Chapter Twenty-One
Aster arrived at the Smelly Badger, one of the places featured in her video. Originally named Skunk’s in an attempt to be hip and edgy, a patron had had a look at the sign of a skunk smoking a spliff and had immediately dubbed the pub the Smelly Badger. Despite a massive branding drive for Skunk’s, the name stuck and the new landlord had even replaced the sign with a picture of a mucky badger.
Like all the venues featured in her video, Badgers had originally claimed no footage existed of the crime taking place. After that denial, Aster considered them fair game.
Now she scanned the crowd, her eyes seeking out Jimmy’s familiar face. She was also making sure that Marcus Barrie wasn’t in the building, she wasn’t sure how she would respond if he was. Recently her emotions had been all over the place and she no longer trusted her ability to stay calm. Tonight she wanted to focus on increasing the reel’s views not on her reactions.
The video she’d posted was gaining traction, but she really wanted it to take off, to reach as many people as possible. She hoped he would have some ideas on how to make that happen.
Relieved that she couldn’t see Barrie, she quickly spotted Jimmy at a table near the back, his eyes lighting up as he caught sight of her. He stood, moving to greet her, his arms outstretched as if to pull her into a hug, his face angling for a kiss on the cheek. Aster quickly stepped back, offering a small wave instead. She liked Jimmy, but she didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. This wasn’t a date, and she wasn’t a fan of physical contact. People were too touchy-feely for her liking.
She’d dressed accordingly, in jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of a heavy metal band. Casual, comfortable, and decidedly unromantic. Jimmy, to his credit, took the hint gracefully, gesturing for her to take a seat as he settled back into his own chair.
‘So, this video you mentioned on the phone,’ he began, leaning forward conspiratorially. ‘What’s it all about?’
Aster glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot before replying. ‘See for yourself.’
Jimmy’s eyes gleamed with interest. ‘Let’s have a look, then.’
Aster pulled out her phone, queuing up the video. As Jimmy watched, his expression morphed from curiosity to disgust to outrage. The montage showed footage from various clubs and bars, each clip depicting the same scenario – a single man spiking a woman’s drink when her back was turned.
When it ended, Jimmy looked up at her, his face grim. ‘This is bloody awful. That bastard has been doing this all over the city. And look, there’s footage from right here at Badgers.’
Aster nodded. ‘Every venue featured in this video has denied having any footage when asked. And yet, here it is, plain as day.’
Jimmy shook his head in disbelief. ‘Unbelievable. And it’s the same guy in every clip. Has anyone identified him yet?’
Aster kept her expression carefully neutral. She knew the man was Marcus Barrie, but his name hadn’t come up in the comments yet. ‘Not that I’ve seen. But someone out there must know who he is.’
Jimmy’s jaw tightened. ‘Well, whoever he is, he needs to be stopped. And whoever put this video together must have some serious skills, to get their hands on all this when the clubs were claiming it didn’t exist.’
Aster shrugged. ‘I suppose they must. The important thing is, it’s out there now. And we need to make sure it’s seen by as many people as possible.’
‘If only we knew who to thank?’ said Jimmy, pulling out his own phone. ‘I think she’s clearly quite the operator.’
‘Or him. Although I do appreciate your gender bias.’
He looked at her and winked.
‘Indeed. Now, watch and learn.’
He opened his TikTok account and checked in, making a quick video of himself at Badgers, panning around to show the bustling crowd. Aster watched, impressed, as he posted it, the likes and comments rolling in almost immediately. He clearly had quite a following.
As they waited for the views to climb, Aster probed a bit deeper into Jimmy’s social media savvy.
‘So, how did you get into all this?’ she asked, gesturing to his phone. ‘The influencer game, I mean.’
Jimmy leant back, a reminiscent smile playing about his lips. ‘It started as a lark, really. I’ve always been a bit of a clown, love making people laugh. One day, I just started posting my antics online, and people seemed to enjoy it. It snowballed from there.’
Aster nodded, intrigued. ‘And now you use your platform for more serious stuff too, like this video.’
‘Exactly. I figured, if I’ve got this audience, might as well use it for good, you know? Shine a light on things that matter, things that need to change.’
Aster felt a surge of respect for the man sitting across from her. Beneath the cheeky exterior, there was a core of genuine decency, a desire to make a difference.
Their conversation was interrupted by a ping from Jimmy’s phone. Half an hour had passed, and it was time for the next phase of the plan.
He posted again, this time with a more serious expression. ‘I’ve just seen a really disturbing video,’ he told his viewers. ‘It’s a montage of footage from clubs all over London, including right here in the good old Smelly Badger. The same man, spiking women’s drinks, over and over. Funny how all these places claimed they had no security videos when asked, and yet, here we are. I think everyone needs to see this.’ He shared Aster’s reel, his face solemn as he urged his followers to spread the word.
Shortly after, two girls approached their table, barely sparing a glance for Aster as they focused on Jimmy.
‘Jimmy, darling!’ the taller of the two exclaimed, air-kissing his cheeks. ‘Fancy seeing you here!’
‘Chantelle, Lila, my favourite dynamic duo,’ Jimmy greeted them warmly. ‘Out on the town, I see. Featuring Badgers in your latest vlog?’
Chantelle giggled, flipping her long, platinum hair over her shoulder. ‘You know it, babe. Our followers just love a good club recommendation. Speaking of which, what’s this video you just posted? It looks serious.’
Jimmy’s expression sobered. ‘It is serious, love. Have a look.’ He handed his phone over, the video cued up.
The girls watched, their perfectly made-up faces morphing from curiosity to horror. Lila gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
‘Oh my God, Jimmy. That’s well bad.’
Jimmy nodded grimly. ‘Afraid so, love. And every single one of these clubs denied having any footage when asked.’
Chantelle shook her head, disgust evident in her expression. ‘We can’t let this slide, Jimmy. We have to spread the word, warn people. And we need to find out who this creep is.’
‘My thoughts exactly,’ Jimmy agreed. ‘I was hoping you girls might share the video, get it out to your followers.’
‘Too bloody right,’ Lila said firmly.
She paused, a thoughtful look crossing her features. ‘You know, whoever put this video together must be really clever. To get footage that the clubs claimed didn’t exist. That’s impressive. You sure it’s not fake?’
Jimmy glanced at Aster, a knowing look in his eyes. ‘It’s not fake. Let me just say I trust the source. Someone very dedicated to the truth, and totally legit.’
The girls huddled together over their phones, their fingers flying as they presumably shared the video with their own extensive networks. Jimmy sat back, a satisfied look on his face.
‘That should do it,’ he said, turning to Aster. ‘Those two have a massive following. Combined with my lot, that video will be all over the internet by morning. And hopefully, someone will put a name to that face.’
Aster felt a rush of gratitude and relief. ‘Thank you, Jimmy. Really. This means a lot.’
He waved away her thanks. ‘Happy to help, love. Men like that, they deserve to be exposed. And those women deserve to know they’re not alone, that people are outraged on their behalf.’
Aster clinked her glass against his, a silent toast to justice and solidarity.
Aster was about to respond when a large, imposing figure loomed over their table. She looked up, her heart jumping into her throat as she recognised Edward. Two days ago, his very presence had provoked a panic attack. She was relieved to find that today she could look up at him without overreacting. If only her heart rate would slow down.
He was even more striking than she remembered. Tall and broad-shouldered, with chiselled features and intense blue eyes that seemed to see straight through her.
Without a word, Edward reached out and snatched Aster’s drink from the table, his eyes never leaving Jimmy’s face. ‘Who are you?’ he demanded, his voice a low, menacing growl. ‘And what are you doing with her?’
Jimmy blinked, taken aback by the sudden hostility. ‘Mate, what’s your problem? We’re just having a drink.’
Edward’s jaw clenched. ‘I asked you a question. Who are you?’
Aster found her voice, outrage overriding her initial shock. ‘Edward, what the hell are you doing? Put my drink down, now.’
He ignored her, still glaring at Jimmy. ‘Answer me.’
Jimmy held up his hands in a placating gesture. ‘Look, mate, I don’t want any trouble. I’m Jimmy, I’m a friend of Aster’s. We were just chatting, that’s all.’
Aster stood, placing herself between the two men. She knew Edward, knew what he had done for her that night at the club, but his intensity, his protectiveness, still caught her off guard.
‘Edward, stop it. Jimmy is a friend, and we’re just having a conversation. You have no right to come over here and start making demands.’
Edward finally looked at her, his expression a mix of concern and something else, something intense and unreadable. ‘Aster, we need to talk. Privately.’
Aster’s heart raced. She had so many questions for him, so many blank spaces in her memory that only he could fill. She needed to know what had happened that night, needed to retrace her steps and reclaim the hours she had lost.
But she couldn’t do that with Jimmy here. She needed him to leave, needed to talk to Edward alone.
She turned to Jimmy, an apologetic smile on her face. ‘Jimmy, I’m so sorry about this. Would you mind letting us talk privately? I promise I’ll explain everything later.’
Jimmy looked between them, confusion and concern warring on his face. ‘Aster, are you sure? I don’t feel right leaving you alone with him.’
Aster placed a reassuring hand on his arm. ‘I appreciate your concern, Jimmy. But I know Edward. He’s… he’s not a threat to me. Please, I need to speak with him. Alone.’
Jimmy hesitated, clearly torn. But the pleading look in Aster’s eyes seemed to sway him. With a sigh, he nodded. ‘Alright, love. If you’re sure. But you call me if you need anything, yeah? I mean it. Anything at all.’
Aster smiled, genuine warmth and gratitude flooding through her. ‘I will. Thank you, Jimmy. For everything.’
With a final, concerned glance at Edward, Jimmy gathered his things and stood. ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Aster. Stay safe.’
As Jimmy headed off through the crowd, he turned and looked at her, pointing to a group of people all looking at their phones. He raised a thumbs up to her as he turned and left. The plan was already working, and she was delighted, but now she had to deal with Edward. Aster turned to him, her heart pounding, her mind whirling with questions. But before she could speak, Edward held up a hand, his expression grave.
‘Aster, before we go any further, there’s something you need to know. Something that’s come to my attention.’
Aster frowned, a sense of unease creeping up her spine. ‘What is it?’
Edward glanced around the crowded club, then leant in closer, his voice low and urgent. ‘A video. It’s been circulating online. It shows… it shows women being drugged. Here, in this pub, as well as others.’
Aster’s blood ran cold. The video. The one she had helped create, had helped to spread. But how did Edward know about it? She schooled her features into a mask of surprise. ‘What? That’s… that’s horrible.’
Edward nodded, his jaw tight. ‘There’s more. Aster, you… you might be in the video. Your face is obscured, but I recognised you. From that night.’
Aster’s heart hammered in her chest. She had taken great pains to obscure herself and yet he recognised her. How had he done that?
‘I don’t understand,’ she said, her voice carefully controlled. ‘How can you tell it’s me?’
His expression was kind as he smiled at her gently.
‘The video, all the incidents are dated and time stamped. I was there. It would be too much of a coincidence. Besides, there are two girls in that clip and the one who takes the drink is considerably shorter.’
Aster nodded, his deduction was perfect and he did have additional information, but she was keen that no one else worked it out. But why was he here?
‘What does this have to do with you?’
Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. ‘I own some of those places in the video. Including this one.’
Aster’s world tilted on its axis. Edward, the man who had saved her, who had shown her such kindness and care… he was responsible for this? For the lies, the cover-ups?
Acidic fury surged through her veins, her mouth flooded with bile. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. ‘You own this place? This place that lied about having security footage? That covered up for a predator?’
Edward’s eyes widened, his hands coming up in a placating gesture. ‘Aster, wait, let me explain-’
‘Explain what?’ she snapped, her voice rising. ‘How you could be party to something so vile? How could you sit back and let it happen?’
‘It’s not like that,’ Edward insisted, his own frustration clear. ‘I don’t own the business, Aster. I own the property. The building. I had no idea what was going on here, I swear.’
Aster stared at him, confusion warring with anger. ‘What do you mean, you don’t own it?’
Edward sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘I’m a property investor, Aster. I buy buildings, I rent them out to businesses. Badgers, like Whistles is one of my tenants. But I have no say in how they run their operation.’
Aster’s mind raced, trying to process his words. She already knew this, Nick had said as much. But the hurt, the sense of betrayal, still stung. ‘You should have known,’ she said, her voice quieter but no less fierce. ‘You should have been paying attention.’
Edward’s shoulders slumped, guilt and regret etched into every line of his face. ‘You’re right. I should have. And I’m sorry, Aster. More sorry than I can say.’
Aster looked away, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. She didn’t know what to think, what to feel. The man who had been her saviour, her protector… he was tangled up in this mess, even if unknowingly.
‘I need to go,’ she said, grabbing her bag. ‘I can’t… I can’t do this right now.’
Edward reached for her, then seemed to think better of it, his hand falling back to his side. ‘Aster, please. Don’t go. Not like this.’
But Aster was already moving, weaving through the crowd towards the exit. She couldn’t be here, couldn’t be near him. Not now. Not with her emotions in such turmoil, her thoughts such a jumbled mess.
She burst out into the cool night air, gulping in deep breaths. Her phone buzzed in her pocket – it was from an unknown number. Opening it up, she stared at the following message.
- Portman House, Portman Lane. 12:00. Edward. Feel free to bring a friend.
Aster took a deep breath, giving the driver her address. She had come looking for answers, but had only found more questions. More complications.
But one thing was crystal clear. The mystery of that night, of her lost hours… it was inextricably tied to Edward. And whether she liked it or not, she knew she would have to face him again.
But not tonight. Tonight, she would go home, would try to clear her head and steady her heart. She had a trip to India to prepare for, a case of textile fraud to unravel.