The Passengers(76)

‘#givejudeandlibbyachance,’ Cadman repeated. ‘Your ten-minute conversation with Jude is the only thing the world is talking about right now. They’re not ready for your story to come to an end. They’re desperate to know what happens next. Look.’

The contents of Cadman’s screen filled the rest of the wall; dozens and dozens of messages along with hashtags including ‘#Libby4Jude’ ‘#HappyEverAfter4J&L’ and ‘#Savethestarcrossedlovers’ along with memes and GIFs.

‘Has the world gone fucking mad?’ asked a stunned Jack.

‘People always love an underdog,’ Cadman shrugged.

‘And people have always been wrong.’

‘I’m sorry, Jack, but the public has become invested in these two lovebirds. They’ve even spliced their names together so that ‘#judy’ has the honour of being the fastest spreading hashtag of all time. Social media is very clear about this – their votes go to Jude.’

Libby looked to him; Jude’s bewildered face mirrored hers. Against all odds, there was now a chance he might survive. ‘I don’t understand it,’ Libby continued. ‘People who don’t know us, actually care?’

‘They don’t care about you!’ Jack hissed. ‘You’re as real to them as bloody Santa Claus. People want something to believe in even if it’s made-up rubbish like you and Mr Harrison. Don’t fool yourself into believing anyone inside or outside this room gives a damn about what happens to either of you after these cars collide.’

‘With two votes apiece, it’s a tie between Heidi and Jude,’ said Fiona, resting her tablet on the table top. ‘So what happens now?’

‘One of you must change your vote,’ said the Hacker.

‘And if we don’t?’

‘Then you will be sending them all to their deaths. Who would like to begin?’





Chapter 51





Muriel was the first juror to turn to Libby to offer a heartfelt apology.

‘I am so sorry, I really am, because I know what Jude means to you,’ she began. ‘But my heart lies with Claire’s unborn baby. No matter what she might have done to her husband, I can’t punish that little mite because of it.’ She grasped Libby’s hand and squeezed it to emphasise her remorse. Libby nodded, not trusting herself to speak, before turning to Matthew. She already knew what his answer would be when he struggled to meet her eye.

‘I have given it thought, honestly, but I can’t rob Heidi’s children of their mum. And for that I apologise.’

‘It’s okay,’ Libby replied.

Fiona was next. ‘And I’m sure you’ll also understand that as a mother, I can sympathise with what Heidi must be going through. I’ve been trying to imagine what it would be like never to see my children again … it just breaks my heart.’

Everyone’s attention shifted towards Jack, with the exception of Libby. There was no reason for him to offer her or Jude a lifeline so she wasn’t going to waste her time and ask.

‘Hmm,’ he began. His index finger tapped against his bottom lip in a theatrical manner. ‘Now this is quite the conundrum, isn’t it, Miss Dixon? It appears that I am the one who gets the final say in your future. Perhaps this court is more under my control than your Hacker friend assumed. Now, who to pick, who to pick …’

His voice trailed off as he pointed his finger towards the screens and moved them between the faces of the final five Passengers. ‘Eeny, meeny, miny, mo, whose car should I let explode?’

‘What is wrong with you?’ snapped Matthew. ‘We are talking about the lives of people here. This isn’t a game.’

‘Of course it’s a game! Can’t you see the Hacker has been playing with us from the moment he made himself known? So why shouldn’t I too be allowed to play a game of my own? And if you honestly believe that he’s going to let one of those poor bastards escape the collision then you’re a bigger fool than I already had you down for.’

‘He has no reason not to stick to his word,’ said Muriel.

‘You misguided idiot,’ Jack laughed. ‘Get your heard out of your Bible or Quran or Torah or Vedas or whatever religion you’re pandering to this week and join us in the real world, will you? Sofia was half right … all this … it’s the ultimate television reality show.’

‘For heaven’s sake, Jack, just pick someone,’ said Fiona. ‘We only have a quarter of an hour left.’

Jack rose from his seat and moved into the centre of the room. He made a big deal of turning to each Passenger, stretched out a hand and cracked his knuckles. Finally, his head turned and his eyes met with Libby’s. Instantly she regressed into the woman who had first walked into the jury room yesterday morning, feeling small and insignificant.

‘Beg me,’ he said slowly.

‘Jack, come on now,’ said Fiona. ‘Show some self-respect.’

‘Be mindful that people are watching us, Jack. This is not going to reflect well upon you with the public.’

Jack ignored her. ‘Beg me,’ he repeated.

‘You’re a sick man,’ said Matthew. ‘Just pick a name.’

‘If Miss Dixon wants her little friend to survive this process, then I need to know how serious she is about him. I want her to beg me.’