Seductive Truths (Seductive Trilogy) (31 page)

    
‘
Does your husband have any enemies?
’

    
‘
None that I’m aware of.  He’s a kind, decent, loyal man with not a single bad word to say against anyone.  I’m sorry I can’t be of any more help.
’

    
‘
That’s alright Mrs Brown.  This will do for now.  We will come back later when your husband is awake and get his side of events.  He may have further information that will help with our investigation.  In the meantime, get plenty of rest and…
’

    
‘
I do have one more question Sir,
’
the arrogant, young man pipes in.

    
‘
Yes, Sergeant,
’
the senior officer replies tersely.

    
‘
It’s in regards to the explosion that was reported not too long after an ambulance was called for this man.  I was wondering whether Mrs Brown knew anything about how the explosion was caused.
’

     
Shit.

    
‘
Mrs Brown?
’
prompts DCI West.

    
‘
I-I don’t know what had caused it, but yes, there was an explosion in a flat above from where I found my husband.
’

    
‘
And why didn’t you report it?
’
asks West.

    
‘
Well I was rather preoccupied with fact that my husband was dying on the pavement.  I’m
sorry
I didn’t report the incident but I thought my husband’s life was of greater priority.  Like you said, someone did end up reporting it so now it’s sorted.
’

    
‘
Is it though,
’
jumps in Peters.

    
‘
And what do you mean by that?
’

    
‘
Well, it’s a bit of a
coincidence
that…
’

    
‘
Yes, and that is all it is, a
coincidence
.  It could have been a leaking gas
pipe
or an arson attack, but it had nothing to do with me.
’
 
There’s something not quite right about this policeman. 
He knows something more and if his constant flickering of his eyes towards Gareth is anything to go by, I have a hunch it could be about him.
  Could he know who Gareth really is?  Must watch what I say.

    
‘
If you say so.
’

    
‘
Now what are you…
’

    
‘
That’s enough!
’
says West. 
‘
We are getting nowhere.  Thank you Mrs Brown for your time, we will come back later when your husband wakes.  Hope he gets better soon.
’

    
‘
Thank you.
’

    
‘
Goodnight,
’
and he turns and walks out of the room leaving me alone with Peters.

    
‘
Yes?
’
I ask staring up into his penetrating eyes.  A shiver runs down my back.
  Yes, there is something not quite right here.  I don’t trust him one bit
.

     Gazing about the room, he then takes a step towards me, bends down and whispers,
‘
He can’t hide forever Alex.  There are only so many times Gareth can run before he is captured, and mark my words, I
will
capture him.
’

    
‘
Peters.  This way, now,
’
DCI West peaks around the corner.

     Turning his head towards the voice Peters reply’s,
‘
Coming Sir,
’
before turning back to me. 
‘
Good evening Mrs Brown.  I hope your
husband
has a swift recovery.
’
  With that he turns and is gone.

    
Blimey!  What was that about?

    
‘
You sure like your enemies Gareth.  There appears to be one everywhere I turn.
’
  I rub my hands over my tired face. 
‘
What am I to do?
’
I whisper to my unconscious companion. 
‘
I’ve just lied to the police!  Come on Gareth wake up.  I need you.  I can’t do this alone.  I’m way out of my depth here.  I…
’
hearing footsteps drawing closer I stop talking.

    
‘
How are we doing Mrs Brown?
’
 
Phew, it’s just Nurse Harding
. 
‘
Just come to check up on the invalid.  Did you manage to get some decent sleep earlier?
’

    
‘
Well, it wasn’t exactly undisturbed.  I had a nightmare.
’

    
‘
That’s understandable.  Finding your husband in such a state was a shock to your system.  Hopefully everything will be better once he wakes up.
’

    
‘
Thank you.
’
  She moves from the monitor to the clipboard at the bottom of the bed. 
‘
How’s he doing?
’

    
‘
He’s doing fine, Mrs Brown.  He’s got a strong heartbeat and his vitals are in good working order.  He’s definitely a fighter.
’
 
Did you hear that Gareth?  You’re going to make it
. 
You’re going to be okay
. 
‘
I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but I think you could do with some proper rest, my dear.
’

    
‘
I can’t leave.  Don’t want him out of my sight even for one…
’

    
‘
I know it’s hard, but it’s for the best.  At least just go home for a shower and some clean clothes.  It will do you good.  I’ll contact you if there’s any change.
’

     After a bit more persuading, I finally give in to her suggestion,
though they sounded more like demands
.  After handing over a contact number I slowly make my way out of the hospital, but I do not get far before my vision blurs and I collapse to the floor.

    
‘
Mrs Brown!  Are you okay?
’
Nurse Harding rushes to my side and helps me to a chair. 
‘
What happened?
’

    
‘
I’m not sure.  I just came over all…weak.
’
 
What’s happening to me now?  I felt fine a minute ago.  Tired, but fine nonetheless
.

    
‘
Have you experienced any other dizzy spells?
’

    
‘
No, this is the first.
’

    
‘
Been sick or felt queasy recently?
’

    
‘
Not really, no, wh…
’
 
Wait a minute!
 
‘
You’re not suggesting what I think you are, are you?
’

    
‘
It could be a possibility.  Is there any chance you could be…
’

    
‘
But it could also be a possibility that I fainted due to delayed shock or lack of sugar.  It may also have something to do with tiredness and the fact I can’t remember when I last ate.
’

    
‘
Yes, they are other high possibilities, but I could take a test to…
’

    
‘
No, no,
’
I stand. 
‘
No tests.  I’m going to go home now, take a shower, get some rest, eat something and come back later, refreshed.
’

    
‘
If you’re sure…
’

    
‘
Yes.  Yes I am sure.  Thank you Nurse Harding, I know you mean well, but, no tests, please.
’

    
‘
Okay.  If you ever change your mind you know where to find me.
’

    
‘
Thank you.  I’ll see you later,
’
and without another word I turn and continue my trek out of this hospital as fast as my legs can carry me.

    
Yes, I fainted due to lack of sugar concentration.  I haven’t eaten for a while so that’s another factor.  I’m tired, there’s another.  And it could very likely be delayed shock!  After all it’s not every day I see a man’s life drain away before my very eyes!

     As I continue down the corridor my mind wanders back to Detective Sargent Peters.

     The look in his eyes as he stared at me - pure evil.  He had a hidden agenda that was for sure.  Maybe he is a corrupt officer; there must be some still around, even now.  But what could he have against Gareth apart from the obvious.  To finally capture the uncapturable would be an honour to anyone, glory hunting.  Better watch out for him, he means trouble.

     Before I realise it, I’ve made it to the entrance of the hospital.  The moon is high in the sky and the stars are twinkling like diamonds bringing richness to the
chaos
below.  For once there is not a cloud to be seen.  It’s like a breath of fresh air to see beauty at a time like this. 

     For a few seconds my troubles are shoved to the back of my mind and I embrace the moment.  The crisp, cool night’s air gives life to my deflated lungs and revives my
taut
skin.  My tired limbs ache and my mouth is dry, but I feel…happy.  How is this?

     However, it isn’t long before the dried blood on my top itches my skin and the honking horns and sirens invade my thoughts, bringing me back to where I am.

     Hailing a taxi, I make my way back to my haven I used to treasure, but now only fear.  My home is no longer that, but has become my unsafe haven.




     Grabbing the spare key I always hide behind the picture hanging in the hallway, I shakily make my way to the daunting door.  Everything screams not to go in, but I have to.  I
need
to.  One thing I’ve learnt on this twisted journey is that I’m not one to back away from danger.  Instead, I appear to embrace it, hit it head on and sod the consequences.   

     Walking cautiously through the door I become awash with everything that this home came to represent, but it’s no longer a place for living.  It has been tainted by the truth and lies that have been hovering in the air like a bad smell over the past few years.

     Right in front of me is the sofa,
our
sofa.  It was the last time I saw Will as I believed him to be.  The kind-hearted man I grew to love.  That sofa holds many memories.  It was the first time we made love in this apartment.  It was the first time he told me he loved me.  It was the time I told him about the note - the note that changed my life.

     Looking around the room I see various portraits of William and me, as a loving couple that only had eyes for each other, and some with us pulling funny faces.  There’s one of Will on his own in black and white, ever the poser.  That’s my favourite.  He’s in his black wool jumper, which is extremely cosy and enhances his brown eyes.  On his legs he’s wearing his navy blue denim jeans.  Tight fitting, always showed off his firm buttocks.  The picture was taken on one of our walks around the park across the road.  It was a few days before Christmas.  The sun was shining and the air was fresh. 

     A sad smile slides onto my face as I go to pick up the picture, memories flash across my mind like a film reel. 
This is who William is.  This is who he truly is, not some murdering monster.

    
‘
Where did it all go wrong William?  What happened to us?  What happened to you?
’

     As I replace the picture, my eyes catch sight of his charcoal suit jacket draped over the edge of an armchair.  Without any forewarning, my feet seem to move on their own accord and I find myself heading in that direction.