One Small Mistake(101)

‘Let me go? Turn yourself in to the police?’

Ignoring my deadpan suggestions, he continues, ‘You have no respect for your own well-being. You almost got yourself killed on that road. You don’t value your life and then, when those people pulled up to help us and I told you what I’d do to them if you tried anything, you finally listened to me.’

I’m irritated and impatient. ‘What’s your point, Jack?’

‘Motivation. You’re lacking it. If you’re motivated to try with me, you’ll succeed. You’re just not trying hard enough. So, I paid a visit to your sister.’ He pulls up a video on his phone. The camera work is shaky, the picture is grainy. It’s dark. There’s a floor shot. Boots treading carefully up a flight of stairs. A door being pushed open. A bed comes into focus. I recognise it before I see my sister’s sleeping form. He zooms in on her face. Her brow is furrowed, like she’s having a bad dream. Leisurely, the camera drifts down the length of her body, pausing briefly on the loose shoulder strap of her silk cami before lingering on her bare legs, the sheets twisted between them. Then the camera swings right; Jack’s gloved-hand appears in shot, placing two rings on her nightstand before turning back to Ada. She’s still sleeping, one arm slung above her head. He reaches out and lightly strokes her cheek.

Jack clicks off the video.

My breaths come in short, sharp bursts as irritation gives way to fear.

‘If you don’t start trying,’ warns Jack, ‘really trying, maybe it’ll be your sister who’s found on the side of the road.’

‘But Ada hasn’t. She wouldn’t—’

‘She’s snooping. She’s been in my office. Dumb bitch.’

Not that dumb if she’s the only person to suspect Jack was involved in my disappearance.

‘Don’t for a second think she’s sticking her oar in for your benefit,’ he parries. ‘She just wants to come out of this a fucking hero. She’s a showy bitch.’

I am guilt-stricken; I’ve called my sister showy on countless occasions. But had my opinion of Ada informed Jack’s, or has Jack’s opinion of her informed mine? ‘And how am I supposed to try, Jack? What do you want from me?’

His stare is penetrating. ‘Everything was perfect the night of the storm. The way we connected. It was the last time things between us were the way they should be.’

My head thumps and the room tilts. Sex. He wants sex. Wants me to let him put himself inside of me. This was his idea of changing my mind – blackmail. Give myself to him to save my sister or don’t and let her die.





Chapter Forty-Eight


160 Days Missing


Adaline Archer

He’s been in my house, Elodie. Jack has been in my house. I woke up yesterday morning to find my engagement ring and wedding band had been returned. He must’ve come in when I was sleeping. I feel so violated. The framed quote in his office about all being fair in love and war was a warning but this, this is a threat. He wants me to know he can enter my house at any time.

Terrified, I leapt out of bed and flew downstairs. The spare house key was missing. I called Christopher, and in a petrified rush, explained what had happened.

‘I suppose I can’t report it as a break-in since he used a key and nothing was stolen,’ I ventured.

‘It’ll be difficult, but you need to change your locks. When’s Ethan home?’

I paused, the pain of our failed marriage rippling through me, momentarily blotting out the fright of Jack having been in my bedroom. It hadn’t even been a week since Ethan left; he spent the first two nights at a hotel in London before flying to Slovenia for work. He’s still there now and I have no idea when or even if he’ll return to our home. He might just send someone for his things and that will be it. ‘Not sure,’ I hedged.

‘You shouldn’t be alone. Can you call him and find out?’

I sighed. ‘He isn’t going to be back for a long while. We’re …’ It took a moment to get the words out. ‘We’re separating.’

Silence crackled down the line. ‘I see.’

‘I haven’t told my parents.’

‘I’d ask if you’re okay but …’

‘I am.’

If we’d broken up before you went missing, I wouldn’t have coped. But with you gone, it put things into perspective. Now I have focus. Now I have to find you. ‘It was the right thing to do.’

Even though I couldn’t see Christopher, I could sense his warmth, could imagine the crease of concern between his brows. He cares about me. He’s even forgiven me for almost getting him caught inside Jack’s house.

‘Do you want me to come over?’ he asked.

‘I’d like that but I’m actually going to visit Kathryn to see what I can find.’

‘On Jack?’

‘Yes.’

Having seen Jack with the girl who looked like you, Christopher was starting to come around to the idea he was involved in your disappearance. Although he couldn’t ask the rugby club for employee records in an official capacity, he’d requested them from a friend of a friend, only to discover their records don’t go back that far, thanks to a fire that burned all their paper files years ago.