The Attic Room: A psychological thriller - Huber Linda - Страница 34

Her mobile rang and she grabbed it. That had been a quick consultation with the Superintendent.

But it was Bethany. ‘Nina, I spoke to Mum. She said Claire told her your father was a ‘big bully’ – those were her words – and that he’d been hitting you both around. I didn’t ask more till I’d checked with you but I’m sure there was no thought of sexual abuse in Mum’s head.’

‘And she didn’t say anything about Paul, my father’s cousin?’ Nina forced her mind away from the anonymous letter and back to the other end of the problem.

‘No. I could mention you meeting up with him and see what she says.’

Nina thought swiftly. There was no point in hiding things, least of all from Morag, who’d known her since she was five. The police were involved and unless she was very lucky it would soon be all over the tabloid press.

‘Tell her Paul remembers being abused and ask if Mum ever said anything. Thanks, Beth. I have to ring off, I’m expecting a call from the police – there’s been another anonymous letter.’

‘Oh shit. Nina, take care, honey. Speak to you soon.’

When her phone rang ten minutes later it was David Mallony.

‘Plan of action. It isn’t likely that this is more than one person, but it’s quite possible he’s watching you, so he mustn’t see that you’ve involved us. I want you to leave the house in fifteen minutes and walk to the supermarket on the corner. If the blackmailer’s watching he’ll follow you, but don’t worry, one of our men will be trailing you too. Try to act naturally, do some shopping. Leave the back door unlocked and we’ll go in via the street behind and wait for you. Okay?’

Nina gripped the phone. ‘Okay. Oh, and Paul Wright remembers us both being sexually abused as children. Apparently our fathers hired us out.’

There was a split second’s silence before he spoke again.

‘I’ll get someone onto it now.’

It was horrible, walking up the road knowing that the letter-writer could be observing her every move. Having police protection wasn’t much consolation; it was difficult not to look over her shoulder all the time. Nina arrived at the supermarket and wandered round, blindly filling a basket with a variety of miscellaneous items. Sensible shopping was the last thing on her mind. Walking back was even worse; her steps quickened as she approached the house, and shit, her heart was thudding away in her chest – supposing she passed out on the pavement? No, no, look, she was nearly home – oh God, it had never been home – but the police would be inside by this time and she would be safe, and oh, how she needed to feel safe.

Four men stood silent and motionless in the kitchen when she returned, various pieces of electronic equipment in their arms. David Mallony switched the radio on, and loud pop music blared out.

‘We’ll check the place hasn’t been bugged,’ he murmured, bending close to her ear.

Nina started to put her shopping away, banging cupboard doors. Surely the place wasn’t bugged? A few minutes later one of the men gave David Mallony a thumbs up sign.

‘All clear, boss.’

‘Did you really think I’d been bugged?’ said Nina, turning to David Mallony.

‘Almost certainly not, but with the technology available today it’s better to be safe than sorry. Okay. There didn’t seem to be anyone following you. Nina - ‘ His face became tight. ‘Tell me what your cousin said about the abuse he remembers you both being subjected to.’

Nina sank into a chair, leaning over the kitchen table while she related everything Paul had told her. Telling David Mallony was easier than telling Beth. He noted down the details.

‘I’ll pass this on,’ he said. ‘Okay, we have new information about George Wright. It now seems more possible that this blackmailing business could be down to him. He was involved in a very similar scam several years ago, pretending to be a victim.’

Nina remembered Paul’s face when he’d talked about his father. Her poor cousin. ‘That’s what Paul said. I should tell him about this. And Sam.’

‘Yes. Unfortunately we don’t know where George Wright is. He’s spent a lot of time abroad in the past ten years, but he’s also been back in the UK for spells in between.’

He was silent for a moment, his face neutral, then he leaned towards her. ‘Here’s the plan. It’s too dangerous for you to walk to the crazy golf hut with the cash, so we’re going to turn Sabine Jameson into your double and she’ll do it. She’ll be wearing a wire so we’ll hear everything that’s going on. Then we’ll be able to detain whoever picks up the bag.’

‘Right,’ said Nina. Thank God they didn’t want her to stroll through the park personally, a bagful of money in one hand. In the dark. Alone. Knowing there was a weirdo lying in wait for her. Hell, no.

‘What if the blackmailer notices it isn’t me?’ she said.

‘I don’t think he will. You and Sabine are the same build, and you both have blonde hair. Plus it’ll be dark, and we can arrange to have some of the lights in the park switched off. She’ll be wearing jeans and your sweatshirt or jacket. I’ll get onto her now to see when she’ll be here.’

He strode into the hallway to make his call. Nina sat with her elbows on the table, her chin in her hands. Not two weeks ago she had been grieving about the senselessness of Claire’s death. Now she was a victim of blackmail and threats – not to mention childhood abuse. Talk about changed days.

David Mallony came back while she was trying to work up the energy to phone Paul and Sam.

‘Sabine’s on her way and she’ll stay with you for the rest of the day. She’ll appear at the front door in about half an hour and you’ll greet each other like long-lost friends. And if anyone at all asks, Nina – friends, family, anyone – you say that she’s a friend from university.’

‘Okay,’ said Nina. ‘I did secretarial studies in Glasgow.’

‘Fine,’ said David. ‘Now, when she arrives the two of you should hang about in front of the house for a minute to give the rest of us time to go out the back. Be noisy, move about so that anyone watching will keep right on watching. Sabine will stay with you till she leaves to go to the park.’

‘What about the money?’ asked Nina.

‘The two of you will take a bag to the bank this afternoon. You have to do that in case he’s watching you. You’ll be shown into a small room and the bag will be filled with money. Then you bring it back here.’

‘Real money?’

‘Fake money.’

Nina almost gasped. It sounded too incredible to be true. ‘I don’t think I’m cut out to be James Bond,’ she said, and David laughed.

‘You won’t need to leap across the rooftops. We’ll get him, don’t worry.’

He nodded reassuringly and left her still clutching her phone. Nina glanced at the time. Twelve fifteen. The number she had for Paul was a landline, but there was maybe a slight chance he went home for lunch.

Luck was on her side, for Paul’s phone was lifted on the fourth ring. Nina explained what was going on, omitting the detail that it would be Sabine who went to the park. Unsurprisingly, Paul sounded weary and upset.

‘Oh God, Nina, I don’t think it was a good idea, telling the police. They’ll never prove anything and it’s my word against my father’s now. It all sounds very dangerous to me.’

Nina swallowed hard. She was lying by omission here and it was so not what she wanted. She’d only just found Paul and here she was endangering their relationship by telling him fibs. But what else could she do? David’s instructions had been clear.

‘The police’ll be watching all the time. I don’t like it either, but we need to catch him.’

‘Right. I’ll come by again after work if that’s all right,’ said Paul, breaking the connection without saying goodbye.

Nina pursed her lips. It was clear he wasn’t happy, and who could blame him? And now she would have to explain what she was doing to Cassie.

Rather to her surprise Cassie took the news in her stride. ‘Make sure you do exactly what the police tell you, Nina. I’ll tell Naomi you can’t come till tomorrow because of business, will I? Oh, and is it all right if we take her to the pool this afternoon? We would both be in the water with her.’