The Bullet That Missed (Thursday Murder Club #3)(43)

‘He’s actually very good,’ says Donna.

‘No need to screen-test him, Carwyn, I’ll vouch for him – you know my instincts,’ says Mike.

‘Of course, Mike,’ says Carwyn. ‘He’s definitely got the X-factor.’

‘We’re talking about knife crime in a couple of days,’ says Mike. ‘Put him on. That all right with you, Chris?’

‘Umm, yes,’ says Chris. In a couple of days? On TV? Knife crime? It’s like all his Christmases have come at once. He can’t wait to tell Patrice.

‘Well done, boss,’ says Donna, rising from her chair and giving Chris a hug.

Chris’s mind is galloping ahead. Perhaps this will turn into a regular slot. Your friendly bobby, dispensing advice, perhaps a little bit of wisdom along the way. Chris looks at the monitor on the studio floor. He looks good. Do his eyes twinkle? He could swear they do. He sees Mike look at the monitor too. But he realizes that Mike is not looking at him.

‘Donna,’ says Mike. ‘You really pop on camera. I mean really pop.’

‘Pop?’ says Donna. Chris has a sinking feeling.

‘Shine, zing, pop,’ says Mike. ‘Last time I saw anything like this it was a young Phillip Schofield. Wow.’

‘I … uh … thank you,’ says Donna.

‘What do you know about knife crime? I want you on instead of Chris,’ says Mike.

Donna holds up her hands in protest, Chris will give her that. ‘Sorry, Mike. Choose Chris.’

Mike puts his hands on Donna’s shoulders. ‘I don’t choose anyone, Donna. The camera chooses. And it’s chosen you.’

Mike turns to Carwyn. ‘Carwyn, take Donna into wardrobe, see what we’ve got.’

Carwyn takes Donna out of the studio. She gives an apologetic look over her shoulder as she goes. Mike places a hand on Chris’s shoulder.

‘Sorry, Chris,’ he says. ‘That’s showbusiness.’

Chris nods, the warmth of potential fame leaving his body.





36





‘Elizabeth, don’t even joke,’ says Viktor Illyich, the gun pointed at his head.

‘I wish I were joking, Viktor,’ says Elizabeth, and watches Viktor sit. Joyce is open-mouthed.

‘Elizabeth,’ says Joyce.

‘Don’t get involved, Joyce,’ says Elizabeth. ‘Not this time. I need you to trust me. Killing Viktor is the only option we have.’

‘There are many options, Elizabeth,’ says Viktor. ‘Sit and talk, we will work it out. I chose not to kill you after I received the photographs. I could have, you know?’

‘What photographs?’ says Joyce.

‘I know you could, Viktor, and I’m sorry,’ says Elizabeth. ‘You should have done. But the man who wants you dead knows I’m here. He has people watching everywhere.’

She takes her phone from her bag and holds it up. ‘I can show you messages to prove it. So I have to kill you. I’ll make it quick, and we’ll bury you properly.’

‘Elizabeth …’ says Joyce.

‘Sorry, Joyce,’ says Elizabeth, putting her phone down on the table beside her. ‘I truly am. Now you get to see what I’m really capable of if my hand is forced. Where shall we do this, Viktor? Where is quietest? I don’t want to alert your lovely concierge.’

‘If it was me, then the bathroom. Is quiet. And you can clean it easily,’ suggests Viktor. ‘But you really don’t have to do this. We are friends, no?’

‘We are friends, Viktor, yes,’ says Elizabeth.

‘The guy who sent you,’ says Viktor. ‘He’s Swedish, right?’

‘I can’t tell you, Viktor,’ says Elizabeth. ‘After this, I don’t want to hear from him or think about him again.’

‘We team up together? We kill him? That’s a better plan. Come on.’

‘It’s all too late,’ says Elizabeth. ‘I don’t know who he is, and you don’t seem to know who he is, and I just want this over with. I want peace at home with my husband. I’m so sorry. Let’s head to the bathroom. You lead the way.’

Viktor stands. Joyce stands too.

‘He’s going nowhere,’ says Joyce. ‘Not while I’m here.’

Viktor places a hand on Joyce’s shoulder. ‘Joyce Meadowcroft, you have my thanks. But this is business. Someone is going to shoot me one day, and at least Elizabeth is a friend. This Swedish guy wants me dead, and maybe this is the best way.’

Joyce looks at Elizabeth, and Elizabeth nods. ‘It can’t always be a game, Joyce. I’m sorry.’

‘I will never forgive you,’ says Joyce.

‘You have to trust me, Joyce,’ says Elizabeth. ‘Best friends.’

‘Not any more,’ says Joyce.

She turns away from Elizabeth. Elizabeth is surprised at how much this stings, but she understands.

Viktor walks towards the bathroom, Elizabeth following behind, gun raised.

‘No sudden movements, Viktor, let’s just get this over with.’

‘Last chance to stop this now. You know I loved you, Elizabeth?’ says Viktor.

‘Where does love ever get us?’ says Elizabeth, following Viktor from the room. ‘Tied up in the back of a van. Shot in a penthouse. I’m done with love.’