Trials in Walls of Ivy (Triskelion Trilogy Book 1) (18 page)

I woke in a strange room. Slanted light spilled in through the window. The walls were lined with shelves, each filled with books. A stack of weights were piled in the corner. I tried to sit up and realised I was laid in a bed. The thick red duvet was pulled up to my chin. I sat up as the door opened.

“You’re awake,” Ash sighed. He sat on the bed beside me and laid a tray down between us. “I spoke to Owen. I’m so sorry, Roz.”

I shuffled back to lean against the headboard. “Don’t be sorry for me. Be sorry for her,” I coughed, holding back the fresh wave of tears.

“I am. But I’m also sorry for you, Owen and Warwick. Nobody should have to see their friend like that.”

I closed my eyes and saw her white marble skin. “Please, can we talk about something else?”

He smiled and handed me a cup. He had made coffee and toast while I was out of it.

“Here. We can talk about anything you like.”

“Where are we?”

“My room.” He moved up to lean beside me on the bed.

“I’m in your bed?” My voice almost shrieked.

“Relax. It was the best place to bring you. You didn’t want to faint in the coffee shop, did you?”

I banged my head back on the wall. “Fainted? God, I can’t believe I fainted. You must think I’m ridiculous.”

“After what you guys have been through, I think fainting is acceptable.” He picked up the plate. “And, you need to eat something.”

I grabbed a slice of toast. “You don’t mind me getting crumbs in your bed?”

“Don’t mind crumbs, just don’t get jam on the pillow.”

I laughed, and instantly felt guilty. He saw my face change and put his arm around my shoulders.

“It’s okay to be happy. Yes, we need to remember her. But, you also need to live. The world never stops turning.”

“But, it just doesn’t feel right. How can I smile after seeing her like that?” I bit hard into the toast, forcing myself to stay calm.

“Remember who she was? She was always happy. Always smiling, going to parties, having fun. Remember her that way, that’s who she was. You can’t be sad knowing how much she enjoyed life.”

“But she’s…”

“She would expect you to enjoy life too. Not dwell. Don’t you think?”

“I suppose. It’s just, I don’t know.”

He leaned into me. “For tonight, let’s just relax. We can have a night of nothing.”

I nodded, gripping my cup with a sigh. He picked up a remote control from his bedside table and clicked on the TV.

The night passed with old movies, coffee and toast. The conversation flitted from one topic to another, never resting on anything for long.

As the sun rose to the sound of the morning birds, I was sure of two things: I was going to get out of Ash’s bed with a determination to continue life, remembering Karissa for the girl she was. And, a new burning had taken hold and warmed my heart. Without consciously realising, Ash had claimed a piece of me which could never be broken. Although I knew he wasn’t mine, I knew he was, from this very moment, a burning flame within my heart.

*   *   *

I was unlocking the door when Warwick made me jump.

“Just getting in? Where did you stop last night?” He asked. He stood at the door beside me, waiting for me to finish fumbling with my keys.

I pushed the door. “At Ash’s flat. What about you?”

“The social bar. Didn’t want to come back too soon. Don’t really want to now, but...” He shrugged and threw himself down on the settee.

I shouted to Owen, to Bree, but got no reply. My hands shook as I approached the stairs. I didn’t want to see the bathroom, or her bedroom door, but I had to check on my friends. I gripped the banister and hurled myself up the steps in a clattering rush. I banged on Owen’s door and opened it, then did the same with Bree and Fern’s. All were empty. I stood alone in the hallway, inches from the bathroom door. My hand reached out toward the handle and pushed. One step took me inside.

It looked like nothing had happened. The floor was dry and clear of towels. The air was warm. The shower curtain was neatly tied to the side. It looked spotless.

Owen had done her proud.

I slumped my way downstairs and automatically put the kettle on. I ran my fingers through my hair as I waited for it to boil. I needed a bath, a change of clothes and a decent sleep, but I knew it would be a while before I could lie down in that tub.

I elbowed my way into the living room with two cups, handing one to Warwick as I sat beside him. We sipped our coffee and watched the hands of the clock tick by.

I jumped and sloshed coffee over myself as an urgent knock hammered on the door.

“I’ll get it,” I said, putting my mug down and climbing over the back of the settee.

I pulled the door open and sucked in a breath. It was Llamp. I stood without word gawking at her.

She smiled and waited. “Ah, could I come in, Rozlyn?”

I staggered back, almost tripping on my too long pyjama pants. “Sorry, yes, of course.”

I led her into the room and cringed at the sight of pizza boxes and papers. Nothing had moved since our marathon research session.

“Sorry about the mess, we’ve been up working for a while. Then, not really had the chance to tidy.”

“So I can see.” She leaned over a pile of papers on the table and smiled. “I’m here to see how you are handling the events of yesterday?” She stood with her hands held behind her back, smiling sweetly.

“As good as can be expected, I think. I don’t know where the others are right now.” I didn’t know what to do with my hands. In the end I reached over and picked up my cup.

“Good, good. Well I’m afraid in times of terrible accidents like these, all one can do is continue on with life.”

Warwick stood from the settee. “Accident? Do you have the post-mortem results, already?” His voice was flat, emotionless.

“The analysis arrived on my desk this morning. All evidence suggests Miss Shepherd slipped in the shower. Tragic.” Her unflinching grin contradicted her words.

“That is tragic,” he said, looking at me. I watched his expression, not understanding at all.

Llamp picked up a file from the table. “Working on the bombing case. Very good. And, how are things progressing?”

I looked over to Warwick, who shrugged with his hands thrust in his pockets.

“It’s going well, I think,” I said, “I had a meeting with Doctor Levins. He’s explained that they’re looking into the biological component of the bomb.”

“I see. And, your investigation into the unfortunate attack on the science department?” She asked, without looking up.

“Nothing much yet, I’m afraid. The police still haven’t filed a report.”

“Not to worry, I’m sure you will get to the bottom of it. It was lovely to see you, Roz.” She walked to the front door. As she opened it, she paused and turned to Warwick. “Have you officially relocated to this team, Mr. Bower?”

“Yes, Doctor Llamp. I handed my resignation to Spring myself.” Warwick spoke from the far room, not moving closer.

“Very good. I will adjust my records.” She closed the door behind her.

I stood and looked at the glass as the reflection as Llamp drifted away.

“What the hell was that about?” I said.

Warwick kicked the doorframe. “Fuck.”

“What?”

“She was checking up on us. All that crap about Karissa, checking the task progress? She’s noticed us.”

“What the heck are you on about?”

“Nothing just, let’s get back to it.” He turned and threw himself into the chair and picked up a wad of papers.

“What’re you talking about? Warwick, tell me what’s going on.” I held his eyes, unblinking.

He threw the papers back to the floor. “Didn’t you notice anything wrong when they collected her? Didn’t you see it?” He stared at me incredulously.

“See what? They put her on a stretcher. What else were they supposed to do?”

“What else are they supposed to do? How about check her pulse? How about try to revive her? Roz, they already knew she was dead!” His chest heaved.

I stared blankly at his trembling lips. My breath cut through my tightening throat, quick and sharp. I remembered, standing back while three reflective jackets hoisted our friend from the bath. I couldn’t picture their faces. I don’t think I even looked. Warwick was right, they didn’t check her. They were in and out of the house in less than two minutes.

“You must have told them when you called.”

“No. I told them she wasn’t responding. They didn’t even pause. They had the blacked out coroner van outside waiting. They knew before they arrived. They knew she was dead.”

“But how?”

“How do any of them know anything around here? How did they know the bomb wasn’t toxic without police help? How do they know what we do in our tests here? How did they know she was already dead? Because, they’re behind it all, watching.”

“You can’t possibly think there’s some sinister plot by the university which makes students trip in the shower?” I laughed. It felt alien.

“No? Just like I can’t think the university is hiding information about the bombs? That last bomb was different and they’ve not involved the police or revealed anything.”

“Different how?”

“Seriously, you haven’t seen the difference?” Warwick looked at me sarcastically. It was becoming an annoying habit of his.

“Why don’t you enlighten me?”

“No-body died,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

He was right, it
was
obvious. I had been so consumed with finding a connection between the bombings; I had missed a vital difference.

“How did I not notice that? Do you think the blast area was too small?” I said, as I rummaged through the papers to find the police report. “Where is it?”

“The report? What report?” Warwick was smirking at me like I was still missing something.

“But, it’s been days. How can the police not have filed a report yet?”

He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he looked at me. “You understand what kind of place this is? What happens to people who don’t pass, what happens to the ones that do?”

“To the ones that do? What do you mean?”

He lowered his eyes, like he was considering his words. “Roz, this place is off the map.”

“I know that. That’s why we had to be transported here by guards when we came.”

“I mean, this place is literally off the map in every area.”

I shook my head to show I still didn’t understand. He smirked and continued.

“This place is government run. We are training to be, for lack of a better word, spies. Do you honestly think they have ever called the police for anything here?”

“But, when the bomb went off, there was flashing lights,” I argued.

“Yes, from
their
police force. The real police would never have been called. When Bree was drugged, what did Llamp do?”

“She told us we had to solve it ourselves.”

“And, when we found Karissa, who came?”

“The university hospital staff. But, they have to tell the police.”

“Why? We’re training to work in the shadows of the police, why would they involve them? Here, they eat, drink and breathe secrecy. Here we need to find the truth for ourselves.” Warwick stared at the wall, like he was trying to find something to focus on.

I felt like screaming. “Warwick, why the hell didn’t you mention this before? If you knew they don’t use the police, why have we been waiting for the reports for bloody days?” I scrunched my hands into my hair in frustration.

“Because, this place lives in the shadows. Here, there are eyes everywhere, ears everywhere. If I show my hand, I die. If I stand out, if I show that I know too much, I die.” He was breathing in heaves, his chest pumping like he had just run a marathon.

“Warwick, I’m sorry.” Slowly, I understood his paranoia. “The team and I have been talking about this for a while. From pieces we’ve managed to put together, there’s a danger if you fail. But, Warwick, you’re not failing.” I knelt beside him. “Honestly, we’re doing fine. I know Karissa was a shock. Quite frankly, I don’t think I will ever get past it, but honestly, Warwick, we’re safe. We just need to keep working.”

He shook his head and laughed. “That’s what they want you to think. But what about…” He clamped his jaw shut. “Just ignore me.”

“What? No, talk to me. How do you know so much about this place?” I put my hand on his. He was trembling. “Warwick, talk to me.”

He looked at me desperately, his fist clenching the arm of his chair. His muscles trembled under the pressure.

“Warwick, you can trust me. You’re a member of my team and you’re my friend.” I gulped as I realised I meant it.

He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. “I have three brothers, two older. My oldest brother, Jared, went to university when I was just starting senior school.”