Shattered Bones, page 29
Maya remained silent in the bed; her gaze fixed on a stain in the corner of the cubicle.
‘Can I get you anything, love?’ Chris asked for what felt like the hundredth time since he had arrived.
Maya shook her head mutely.
‘Tea, hot chocolate?’ he persisted. ‘Even that chicken soup from the machine is okay. Well, it’s not great, but you know it’s warm and it tastes and smells a bit like poultry…’ He tailed off, aware he was rambling but desperate to say or do something to help his friend.
As they had waited for the ambulance, he had tried to phone Dominique, but had got no answer. He had offered to go to her house and let her know what had happened and drive her to the hospital, but Maya had said she was probably already in bed and not to disturb her.
Chris wished more than anything that he had insisted. That he had called at Dominique’s. That he had woken her up and brought her to the hospital with him. Then at least she would have been safe.
He had waited in the hospital cubicle while Maya had been taken for an X-ray of her arm. When her phone started to ring, he had answered it, seeing Nicola’s name flash up on the display. He had listened, wide-eyed and with growing horror as Nicola explained about the fire as she’d heard the job come through on her night shift and realised it was at Dominique’s address.
He could barely comprehend what he was hearing as she rambled on about a severe head injury and smoke inhalation. He had broken the news to Maya as gently as he could, once she’d returned from her X-ray. She had listened with a similar expression on her face to how he must have looked when Nicola said the words.
She had barely spoken since. Now, she lay in the hospital bed looking fragile and broken. It hurt his heart to see her so lost. He gently squeezed her hand. He reached across and brushed a curl from her face as he muttered to her gently. ‘Anything you need, kid, just let me know, eh?’
Her large brown eyes brimmed with tears as she turned to look at him.
‘I want to see Mama.’
He nodded and stood up. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’ He leant down and gently kissed her on the forehead, before heading towards the nurses’ station.
Her gaze followed him as tears streamed down her face.
80
Chris had borrowed a wheelchair off one of the nurses so he could transport Maya round the hospital. It was too far to walk, and she was too bruised and battered, as well as emotionally exhausted. It seemed strange to arrive at the ‘customer’ side of Rose Cottage. Despite the endless visits he had made to the mortuary over the years, he had been fortunate never to have to attend the viewing gallery. He hoped to God he would never have to again.
He pressed the buzzer and was relieved to see Morticia’s friendly, familiar face. He gave her a weak smile as she greeted them warmly. Ever the professional when it came to dealing with the grieving side of death.
‘Please come in, both of you,’ Morticia said as she held the door open and beckoned them both in. ‘How are you feeling, Maya?’
Maya looked at her blankly as she gave a small shrug. ‘Sore. Numb. I just want to see my mother.’
‘I understand. Come through, everything is ready, so I won’t keep you.’ Morticia gestured towards the viewing-room door as she slipped back through the mortuary entrance. They were immediately joined by a tall, wiry-looking man with greying wavy hair.
‘Maya, Chris?’
They both nodded. ‘James Harper, MIT Syndicate 2. I spoke to you before,’ he said to Chris, who nodded as they shook hands. Harper gave Maya a well-worn sympathetic smile. ‘I know how tough this is, but I’m sure you appreciate that we need you to identify the body, although under the circumstances, I know it will prove difficult.’
Chris helped Maya climb out of the wheelchair and he linked her arm as she hobbled over to the viewing window. Morticia’s voice sounded muffled over the two-way speaker.
‘Are you ready?’ she asked as her hand hovered on the sheet.
Maya nodded at first, before swallowing drily and confirming in a voice thick with emotion, ‘Yes.’
Morticia slowly pulled the sheet away. Maya’s eyes were glued to the face in front of her. She couldn’t speak. She just stared.
After several agonising moments, Morticia replaced the sheet over the body as she smiled apologetically. ‘It doesn’t matter how many bodies we see in the mortuary. When we’re in the viewing gallery and it’s a parent, it’s difficult.’
Chris held Maya while she cried hysterical tears and repeated again and again, ‘I want my mother.’
81
Maya had finally fallen asleep. Chris had persuaded the nurses to let him stay with her, and under the circumstances, they had agreed. He sat in a hospital chair, with his head back, resting his eyes. He must have started to drop off himself, until a sudden noise caused him to sit up, alert and primed. Sleepy eyes peered at him from the hospital bed. They flickered shut again, before opening again and staring silently at him dazed and confused.
‘It’s okay,’ he murmured. ‘You’re safe. Everything’s okay.’ His heart hammered with relief as he leant forward and gently placed a hand on Maya’s shoulder. He shook it gently at first, then a little firmer to raise her consciousness.
‘Maya. Maya, love, wake up. Dominique has opened her eyes.’
Maya sat up and smiled at Dominique. ‘That was a big nap, how are you feeling now?’
‘Sore,’ said Dominique hoarsely. ‘How are you?’
Maya let out a dry laugh. ‘Same.’
Chris got up to pour Dominique some water and held the glass while she took a sip. ‘It’s my pelvis that’s shattered, not my hands,’ she said, amused despite the pain.
‘Whist, woman. Let me help you. I’m getting quite used to all this nursing. You’re giving me enough practice between the two of you. There might be a career change in the offing for me, what do you think, Maya?’
‘No offence, mate, but I think your bedside manner is more suited to the dead than the living, stay as you are, eh?’
‘When I saw you before, I sensed you wanted to tell me something, until the analgesic knocked me out. You were clearly upset. What’s happened?’
‘I’ve been worried sick about you. I’ve broken my arm; our family home has been destroyed by fire. Of course I’m upset.’
‘I can tell when something’s wrong.’
‘It’ll keep until you’re feeling a bit stronger and not as drugged up.’
‘Maya?’
Chris caught Maya’s eye and nodded. ‘Tell her, she needs to know and she’s going to find out soon enough anyway.’
‘Tell me what?’
Maya let out a weary sigh. ‘Before we came to see you, we were asked to go to the mortuary to identify the body. MIT are investigating and needed to know as a matter of urgency.’
‘I understand. That can’t have been easy.’
‘It’s not that. The body. It’s not Marcus.’
Dominique froze, her eyes wide with shock. She squeezed her eyes shut as she brought her hands up to her head and strained to think. She recalled the events of the fire. It was too soon and too terrifying, but she needed to go back to the moment she left her bedroom. She saw him on the stairs. Dark clothing. Balaclava. Familiar eyes.
‘Tony,’ said Maya filling in the blanks. ‘Or should I say, Anthony. I recognised him straight away as being the man I saw at mid-week communion. I’d explained that if it had been Marcus, I might not recognise him with it being so long since I last saw him, but the body in the mortuary, the man who started the fire, it’s definitely Anthony.’
‘Jesus,’ breathed Dominique. ‘Yes. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him too. And he was wearing glasses… but the one physical similarity they shared was their eyes. They both had Lily’s vicious smile too. Oh God, Maya. You were right all along. Of course they were going to come after us. I’ve been so stupid and naïve. I realised the moment I woke up and smelt the petrol.’
She lay back against the pillows while she came to terms with the news and recalled the events. ‘I threw the hoover at him, you know the heavy one. I was terrified. At that stage I didn’t know whether you were in the house or not.’
Maya reached for Dominique’s hand as she relayed what she’d been told. ‘Anthony was found outside in the back garden. It looks like he’s endured quite a serious head injury in the fall, but despite that he managed to get out, to get away from the fire. He sustained burns to his lower legs but somehow managed to extinguish them.
‘It looks like he’d made it to the garden before he collapsed. The fire was so strong that even outside, where he lay, the smoke would still have got to him from the open back door. We’ll know more after the post-mortem.’
Maya fell silent. She exchanged a glance with Chris. He reached for her shoulder and patted it reassuringly. Then she sat and waited. It took several seconds. Dominique started; her eyes widened again, this time with the sheer terror that mirrored Maya’s own.
‘If Anthony was killed in the fire, then that means…’
Maya nodded. ‘Marcus isn’t dead. He’s still out there somewhere.’
82
Marcus was pacing the flat cursing himself. Anthony should have been back ages ago. His lack of presence could only mean one thing. Something had gone wrong. He swore as he walked into the kitchen and took another swig of vodka straight from the bottle. He tried to ring his mobile phone again but knew it would be futile. Anthony wouldn’t be able to answer it if he’d been arrested.
He knew it had been a mistake letting him take his place and do the job. But Anthony had insisted. He said it was his duty as the older brother. That if anything went wrong, Marcus would be straight back inside. If he was perfectly honest, that thought did make him panic and he eventually conceded. He had been confident that Anthony could handle it, they’d gone through the plan so many times, how to disguise their appearance, how to snap a lock, avoiding making noise once inside the house.
He took another gulp of vodka and looked at the time. He couldn’t afford to wait around any longer. If Anthony had been arrested, the police would be around here in no time. He needed to go, and now. He packed lightly and quickly, including the emergency stash of money that Anthony had gathered just in case something like this happened and he needed to get away quickly.
He slipped the much-coveted photo out of its frame and pocketed it along with the plastic lily. Then he opened a drawer and pulled out the biggest knife they had. He carried it over to the coffee table where his Bible was sat and with a scream raised his hand and thrust the blade through the front cover.
He took one last look round the little flat that had been his home for such a short, but incredibly precious time.
Then he left.
83
Maya saw Chris glancing towards the door again. She noticed how tired he looked. She was exhausted herself, and in pain, but she knew the adrenaline was keeping her awake. James Harper from MIT had arranged for a uniformed patrol to come and sit outside Dominique’s room until Marcus had been located and arrested. This had come as a huge relief to her. Maya hadn’t disclosed the fact that she was terrified to return to her own apartment, and Harper hadn’t advised her whether she should also consider herself at risk.
‘You should go,’ she said to Chris. ‘You look as knackered as I feel.’
‘Yeah, I’ll make a move in a bit.’
‘Go now, there’s no need to wait. Honestly, Chris, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. You’re a true friend, I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
Chris looked towards the door again and grinned. ‘You can thank me later,’ he said as he suddenly stood up. Maya turned to the door confused as to what he had just said and her heart lurched at the sight of Spence, stood in the doorway.
Chris dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘I’ll speak to you soon.’ He glanced towards the bed where Dominique was sound asleep. ‘Look after her for me,’ he said as he shook Spence’s hand before he left.
Spence’s face was a mask of concern. His wavy hair looked ruffled and in contrast to his usual smart appearance, he looked thrown together in a hoody and joggers. She had never been so relieved to see him. He embraced her carefully, kissing her cheek before he stood back to survey her.
‘How are you both?’ he asked quietly as he sank into Chris’s chair.
‘Sore, shocked, stressed but glad we’re both alive despite us both having shattered bones. I can’t believe you’re here, how did you find out?’
‘I didn’t get your message until late. Obviously, I rang you back straight away and Chris answered because you’d nodded off. He told me everything. I would have been here sooner, but I drove to the twenty-four-hour supermarket to get you some toiletries and a change of clothes. You’re coming back to The Eagle with me. I don’t want you going home until that maniac’s been arrested.’
‘But what about Helen. Won’t she mind?’
‘Helen who comes in the pub? No, why would she, what’s any of this got to do with her?’
‘I thought you two were an item. I saw you kiss; she was all over you.’
‘You would have seen her kiss me, it wasn’t reciprocated. She’s very flirtatious and a good laugh, but that’s it. She’s really not my type.’
‘What is your type?’
‘You, Maya. You’re my type. You’re the only one I want. The only woman for me.’ He reached for her hand and they sat grinning inanely at each other.
‘I thought you weren’t interested. I thought you’d friend-zoned me. Helen said you’d told her we were just friends and weren’t interested.’
‘She told me that’s what you’d said. Devious mare, well she’s barred from now on.’ They smiled and he leant forward to press his forehead against hers. ‘What about you and Jack? I was surprised to get your message after I saw you leave with him.’
‘Too much alcohol and I was jealous after seeing you with her. And then you wouldn’t answer my question.’
‘I was scared if I told you how I felt, you’d knock me back.’
‘Never. And for the record, nothing happened between Jack and I. He did stay the night, but that was all.’
‘So are we doing this, me and you? Are we finally going to give us a chance?’ he asked softly as he stroked her cheek with his hand.
Maya replied with a kiss.
84
By the time police arrived at the Naylors’ flat, Marcus was long gone and a manhunt was underway. His photograph was shared far and wide, but other than a few false leads, it seemed like he had successfully gone to ground. It wasn’t helped by the fact that the photograph was an old one and didn’t represent how Marcus now looked with longer hair, a beard and a heavier build.
Maya had decided to stay with Spence until her arm was better and she could ensure her apartment was reinforced with added security features. This would include a panic alarm which would go through to the local police station if activated, resulting in an immediate police response. Staying at The Eagle wasn’t just a practical decision, it suited the pair of them as they’d been inseparable since the moment they left the hospital together.
Dominique had been advised she would need to stay in hospital for a minimum of three weeks until she would be considered fit to be discharged. At least this would give Maya time to arrange some alternative accommodation for her.
Elaine had attended the scene at Dominique’s house in company with the fire investigators. For now, the property was boarded up pending an evaluation by the loss adjusters from Dominique’s insurance company. Maya knew from working on the number of arsons that she had, that some personal effects may have survived the fire, but it depended on the intensity of the heat, the smoke damage followed then by the water damage from the firefighter’s hoses. She had asked Spence to drive her to the house so she could see the extent of the damage for herself.
Tears filled her eyes as they pulled up outside the house. It was shocking to see such a devastating blackened shell. The usually pristine front garden was cluttered with burnt debris, which the fire brigade had dragged out of the house to ensure nothing could reignite. She climbed out of the car and straight away, the smell of charring assaulted her nostrils. Spence was at her side in an instant as he put his arm around her and gently pulled her into his chest.
‘It’s horrific,’ she mumbled. ‘Much worse than I thought it would be. Mama’s going to be devastated.’
‘I know, but the main thing is she got out of there. She’s okay and so are you. It’s just stuff, love.’
‘I know what you’re saying, but it’s more than just stuff. It’s a home, a lifetime of photographs and other sentimental things.’
He held her as she sobbed into his chest, wincing at the devastating sight. Like Maya, it looked so much worse than he had imagined too. He was kicking himself for not driving by first so he could see for himself and then prewarn her.
Then something in the garden caught his attention and he frowned. ‘The neighbours know that Dominique is okay, don’t they?’
Maya looked up at him as she wiped her eyes. ‘Yeah, I rang Jean next door on the night to let her know and so she could tell the others. Why?’
‘It looks like someone has left a flower. It’s sick, like leaving a bouquet at a scene where someone has died.’
‘Well, someone did die. Where are you looking?’
Spence pointed to the plastic lily and Maya inched open the garden gate and stepped precariously over the debris to below the front window. Her stomach lurched violently. Marcus had been here. He may have slithered back to the gutter afterwards, but he had taken a chance to come back here and leave a threatening message for her and Dominique. It showed how clearly dangerous and deranged he really was.
He would be after revenge now even more than ever. Marcus Naylor’s threat had been received and well and truly understood. He may have gone to ground for now, but one day he would be back.
