Chapter 5 #2
We step outside and I look across the green, so peaceful and serene now it’s hard to believe such a brutal attack took place here. But it did. I know it did.
Leo squeezes my hand. ‘I know it must have been awful to see that woman out there. Especially after everything you’ve been through.’ He smooths my hair from my face and kisses my forehead. ‘It probably doesn’t feel like this, but we’re in this together, and I’m here for you. I hope you know that.’
I force the image of that poor woman away and summon a smile. ‘I do know that.’
‘I might not be able to help, but I can at least try to take your mind off it all. Even just for one evening. Come,’ Leo says. ‘I think we both need to unwind.’ He takes my hand and steers me in the direction of the car.
His eyes brim with hope, so I let him lead me to the passenger door. ‘Maybe getting out will do me some good.’
On the drive to the restaurant, I try to force everything from my mind and focus only on Leo. He deserves my full attention, and one night is the least I owe him. Soon enough, we’re in the flow of a conversation and it’s like old times, before everything changed, before we moved to Silverleaf.
Inside the restaurant, we’re led to a table in the corner by the window.
Leo tells me about his day, but no matter how much I try not to think of it, my mind keeps returning to the video I was sent.
I need answers. It was either Peter Harvey letting me know he hasn’t forgotten about me, or someone wanting me to stop asking questions, and there can only be one reason for that – there is something they desperately want to stay hidden.
I need to find out who the blonde woman was.
It definitely wasn’t Moira – this woman was alive and well before that man caught up with her.
‘I forgot to tell you Ethan came to see me,’ I tell Leo as we study our menus. ‘But you probably already know that.’ I smile to show him I’m not annoyed about him asking Ethan to check I’m okay.
‘Sorry,’ Leo says. ‘I was just worried. I know you can look after yourself, but even the strongest people need help now and again.’
‘Well, you can stop worrying. I said I’d go and see him early on Monday morning.’
Leo lets out a deep breath, as if he’s been waiting to exhale for hours.
‘I’m so glad to hear that. Seeing that video must have .
. . I can’t even imagine. It must have brought it all back to you, even though it’s not real.
I’ve spoken to Giles, and he’s assured me that no one can get into Silverleaf.
You’re safe there. It’s not like the flat—’
‘It’s not just the video. It’s the woman I saw, too. What if the two things are connected in some way? What if this isn’t about Peter Harvey?’
There’s a pained expression on Leo’s face when he studies me. ‘Ria, I really don’t know how to explain that. I’m so sorry – I wish I could.’
I know what Leo wants to add, words that he will never bring himself to say to me: You must have imagined the whole thing.
I lower my voice. ‘She was murdered. It was horrific. And I think that video was a warning to me.’
He reaches for my hand, and I try to take comfort in his gesture. ‘I won’t let anything happen to you,’ he says.
‘We don’t have to keep talking about it tonight,’ I say. ‘But when I was researching women who’ve gone missing from the area, I realised that not everyone will be on social media or local news. There must be a database I could get access to, and—’
‘Is that a good idea? Putting yourself under this kind of stress? Unless someone turns up missing, I don’t think there’s anything we can do. We combed the whole green in the daylight, and there was no sign of any attack. Wouldn’t there have to be something left behind?’
‘We’re not forensic investigators. There could be something there we didn’t see.’ I sigh. ‘I need to call the police. Even if they don’t take me seriously, I need to at least try. They could get a team out to investigate, look into anyone who’s gone missing.’
Leo considers this. ‘I think that would put your mind at rest. But—’
‘I’m calling them when we get home. I’m prepared for them to just assume there’s something wrong with my head. After—’
He opens his mouth to respond, but stops when the restaurant door opens. ‘That’s Xander,’ he says.
I turn to see Xander holding the door open for the woman he’s with.
He’s smiling down at her and kisses her cheek.
When he looks up, he spots us and gives an enthusiastic wave.
He says something to the woman, and she looks over and smiles before they make their way to our table.
She has curly black hair and glowing brown skin, and I assume she’s the woman Georgia mentioned Xander is dating.
‘How’s it going?’ Xander says, patting Leo’s back. ‘Hi, Ria, nice to see you.’ He leans in and gives me a hug. ‘Are you doing okay after last night? Sorry if I wasn’t much help, I was half asleep.’
‘It’s okay,’ I say. ‘And I’m fine, thanks.’
Xander turns to his partner. ‘This is Alicia. Not sure what I’ve done to deserve her, but here she is.
’ He chuckles. ‘Alicia, these are my wonderful neighbours, Leo and Ria.’ He looks around the restaurant.
‘Hey, I’ve got an idea – why don’t we all eat together?
That is, unless you two would rather be alone? If so, I totally understand.’
Leo glances at me. ‘Actually, we were—’
‘Great idea!’ I interject. ‘We’d love to have dinner with you, wouldn’t we, Leo?’
Xander smiles before Leo can answer. ‘Perfect. I’ll ask the waiter for a bigger table. And I promise I won’t start telling bad jokes when I’ve had a couple of glasses.’
Alicia laughs. ‘He makes it sound like his jokes are awful, but he’s actually got a good sense of humour when he’s not stressed.’ She ruffles his hair.
While they head off to talk to the waiter about sharing a table, Leo takes my arm. ‘I thought we were having some time together – just us?’
‘Do you mind? This is the perfect chance for me to get to know the neighbours,’ I say. ‘I want to make an effort with them – I don’t know them like you do.’
He nods, but doesn’t look convinced.
‘I’m not going to start talking about what happened. I just want to enjoy the evening. Don’t worry.’ I give him a quick kiss.
When we’re settled at our new table, Xander orders two bottles of wine. ‘On me, of course,’ he says. ‘To welcome you to the neighbourhood.’
‘Thank you,’ Leo says. ‘I’m driving, but I’ll have a small glass.’
‘More for the rest of us, then,’ Xander says.
‘Actually, I’ll stick to sparkling water,’ I say. ‘But thank you.’
Xander smiles. ‘No problem at all.’ He reaches for Alicia’s hand. ‘I’m sure we’ll have no problem getting through it. So, Ria, how are you settling in?’
I force the lie from my mouth. ‘Very well, thanks.’
‘Last night must have shaken you.’
Leo glances at me.
‘I’m just confused,’ I admit. ‘But . . .’
‘Ria’s seeing a specialist on Monday,’ Leo says, taking my hand under the table. ‘He’s a good friend of mine, so I know she’s in capable hands. I’ve known him since medical school. I’m sure he’ll give her the all-clear.’
‘That’s good news,’ Xander says. ‘And isn’t it great to have connections like that?
People always say it’s who you know in life that counts.
That’s certainly been true for me.’ He turns to me again, shaking his head.
‘It must have been terrifying to think you were witnessing a murder. Just the thought of it turns my blood cold. And right outside our doors.’ I glance at Alicia, who looks concerned rather than shocked or confused. He must have filled her in.
Alicia smooths down her red dress and leans forward. ‘It’s so odd,’ she says. ‘Doesn’t make any sense. I wonder who she was?’ She turns to Xander. ‘And you’re sure you didn’t see anything when you went out there?’
Xander glances at me apologetically. ‘Nope, nothing out of the ordinary.’
Alicia raises her thick, groomed eyebrows. ‘It would have been dark, though,’ she says. ‘You could have missed something.’ She turns back to me. ‘Sorry, I don’t mean to bring it all up. It’s just so intriguing, especially for a true-crime junkie like me.’
Xander pats her hand and smiles. ‘She’s definitely got me into them the last few weeks.’ He then turns to Leo, asking him how work is going.
‘I’m so sorry that happened,’ Alicia says to me, while the men are occupied with their conversation. ‘When you’ve only just moved there as well. Anyway, let’s change the subject – I’m sure you don’t want to talk about that all night.’
‘So, how did you and Xander meet?’ I ask, forcing my thoughts away from the blonde woman and the violent video I was sent.
‘We work together. But I’m not an investment banker like him.
Just a personal assistant. Not Xander’s – God, no.
That would never work.’ She chuckles. ‘He’d be a great boss – I’ve seen how well he treats all his staff – but I’d just be too distracted to do any work.
Nope, business and pleasure really don’t mix. ’
Xander stops talking to Leo and turns to Alicia. ‘Did I hear you say you’re just a personal assistant? There’s no “just” about it. What you do is crucial. The PAs hold the company together, and everyone knows it.’
Alicia rolls her eyes and turns to me. ‘He knows just what to say, doesn’t he?’ She laughs again, a deep, throaty sound, then says more quietly, ‘Seriously, though, he’s a good one. Oh, listen to me – I’m starting to sound like my mum. And I’m only thirty-six.’
The waiter approaches our table and takes our order.
‘Have you been together a while?’ I ask Alicia when he’s gone. I recall Georgia’s words about Xander’s string of women.
‘Oh, ages. Three months today. It’s our anniversary.
’ She laughs and pats my arm. ‘I’m just messing around.
Not long at all. I’m hoping it will be, though.
’ She lowers her voice as she says this, and glances at Xander, who has resumed his conversation with Leo and appears to be solely focused on that.