn't move so Darren took it instead.

“Shall we do it tomorrow, I have the weekend off” Darren said.

“Guess so” Mitch replied. I saw Charlotte shudder and take his hand.

“Zachary, would you like to come back to ours, we're having a small wake, nothing fancy”

“Thanks Stephanie, we'll stop by but think we'll drop Daniel off first”

I watched his gaze alight on Charlotte but then he turned back to Sasha and I saw love light them ablaze. A ring sparkled on her finger and I was glad to see another couple happy in the world. James crept up and took my hand in his.

“Penny for your thoughts”

“Think you'd need a few” I tried a small joke and saw the corners of his lips turn up in a grin.

“Come on, she doesn't deserve this kind of send-off” he motioned as the undertakers started to shovel in the dirt. Mitchell had already walked down to the car, Charlotte close by his side, Darren and Sophie just behind them.

Saturday morning bought a large summer storm, dark clouds rolled overhead and the air felt heavy, like wading through treacle. Apart from Pam and Peter who stayed behind to look after Jester we all set off to Felicity's house in convoy. I reached over and placed my hand on James's knee as we drove, it reassured both of us.

“I hope this doesn't take long” I said, as we turned into the driveway.

“Yes, I suspect there will not be much for me to do apart from perhaps deal with the estate agents and auctioneers when they turn up later”

“Let’s hope this will be a positive experience and start to help Mitchell out of his depression. He may on the outside appear to be coping but I can see the signs that he is floundering inside. It’s a constant battle and one I'm only just on top of”

Pulling to a stop James turned to look at me; his hands clasped my cheeks and bought his lips to meet mine.

“Just hang on to me, I'm strong enough”

Those words melted my heart as I kissed him back.

Darren unlocked the front door and we all followed him inside. The house was no longer a shining opulent palace but deathly quiet and dusty like a mausoleum. The chandeliers hung with cobwebs and part of me itched to find a feather duster, but the evil part of my heart felt smug. Money couldn't buy a long and happy life.

“I'll go and start upstairs” Mitchell said and Charlotte followed him.

“I'll go and do the kitchen as there are a few things Sophie and I could do with for our house”

That just left us to start on the office and lounge.

Upstairs Charlotte was once again staggered by the sheer extravagance of the house.

“Where should we say we found this?” Charlie said, opening doors and trying to discern which room was the master suite.

“Think this might have been her room” Mitchell said, standing by the door at the far end of the hallway. Charlie joined in and they stepped inside. A huge bed dominated the room, its leather headboard in deep crimson. Small hooks slightly concealed on each corner and the same at the end of the bed. Charlie shivered as unwelcome thoughts of Felicity torturing Zach and Sasha filled her head.

“What about her bedside cabinet, or the jeweller box” Charlie went across to the large black box on the side.

“Oh, it’s locked” she said, trying to lift the catch.

Mitchell slid open the drawer of the bedside table and rummaged around, trying not to touch all the sex toys it held.

“This might be it” he said, walking over and letting it slid into the lock. It sprung open and showed them a layout of compartments filled with different jewels.

“Yes, let’s say we found it in here” Charlie said, finding the cd and placing it on the side. She was pleased to see that the printed label said 'Private and Confidential, view only upon my death'

Charlotte couldn't help but snoop around a little further, pulling open the doors to the wardrobes and staring at the dresses they held. Another door led into the ensuite and she gasped at the sunken bath inside. This woman had it all and lost it big time and it made Charlotte shiver and go cold. The spectre of Felicity haunted these rooms. Footsteps made them jump and she looked round the door.

“The estate agent is here so we could all do with agreeing the terms of sale” I said.

“Look what we found” Charlotte said, holding up the cd in its plastic envelope.

“Bring it down, it might be important” I said, glancing at the label on it.

The estate agent suggested selling it with furniture included with the compromise that if someone really wanted the house empty then it could be agreed in a reduction on the price. That meant all we needed to clear was the clothes, personal items and the rest of the kitchen items that Darren didn't want or need. The auctioneer had a look round and earmarked certain antiques and the jewellery that would go for sale at the next opportunity. A quick call to the nearby charity shop dealt with the clothes.

“I think there's a basement here somewhere, might be worth seeing if there is any good wine or champagne left” James said. I nodded and we found a small staircase in the kitchen leading down.

“Think I'll stay up here” Charlotte said, wondering what would happen when they found the torture chamber she guessed was down there.

Mitchell nodded and when they all left he took Charlotte's hand.

“Can I show you something” he asked. He didn't wait for her answer but instead took her hand and then unlocked the kitchen door and stepped out into the yard. He carried another key that unlocked the door of the barn. Flicking the switch Charlie saw the gleaming wooden floor.

“This is where she kept me, promising me this as a home until I asked if you were included”

Charlie's shoes clicked on the floor as she took in the spiral staircase.

“Can I”

“You go first, then I can catch you if you fall” he said, his hand placed lightly on the base of her spine as they ascended.

“This would have been perfect for us, but I could never have lived that close to Her!”

“I know” Mitchell picked up some of his favourite clothes that he had packed in his rage after their argument and found his rucksack to fill. Charlotte looked at the photos on the coffee table, blurred and distant but of her and Zach in the park. She ripped them up and let them scatter over the floor.

“Were you at the party here with Zach?”

“Uh, yes....why?” She stepped towards him, peeping to look over his shoulder through the small side window. The summer house in view.

“I was miserable that night, listening to She's like the wind and berating myself for letting you go. I saw a girl dancing in the moonlight on the grass.

Charlotte's breath caught in her throat, she had somehow heard that same music faintly playing.

“I thought I heard it, but I thought I imagined it. If only I'd know you were here”

“I'd have bust the door down for you, but instead I watched you dance”

He slumped into her arms and she held on as his dam broke.

“That party led us to you” she whispered “it bought you back to me, to us” she felt the babies move.

“I love you Charlotte, just don't let me go, don't leave me”

“I won't baby, believe me you have me whether you like it or not”

Mitch wiped his eyes before they went down the stairs and back into the kitchen to wait for them.

But all four returned with a few bottles in each of their hands and no look of surprise.

“Felicity must have had some work done before she died as it was ever so clean down there, the wine racking was all brand new” James said.

“But we have some good bottles of vintage Moet here which will be great for your wedding” he nodded across to Darren and Sophie.

“And we'll save some for the future” I said, winking at Charlotte before I put the disc in my handbag.

“Think it’s time to go, this place is giving me the creeps” Charlie said, leaning into Mitchell's side.

“Yes, you've been on your feet most of the day and you should be resting” I said.

Small talk was hard over the dining table that evening, all of us locked in our own thoughts about the end of Felicity. Charlotte and Mitchell retired to bed early, Darren and Sophie to his old room for the night. I poured another glass of wine and settled on the sofa with James.

“Do you think we should listen to that disc they found?” James asked.

“Yes, I suspect its nothing but strange it says Private and Confidential?”

“It might be a will amendment, something legal”

I fished it out of my bag and gave it James who slotted it into the CD player.

It sounded grainy at the start then a bit of a hiccup, the kind you get when you're upset.

“Sounds like Felicity” James said.

“Sssh”

“Anthony was getting too fond of younger girls, I had to make sure he didn't tire of me. I knew he did his rounds of the club every night so I waited for him in the dark. He was so shocked to see me that he did slip and fall, I just nudged him into the pool”

I turned to stare at James, this was some sort of confession to do with her husband. There was silence again so we waited.

The recording crackled again before her voice penetrated the silence.

“James kept talking in his sleep, calling out for Stephanie, I had to stop him mentioning that bitch. I was young, foolish, frightened. All I wanted was to be loved. I was losing James back to her, he kept talking about finding her again and leaving me. It was me, I killed him, I stabbed him. It was me”

Abruptly the recording finished and I just stared at James, he too in complete and utter shock. I downed the dregs of my wine, it tasted bitter on my tongue. The shock of hearing the words was impossible to bear. I lurched from the sofa and just made it to the downstairs cloakroom in time to throw up.

Red wine splattered the white porcelain, images of blood pooling on the car park tarmac as I spiralled back in time.

“Steph, Steph are you alright?”

I crouched in the corner, rocking to and fro as memories of the past assaulted me. They would not stop and when I tried to stand I staggered and reached out for the wall. James caught me in his strong arms and I let him. My legs felt weak and my head throbbed. I struggled to comprehend how one woman could be so evil. James led me back to the lounge and then rushed to get a glass of water that I gulped down. His face was ashen like mine.

“I'm so sorry, I just can't believe that she did that to you, to your husband to Charlotte's father” he kept shaking his head.

When I stopped sobbing I looked into my favourite blue eyes.

“What should we do? Shall we tell them? Shall we give it to the police!”

“Let’s sleep on it, it’s been a long day” James said. He stood and held out his hand. I grasped it, holding on tightly to my rock. Under the covers he spooned up against me and held on, he didn't sleep until I drifted off.