Chapter 71
Susan
Thursday
Back inside the house, away from Juliette Sullivan’s prying eyes and false concern, I hug Bella close and make my way to the patio door.
It’s not locked. Despite what Jon and I agreed, it’s not locked.
It was definitely locked last night, and I haven’t been out the back this morning, so how is it unlocked?
A movement catches my attention. The robot lawnmower Jon bought himself at the start of the summer is making its way across the lawn, manicuring the grass in neat lanes.
Jon sometimes goes out to set it on its course when it stalls on a tree root or a rock.
Maybe he was out this morning before work?
I try ringing him, but he doesn’t answer.
I text him to ask. But even if the patio door was left unlocked by Jon, how would someone get into the garden?
On one side, the house goes all the way to the dividing wall with Greta’s.
And on the other, the side gate is kept locked.
I go there now to have a look, Bella still in my arms. The bolt is drawn across, as it should be.
But not padlocked. We only padlock it when we’re going on holidays.
And it strikes me now that someone with sufficiently small hands could probably slide the bolt open from the outside.
I try it now, slipping my hand through the slats of wood, and it’s doable.
Shit. I can’t stay here. Even if I lock it now, whoever is doing this will find another way.
It’s probably the same person who smashed the window that first night.
Meaning it’s all linked to the stupid message.
But what could be so bad in that message to warrant this kind of response?
Nobody died pops into my head before I can stop it.
People did die. I go inside to call Jon again, to tell him I’m going to stay somewhere else with Bella.
I stop before hitting the call button. Could any of this be down to Jon?
Did he leave the door unlocked on purpose?
Is he gaslighting me, making me feel like a bad mother?
Is this somehow linked to his affair with Savannah?
Or…or her murder? Another question hits—where was he last Wednesday morning when Savannah was killed?
God, I hope he was at work. I put down the phone. That’s something I need to find out.