Page 144 of Joker in the Pack

“How could you?”

“It was easier than last time. I just hit him over the head with a vase. But I’m not sure what to do with the body. Digging is such a menial task.”

He’d gone out of his upper-class mind. “What did Warren ever do to you?”

“Nothing, but he came looking for you, and that could have made things tricky.”

Maddie and Mickey knew who I was with too, but with Tate unravelling fast, I avoided mentioning that in case he went on a rampage.

“You didn’t have to kill him.”

“Sometimes it’s just easier.” Tate nudged Warren with one stinky shoe before heading back to the drinks cabinet. “Why does some common oaf always have to ruin things? First Ronnie, now this waste of space. I had so many plans for us this afternoon, and now I have to dispose of an extra corpse.”

My heart bled. But devastated though I felt over Warren, I had to use the situation to my advantage.

“You should probably do that right away, before he stiffens up.”

“Do you think?”

“He’ll be more difficult to handle if you wait.”

I needed more time. Just enough for Maddie to realise something was wrong and call the police. I only hoped she’d insist on speaking to someone other than Graham.

Hold on, did Warren just twitch? Or was it my imagination clawing onto any hope, no matter how faint?

Tate topped up his glass and turned back. Quick—I needed to distract him. If Warren was still alive, who knew what Tate would do if he realised?

“On second thought, we shouldn’t let Warren ruin our afternoon. Why don’t we have a drink together and deal with him afterwards?”

“I suppose that would be acceptable. Red or white? Or would you prefer something stronger?”

I choked back a laugh.Nowhis manners came back? “Red would be wonderful.”

If I broke the glass, that would give me a weapon. Then I could aim a jagged shard for his eye, and…

A strange noise took my attention. Distant at first, but it quickly came closer.Whomp-whomp-whomp.

Tate heard it too and ran to the window on unsteady legs.

“Those bastards!” he screamed. “You told them, didn’t you? You told them!”

What was out there?

“Told who? You’re not making any sense. How could I have told anybody what you did when I didn’t know myself?”

Tate ignored me and dashed to a walk-in cupboard in the farthest corner of the room. When he emerged, I nearly wet myself in fear. He’d gone from a vase to a gun, and from the way he loaded a cartridge, he knew how to use it. Tate swung the barrel in my direction, and I looked into a black hole that led straight to hell.

A crash came from the far side of the house, and a door slammed. Whoever was running through the corridors didn’t worry about staying quiet. The footsteps came closer and closer, and I knew what would happen if they came through the door of the lounge.

“He’s got a gun,” I shouted as the person paused outside.

“You little bitch!” Tate screamed, and I stared in horror as he tightened his finger on the trigger.

Behind him, the door burst open, and relief became fear as Tate turned his sights on the man I loved. Nye leapt for him, arms outstretched, and my eyes screwed shut of their own accord. My boyfriend versus a shotgun. I couldn’t bear to watch.

Time slowed, until the moment of silence was broken by an almightybang.

CHAPTER 43

---