Munro Family: The Investigator Part 30

The men scuttled to do his bidding. He pulled out his phone and dialed Reynolds. After giving the acting Commander an update, he tugged on a pair of latex gloves and approached the first bag. Drawing in a deep breath, he steeled himself against what he expected to find.

CHAPTER 30.

Kate paced the tight confines of her motel room for the umpteenth time and tried to concentrate on anything other than what could be happening at No.16 Baxter Road. With a groan, she threw herself down on the bed.

The waiting was doing her head in. The uncertainty, the not knowing. She clenched her teeth and made an effort to calm down. Riley would call her with any news. He'd told her he would.

When he'd kissed her good-bye outside her motel room earlier that morning, he still hadn't known what time the TRG Unit would arrive. It was now after three and her insides had twisted into knots.

It could go one of two ways-either they'd knock down the wall and find nothing, which meant the agonizing search for her mother would continue or, they would find something to indicate their search was over. Neither scenario gave her comfort.

Moving restlessly, she tried to block out the images that formed and shifted and chased one another through her mind. She groaned and pressed her hands against the sides of her head, shaking it in an effort to dislodge them.

Riley would call if there was news. He'd promised. He knew how she'd be feeling-waiting, wondering, not knowing. He hadn't called, so obviously there was no news. Maybe that was a good sign...

The sound of a motor vehicle idling outside her door suddenly registered. Leaping off the bed, she ran to the window and peered out. Riley climbed out of the unmarked squad car.

Her throat went dry. She fumbled with the lock on the door and opened it just as he lifted his hand to knock.

She knew before he said a word. He shook his head, his eyes dark with pain and regret. She backed into the room-hardly aware that he'd followed her-and stumbled into the chair.

With her head in her hands, she absorbed the news he hadn't even voiced.

The search was over.

"I'm sorry, Kate. I'm so sorry."

Tears burned behind her eyes, but she held them back. "You found her."

He nodded, his face grave. "Yes."

The stark confirmation was almost too much, but she took a few breaths and reined in her control. "What happened?"

Riley shook his head. "We don't know yet. Forensics will be there for a few more hours and she'll then be taken to the morgue. We won't know exactly how she died until we get the autopsy report."

Forensics. Morgue. Autopsy. Words she'd never dreamed she'd hear in a conversation about her mother. And yet, she'd known that was a possibility. Had even felt, deep down inside, that her mother wouldn't be coming home. That she'd never see her again... Ever.

She thought of the years she'd wasted, hiding ten thousand miles away. The saber-sharp stab of guilt and regret nearly bent her double. Gasping, she let the tears fall.

Riley carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. Not even stopping to pull off his boots, he gathered her in his arms and held her close.

She cried quietly though many of her tears were already spent. He pressed kisses against her hair, offering wordless comfort.

After long moments, she lifted her head and looked at him. "Can I see her?"

He squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them again. Slowly, he shook his head. "No, sweetheart. You don't want to see her. Best that you remember her the way she was, vibrant, happy, alive."

Kate bit back another sob and buried her face in his neck. "I don't know if she was ever happy," she choked, her voice m.u.f.fled against his shirt.

"She was for a while-at least, according to Daisy," he murmured, his hand stroking her softly, rhythmically up and down her back. "Daisy said they had lots of fun together."

Kate sighed. "Yes, she did, didn't she? I only hope Mom didn't suffer. I hope it was quick."

Riley didn't answer. She could only imagine what he'd seen. He was right, she was better off not knowing. It wasn't going to change anything and it would forever destroy the good memories she did have of her mother. "What happens now?"

Riley sighed. "Darryl will be charged with her murder. We found a roll of duct tape in the kitchen drawer and trowel and a bucket in the shed out the back. For a man so much admired for his contribution as a police officer, he was a little sloppy."

"Or inordinately arrogant," Kate added. "Perhaps he didn't think anyone would dare enter his property or, if they did, that the items you found would raise suspicion. He wouldn't be the only man in town to have things like that around his house and he certainly wouldn't have counted on me returning. It was highly likely I was the only one who would know the walls were new. I can't imagine he invited too many of his friends upstairs."

Riley's arms tightened around her. "That's true. Maggie Fitzgerald may have noticed, but it would have taken someone else to even wonder about the brick wall. She had no cause to venture upstairs." He smiled grimly. "The good news is, the existence of the new all strengthens our case against Darryl. The odds that someone else did it are zero to none. It's going to be a little hard to explain to a jury how two brick walls were built in your house without your knowledge."

Kate shuddered. "Will I still have to testify?"

"I'm afraid so, unless he pleads guilty. And then, of course, there's Hannaford. Just remember, I'll be there beside you, every step of the way."

The promise in his eyes warmed her through and helped to dissolve a little of the chill that had plagued her since the discovery of the wall. She lifted her head and kissed him, communicating with her mouth the depth of her love and grat.i.tude.

She pulled away gently and laid her head back on his chest. His hold around her tightened.

"I wish I could spare you the next few days, sweetheart, but you're strong and you're brave and you can get through this even if I can't be with you all the time. I know you can."

Kate blinked back tears. "I can't believe she's gone," she whispered. "I mean, I know in some part of me I'd accepted that Darryl must have murdered her, but there was another part of me that continued to hope. Now that hope's gone and I'm left with nothing."

"I wish I could take the pain away," he whispered. "I wish that more than anything."

"Thank you," she choked. A fat, silent tear slid down her cheek, unheeded. With tender fingers, he wiped it away.

They were silent for a few moments, each lost in their thoughts. Kate thought of her mother and prayed she'd finally found peace-from her debilitating illness and from her unhappy marriage.

"You need to go and see Ronald Westport," Riley murmured against her hair.

She frowned. "The lawyer?"

"Yes. The one who drew up your mother's new will. She gave him an envelope with your name on it and left instructions it was to be given to you in the event of her death."

Kate felt the blood drain from her face. Her voice came out hoa.r.s.e when she spoke again. "Do you know what it's about?"

He shook his head. "Westport wouldn't say."

Kate closed her eyes and tried to come to terms with this latest shock. A second later, she gasped. "What if it's the videos?"

She felt the tension in his body, even before he cursed beneath his breath. His jaw clenched and then relaxed. It was obvious he was making an effort to remain calm.

"It still infuriates me every time I think about Darryl filming you. If it is a video, we'll deal with it. I promise you. He's not going to have another nanosecond of control or influence over your life."

He drew her in closer and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about that right now, sweetheart. We don't have a clue what's in there. It could be anything."

Kate said nothing, but she wasn't convinced and she didn't think Riley was, either. The videos made sense. What else would her mother have taken to a lawyer's office, where she would be a.s.sured it was safe, and leave instructions for it to be opened in the event of her death?

The dread that had been her constant companion for more than a month once again found a place deep inside her.

"Will you come with me?" she whispered.

Riley tilted her chin up until she met his gaze. "Of course, I will. I've already told you I'm going to be there for you, no matter what." His eyes filled with love and sincerity. "I mean it, Kate. You'll never be on your own again."

Relief flooded through her. She lay her head back down and listened to the rea.s.suring thud of Riley's heartbeat beneath her ear. With a determined effort, she pushed the weighty thoughts from her mind. The sleep that had eluded her for so long, beckoned. Slowly, gradually, she slipped away.

Kate looked around the waiting room of Cole & Westport; the nerves in her belly wound tight. The middle-aged receptionist who had announced their arrival via a discreet telephone call to Ronald Westport eyed her with a concerned smile.

"Are you sure I can't get you something? A cup of coffee? Tea?"

Kate shook her head and glanced at Riley who sat beside her. He gave her a rea.s.suring look and tightened his hold on her hand. She took comfort from the pressure and breathed deeply.

Surely, she'd already been through the worst of it? Her stepfather had murdered her mother and buried her behind a brick wall in their house. Surely the contents of her mother's envelope couldn't be more shocking than that? She shivered and prayed that was true.

A door opened between the waiting room and what she presumed to be the inner offices. Her heart catapulted into her throat. She stood and grabbed blindly for Riley.

"It's okay, sweetheart. It's okay." His arm was a wall of confidence around her, supporting her, holding her upright. A tall, thin man with a mountain of thick white hair stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Miss Collins, I presume? I'm Ronald Westport."

She shook the proffered hand, although later, she wouldn't recall doing so. She vaguely registered Riley exchanging a greeting with the lawyer, but the words sounded like they were being spoken underwater. She followed the men through the outer door and along a short corridor.

Westport showed them into an office overcrowded with books and files and loose papers. He offered what she thought was an apology. She tried to dull the noise in her head so that she could hear him.

A large yellow envelope sat on his desk, in the middle of the mess of papers. A blue manila file lay next to it. Kate stared at the envelope, unable to look away.

"That's it, isn't it?" she croaked, her palms now slick with sweat.

The lawyer nodded briskly and took a seat behind the desk. Picking up the blue file, he opened it and withdrew a bound doc.u.ment.

"Please accept my condolences on your mother's pa.s.sing. This is Rosemary's Last Will and Testament. She attended upon my office nearly two months ago and asked me to prepare it. Would you like me to read it?"

Kate shook her head. "My mother told me what was in it. I don't need to hear it again."

"Very well, then. As you are the executrix and sole beneficiary, I'll release the will to you. If you require a.s.sistance in its administration, I'll be more than willing to help."

Forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace, Kate took the doc.u.ment from him and laid it in her lap. "Thank you. I appreciate the work you did for my mother."

The elderly man shrugged, his eyes kind. "It was no trouble. I was happy to help out." He looked away and cleared his throat and then picked up the envelope.

Kate stilled. Fear erupted in gooseflesh along every pore of her skin. Riley flashed her a look full of concern and moved his chair closer.

"Your mother gave me this envelope the day she came in about her will. She asked me to lock it in our safe with instructions that it be handed to you in the event of her death."

Kate reached for the envelope with a hand that trembled. The paper was thin and weightless. Not a video, then. Relief surged through her. She felt lightheaded from the impact.

Riley's gaze captured hers, dark and impenetrable, but she knew he was thinking the same thing.

"If you'd like a few moments of privacy to open it, I can wait for you down the hall."

Kate nodded wordlessly, grateful for the man's thoughtfulness. When the door closed behind him, she unclenched her fingers from around the edges and drew in a shaky breath.

"You don't have to open it now if you don't want to." Riley's voice was gentle and she loved that he cared.

"No, I want to do it now. It's the final chapter. I want to have it over with. Besides, there may be things in here we can use as evidence against Darryl."

Riley didn't reply, but watched in silence as she tore open the envelope with unsteady fingers and pulled out a single sheet of notepaper. It was a letter in her mother's handwriting. At the very bottom was a small, silver key taped to the paper.

Taking courage from Riley's presence, she began to read.

My dearest Kate, If you are reading this, then I am dead. Although I mourn the loss of my life, it is not entirely unexpected. I wouldn't have made these preparations if I was certain my life wasn't endangered...now that I know.

My plan is to get far enough away from him that I feel safe and then I'm going to the police. It's what I would have done ten years ago, if I'd only known.

You can't imagine my horror and guilt that it was me who brought this monster into your life. I was your mother. It was my job to protect you and keep you safe from harm and I totally and utterly failed you. I'll never forgive myself. The agony of it is unbearable.

The only thing that gets me through it is knowing he no longer has the power to hurt you. My brave, beautiful daughter. You found the courage to escape his evilness and make a life on your own. Now knowing what I do, I am beyond comprehending how you suffered it for so long.

You can't begin to imagine how proud I am of you and the strong, successful, tenacious woman you have become. Whilst I've longed to see you in person, to touch you, to hold you, I understood and accepted it wasn't going to happen-even when I didn't know why. My only regret is that I didn't find out sooner. I grieve so deeply for the years we lost.

I love you with everything that I am. My heart is shredded with the pain I have caused you. I can't ask for your forgiveness and I won't, but it tears me up inside to think that you might spend the rest of your life hating me. Not that I deserve your compa.s.sion.

With this letter, I have enclosed a key to the safety deposit box I have rented at the bank on Main Street. In it, is another key and directions to a secure storage facility where you will find all the evidence you need to ensure the monster who wronged you will be locked up for as long as possible. A lifetime, I hope, but I fear the law won't support me in this.

No one knows about the storage facility. I have left it to you to decide what to do...whatever you find easiest. No one need ever know. It is your decision.

Well, my dearest daughter, time is running out. I still have preparations to make if I'm going to get away from here alive. I long to see your dear, dear face again and tell you how sorry I am that I didn't see what was before my very eyes, but I'm dreadfully afraid the chance will be s.n.a.t.c.hed away from me and I will take my guilt to the grave.

I only have one final wish, my beautiful daughter. I would hope you might find time to locate my dear friend, Daisy Bloomfield. You'll find her details in my address book in the top drawer of my desk.

Daisy brought light and laughter into my life at a time when I was in desperate need of it. She made it possible for me to keep going. She also made it possible for me to escape. We had a grand plan, a plan which should have worked. Alas, if you're reading this, it saddens me to realize it didn't.

I'd like you to pa.s.s on my love and eternal grat.i.tude to Daisy. If our plan failed, it was only on me. Please rea.s.sure her it had nothing to do with her and that I will forever cherish our wonderful friendship.

After a brief farewell salutation, the letter ended with her mother's usual flamboyant signature. Kate fingered the key. She thought of the storage facility and her heart thudded. It had to be the videos, or something equally incriminating.

Riley reached out and touched her hand. "Are you okay?"

She looked up and met his concerned gaze, her heart tripping over at the worry on his face.