‘Yes.’ He took a long breath. ‘Actually I have something for you.’ He placed the bag, now clean of mildew, on the seat between them.
Joanne stared at it. ‘It was Ray’s, wasn’t it?’
‘I found it.’ He paused. ‘Close to the Eva May.’
‘Can I . . . can I look in it?’ Her voice shook slightly.
‘It’s yours, Jo. Ray meant it for you.’ He pushed the old sports bag closer to her.
Her hands were unsteady, and she took a long time to undo the fastenings.
Carter couldn’t wait. ‘It’s money, Joanne. Money Ray was saving for your wedding. He was scared that his brothers would steal the lot, so he hid it. I only found it last night and I brought it straight to you.’ Joanne stared into the bag, saying nothing. ‘I don’t know exactly how much is there. Quite a bit, I guess,’ he said lamely. ‘Whatever, it’s yours.’
Now came the hard part. ‘You do know he really loved you, don’t you, Joanne?’
She raised her eyes to him. ‘Of course I know.’
‘He just wants you to be sure of that.’
Her eyes grew wider. ‘What do you mean, he wants me to be sure? Did you speak to him before he died? My God, Carter! Did he talk to you? You never told me that!’ She was half out of her seat.
He grasped her hand. ‘No, no! You misunderstand! It’s just that we used to talk when we were working on the boat. He told me he was never very good at expressing his feelings. That’s all, honestly. He often said he ought to tell you more often how he felt. To your face, that is.’ Oh God, what a mess he was making of this.
Marie came to his assistance. ‘All he’s saying is never, even in your darkest moments, doubt that your Ray was deeply in love with you.’
‘I’m sorry, Joanne, really.’ Carter let go of her hand. ‘At least this is safe with you now.’ He touched the bag lightly. ‘And we better go.’
To his relief, Marie put her arm around her. ‘Will you be alright, Joanne? We can walk you back to work if you like? You’ve had a bit of a shock, haven’t you?’
‘You could say that.’ Her voice shook but she managed a small smile. ‘I’m fine. Luckily I’m owed a few hours off, so I think I’ll go straight home, have a cup of tea and try to get my head around this.’ She looked across at Carter. ‘And I’m sorry too. You’ve been kind enough to bring me this, and then I go and shout at you. It’s silly I know, but I’m still having a hard time accepting he’s gone. From the, way you spoke, just for a moment . . . I thought . . .’ Her voice faded. There was nothing more to say.
When they got to his vehicle, Carter glanced back. Joanne walked slowly, holding the bag wrapped in her arms, as if it were a baby.
Carter started the Land Rover and pulled out of the car park. The task was complete. Would Ray be with the others when they next appeared?
*
Danny Hurley lay on his bed and thought about his girl.
There was very little he didn’t already know about her, but he loved to lie quietly and try to think of small things that might have escaped his attention. Today he could think of nothing at all, and that made him feel good. He thought of the police running around chasing their tails and smiled contentedly. Knowledge really was power.
He turned his head to look at the wall, and the dozen photographs he had taken of her. He was proud of them. His camera was his most treasured possession — after his girl of course. He had acquired the Nikon D3 digital SLR for his previous job. It was top of the range, shot up to eleven frames per second and would probably have set him back a few grand if he’d had to pay for it. He reached up and stroked a stunning close-up of her face, imagining the touch of her skin.
What a girl!
Danny stretched and stood up. No time for thoughts like that right now. There were plans to be made. Poor little Leah had been grounded by her granite-faced aunt. He knew her quarantine wouldn’t last long. She was a teenager, and teenagers got bored quickly. He gave her two days, max. Then the game would start in earnest.
Carefully locking the door behind him, he strolled out of his room and along the narrow corridor to the kitchen. He ran his hands along the walls either side of him, as if trying to push them out, widen the cramped space. He wouldn’t mind leaving here soon. He had never thought of it as a home, just somewhere to hide. There was more to life than this so-called “bijou flat.” If his plans worked out, there would be.
In the cramped galley kitchen he took a bottle of Newcastle Brown from the fridge and flipped off the top. He drank very little, but he did enjoy a cold bottled beer in the late afternoon.
What had he done today? He had ditched his runner and taken on two new ones. It wasn’t difficult, they were two a penny, and he wasn’t known for being mean. He swigged back the beer. He had a day or so to rest and get his next strategy organised, and then he would be able to spend some quality time with his girl. He closed his eyes and sighed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Carter was depressed, angry with himself for handling the meeting with Joanne so badly. Marie had told him so, but he knew it anyway. Why had he spoken about Ray in the present tense, and upset Joanne that way?
‘I’m off now, Carter.’ Marie leaned against his office door frame and smiled. ‘I need to get to the supermarket and stock up. Do you need anything?’
He shook his head. He hadn’t cooked a proper meal in a long while. Mrs Mitchell, his daily, always bought the cleaning materials and gave him the bill, and when he was hungry, he ate out. He even ate breakfast at his desk. ‘Can’t think of anything, but thanks all the same.’
Marie stepped inside. ‘Cheer up, Carter, and don’t beat yourself up over Joanne. She’s okay with everything now.’
‘Yeah, I guess so.’ Carter yawned. ‘God, I just wish I could get a night’s sleep.’
‘Have you tried a little helper? Nothing strong, maybe something herbal.’
‘In the first few months I took enough drugs to keep a pharmaceutical company solvent for a decade! I cannot face another pill, herbal or otherwise.’
‘Mmm. I’d probably feel the same, but you have to sleep.’
‘Hopefully I will, as soon as I know about Ray. If he’s moved on, then I’ll know I can do the same with the other two. Then we can all rest.’
Marie opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it again. Finally she nodded and said, ‘Yes, let’s hope so.’