Weapon of Desire (15 page)

“So where’
s your lucky coin Darcey?” Anthony smiles dipping his hand inside his suit pocket.

“Here.” I
beam at Nick drawing the coin from my jeans and place it onto the table. Anthony picks up the coin and tucks it inside a weaved silver and crystal heart locket. He opens the clasp and drapes it around my neck. It sparkles in the orangery light.

“This should keep you safe.”
He smiles smoothing down the heart on my chest as Freya and Tom look on favourably.

“Thank you Anthony, it’
s beautiful.” I can hardly hide my love for him as I softly kiss his lips.

L
ifting the locket I examine more closely, twisting it in the light. A name is etched exquisitely in the silver on the reverse.

Anna
Milburn

Running my hand along the letters, I turn towards Anthony
grinning from ear to ear.

“I
t was my grandmothers; she swore that this heart kept her safe.” Anthony is adorable as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

I finish lunch floating on a cloud with everybody smiling and cheerful. Nick and Tom make fun of my shotgun skills and Anthony laughs at my complaining of a sore shoulder. Rosie disap
pears to answer the front door.

“Darcey, Dr Roberts is here to see you.” Rosi
e shows in a slender, middle aged woman with short black hair and glasses.

“Hello Darcey.” She holds out her hand as I stand
and move towards her. “I hope I haven’t interrupted lunch?” Anthony steps alongside me. “Hello Anthony, I hope you’re well?”

“Hello
Dr Roberts, thank you for coming out at short notice. Shall we go into the drawing room?” Anthony leads us to the lounge at the front of the house. We all take a seat.

“How can I help
you Darcey?” She smiles recognising that I am the patient today.

“I’
m having trouble sleeping.” I subconsciously fiddle with the locket around my neck.

“How long has this been
going on?” She closely watches my fidgety body language.

“Since Monday evening.”
Her brow furrows.

“
So only two nights, do you know what has triggered your restlessness?” She is curious and I can see she is wondering why the urgency.

“Yes I was attacked when I was driving home.” I manage to snatch a glimpse of Anthony who is sitting forwards resting his
chin on his clinched knuckles.

“Ok
are you having any other symptoms?” She takes a small white box from her case.

“No just nightmares.” she
opens the box of tablets.

“Darcey
are you taking any other medication?” Both Anthony and Dr Roberts are looking at me.

“Only
contraception.” I blush and notice Anthony grin.

“Ok,
you need to take these tablets to help you sleep. You should take a tablet late afternoon and then another one hour before bedtime.” She hands me the packet. “You will feel sleepy so you can’t drive or operate machinery while taking these tablets.” She smiles and then continues “hopefully once you’ve overcome your terrors you will be able to stop the afternoon tablet and then completely stop.”

“Thank you,” I accept the package as Dr Roberts stands to shake my hand.

“If you experience any problems Darcey or just want to talk, call me ok?” I nod and smile at her offer.

Anthony leaves
shortly after the Doctor with Nick returning to Dorton as I search in the bedroom for my mobile phone. There are 2 missed calls from Joe and Sam and a text from Daniel. I recall my promise to Anthony that I wouldn’t see Daniel anymore and therefore chooses to ignore the text. The phone rings as Joe’s name appears.

“Hi Darcey, how are you?” Joe obviously has spoken to Mum since yesterday’s fiasco with Daniel.

“I’m fine Joe, a few cuts nothing to worry about. Has Detective Stevens contacted you?” My concerns centre on my brothers’ safety and whether they are mixed up in the shooting.

“Yes, he came to see us this morning. I hear Daniel attacked you
yesterday.” Joe seems relaxed about his meeting with Stevens.

“Yes he was drunk but I’
m ok. How did it go with Stevens, did you know the German company that owned the Range Rover?” I skirt over Daniel with little interest in old news.

“Yes I deal with them all the time.” Joe sounds undisturbed at this connection.

“So have you experienced any problems with them, would they have a motive to harm any of us?” His casual take is starting to infuriate me.

“No Darcey, they supply us with good quality parts for a numb
er of military bases and they’ve always been paid on time.” Joe is tired of my line of questioning.

“So do they know Anthony?” I am determined to get more information.

“Yes we introduced them over dinner back in May. Anthony came along with his girlfriend Joanna.” He starts to interpret my agitation “Look Darcey they met just once and never did business. Joanna was murdered two days later, Anthony disappeared off the face of the earth and therefore the company dealt directly with Hornchurch.” Joe sighs as though bored of the questions.

“So there is no reason why they would want to harm Anthony and his family?” I need to satisfy myself.

“Darcey, it is a coincidence that Joanna was murdered after they met. The company is always in the UK delivering goods to various bases. They reported the car as stolen two weeks ago. Instead of worrying about them you should be asking Daniel about the dangerous crooks he’s been interviewing in Spain. How do you know that he’s not upset someone?” Joe is silent as I digest what he has said.

“Ok sorry Joe, I know I’
m pestering you.” I feel silly as I’d been convinced that Anthony was right that all three crimes were connected.

“
Mum says you are staying with Anthony, would you both like to meet up with Mum, Sam and me for dinner on Sunday?” His invite is most welcome especially as I’m starting to feel like I am living in a bubble.

“Joe that would be lovely” I wonder how Anthony will feel about having dinner.

“Darcey, listen to Anthony. I know how stubborn you are; after all he is only trying to protect you.” He pauses and there is an awkward pause “I will contact you about Sunday. Take care of yourself.”

I sit on the edge of the bed staring out at the lake reconstructing all of the information I have just received. So if the recent incidents have nothing to do with the German company who would want to shoot me? Is it just a coincidence that somebody broke into Sebel
House and Joanna being murdered 6 months ago? Could the shooting be related to Daniel’s acquaintances?

I remember the tablets in m
y hand and Dr Roberts stating one to be taken each afternoon. Perhaps the pill would calm my overactive mind. I slip the tiny tablet onto my tongue and swallow with a slurp of water.

“Are you ok Darcey, what are you doing sitting up here on your own?” Tom peers through the doorway.

“I was checking my phone for missed calls.” I place the phone on the bedside table.

“Darcey, are you any good at Chess?” Tom
reminds me of a young boy in an old man’s body. He always has to be doing something, shooting, walking, dancing or playing chess.

“Not bad, is this a challenge?” I smile at his effort to engage me in
a game.

Tom wanders downstairs as I curiously follow him to the den. We sit on opposite so
fas with our army pieces waiting for our direction. Tom moves forward a pawn and then slumps back with a grin. I select my pawn to initiate battle has begun. He stands and steps towards the stereo, pressing a button classical music pipes through the speakers.

“I like to listen to music as I plan my attack!” Tom winks
and sits staring at the glass chess pieces.

This is going to be a long game. I curl my legs up behind me noticing the rain falling against the window and the
dark grey sky. The fire crackles in the grate with both Bonnie and Clyde snoozing on the rug.

We are fighting to win as though our lives depended on this game of chess. Tom is
immersed, concentrating on strategy as a knock at the door startles us.

“Darcey, Colonel
Garner is here to see you.” This afternoon is turning out to be busy with visitors. I straighten with a stretch and then inquisitively make my way to the drawing room. Tom trails behind me.

“Good Afternoon Darcey.” A tall officer in uniform with
short grey hair shakes my hand as he stands with Freya in front of the fireplace.

“Good Afternoon.” I’
m panicky as to why he is here to see me.

“
Mr and Mrs Hunt it is lovely to see you again. I’m here to have a quick chat with Darcey.” He smiles charmingly at both.

“Oh
of course, we’ll be in the kitchen.” Tom looks uneasy about the visit as they leave the room.

“How are you Darcey?”
He projects smugness with obvious pressing reasons to be here but delays with polite conversation.

“Could b
e better.” I’m wary of his so called concern for my welfare.

“
Darcey, I manage all high profile personnel issues throughout the UK army bases. I arranged Anthony’s relocation to Dorton. I’m here to discuss your current issue and how we can help you.” He turns to look out of the window breaking eye contact. I’m still not persuaded of his good intent.

“
I talked to Detective Stevens today. I understand that Anthony suspects a connection between the incident on Monday and the murder of his girlfriend?” Colonel Garner does not smile but remains focused in his approach.

“Yes he does.” I’
m determined to give him as little as possible until I’m sure of his reasons to be here.

“Detective Stevens also informs me that Anthony regularly engaged in business with your brothers while at Hornchurch.” He scans my face for clues to
the extent of my knowledge. “Your brothers are well respected as suppliers for a number of the army bases. Their main contact however being the German company that owned the car involved in the incident on Monday.” He slowly unfolds his concerns which did not primarily involve my wellbeing.

“I also appreciate that your boyfriend, or should I say ex-boyfriend Mr Frances is a journalist and is speaking to local newspapers about the incident.”  
His glare is threatening as I remain silent.

“Darcey, before I go on I want to
emphasise the Army’s employee contractual terms of reference. We expect complete confidentiality to be upheld and the protection of information surrounding sensitive military operations. Do you follow where I’m going?” He stops stands directly in front of me and holds my stare.

“Yes
I understand.” He is patronizing and condescending.

“Also Darcey you can now
identify that due to the sensitivity of the information you handle that the army does not approve of families or spouses working together. This is seen as a clear conflict of interest and a possible threat that senior officers like you, may abuse their position.”

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back
he reminds me of a School Principal with clear expectations that I clearly haven’t met. I choose to remain tight lipped.

“Let me give you a scenario, say you and Anthony are in a relationship and a
n unsavoury character is party to this information, they may use this knowledge to secure confidential information from Anthony. He would find himself in a very difficult position and perhaps Anthony’s professional judgment may become distorted; a clear case of conflicting interests.” He walks up and down menacingly.

“Darcey I’
m not going to ask you whether you are in a relationship with Anthony but I’m going to tell you how the Army will help you make the right decision to protect all parties and your career.” He stands holding out an envelope.

“If you
r relationship is professional then I can go back to my office and turn my attentions to other personnel issues however if this isn’t the case, we can offer you relocation to Dubai as Director of Operations.” He breathes out slowly still holding out the envelope to me. I’m aware that by accepting the package I’d be admitting our affair.

“And what if I don
’t want to leave my family and relocate to Dubai?” My fury is bubbling ready to explode into a torrent.

“Darcey, the position is a fantastic career opportunity w
hich may never arise again. It’s double your current salary. You’d be a fool not to accept it!”

I curiously take the envelope and maintain my stern external
demeanour. He clutches the envelope asserting his power over me.

“When do you expect to return to work?” He smiles knowing he has my full attention and compliance.

“I was hoping to come back Friday.” I still can’t muster a genial smile.

“Good, I’
ll arrange for Detective Stevens to deliver your car here tomorrow and prepare an onsite officer’s apartment for you. Call me when you are ready and I will send an escort.” He’s full of his own smugness knowing he has me exactly where he wants as he holds out his business card.