Chapter 50
NOW
Late August
Saturday
We walked through the pier entrance in silence, past the busy diving centre, where wetsuits had been draped in the sun to dry.
‘Do you want a coffee?’ Ben asked as we approached the café.
I glanced at the tables outside, filled with tourists catching the last rays of the afternoon sun.
‘If you like,’ I said with a shrug.
Ben frowned. ‘I didn’t ask what I liked. I asked if you wanted one.’
I shrugged again. ‘But whatever you want is fine with me.’
Ben stopped walking. ‘You know this isn’t a trick question? There is no right or wrong answer.’
I stared at him. ‘Of course there is. There always is.’
‘You mean, with Ryan?’
I hesitated. ‘I used to annoy him too when I didn’t make a decision fast enough.’
Ben shook his head. ‘I’m not annoyed. I’m just asking what you’d like.’
I opened my mouth but closed it again. ‘It’s not that simple, is it?’ I said finally. ‘There are always other things to think about. Other people’s preferences and moods. Whether they’ve already had something similar recently.’
‘That sounds exhausting,’ Ben said quietly.
I frowned as I studied him. ‘Don’t you think about all that?’
He shook his head. ‘I’m pretty sure no one thinks about any of that. Except you.’
I blinked. ‘But what if I want something the other person doesn’t want or like?’
‘Then they say so, and you can discuss it.’
‘Ryan didn’t really discuss things. He just got kind of quiet.’
‘And you assumed it was because you’d chosen the wrong thing?’
I nodded. ‘To Ryan, a decision should be quick. Almost instinctive. But the wrong decision…’
‘I’m not Ryan,’ Ben said softly. ‘If I don’t like something, I’ll tell you.’
I glanced back at the busy café. The thought of manoeuvring through the crowd, waiting in line, none of it appealed.
‘I don’t want a drink,’ I said quietly. ‘I’d rather just keep walking.’
Ben grinned. ‘Then that is what we’ll do.’
We fell into step side by side until, finally, the noise faded behind us.
‘So, what now?’ Ben asked.
I stopped and leaned against the painted blue railing.
The police had already formed their opinion. Their case. And all of it was against me. I couldn’t count on them to realise their mistakes. Charlotte had made sure of that.
I turned to Ben beside me. ‘I keep thinking about what David Harcourt said.’
‘Look at the Blackwaters,’ Ben said, repeating David’s words.
I nodded. ‘Exactly. But how do we do that? I’ve already been through the office in the stables. There was nothing there.’
‘The house?’ Ben said tentatively.
I frowned. ‘That’s a bit different to just sneaking in through an open window in the tack room at night.’
‘Besides, someone would always be there,’ Ben added. ‘There are too many yard staff around in the daytime, and the Blackwaters would be in the house at night.’
I turned back to the sea, squinting at the white limestone of Old Harry Rocks in the distance.
‘Unless everyone is out,’ I said, suddenly standing up straight and pulling my phone from my pocket.
‘That never happens,’ Ben said automatically.
‘Except when they hold a memorial for one of their own.’
He frowned. ‘What memorial?’
I opened Canva. ‘The one we are about to organise.’
‘What?’ Ben blinked. ‘How?’
‘I still have access to the Blackwater Stables social media accounts,’ I said, moving to the bench behind us. ‘All I have to do is create a graphic announcing the details and post it.’
‘But…’ Ben followed and sat beside me, still looking stunned. ‘When?’
I drummed my fingers against the phone screen. ‘Tomorrow’s Sunday. More people would be free. And who knows how much time I have before the police turn up again?’
‘Okay,’ he said, slowly warming to the idea. ‘But we still need a location.’
My gaze drifted across the bay towards Ballard Down. ‘Where she died. At 2 p.m.’
He grimaced. ‘Isn’t that a bit weird?’
I tipped my head to the side. ‘Probably. But where else can we have it? The stables would be the logical place—’
‘But we’re trying to get everyone away from there.’
‘Exactly.’ I nodded firmly as the idea solidified in my mind.
‘Besides,’ Ben said, tipping his head to the side.
‘From what I hear, Charlotte’s family are pushing for the stables to be investigated.
At first, they blamed Atlas. They thought he was dangerous and wanted him destroyed.
But, with the rumours circulating about the toxicology results, now they are demanding answers on how the stables allowed him to be overdosed. ’
‘Good,’ I said, the word sounding bitter as it left my lips. ‘Maybe that pressure will make the police look in the right direction for a change. Instead of only focusing on me.’
Ben nodded and we sat in silence for a moment.
‘Do you really think the Blackwaters will go to the service under the circumstances?’
I paused. ‘We’re posting it on their account. It’ll look like they organised it. They’ll have to be there. Besides, as Denise always said, Charlotte was like a daughter to them.’
‘They’re going to be suspicious though,’ Ben pointed out. ‘They’ll know they didn’t organise it. They could just cancel.’
My hands stilled. ‘Okay,’ I said slowly.
‘Then we need to make sure enough people see the announcement first. Especially Charlotte’s family.
’ I hesitated as my words resonated within me.
It felt wrong to manipulate grieving parents.
But what choice did I have? ‘The Blackwaters won’t be able to back out then without looking really bad,’ I said, trying to convince myself that what I was doing was right.
‘That’s actually brilliant,’ Ben said, shaking his head in awe. ‘Everyone will be there.’
I nodded. ‘The house will be empty.’
‘It’s the perfect opportunity.’
Perfect. It felt the wrong word for what I was contemplating.
‘I can’t believe I’m actually considering doing this.’
‘Do you want to leave it to the police to—’
‘No,’ I said quickly. ‘I think we both know how that’s going to end.’
‘Okay,’ Ben said firmly. ‘It should give me an hour and a half at least.’
‘You?’ I said, staring at him.
Ben nodded. ‘If you get caught, it might seriously harm your case.’
I straightened my spine. ‘This is my mess. I’m not backing away from it now.’
‘Okay,’ Ben said reluctantly. ‘But this time you won’t be doing it alone.’