Her Perfect Family(83)

‘Oh, it was fine. The nurse in the office saw me on the telly earlier.’ She’s smiling and holds up her university pass by way of illustration, before moving to the spare seat at the end of Gemma’s bed.

I pull my own chair forward, closer to Gemma, and place my hand on the bedding. Gemma’s diary made it clear Amanda was hounding her. But I still don’t understand why.

‘This is very good of you, Amanda.’ I worry that she will see my hand trembling so pull it back into my lap. ‘You must be so busy . . . with the ceremony.’

‘Happy to help. I’m just so sorry you’ve had such a tricky time with the media.’

I look again at Gemma and realise I walked right into this. Amanda messaged earlier, asking if I wanted any help to get the media off our backs. It was before I read the laptop again. I said yes.

The television’s on mute but there are pictures of everyone arriving at the cathedral. A reporter is summing up the whole, horrible story. The attack on Gemma. The professor found dead this morning. The fact that some families have decided at the eleventh hour not to attend the graduation after all.

‘Shall I turn it off? The TV?’ I have no idea how to play this. How to make Amanda leave. ‘So you reckon the reporters will back off if we just make a short statement?’ That’s what her message said would happen.

‘Yes. I do realise it’s asking a lot, Mrs Hartley, but it’s the strategy I always advise.’

‘Rachel. Please.’

‘Rachel.’ She tilts her head, her eyes narrowing. ‘I’ll be giving another briefing to the media when I get back to the cathedral green, so I can include your statement. That should keep them happy. Keep them off your back, hopefully.’

‘Thank you. Very good of you. So let’s get this done then. I’m sure you’re tight for time.’ I glance again at the window. Still no guard. No sign of Ed.

‘So have you had time to write a few words? About how Gemma’s doing. The relief about the arrests. And wishing the new graduates well today?’

I reach for my iPad and notice that Amanda is staring at the end of Gemma’s bed. The little hill created by the frame over her missing leg.

‘Helen mentioned that she opened her eyes?’

Amanda’s tone has changed and I feel bile in my throat. I clench my fist, digging the nails into my palm. I should never have messaged Helen.

And then my mobile rings. I move to take it from my pocket but Amanda stands.

‘Don’t answer that, Rachel.’

She’s now staring at Gemma’s face, her expression much darker. And I notice her pupils look strange. My eyes dart to the laptop. Gemma wrote about the pupils.

Amanda reaches into her bag.

‘You’re not to answer your phone, Rachel. You’re not even to touch your phone. Do you understand me?’





CHAPTER 67


THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR


‘Mel. We have a problem. Where’s Amanda?’

‘Amanda? I think they said the Hartleys asked to see her. Something about helping with the media. She’s due back here in half an hour. Actually – hang on. There’s a message on my phone from Rachel Hartley. Hold a moment. Let me listen.’

Matthew presses the lift button for the fifth floor.

‘Oh Lord. Rachel’s saying Amanda knew Gemma personally. Was hassling her. There’s something on Gemma’s laptop about it, something we missed.’

‘I know. Mel, listen.’ Matthew feels the rush of adrenaline. ‘Looks like we got this wrong. There’s a strong chance Amanda’s our shooter.’ A beat of silence. ‘I just took a call too, from that head of HR. The one abroad. She finally got your message.’

‘Right . . .’ Mel is making the familiar segue from shock into fifth gear. ‘Putting you on hold while I speak to armed response . . .’

Matthew waits and watches the lift numbers. Three. Four.

‘OK. Armed team are in the grounds. On standby to move to the ward.’ Mel’s voice again. ‘So what do we have? I need to phone Rachel Hartley back.’

‘Amanda’s being eased out. She’s unstable. A serial drug user. And’ – he pauses as the doors open on the fifth floor – ‘she had an affair with Sam Blake when she first joined the university.’

Matthew steps out on to the corridor opposite the coffee machine. No one in sight.

‘I need to speak to the team again. Where exactly are you?’

‘Right outside the ward. I’ve got this.’ He’s staring at the double doors, his heartbeat increasing.

‘No, Matt. Wait until I get armed response up there.’

‘I’ll speak to the nurses. If she’s here already, we can’t wait. I’ll work with the guard on the ward.’

‘He’s not there. Still dealing with that reporter. Not on your own, Matt. It’s too dangerous.’





CHAPTER 68


THE DAUGHTER – BEFORE

Poetry

This is getting off-the-scale ridiculous. Proper harassment. I thought I could just make it through to the graduation but I’m not sure any more. I’m wondering if I should just phone home? Or tell someone here at the university? Even the police?

I wish I’d never asked for the bloody work experience now. Never persuaded her to change her mind about it. Never got to know her . . .