The Other People: A Novel(76)
Finally, face hurting from the forced smiling, she managed to get away and find a quiet corner, where she stood, sipping a warm white wine, nibbling a breadstick. Fran emerged from the crowd and came to stand by her side.
“I visited that website,” she said, with her usual lack of preamble.
“What? Why?”
Fran held out the business card. “I borrowed this. I was curious.”
Katie took the card back with a shaking hand. She hadn’t even noticed it was missing. “And?”
“I did it.”
“Did what?” Katie stared at her, a tight knot forming in her stomach. “Fran, what did you do?”
Her sister glanced out of the window. Katie realized a taxi had pulled up. She frowned. “You’ve booked a cab? I thought I was giving you a lift.”
“I have to go home and pack.”
The knot grew tighter.
“Pack? Where are you going?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t stay here anymore. Not now Dad’s gone. I need a fresh start. It’s best for everyone.”
“What are you talking about?”
Her sister turned and suddenly grabbed her in a fierce tight hug. “For Dad. Just remember that.”
“Fran?”
Releasing her, leaving Katie feeling a little dazed and breathless, Fran turned and walked briskly from the pub. Katie wanted to run after her, to scream at her to come back, to explain. Then she heard a smash of glass from the other side of the room. Mum. She couldn’t make a fuss at her father’s funeral. Her mum had that covered. She would not let anything else ruin this. She watched her sister climb into the waiting taxi and then she turned. Smiling and nodding, she crossed the room to deal with her mother, even as Fran’s words reverberated around her brain.
“For Dad.”
* * *
—
THE PHONE CALL came a week later. Katie was in the kitchen trying to soothe a grizzly Sam when her mobile rang. She snatched it up, wedging it between her shoulder and her ear.
“Hello?”
“Katie?”
“Yes?”
Sam wailed. She tried to ease a pacifier into his mouth.
“It’s Alan Frant here.”
Their family liaison officer.
“Oh, hello, Alan.”
Sam spat the pacifier out onto the floor.
“There’s been a development in your father’s case.”
“What sort of development?”
She bent awkwardly, clutching Sam, and rescued the pacifier from the floor.
“Jayden Carter has been found dead.”
She froze. Jayden Carter. The teenager who had murdered their dad.
“What happened?”
“I’m not sure that—”
Sam wriggled in her grip. She stuck the pacifier briefly into her own mouth then wedged it back in his. This time, he accepted it.
“Tell me.”
“His wrists and throat were slashed with a razor.”
“Oh God!”
The room spun. Every bit of saliva seemed to have been sucked from her mouth.
“Yes. Very unpleasant.”
“But…it was suicide?”
She wanted him to say yes. Please say yes.
“There will be a full investigation. Obviously, Jayden was on remand and there are some, well, inconsistencies. But, as far as your father’s case is concerned, the CPS can’t prosecute a dead man.”
Inconsistencies. Other services.
“No,” she whispered. “I see.”
“I’m very sorry.”
“Yes. Thank you. Bye.”
She put the phone down. Her stomach rolled. She walked into the living room and placed Sam in his playpen.
I’d like him to die, in pain and alone, just like my dad.
Oh, Jesus Christ. She ran to the kitchen sink, but could only heave. She splashed her face and tried to catch her breath.
I did it.
Coincidence. It had to be a coincidence. Surely. She was reading too much into it. And yet…
She grabbed her mobile, pulled up Fran’s number. She had tried calling her several times after the funeral, but each time it had gone to voicemail. Now, an automated voice told her: “The number you have called is no longer in service.”
She tried again, just to be sure, but got the same message. Shit. Okay. What to do? And then she knew. She grabbed Sam, bundled him into his buggy and left the house.
* * *
—
A YOUNG WOMAN with short blonde hair was serving behind the counter at the florist’s. She smiled pleasantly as Katie came in.
“Can I help you?”
“Erm, yes. I was in here the other day and there was an older lady serving?”
The pleasant smile vanished. “Martha?”
“I didn’t catch her name. Is she going to be in again?”
The girl shook her head. “No. That’s why I’m covering. She called in yesterday and said she wasn’t coming back. She’s supposed to give a week’s notice and she’s really dropped us in it.”
Katie just stared at her, feeling her world start to disintegrate beneath her feet.
“I don’t suppose you have her contact details?”