‘They’re not harmless. But as far as we know, Hannah isn’t in imminent danger. We need to be sure she stays that way.’

Nathan glared at Tom, his gaze unflinching. ‘They’ll have seen the security lights.’

‘Let’s hope not. No lights have come on in the rooms this side of the house. Maybe they live at the back. And I bet the lights trip every time a fox wanders by. If the Atwells are as old and doddery as you say, the worst they could have done is call the police or a security company. We’re covered if that happens. You’re with me. Come away from the door. Now, Nathan.’

‘I’ll give it thirty minutes. If your guys are not here by then, I’m kicking that bloody door in whether you like it or not.’

That wasn’t going to happen, but Tom knew that to threaten him with arrest again would just wind him up further. So he simply stared back until Nathan turned and started down the path.

Tom caught up with him. ‘Where the hell is Jack? He needs to be out of here.’

‘He’s waiting over there.’ Nathan pointed to a thick clump of bushes.

Tom nodded and jogged to where Nathan had indicated. But there was no sign of Jack. He turned and looked at Nathan.

‘If he’s not there, I don’t know where he is. He’s your brother, Tom, and you know what he’s like. He’ll be doing his own thing.’

That was exactly what Tom was worried about.

CHAPTER 64

64

I’m still struggling to take in what the inspector has told me. Ian has been arrested and charged with my murder, although he denies he ever touched me. The poster I saw in the shop was there because they hadn’t found my body and were obliged to try to find me in case Ian had been telling the truth.

I didn’t kill him. I didn’t even hurt him. I didn’t go back to the house after the fight. Thea and the doctor had lied to me. But why? And why did the police think Ian had killed me?

‘We had a tip-off from a neighbour. She said there was a massive argument, and she saw blood on your clothing. She was sure he’d hurt you. She thought she heard Ian shout that he wanted you dead, so she’d gone round the next day to see if you were okay. Ian told her you’d gone for good and gave her a mouthful of abuse.’

This doesn’t surprise me.

‘And you had called us only days previously because you had locked yourself in the bathroom, scared he was going to attack you.’

Oh God! I had forgotten about that. I could see how it had all added up in their minds.