He stopped again. The park was quiet and still. He came close, until there was barely a breath between us. I inhaled him – fresh pine and man. I’d always loved his smell, it brought with it memories of his naked skin against mine. Our eyes locked. Despite the wintery chill, heat rolled through my body. ‘You are that woman.’
His gaze travelled slowly to my lips. His hand went to my waist, then slid to the small of my back. We wanted to kiss. It would be a good kiss. But my heart was still bruised, and Ethan’s side of the bed still lukewarm. Reluctantly, I stepped back. It was like leaving the warmest bed I’d ever known. But my god, I wanted him.
Christopher cleared his throat and looked away. ‘I should take everything you gave me to the station.’
‘Sure,’ I said. ‘Absolutely.’
His eyes lingered on my face a moment longer, trying to work me out. I slammed the door shut on my feelings and stared impassively back. ‘Okay,’ he said eventually, disappointment thick in his voice. ‘I’ll speak to you later.’
Then he turned and I watched him go.
Chapter Fifty
161 Days Missing
Adaline Archer
I woke early, my heart pounding in my chest, gripped by anxiety. I dreamt of you trapped in that cottage, screaming for help and though I could hear you, I couldn’t find you. I stumbled from room to room, pushing doors open, spilling into darkness, yelling your name.
I forced myself to sit and eat breakfast but felt so sick, I threw half of it away. As soon as I was showered and dressed, I called Christopher.
‘Have you got a warrant?’ I asked by way of greeting.
‘I’ve submitted the evidence.’
‘Now what?’
‘We wait.’
‘Can’t. I need to do something. I need to go there.’
He groaned. ‘Ada …’
‘I do,’ I said, marching into the hallway and pulling on my walking boots. ‘Now. Right now.’
‘Do not go to that cottage.’
But I already knew that was exactly what I was going to do. I grabbed my jacket and keys.
‘I mean it,’ he warned.
‘My sister is in that cottage. I know it.’ I took my bag and left the house. ‘I’m going to get her.’
‘Ada, be serious, if Jack is as dangerous as we think he is, going there is the worst idea. It’s—’
I hung up and slid into my car.
Wisteria is only an hour and forty minutes away from Crosshaven but, with ice on the ground, it took closer to two hours before I was climbing the hill towards the house. Then, suddenly fearing Jack might be at the cottage, I slowed and looked for a break in the trees; I couldn’t risk Jack hearing the car then looking out the window and seeing me coming. I swung into the woods, parking only five minutes’ walk from Wisteria. My car would only be seen if you were looking for it.
It was getting dark already, the sky was thick with cloud cover. As I neared the house, I tasted the salty air, heard the roiling sea, the crash of waves tumbling against the cliff face.
The house came into view, seeming to rise from the earth as I crested the hill. Winter had banished the lilac plumes of wisteria, leaving only the skeletal remains of branches clinging to the stonework. When I saw Jack’s car parked on the driveway, my heart raced. He was there because you were there. I made sure to stay close to the treeline in case I was spotted. If Jack did kill Jeffrey, he wouldn’t think twice about throwing me off the side of the cliff.
I was hoping Jack wouldn’t be here and I could just use the key I’d taken from Kathryn and slip into the house to look for you. With him inside, my ill-thought-out plan turned to slush. But I knew I needed to get into Wisteria. Then I saw a flash of movement across the driveway as something dived beneath Jack’s car. A second later, a cat’s head poked out from under the bumper. I crouched, making little noises to attract its attention. Slowly, it crept out from the car and shot across the drive towards me, meowing and weaving between my legs. I knew this cat. Knew the copper-coloured heart shape on her flank.
‘Seefer,’ I whispered, stroking along her back.
Any doubt I had that you were in that house evaporated. This wasn’t a coincidence. I scooped Seefer up. She squirmed and kicked in my arms. I carried her back to the car and dialled Christopher.
‘She’s in the house,’ I said. ‘Elodie is in Wisteria.’
‘You saw her?’
‘No, her cat. I have her cat in my car.’ I glanced at Seefer who was curled up on the passenger seat. ‘There’s no way this cat walked all the way to Cornwall.’ I heard rustling, like he was passing the phone from hand to another. ‘Are you sure it’s hers?’
‘Yes, I’m sure. Jack’s car is here. Elodie is in that house and as soon as he leaves, I’m going in.’
‘Ada …’
‘Meet me.’
‘I can’t.’
‘Tell the police I’ve found Elodie.’
‘You’ve found a cat which may or may not be hers.’ He sighed, as frustrated as I was. ‘I can’t send a fleet of police cars because of a cat.’
‘Christopher, I know she’s in there.’
‘If you wait just a couple more days, a warrant will come through and—’
‘Is this because of yesterday?’ I fired at him.
My heart pounded in the silence. I knew I was being unfair and regretted it instantly. Christopher wasn’t being difficult because I didn’t let him kiss me yesterday; I was just frustrated with all the red tape when I knew how close I was to finding you.
‘Ada,’ he said, sounding hurt. ‘No, nothing like that. Look, please just listen to me and wait for—’
‘I’m done waiting.’
I rang off. Frustration and anger pulsed through me. I would wait and then, the very second Jack left, I’d go inside. Even if I had to sit in this car all night.
In my bag, I found the notebook I’ve been using to write down my thoughts. That’s what I’m doing now. It’s cold and dark and I am waiting, thinking about you. I don’t know what will happen once I enter that house. I’m terrified to go in. But what terrifies me more is never finding you.