The Babysitter(96)

‘Mark Cain, we are legally obliged to inform you that we are arresting you on suspicion of child abduction and offences contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.’ Mark could feel Cummings’ satisfaction as he cautioned him.

‘You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you fail to mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand, DI Cain?’

Mark nodded slowly, his jaw clamped tight. ‘I need to go,’ he rasped, reaching for the door despite knowing he stood no chance of getting through it and out of the station.

Cummings was on him in a second, locking an arm tight around his neck. ‘You’re going nowhere, mate,’ he snarled in his ear.

Two officers bursting through the door to flank him either side, Mark tried to stay upright as Cummings landed a vicious blow to his side.



* * *



Mark stopped struggling as he was manhandled through the main office, the hostile glances of his supposed colleagues telling him all he needed to know. In their eyes, he really was the lowest of the low. His only hope was Lisa, who knew him almost as well as his wife did – or had. Mark prayed harder than he’d ever prayed as he was escorted past where she stood amidst the audience who’d gathered for the show, wilting with relief as he noted her expression. Not open disdain. Confusion, but not repugnance.

Mark didn’t speak. He doubted he could get the words past the fractured pieces of his heart, which were now wedged like shards of glass in his windpipe. He prayed again instead, that Lisa would read the desperation in his eyes.

Lisa nodded. ‘I’m on it, sir,’ she said simply.





Seventy-Three





JADE





Jade had to work at maintaining her fa?ade as she assured the family liaison officer at the door that Melissa was fine, that she was sleeping and that she would be here for her when she woke. A thought had occurred to her: Mark might well have been charged by now, in which case it was possible police would soon be crawling all over the house like flies over dog shit, searching for evidence. Something else was worrying her, too: her conversation with drippy Dylan. She hadn’t been able to properly concentrate, what with the brat peering at her through the crack in the door. He’d said something about taking Angel to his house. He’d also said ‘as well’. What had he meant? God, the man was a liability. If he’d got it into his thick skull to do anything off his own bat, she’d boil his balls and make him eat them.

The officer finally handed her a card and told her she’d call back. Jade smiled sweetly, closed the door calmly and then turned to the stairs spitting with rage.

Everything had been going nicely to plan, albeit an alternative plan, and now she was under pressure. She needed to get this done. She needed to get out of here and get to Dylan, who infuriatingly wasn’t answering his phone, before the moron messed everything up.

Mounting the stairs, her eyes fixed upwards, her mind on the woman who’d stolen her life, Jade didn’t notice the dog until it emitted a low growl behind her. Would the stupid beast not just lie down and die? Seething, Jade carefully back-stepped. And then laughed. The pathetic animal’s attempt at a snarl was more a drool, disgusting creature. She noted the whites of its eyes as the dog’s eyes rolled, the distinctly wobbly legs. ‘Awww, what’s the matter, Hercules? Did the drugs make you feel poorly, hmm? Can’t you make it upstairs? Tough shit!’

Lunging forward, Jade caught hold of the dog by the collar and heaved it through the kitchen to the back door. She might have been impressed by its loyalty, its heroic attempts to dig its claws in, if it hadn’t snapped its head around and bitten her.

Now she was annoyed. Very. Assisting the animal out with a vicious kick, Jade slammed the back door and returned to the stairs, blood popping through the teeth marks on her wrist.

Flinging the bedroom door open, Jade locked eyes with the brat, who immediately scurried closer to her mother, as if the woman was capable of doing anything other than lie slumped on the bed. She was still attempting to keep her eyes open, Jade noted, her fuse fizzling steadily. She was obviously fighting the drugs. Silly bitch. Could she not just get it into her head that it was time to give up? This was her bed. It was her man the slut had been sleeping next to. It was time Melissa learned a few home truths, since she was insisting on being so bloody obstinate.

‘Out!’ Jade glared at Poppy, enough fire in her eyes to let the brat know she meant business. ‘Now, or there’ll be trouble.’ Eyeballing the girl meaningfully, she waited while, sniffling irritatingly, Poppy shuffled off the bed to sidle to the door, where she paused to look pleadingly back at her.

Heartbreaking, it really was. Jade smiled nastily, and then tipped her head back, raised her hand and made swallowing goldfish gestures that had the brat scuttling out in a flash.

Turning back, Jade walked across to the bed, her brow furrowed in concern. ‘Oh dear, you haven’t drunk your medicine,’ she said, looking down at the cold tea on the bedside table.

Melissa tried to raise herself.

She was a fighter, Jade conceded wearily, pushing her back down. ‘Not to worry,’ she said, leaning down to peer into Melissa’s pretty green eyes, noting the hugely dilated pupils with satisfaction, ‘you’ve had enough to ensure you sleep soundly. I’d give in to it, if I were you. The alternative might not be very pleasant. Still, on the bright side, at least you won’t have any more nightmares.’