An odd thought spiralled into Nina’s head. Was it true? She thought of the anguish in Paul’s face last night, and the expression in his eyes when he’d talked about what had happened. Yes, she believed him. One hundred per cent, and the story was backed up by the paedophilia in John Moore’s computer too. With evidence like that the police would have to do something about George Wright. She would go now and talk to David Mallony face to face.
In the hallway she bent to lift the little pile of post lying behind the door. Most of it was advertisements, trite and happy little flyers contrasting starkly to her brave new world. There was a new Indian takeaway on the High Street, and the River Fitness Centre was having a half-price weekend at the end of the month, and – oh shit.
Hell. Her heart hammering behind her ribs, Nina stared at the envelope in her hand. Another anonymous letter. The same kind of envelope as the first one, the only difference being it was her name above John Moore’s address on the sticky label. And contrary to what David Mallony had supposed, this had been delivered by hand; it was under the pile of post – the letter-writer must have watched for the postman approaching then slipped his letter through the door first. Christ, what a ghastly thought. The scumbag had been right outside this door.
Nina dropped the letter onto the desk and used the paper knife and a pen to manoeuvre the single sheet of paper from the envelope and spread it out.
Her breath caught in her throat as she read.
‘Bring £20,000 in a sports bag to the crazy golf hut in Wicks Park at 1 a.m. on Wednesday 26th July. Leave it in the doorway. No police if you know what’s good for your daughter. We know where she is. And we’re watching you both.’
‘Oh God,’ she whispered. Naomi – but Naomi was fine, they’d just discussed the Harrison’s garden fence on the phone. But the letter said ‘we’. Who was ‘we’? Hands shaking, Nina reached for her phone.
David Mallony was calm. ‘You’ve done the right thing in telling us. I’ll consult the Superintendent now and get back to you. Don’t leave the house.’
Nina buried her face in her hands. She should never have stayed on here. It was a ridiculous way to spend the summer even if she was about to inherit a fortune. And how unbearable it was to think that Naomi was being threatened too. Money was nothing compared to what she and Naomi had together; Nina knew she would give up the house and all the money in a heartbeat if it meant that her daughter would be safe.
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.’