Frozen Grave (Willis/Carter #3)(107)

They read it through. Harding was a little uneasy at signing anything, but she knew it would mean she’d fulfilled her brief all the way. She had to infiltrate the group of women and that was exactly what was happening.

‘Will he run when he sees that we are all here?’ Harding asked when Megan drew near.

‘I don’t think so. He always parks here at the front. He’ll see my car and that’s all. Once he’s inside, I’m going to lock the door.’

‘I’m really frightened.’ Paula shivered.

‘Don’t be,’ Megan said as she went over and put her arm around her. ‘We are going to come out of this a stronger group of people and we’re going to make sure we all get what we want.’

‘Which is what?’ asked Harding. ‘I mean, I see that those of us who have invested money in the Spanish Hacienda company want to have some kind of input, some managerial control, considering their money has been used, but what else do the rest of us want from Ellerman?’

‘Personally speaking . . .’ said Megan, ‘I want to hit him where it hurts – his pocket and his ego. I want him to look me in the eyes and admit he’s a twat. Say that he’s a pathetic loser who doesn’t deserve anything good in life.’

‘You want him to change?’ asked Harding. ‘You want to know him after tonight? Are you still hoping for a future with him?’

‘Personally? No, I don’t ever want to see him again after tonight.’

‘But we’re signing this to have control over the company. We will have to see him,’ said Paula as she read the agreement.

‘You will have to deal with the company, not him.’

‘He must never be allowed to forget what he’s done,’ said Emily.

‘I hope his wife leaves him,’ said Paula.

‘So do I,’ said Megan. ‘I hope she takes every last penny from him and he’s forced to live in a bedsit somewhere.’

Ellerman saw the lights of the village appear in the pitch-black as he approached. As he parked up in front of Megan’s house he saw the glow of candlelight coming from within. He knew the wood burner would be going, the Aga would be throwing out heat. There was no need to feel cut off. He parked up behind Megan’s estate car and his car door nearly blew off its hinges as he opened it. He sheltered as he lifted the boot and took out his bag. He picked up the bottle of vintage wine that he’d been given by a client a few years ago. He’d forgotten about it until he was sorting through the papers in his office.

He knocked at the door and waited, being buffeted by the gales.

‘Hello, gorgeous. Romantic . . . candlelight, just for us.’

‘Yes, perfect, isn’t it?’

He put his bottle up next to the other wine as he came in and put his bag down. ‘Ah . . . you had guests, I see.’

Megan closed the door behind him and locked it.

‘Not had – have.’

‘Huh?’

‘We have guests.’

Harding, Paula and Emily appeared in the archway that separated the kitchen from the sitting area and lounge.

‘Oh . . . I see,’ said Ellerman. ‘I get it now – what’s this, a lynch mob?’

‘More of a support group,’ said Megan.

‘I’m surprised to see you here, Jo,’ he said to Harding.

‘I couldn’t resist it.’ She smiled.

‘Well, forgive me if I don’t intend to play ball but I have better things to do with my time. Paula, I thought you and I had an understanding. Everything’s in place. You let yourself be dragged into this. It’s just mindless.’

‘You lied to us, JJ,’ Paula answered. ‘You lied about so many things. I can’t believe anything you say.’

He shook his head in disbelief. ‘Emily? You can’t be seriously expecting me to explain myself to you? Out of all the women here, I thought we knew one another. I’ve been a good friend to you – supportive – picked you up after your disastrous marriage ended. Now you turn on me?’

Emily didn’t answer.

‘You may as well sit down and have a glass of wine,’ said Megan. ‘We just want to talk. Every woman here deserves the right to speak her mind to you.’

‘Who says?’

‘We do.’

‘You’re speaking for everyone here now, are you?’

‘Yes, I believe so.’

‘What gives you the fucking right to do that?

‘Emily?’ Megan said. Ellerman was staring at her. She didn’t look at him.

‘Emily, could you show JJ the agreement, please?’ said Megan. Emily placed it on the table. Ellerman picked it up and speed-read it.

‘Huh . . .’ He threw it down in contempt. ‘I won’t sign this – even if I did, it would mean nothing.’

‘Not strictly true,’ said Harding. ‘We are all witnesses to it.’

‘Oh, shut the fuck up, you nasty bitch.’ He glared at her. ‘This has nothing to do with you. I don’t even know why you’re here. Pathetic – all of you. I won’t answer to a bunch of lonely, frustrated gold diggers who deserve everything they get. None of you mean anything to me. You can all go to hell.’ He went to open the door and couldn’t. ‘Open it . . .’ he hissed into Megan’s face. Harding stepped forward to support her and speak to Ellerman.