Page 70 of The House Guest

‘That was when we were driving here. Have you listened to the message? Was it them?’

‘Let’s have a listen. How do you get it on loudspeaker?’ While he fiddled with the phone he said, ‘Jesus, my hand is shaking.’ I could see now that he was sweating heavily. Greasy droplets clung to his beard.

‘Have you ... have you ever done that before?’

‘Killed someone? Christ, no.’ He looked into my eyes. ‘I wasn’t lying. I’m desperate. And these people, son. They’re scum. They’re evil.’ His voice cracked. ‘I just want my little girl back. If they’ve hurt her, if they’ve ... I’ll kill every last one of them.’

Finally, Callum managed to get the message to play. The voice was clear in the dark, silent woods. It was a man.

‘I’m guessing you’re busy. Call me when you’re done.’ The message ended.

‘That’s it?’ I said. ‘At least we’ve got the phone.’

‘We can go through his messages. And maybe we can figure out where he’s been with it. Is that possible?’

‘I’m not sure. But you should disconnect it from 4G, so it can’t be wiped remotely.’

‘I’m terrible with these things. How do you do that?’

‘Give it here.’

He handed it to me. As I took it, the phone beeped. Krugman had received a text.

‘Oh my God,’ I said, reading the message.

Where are you? What’s happening? I need to see you. I miss you xxx

‘What is it? Who’s it from?’ Callum asked, trying to take the phone back. I held it out of his reach, and another text arrived from the same person.

Is he dead yet?

I stared at the screen in shock.

The messages were from Mona.

I held the phone up so Callum could see. ‘Holy shit,’ he said. ‘She’s one of them?’

The phone beeped again.

For fuck’s sake, if you won’t reply I’m calling Gabriel.

‘Gabriel?’ I said.

Callum took the phone from me and, after thinking for a moment, began tapping at the screen. Tapping out a reply.

Sorry, had my hands full. All is good. It’s done. But it got a bit messy. Tell Gabriel I need to lie low for a couple of days xxx

Mona’s response came almost instantaneously.

Poor baby. But at least Adam’s out of the picture now. Hope you’re not hurt but if you are I’ll kiss it better when I see you xxx

Callum hesitated for a second and wrote,Can’t wait xxx

He handed it back to me. ‘There, I’ve bought us a couple of days. But I think you should still switch the 4G off.’

I did it on autopilot, unable to focus on what I was doing.

Mona. It wouldn’t sink in.

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