There was another pause. Anna was wondering what other revelations were to come, but Joan then apologized for being the bearer of what in effect was bad news, destroying any belief in Donna’s innocence. Anna could feel Joan’s impatience to end the call but she wasn’t quite finished and asked if the large sum of money found in Marisha’s flat was connected to the purchase of all the new electrical equipment. Joan reported that along with a new luxury bed and other household items, they were all cash purchases made a few weeks after Josh’s death and totalled about ten thousand pounds.
Anna was completely taken aback by what Joan told her and couldn’t believe that her uncovering of photographic evidence proving that Donna did not leave the hotel actually served to compound the young woman’s guilt. Dejectedly, she realized that it was impossible to keep up with the investigation when she was thousands of miles away. She thanked Joan for all her help, adding that she would not be bothering her any more and would see her in ten weeks.
Anna lay on her bed in her room, looking up at the ceiling; she didn’t feel sorry for herself, just frustrated that yet again the evidence suggested she was wrong about Donna’s innocence. Her gut instincts were usually right, but she accepted that Josh’s death was a complex investigation. Marisha, if she regained consciousness, or Samuel, when his whereabouts were discovered, would hopefully reveal the answers to all the questions. Even without them as witnesses the case against Donna was a very powerful one.
Her mobile bleeped and she saw that there was a text message from Langton, saying that he was going to the canteen to have some lunch if she wanted to join him. She wasn’t very hungry, especially after the scrambled eggs, but she wanted to tell him what had happened in the Reynolds case and that she was taking his advice about letting it go and would concentrate on the course. She also thought it would be a good opportunity to wind him up about the car and staying at Dewar’s condominium.
As she entered the canteen she saw him sitting in the far corner, so she waved and got herself a cup of coffee before joining him. Langton was eating a tuna salad with boiled potatoes.
‘The food here isn’t up to much, unless you’re a rabbit or a health freak,’ he complained, pushing the salad around the plate with his fork.
‘Well you must be getting plenty of fresh air.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You know, out at the condo by the lakeside, and then a quick spin round the block in the Mustang with the roof down.’
Langton nearly choked on a boiled potato as he realized Anna had figured out where he was staying.
‘I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to upset you.’
‘Upset me? I couldn’t care less where you’re staying; what I don’t understand is why you didn’t just tell me.’
‘Dewar was returning a favour as I got her a nice work flat in London. I thought you might think there was something going on between us,’ Langton protested.
‘Don’t flatter yourself by thinking I would feel even the tiniest bit of jealousy if there was anything between you and Dewar.’
Langton winced and decided it would not be such a good idea to ask Anna to stay with him at the condo.
‘I’m going outside for a cigarette,’ he said, irritated by her constant ability to get under his skin, then headed off, leaving her alone at the table.
Anna found Langton sitting on a bench, smoking, and sat down beside him. He inhaled deeply, and chewed at his lower lip, before he eventually turned to face her.
‘You know, Anna, I have cared for you for so many years.’ He hesitated, as if unsure whether to go on.
‘The time we were really close, living together, was very special. I loved you, and I know I was never able to commit myself enough for you, or for myself – call it a state of panic, whatever. You were too young, I was too old, and the time just wasn’t right. It’s all a question of the right timing in life, and I know that our separating was the best thing for both of us, you especially. I knew it even more when I saw you so in love with Ken, and I was truly envious of how happy he made you. What happened was tragic, and I even understood what that pain must have felt like. When my first wife died, I honestly felt that if I buried it, didn’t accept what had punched out my soul, I’d maybe heal and so I buried myself in my career.’
Anna was close to tears. ‘I know, I remember you telling me to make sure I took time off, not be like you and return to work straight away. I just couldn’t face being without Ken, I didn’t want to sit at home and think about the life he and I should have had together. Like you, I have found my career has helped ease the pain.’
‘You’ve changed, you are losing your femininity, Anna, and I hate to see it,’ Langton went on. ‘There is no need for this tough exterior all the time and you are obsessed with work. I said to you, make sure you have a life outside the Met, or it’ll eat you up and then suddenly you’ll be ready to retire and the years have flown past and you’re middle-aged, lonely and single.’
She shook her head, and then gave a light laugh. ‘Stop making me out to be some kind of harridan, because I’m not. As for the Reynolds case, well I was wrong about Donna, so like you suggested, I’m here and not involved with any of it, and I’m moving on.’
‘Fine, whatever,’ he said casually.
‘No, it’s not just fine, whatever. Right now, I’m content with my personal life. Yes, I’m career-minded: I want to continue moving up the ladder, and I’m really grateful that you created this wonderful opportunity for me here at Quantico.’
He threw the cigarette onto the ground and stubbed it out with the toe of his shoe and then looked at her and said nothing. She realized he was waiting to hear what else she had to say and felt obliged to continue.
‘You remarried and now have a beautiful wife and two lovely children. It makes me happy that you found a life outside the Met and I need you to understand that I will too.’
Langton stood up and suggested they go for a walk. At first, she hesitated, then sensing they had come to some kind of amicable agreement, she acquiesced.
As they walked along the edge of the wood it was as if they were good friends sharing a stroll on a sunny day. When he put his arm around her shoulder, she feared that he was about to spoil the moment.
‘I’ve got to learn to stop worrying about you, haven’t I?’ he said quietly as he gave her a big squeeze and released her. They walked along together a little further before she changed the subject.
‘Any news on Fitzpatrick?’
‘I’ll come clean with you, it’s been bubbling for quite some time but even though nothing is confirmed, they wanted me here as there have been some positive sightings. You know his escape has been a constant thorn in my side, always niggling away at me, the obvious mistakes I made. God, I hope I get him this time, then I can walk away with my head held high and stick two fingers up to that arsehole Walters.’
Anna stared straight ahead, filled with the sensation that it was now or never; she might not get another chance to confess what had happened.
‘I want to explain something about the Fitzpatrick case,’ she began nervously, and they stopped walking. She was about to continue when Langton gently placed his index finger on her lips to stop her. He smiled down at her and stunned her with what he said next.
‘You don’t need to, I already know. In fact, I’ve known for quite some time now.’
‘Known… known what?’ Anna asked with trepidation.
‘It was you. Walters deliberately dropped clues to upset me but I know how underhand he can be so I guessed he’d fooled you into letting the cat out of the bag about my screwing up.’