The Darkness Within (16 page)

She nodded. She knew that as long as he was in her life, he wouldn’t let any harm come to her.

‘Look at me,’ he said.

She looked up at him. He met her with a warm smile and love in his eyes. He wanted to make her see that what he said, he meant it.

‘I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.’

‘Yes. I know.’ She gazed into his eyes and smiled.

He lifted her head and their lips touched. He began to caress her already naked body. With his fingers he teased the tips of her nipples. She let out a light moan. Her hands began to venture down his body and onto his member.

‘I love that,’ he groaned.

She smiled against his lips. They were quickly lost in each other. Breathless and desperate for each other. The more they were together, the more they wanted, and the more they knew they couldn’t be without each other. Not ever.

‘I love you,’ he said as he mounted over her. He watched her a moment.

‘I love you too.’

It was then that they quickly united again and were taken in by their passion for each other.

Moments later the lay on the bed out of breath holding hands. Ferguson gave her a little squeeze and she did the same back.

‘What are we doing today?’ she asked looking at him.

‘Whatever you like honey, it’s Saturday, I’m free the whole day.’

She turned to look up at the ceiling while she thought about it. What would she like to do?

‘I’d like to spend it with you. I don’t care what we do. How about I make us breakfast.’

‘Yes,’ he said sheepishly.

‘We have a shower.’

‘Love the sound of that.’

‘Then go out for a walk. It looks nice outside and I just want some fresh air.’

‘A walk sounds good. I don’t know the last time I took a walk. Sounds lovely darling.’ He drew her in close to her.

‘I was thinking we could take my dad out to Lunch after that. Only if you want to.’

‘Anything you want. I will do whatever you want.’

‘Great. Thanks. I feel really happy,’ she said.

‘I can tell.’

‘It’s odd. How is it that killing someone can feel so good? How bad is that? We should be put away.’

‘It’s how we are wired. We have to do it. Always remember that the people we’re getting rid of aren’t good people. We’re doing the world a favour.’

She sat with that a moment. She thought about how each of those men had made her hurt. It was the worst thing in the world.

‘You’re right,’ she said finally.

‘Of course I am.’ He teased.

‘Right. I’m off to make breakfast.’ She tossed the duvet aside.

‘Would you like me to come and help you?’

‘That would be lovely.’

He got out too and they headed downstairs for the kitchen.

****

Katie Willows opened the door dressed in a white shirt and white trousers. She had short platinum blond hair and piercing blue eyes. She was about five foot ten and very pretty. She didn’t smile or show any welcome gesture as she looked at the detectives.

‘Mrs Willows?’

‘Call me Katie,’ she said in a low voice.

‘Can we come in?’

She opened the door a little wider to let them in.

‘Is there somewhere we can talk?’ Murphy was finding it difficult to talk to her. It was as if she had a wall built around her.

She led them into the immaculate living-room. The modern house was in tip-top shape and it seemed like the couple weren’t doing too badly.

‘Have a seat.’ She offered as she sat down on the opposite couch.

Murphy and Roy sat.

‘You reported your husband missing. We’re here because we think he’s connected to a number of missing people’s case we’re trying to solve.’

‘So you think he’s really missing?’ she showed no emotion.

‘You did report it. Or do you know something we don’t know?’

‘It’s like him not to come home even when I know he’s spent half the night with one of his whores.’

The detective shifted a little uncomfortable.

‘My husband is known for his wondering eyes. He can’t keep his dick in his pants and so he’s always screwing some whore somewhere. The one thing he does do that’s consistent is that he always comes home. Even its three in the morning, he’ll come home. He’s never been this late. I just know something is wrong.’

‘Okay.’ Murphy felt a little uncomfortable about the whole conversation, but he had to preserver.’

‘Do you have any idea where he might have gone?’

‘If I did, I wouldn’t have called you would I?’

‘Of course not. We’ll have to go through some of his things. Does he have a study or a place he keeps his computer.’

‘He takes his laptop everywhere.’

‘Okay. What kind of car does he drive? If we can track the car, we might be able to find him.’

She gave the details of the car. The make and the registration. Roy was straight on the phone giving the information about the car. The car had a tracker which would make it easy to find.

‘Is there any other information you could give us that might be useful?’

‘His secretary knows more about his whereabouts than I do, I suggest you contact her.’ She gave those details too.

‘We’ll find him, don’t worry.’

‘I’m not.’ She smiled. If he was gone she could cash in on the insurance, not that she would tell the detectives that. Katie had lost every feeling she ever had for Blake and his death would be her freedom. Freedom she’d craved, but never had the guts to take for herself.

‘Thank you for your time, we’ll be in touch.’

They left her. She watched them from the door way.  The moment they got into the car, Roy said, ‘She’s odd.’

‘Yes, very, but can you blame her. The man sounds terrible.’

‘If he’s that terrible, why stay?’

‘We’ll never know why people stay in unhealthy relationships. They just do.’

‘Yes. I guess so.’

Roy’s mobile rang. He took the call and then said, ‘Blake Willows car was found at the Marriott parking.’

‘Great, we can start from there. Let’s get the carpark footage from the hotel. I’m sure that will tell us something.

*****

‘So, do you have anywhere in particular you’d like to walk,’ Ferguson asked before biting into a slice of toast.

‘Nope, I haven’t done that in ages. I’m easy.’

‘Okay, I’ll have a look then and we’ll take it from there.’

She smiled at him. It was nice spending the morning with him, she felt less need to drink. She’d had some vodka, but the urge wasn’t as much anymore. After their meal the couple tided up and then headed for walk to one of the national trust sights.

‘This looks beautiful,’ she said once they got out of the car.

‘It is. It’s a lovely sunny day too.’

It was a lovely day and as they entered the grounds that once belonged to the Winn Family. Nostell Priory and Parkland was a beautiful piece of land with 18
th
century architectural masterpiece with121 hectares of parkland. They walked hand in hand towards the beautiful home that looked like a castle.

‘Can you imagine what if felt like to live here?’ she said.

‘I can’t even if I tried.’ They entered the building and it was there the journey began. Freya was surprised at how going through the mansion was interesting and full of history. They started in the kitchen that where the servants spent most of their time. There was a list of servant’s salaries, the things they used, the silver and candlesticks. There was also an odd looking rat catcher. There were stories about how children at the time were servants too. The couple took time to explore the kitchen, and from time to time drifted away from each other to what interested them the most. They took the stairs to the top floor to see the doll house. Freya was intrigued and taken in by it all. At one point she stopped to look outside the window and out onto the land that went on for miles. There were cows in the distance and numerous visitors who had come to visit too. It was nice just to think of nothing and just enjoy the moment. She took his hand and smiled. He gave it a little squeeze. They headed for the bedrooms.

‘Can you imagine living in this room?’ she asked. ‘It’s so busy.’ The room was filled with historic paintings. There were pictures all around the room. The furniture surrounding the room was stunning, the bed almost looked like something out of the princess and the pea.

‘I can’t imagine it darling. Yes, I agree, it is really a busy place.’

They continued. In each room there was a representative of the national trust. At one point the couple listened to a woman talk about how the women of the manor would use rat fur as false eyebrows.

‘That sounds vile,’ said Freya.

Ferguson laughed. He was seeing a side to her that he’d never seen. It was a side to her that she hadn’t seen in a while either. She felt happier and relaxed and being with him made it more so.

The tour took about thirty minutes. They stepped out into the beautiful sunshine and took time to sit on the grass.

‘We’re like a normal couple,’ she laughed.

‘We are a normal couple.’ He winked.

‘Erm. I would have to disagree.’

‘We’re as close to normal as can be.’ He drew her into him and gave her a kiss.

‘I could sit here all day,’ she said.

‘Then lets.’

‘We can’t, we’ve got lunch with my dad, remember.’

‘Of course. I’d forgotten about that.’

‘That’s bad. Very bad.’ She teased.

He tickled her a moment. Freya let out a loud laugh without a care in the world about who heard or saw her. She was in a world of her own. She felt good and it was nice just being in his presence.

‘Looking at all these people, you just never know what secrets they carry. We all live in our own little bubble. We forget that others have suffered too.’ She was just thinking out aloud.

‘Yes that is true. But we have to live for ourselves. Spending too much time wondering about other people will only keep you from living your own life.’ He kissed he neck.

‘Yes that’s true. But I still can’t help, but wonder.’

‘Wonder away my love.’

She smiled. They sat there for a few more minutes before deciding to move on. It took them another twenty minutes to walk around the gardens. They headed for the car and headed to the restaurant to meet Nicholas.

They met at a pub that wasn’t too far away from the parkland they’d just been to. To her disappointment, she noticed that Amanda had decided to invite herself to the lunch. She wasn’t in the mood for judgments, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.

‘Dad.’

Nicholas stood up and embraced her. ‘You look lovely honey. You really look well,’ he said.

‘Thanks dad. I feel well.’

‘Ferguson.’ He proffered his hand. ‘Good to see you again.’

‘It good to see you too sir.’ He shook his hand.

Amanda greeted them without standing up. She wanted to see what Ferguson was up to. She’d done her research and didn’t understand why this hot billionaire was with her sister.

‘So what would you like to drink?’ asked Nicholas.

‘I’ll have a coke. Keeping it simple,’ said Ferguson.

‘Love?’ he directed that at Freya.

‘The usual. A double vodka,’ said Amanda sarcastically.

That was the very reason Freya hadn’t wanted Amanda there. She’d wanted a relaxed afternoon with her dad.

‘I’ll have a coke too.’ She said to their surprise.

‘Oh well, well, has the rehab started?’ asked Amanda.

‘It has and I’ve lessened my intake. It’s not an overnight thing, but I know I’ll get there.’

‘Well done honey. I’m so proud of you. Ever since you met Ferguson you’ve become better and better.’

‘Yes I have.’ She put her hand on Fergusons. ‘He’s turned me into a better person.’

‘How?’ asked Amanda not buying that. ‘How has the turned you into a better person.’

‘By believing in me and being non-judgmental. It works you know.’

‘I see.’ she looked over at Ferguson.

‘Are you married, Amanda?’ he asked.

The question caught her off guard.

‘No. No I’m not married.’

‘Ever been in love, or are you seeing someone?’

‘Why are you asking?’

‘Because you’d understand it when you experience it. I was just curious.’

‘I’m not seeing anyone. Not that it’s any of your business.’

‘Perhaps you should open your heart up a little more instead of resenting your sister.’

‘How dare you. You don’t know anything about me!’

‘Amanda,’ her father warned.

‘No dad, he has no right.’

‘As you have no right to keep persecuting your sister.’