Killing Me Softly, page 24
‘Oh. Well. Is it anything I can help you with?’
Daemon thought for a moment but knew Alexia wouldn’t like him talking to Nigel, let alone Lyall. ‘Do you know when Nigel’s due back?’
‘He shouldn’t be long. I know he doesn’t have anything on his calendar because he had me clear it yesterday after we found out about Melissa. We’re probably going to head up there in the next day or so. He’d like to be there now, but he felt it necessary to stay in London and deal with the tabloids directly, with the lawyers on tap.’
‘Of course.’ Daemon wasn’t really interested. ‘I don’t suppose he’s taken his mobile with him?’
‘Nope. When I gave it to him this morning it had run out of charge, so he left it here.’
‘Damn it!’
‘Can it wait?’
‘No. I really need him to take care of this now.’
A thought had crawled into his mind when he’d picked up the newspaper Bev had brought in this morning. A horrible thought that wouldn’t let go and had made him get up without finishing his breakfast, murmuring a goodbye to Bev before racing back to the Dower House.
There had been an article about Jenny Harrison, with a photo of the young woman, on the same page as a photo of Lis’s car accident. His eyes had skipped over the article about the accident – they couldn’t know anything he didn’t already know about it and he wasn’t surprised the story had been picked up so quickly – but his attention had been held by the picture of Jenny. She had a hairstyle very similar to Alexia’s. Cold had crept over him as he read the physical description of her in the newspaper report. Similar height and build to Alexia. Similar hair colour and style – she’d possibly modelled it after Alexia in a bit of hero worship. She wasn’t identical, but there were definite similarities.
She’d been choked to death while being raped and then left there like so much rubbish. A line from the letter he’d read last night blazed into his mind. He shuddered to remember such vividly violent words.
Then his gaze had swept across to the picture of the smashed Rover.
Alexia’s Rover.
The four-wheel drive had dark-tinted windows and was well known in the area as her car.
Their conversation from last night played in his head. According to her, the letter-writing stalker had upped the ante lately, going much further with his threats than he ever had before, last night’s being the worst – as if he was angry.
Could Jenny’s rape and murder, and Lis’ accident, have something to do with Alexia’s stalker? Had he used Jenny as a substitute when he couldn’t get to Alexia? Had he meant to run Alexia off the road and got Lis by mistake?
Daemon had to find out. He really needed Nigel to use his contacts to push the investigation further along.
‘Are you sure you don’t know where he is?’
Lyall clicked his tongue. ‘I have no idea. Are you sure I can’t help you with the problem? I know everything that goes on around here.’
Daemon sighed. He had no other option. He needed the police to treat the threat to Alexia seriously. He’d deal with her anger later. He quickly outlined his thoughts. ‘I assume Nigel has police contacts he can use.’
‘Nigel doesn’t, but I do.’ Daemon could hear the smug satisfaction in Lyall’s voice. ‘It was my contact Nigel used to get the information on Alexia. Would you like me to see what he can do?’
Daemon was surprised to hear that little piece of information. It wasn’t the story Nigel had told him. Daemon shrugged. What did it matter who had the contact as long as they got the ball rolling? ‘That would be great.’
‘Where shall I call you to let you know what he says?’
‘On the mobile. I’ll be up at the house for most of today.’
Lyall paused. ‘That’s really fabulous news about Alexia’s sister.’
Daemon smiled. ‘Yeah, it is.’
‘How does she seem?’
Daemon frowned at the question. ‘What do you mean?’ He could almost see Lyall shrug his shoulders, a jerky defensive motion.
‘I don’t know. I suppose I mean: is she all there?’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘Nothing. Not the way you’re taking it, that’s certain. I was only wondering if she’s okay. It’s all pretty traumatic, I imagine, and you know how Nigel is. He likes to know about everything to make sure “his boys” are all fine. I swear, sometimes he’s more like your mother than your manager.’
Daemon laughed. ‘I know. Not to mention that underneath that hard-nosed businessman image Nigel likes to project, he’s really a gossip.’
Lyall’s laugh, a sharp-edged sound, grated on Daemon’s nerves. ‘You’re not wrong. You’re lucky you don’t get the brunt. Sometimes he drives me insane with his need to know everything.’
‘I’m sure he does.’
‘Yeah, he even had a file on Alexia before you asked for anything.’
‘What?’
Daemon’s suddenly cold tone was lost on Lyall, who was clearly enjoying the shared camaraderie. ‘Yeah. He had a whole file on her career – newspaper articles, interviews, the whole lot. And the minute Craig told you all her real name he had me checking into her. He’s so paranoid about knowing everything about anyone who comes into contact with you and the band. I swear, it’s almost as if he thinks she could hurt you or something.’ His laughter died away. ‘Are you still there?’
‘I’m here.’ Daemon’s voice was hard, low. ‘Nigel didn’t tell me he’d done that.’
Lyall sounded surprised. ‘Really? You weren’t surprised at how quickly he got the information for you? I thought you knew.’
‘No, I didn’t.’
He could hear Lyall shifting uncomfortably on the other end of the phone. ‘Listen, don’t tell him I told you, okay? I’d prefer not to lose my job over it.’
‘I won’t tell him.’ Daemon paused; he couldn’t let on that he was angry with his manager. ‘Tell Nigel when he gets back that I need to speak to him. I’ll tell him about Alexia’s sister myself if he asks.’
‘Okay. I’ll get right onto my contact and let you know ASAP.’
‘Thanks, Lyall. I’ll hear from you soon.’
When Daemon hung up the phone he headed straight back up to the house. He’d been so preoccupied after reading the paper, he’d forgotten to let Alexia know where he’d be – and to kiss her goodbye.
Now he could make up for the lapse by kissing her goodbye and hello. And once he’d done that, he’d find some way of not letting her out of his sight until this was sorted out. He knew she would object if she worked out why. She could be so bloody-minded and independent. For some reason, she seemed reticent to let him suggest they might be more than lovers. It was kind of laughable, really. He was pretty certain she’d never felt about any man the way she felt about him; otherwise, why had she let him make love to her?
But she’d mentioned now a number of times that they didn’t have a future together, that they had only the present. He didn’t like the sound of that. He didn’t like it at all. Angry possessiveness had risen in him at the thought she might turn him away. He wouldn’t let her. He wouldn’t let her throw away the best thing that had ever happened to him. But she had a lot on her plate at the moment, so he wouldn’t push the issue. Couldn’t tell her yet he was in love with her. But he would. When things calmed down.
For now, he would act the lover and stay by her side. He’d just have to make sure she had no idea as to the real reason he was sticking close – and make sure she had no reason to object.
He wondered what information Lyall’s contact would come up with. Keeping Alexia on a leash while he waited was going to be difficult.
Difficult but enjoyable. He smiled. Whistling in happy anticipation, he swung up the back stairs ready to help her get through the rest of the day.
Lexi was curled up on the sofa in the library staring at the fire, Daemon at her side reading a book, when she heard the sound: a distant whoop-whoop, echoing but coming closer.
The helicopter was here.
Relief washed through her as she rushed to the front door. She saw Billy leading Cat up to the house from the cottage. Daemon reached out and took her hand in his, fingers twining, giving a gentle squeeze.
Hurrying down the path, Daemon at her side, she kept her eyes on the helicopter as it came over the barns, swinging to land in the field on the far side of the stables. Afraid to look her sister in the eye, she waited for Doctor Carlton to alight. Daemon hurried forward, helping with his bags as the rotor blades whirled above their heads. As they cleared the field, the helicopter took off again.
She didn’t even notice it go, her eyes greedily taking in the meeting between doctor and patient, hoping for recognition, fearful of what that might mean.
As the sound of the helicopter echoed faintly in the distance, Doctor Carlton held out his hand. ‘Catriona. It’s nice to finally meet you.’
Cat frowned down at his hand for a moment before hesitantly extending her own. ‘According to Billy, I’ve been under your care for eleven years.’
‘That’s true,’ he answered, smiling. ‘But although I saw you, you did not see me. So now, we finally meet as I always hoped we would.’
Lexi watched her sister, saw the clouded emotion in her eyes, and unconsciously squeezed Daemon’s hand as she bit her lip, waiting for Cat’s response.
Her sister studied the doctor carefully, taking in his suit, his face, the wispy tufts of snowy hair and the glasses perched precariously there, before her eyes met his in careful appraisal. Slowly, Cat’s mouth twitched into a smile. ‘I do remember you.’
‘That makes me so happy to hear.’
Lexi breathed out a sigh of relief. ‘Shall we go inside?’
Cat met her gaze, warmth and regret in her eyes. ‘Shall Billy and I show him to his room while you get some afternoon tea organised?’
Lexi smiled, lips trembling and grasped her sister’s outstretched hand. ‘Sounds like a plan.’
Doctor Carlton at their side, they walked back up to the house, Billy and Daemon following. For the first time in a long time, Lexi felt as if she had a family.
They were sitting in the kitchen finishing their tea and coffee when Craig returned from the hospital. Craig was thrilled to see Cat. The reunion was brief; Doctor Carlton was keen to speak to her alone. As they left the room, Lexi couldn’t help feeling disappointed not to have a moment with her sister. There was so much she wanted to say.
She stared out the window, seeing nothing of the striking landscape that usually brought such inspiration and comfort. ‘Another storm’s coming.’ She rubbed her hands over her arms. ‘I can feel it.’
Daemon’s hand on her shoulder brought her back and she turned and looked up at him.
‘I know,’ he said gently.
‘I need to talk to her. I haven’t been able to explain.’
Daemon pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair, the gesture soothing and intimate. ‘There’ll be plenty of time for that. Let the doctor do his job. That’s why he’s here.’ He pushed her back a little, cupping her face, looking into her eyes. ‘Besides, she wouldn’t have taken your hand outside if she really believed you were to blame for what happened to her.’
‘I am to blame.’
Daemon frowned and shook his head. ‘I know you can’t possibly mean that. Lyndon James is the one to blame. His family are to blame for not doing anything about their dangerous son, especially after you’d reported him for harassing you. You are a victim as much as Catriona is.’
As he spoke, he felt Alexia stiffen and pull away, a look of suspicion narrowing her eyes. ‘How did you know that?’
‘What? That you’re a victim, too? It’s pretty obvious to anyone with eyes.’ He tried to laugh but the sound died on his lips.
‘I didn’t mean that. How did you know about Lyndon’s family being involved? I never told you that.’
With a sinking feeling, Daemon realised his mistake. ‘You must have.’
Alexia shook her head, her lips thinning. ‘I didn’t. I’ve never spoken to anyone about it since that time. The media didn’t even know. The family kept it a secret and threatened me and anyone else who knew about it to keep us silent. So how did you know?’
Daemon closed his eyes against the look of betrayal in hers. He was angry with himself, for going behind her back and for not coming clean about it before now. Today had been an emotional rollercoaster. He’d told himself he was protecting her by not telling her the truth. But he’d known it was wrong. He’d gone behind her back for the ugly reason that he’d wanted to get in first, find out the dirt, protect himself from her and the feelings she’d brought to life since their first meeting. What he’d done was unforgivable and he’d not even had the guts to come clean when it mattered.
He’d been such an unbelievable idiot. He could feel happiness slipping through his fingers. She was already withdrawing from him.
He opened his eyes, expecting to see anger. Instead he saw the tears she couldn’t blink away. They made him feel more of a bastard than he already knew he was. He took a step towards her. ‘Alexia . . . ’
She backed away, shaking her head. ‘You checked up on me. You went behind my back and checked up on me. How could you?’
He lifted his hands, only to drop them, knowing his excuses weren’t good enough. ‘I don’t know.’ He shrugged helplessly trying to search for words to explain. ‘I didn’t trust you.’ He could see the words lance her. Desperate to have her understand, he stepped forward and grabbed her arm.
‘Don’t touch me.’
The words held a thousand notes of pain and every one vibrated to his core.
‘I’m such an idiot. You let me think I was keeping a piece of myself hidden and you already knew! How could you do that?’
‘Please, let me explain.’
Her eyes flew to his, pinning him with their tear-filled glare. ‘You already have. You don’t trust me. I think that explains it all.’
He shook his head. ‘That’s not what I said. I said I didn’t trust you. There is a difference.’
‘Sounds like splitting hairs to me.’
He took a deep breath. Shouting at her, giving in to anger would not help. ‘There’s a big difference. When I first met you I had a problem trusting anyone, especially after what Darla did to me. Everyone always has an agenda – fans, record execs, management, even family – but none of their agendas hurt me the way hers did. It affected my whole life, almost took my music away from me. And there you were, a beacon in the dark, promising to lift my music – and me with it – from the mire. I needed to know what your agenda was. I was confused by the feelings I had for you from the start and I let that confusion and mistrust cloud my judgement. I had no idea what I would find out.’
Her expression was inscrutable as she looked at him.
Taking a careful step forward, he continued. ‘Something happened when I was reading about you. I realised why you seemed so frightened of contact, frightened to let go. I also realised how strong and true your heart is. Reading about what happened to you allowed me to see you clearly. In seeing you, I let go of the baggage from my past, which I’d been unable to do before.’
The coldness had gone from her eyes but the tears were still there.
‘I know I shouldn’t have gone behind your back but I was a different person then. I would regret having done such a thing but a part of me can’t be sorry, because knowing allowed me to get closer to you.’
Alexia frowned. ‘Is that why you did it? So you could wheedle your way into my bed?’ Her lip curled. ‘That’s despicable.’
Shocked she would take what he’d said in that way, he was unable to keep his tone even. ‘Of course not,’ he bit back. ‘You know that’s not what I meant.’
‘Do I?’ she asked bitterly. ‘I don’t think I know you at all.’
His patience snapping, Daemon grabbed her arm and shook her. ‘Alexia, stop it. I know you’re angry with me. You have every right to be, but making love with you had nothing to do with the rest of it. It wasn’t some pretence. I wasn’t trying to get into your bed to use you. The passion was mutual. What we experienced – I’ve never had that with anyone. You must know that.’
She looked up at him, her eyes brimming, and slowly, inexorably, pulled out of his grasp. ‘You can’t explain away what you did. It isn’t so much that you went behind my back. You betrayed my trust by not telling me you’d done it when we started . . . ’ at a loss for words she waved her hand between them, ‘ . . . this,’ she finished lamely.
‘I know. I wanted to tell you. I just couldn’t seem to find the right time.’
Lexi looked up at him again, her eyes full of unshed tears. ‘That’s such a cop-out. There you were, lecturing me about honesty last night while you were betraying me every second you didn’t tell me the truth. How can I trust you now? How can I —’ Her words caught and she put a trembling hand to her lips.
Emotion pressed on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He didn’t have an answer for her. He opened his mouth, closed it, tried again. ‘All I can tell you is that what we shared was mutual. Knowing what you’d been through only opened my eyes to feelings I already had inside me. I love you. I can’t say it more simply than that. I know I have jeopardised my chance with you by not being honest. I know I’m a stupid bastard, but please, give me another chance.’
He saw her anger seep away, replaced by confusion and uncertainty. Hope flared in him. He brushed a tear as it ran down her cheek. She didn’t back away. ‘Promise me you won’t make any rash decisions. It’s been an emotional night. Don’t let what I did cloud the truth of what’s between us. Don’t let us end. Not over something like this.’
Lexi swallowed hard. She didn’t know what to think, what to feel, what to believe. He sounded so sincere, so desperately pleading. Her lack of experience was making it hard for her to keep her thoughts straight as they mingled with raw emotion.
