?
Suddenly hungry, because I haven’t eaten since lunch-time yesterday, I stop at a service station and buy myself a sandwich and something to drink. I eat quickly, impatient to be home. I get back onto the dual carriageway, intending to stay on it all the way home, but five minutes later, without really knowing why, I find myself turning left, down the road to the woods, the one that will take me home via Blackwater Lane. I don’t worry too much about it, deciding to let fate take me where it will. After all, it had allowed me to find the phone. What were the chances of the French student taking it from Rachel’s bag as she pushed past him? What were the chances of one of his friends having a crisis of conscience and The Breakdown
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handing it to me? I’ve never thought of myself as particularly spiritual, but yesterday, somebody somewhere was looking out for me.
Blackwater Lane looks nothing like it did the last time I drove down it. The trees that line the road are a riot of autumnal colours and the fact there are no other cars around make it peaceful, not threatening. When I get to the lay-by where Jane’s car was parked I slow down and pull in. After turning off the engine, I wind down my window and sit for a while, letting the light breeze fill the car. And I feel that Jane is with me. Even though the murderer still hasn’t been caught, for the first time since her death, I feel at peace.
I’d intended to go back to the house, take Rachel’s phone from under the orchid and hand it to the police but if I’ve been brought to this spot it must be for a reason. So I close my eyes and think of Jane, and of how Matthew and Rachel, without conscience, used her murder to get to me.
18 Jul 15.15
How are you?
18 Jul 15.16
Fine. How come you’re cal ing at this time?
18 Jul 15.16
I’m out. Told her I was going to the gym Need to keep up appearances
372
b a paris
Don’t want her to question why I’m not going any more 18 Jul 15.16
Wish you were on your way to me, like before 18 Jul 15.16
Me too. Do you know how much I miss you?
18 Jul 15.16
I think I can guess?
And we’re not going to be seeing each other tonight 18 Jul 15.16
Just as wel , would want to kiss you But why not?
18 Jul 15.17
Susie’s cancel ed her party
You know the woman who was murdered? She worked in our company 18 Jul 15.17
Seriously?
18 Jul 15.17
Just phoned C to tell her, she went into meltdown Turns out she had lunch with her recently The Breakdown
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18 Jul 15.18
What? Are you sure? The murdered woman?
18 Jul 15.18
Yes. She met her at that leaving party I took her to a month back
And they arranged to have lunch Jane Walters 18 Jul 15.19
I remember! I met Cass at the restaurant after the lunch She said she was meeting a new friend, Jane 18 Jul 15.19
That was her
18 Jul 15.19
God, she’ll be even more upset now She’s real y nervous about murderer on the loose 18 Jul 15.20
Good maybe we can use it
18 Jul 23.33
Didn’t know you had argument with murdered woman Cass told me
374
b a paris
18 Jul 23.34
She nicked my parking space
18 Jul 23.34
She got what she deserved then 18 Jul 23.35
God, you real y are a cold-hearted bastard!
18 Jul 23.35
Not where you’re concerned
You do know you’re the one for me, don’t you?
18 Jul 23.35
?
*
24 Jul 23.40
The murder has real y got to her, she doesn’t want to be on own while I’m away Told her to invite you round
24 Jul 23.40
Thanks!
24 Jul 23.40
Need to keep it genuine
You refuse, of course
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24 Jul 23.41
Can’t believe she’s so frightened 24 Jul 23.41
Good for us that she is
*
28 Jul 09.07
Good morning!
28 Jul 09.07
You sound chirpy. What’s up?
28 Jul 09. 08
C phoned to ask me if I’d just cal ed her She sounded jittery so said no for the fun of it 28 Jul 09.08
Is that it?
28 Jul 09.08
Same thing happened yesterday except it wasn’t me Played it down, told her probably a call centre 28 Jul 09.08
Still don’t get it
28 Jul 09.09
Thought I could do it again tomorrow. And day after
376
b a paris
Make her think she has stalker 28 Jul 09.09
Bril iant!
28 Jul 09.09
Thought you’d be pleased
*
05 Aug 23.44
Had a good day?
05 Aug 23.57
Sorry, was in shower
05 Aug 23.57
Lovely thought
05 Aug 23.58
? Day not bad, how about you?
05 Aug 23.58
Nothing exciting but just thought Do I silent call tomorrow as I’ll be at home 05 Aug 23. 58
If you don’t she’ll guess it’s you The Breakdown
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05 Aug 23.59
Or could think she/house is being watched 05 Aug 23.59