Page 120 of Heart of The Night

Nathan quickly typed on his laptop. ‘Could you tell us a bit more about that?’

‘Yes, of course.’ I recounted the conversation between the two men, emphasising that it had seemed less like an offer for constructive dialogue and more like a veiled threat. ‘For example, I vividly remember Nigel saying that he hoped William would make the right decision, and that in their profession, the line between oversight and overreach can be thin, and the consequences of crossing it unexpectedly severe.’

Shelby and Nathan exchanged another glance, then took a moment to write down my account. Meanwhile, I sensed John’s gaze on my profile. I turned to him, feeling a pang of guilt for not sharing this with him sooner. His lips were parted with shock, his eyes brimming with concern.

‘Anything else?’ Shelby asked, drawing my attention.

I hesitated, meeting her gaze as I sifted through my memories. Was there more to tell? Anything I might have missed? I bit my lip, the responsibility heavy on my shoulders as I desperately wanted to provide something, anything that might assist William. My thoughts spun, yet nothing more surfaced.

‘No, not that I can recall right now,’ I murmured, feeling a sense of defeat.

Shelby nodded understandingly before turning to Nathan. Their eyes locked briefly in a silent exchange before Nathan focused back on his laptop. The room felt unusually tense as the sound of his keystrokes filled the silence.

After a brief pause, he raised his gaze to mine. ‘Miss Darby, does the name Oliver Seymour ring any bells for you, perhaps from direct contact or otherwise?’

My heart stuttered at the mention of the name, a sense of unease tightening around my chest. Oliver? Why did that name unsettle me so? Then, like a slow, creeping tide, realisation washed over me, freezing my blood. Oliver – the banker. William and I had chatted with him earlier, his presence barely registering in my mind until now.

As the pieces fell into place, a cold dread enveloped me, sending a shiver down my spine. I recalled the precise moment I last saw Oliver: he’d been walking toward the gents shortly after William had gone in the same direction. I’d been dancing with Alex at the time.

Was he the one who had harmed William? But… why? Their earlier exchange had seemed amiable enough. Yet, as I dwelled on it, I remembered the faint stiffness in William’s smile. Then, as we excused ourselves, Oliver’s stare had pressed heavily against me, his expression shifting ambiguously as our eyes met.

‘I…’ I paused, closing my eyes as I sought to quell the tempest within. ‘The name Oliver does ring a bell. William and I briefly chatted with a man named Oliver at the gala, though I never got his surname.’

Nathan rotated his laptop toward me, the screen alight with the photo of a man. Recognition coiled tight within me as I beheld him – his dark hair, his green eyes, that trimmed black beard and those rugged features.

‘Is this the man you spoke with?’

‘Yes.’ Tears sprang to my eyes, blurring my vision. I felt sick, my stomach churning. ‘Is he the one who attacked Will?’

‘Yes,’ Nathan said and turned his laptop back around.

I grimaced, my whole body starting to tremble. I had talked to him. Completely unsuspecting, I had talked to the man who had beaten William within an inch of his life. He had even smiled at me right before he attacked.

‘He smiled at me,’ I said, my words breaking into sobs. ‘That monster actually smiled at me right before he went after Will.’

Nathan and Shelby looked at each other.

‘Did he?’ Nathan’s tone was gentle, probing.

‘Yes,’ I said vehemently, tears streaming down my cheeks. The shock of his duplicity was almost too much to bear. I could scarcely believe it – that he would smile at me, all the while planning to harm William. ‘Right before he attacked Will,’ I repeated. ‘I was dancing with Alex.’

John took my hand, holding it firmly.

Nathan folded his arms, taking a moment to consider his next question. ‘Did you notice anything when you talked to him? Was there any tension between him and William? Anything you found… conspicuous or odd?’

I breathed deeply, wiping my cheeks with my free hand. ‘They seemed friendly.’ I snuffled. ‘I got the impression they hadn’t talked in a while – that they weren’t very close. Merely acquainted. Will’s smile was a bit stiff, but he was friendly and polite, as was Oliver. They briefly discussed work and things like that. Trivial things.’

Shelby’s expression softened, her eyebrows knitting together as her lips turned downward in a show of sympathy. ‘Would you like to take a break, Miss Darby?’

I shook my head, swallowing hard to steady my voice. ‘No, I’m fine, thank you.’

Nathan leaned back. ‘Did William mention anything about Oliver to you after your interaction?

‘Not really. He seemed unfazed,’ I said. ‘He quickly shifted his focus to introducing me to Alex’s mother, Beatrice.’

Shelby nodded thoughtfully. ‘Besides what you’ve shared about Nigel Ashcombe, has William ever mentioned receiving any threats, perhaps related to his professional life or otherwise?’

‘No. Not to me, at least.’

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