I Am Watching You(62)
‘And what do you think, Mr Hill?’
Matthew meets Tony’s stare and takes a deep breath. ‘I think it’s understandable that you would be worried, perhaps sceptical even, about my involvement. That’s why I was happy when Ella suggested this update. I am hoping I can allay any fears.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘I was in the force myself. I have a lot of experience and I still have good contacts. And between these four walls, strictly not to go any further, I think they are making an unholy mess of the Anna Ballard inquiry and I am increasingly glad to be involved. To help you, Ella – obviously. But also, I hope, to help get to the bottom of this case in any way I can.’
‘Well, that’s very noble, I’m sure, but my main worry here is my wife’s safety. That’s what we’re paying you for. Not to solve the Anna Ballard case. That’s for the police team. So – do you think Ella is in any real danger? These postcards?’
‘Tony, please.’ Ella continues to glance from one to the other. ‘We’re all worried sick about Anna. Of course we are, Matthew. Have you seen the photograph with the gun to her head? Do you think they will calm it down? Or use a sniper? What do you think? I feel so terrible. So worried. Just think what poor Mrs Ballard must be—’
Tony puts his arm around his wife’s shoulders, kissing her forehead to quieten her, and Matthew watches closely. Tony smooths his wife’s hair very tenderly and Matthew reassesses the aggression, no longer minding Tony’s disapproval. He would be the same, were it Sal. No – it is good that Tony is protective.
‘I’ve involved a colleague I trust, over the postcards. There is no way to be sure at this stage but it is more likely to be someone random who has latched onto the case. There is no evidence of a real threat as things stand. That said, I prefer caution until we know more and I have advised Ella to take care. Is there anything else to update me on? Anything unusual? Anything worrying you?’
Ella for a moment looks flustered. Fidgets with her hair. ‘A couple of times I thought someone was watching the shop early in the morning. But it could just be paranoia. Headlights shining into the shop early. It just unnerved me because I’m jumpy.’
‘You didn’t tell me this.’ Tony’s eyes are wide with alarm. ‘Right. That’s it. No more working early in the shop.’ He turns to Matthew. ‘Back me up here, please. She just won’t listen. We’ve installed new alarms . . . though it’s all a bit shambolic.’
‘Did you see anyone, Ella? Watching the shop?’
‘No. It was just a feeling really. Probably because I’ve been so upset over all of this.’
‘Well, my advice would be to close the shop for a couple of days while this situation pans out in Spain.’ Matthew is staring directly at Tony.
‘Hallelujah. My thinking exactly.’ Tony takes a deep breath.
‘But what about my flower orders?’
‘Stuff the orders, Ella. I’ll ring the customers and say you’re ill. Recommend other shops – just for a couple of days.’ Tony seems pleased, instantly happier, and signals the way through to the kitchen where he is more polite, offering coffee which Ella begins to make. The TV news is on in this room, too, and they all glance at it when they hear a newsreader sharing the latest pictures from the flat in Spain.
While Ella is bustling over the coffee grinder and cafetière, Matthew checks his phone. Still no message from Melanie.
As Ella waits for the coffee to stew a while, she turns to Matthew. ‘So will they try to shoot him – Karl? Is that what they’ll do? I find it so unbearable, just watching and waiting.’
‘A negotiator will be trying to talk him down. Persuade him to come out. It’s a waiting game. They won’t opt for intervention unless they have no choice. If it is Anna, let’s remember he has kept her alive for a year.’
‘If it’s Anna? Who the hell could it be if it’s not Anna?’ Tony’s voice is incredulous and Matthew wishes he had not shared this.
CHAPTER 38
THE FRIEND
‘You still haven’t explained why you feel it’s your fault, Sarah.’ Lily has made sandwiches on a large platter with slices of apple and peach, which she sets on top of the dresser in her room. ‘You really need to try to eat something.’
Sarah’s stomach is still unsettled. She looks at the platter, so carefully arranged, and then at her sister. The irony of Lily, all bones beneath her baggy disguise.
‘I don’t know if I can eat. You have some.’ Sarah watches her sister closely but Lily shrugs.
‘I ate earlier.’
Sarah lets the lie go. She scans Lily’s bedroom, at least pleased for this new privacy, fed up with Moon and the others poking their heads around the door and interfering downstairs, but she is sorry to be away from the large television. She flicks between social media and the news updates on her phone but is wishing now she had an iPad so that she could see better. Also a better data package. She has had warning texts that she’s at her limit. No money to top it up.
‘Would you mind calling it up on your laptop, Lily? The coverage?’ Sarah will not call her Saffron. She watches and tries to find a smile as a thank you, as her sister sets up the computer, searching for a rolling news channel.