Page 52 of The Last One to See Him

Faye raises her eyebrows. ‘Is that right? And why do you think she’d do something like that?’

Kate shrugs. ‘To get to me.’

‘Why would she want to get to you?’

‘I have no idea,’ Kate says. ‘Because she’s disturbed.’

Faye considers this. ‘Okay. So I’ve gone over several scenarios. Jamie left her, or cheated on her, and she killed him in a jealous rage. Or…there’s some other reason she had for needing Jamie dead.’

Kate stares at her, unsure how to respond. She’s had her own suspicions about Harper, but hearing someone else say it is still surprising.

‘Oh, I can tell you’re shocked,’ Faye says. ‘But it’s my job to go over all this stuff. It’s not for the faint-hearted, is it? The trouble is – she has an alibi. She was at home with her son. And there’s a Ring doorbell in the house opposite them that would have shown if she’d left for any reason. She couldn’t have gone out the back as she’d have had to climb over several garden fences to get out of her road.’ Faye crosses her legs. ‘Still, doesn’t mean she didn’t find a way to get out and slaughter Jamie. People do manage to evade cameras.’

Kate takes in Faye’s words – is it possible that Faye might actually be on her side after all? ‘She could have got someone else to do it,’ Kate says. ‘Then she wouldn’t have had to leave her house at all. You said she might have had another reason for wanting Jamie dead. Like what?’

‘That’s what I’m hoping to find out,’ Faye says. ‘Was he abusive? Threatening her in some way?’

‘I wouldn’t know about that. She’s barely said anything about their relationship. But then, why would she to me? We’ve only just met.’

Faye studies her. ‘And you never knew Jamie?’

‘No.’ Kate forces herself to maintain eye contact with Faye.

‘That’s a shame,’ Faye says, sliding her phone back in her pocket. ‘And also interesting.’

‘Why interesting?’

‘Because if you didn’t know him, how come I have a photo of the two of you together. And let’s just say you don’t look like strangers in it.’

TWENTY-THREE

2015

Jamie looks pitiful, standing across from her, too agitated to sit down. Two weeks after she’d seen him in the restaurant with the older woman, Jamie had turned up at her place, begging for her forgiveness. Harper had momentarily given in and let him stay the night. A big mistake. In the harsh morning light, she’d come to her senses and told him to leave. That was five months ago, and now, Jamie stares at the large mound of her belly, unable to avert his eyes.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he asks.

Harper’s never seen him so shocked, and she’s enjoying this novel experience. ‘Because I can’t trust you. Look what happened last time – I didn’t want you to know about this baby. I want to keep him or her safe.’

Jamie’s face is distraught as he stands staring at her, his hands in his pockets, his shoulders hunched. ‘I’m sorry, Harper. But you can’t blame me for what happened to Molly. It would have happened even if I’d been there. That’s what the doctors said. She just wasn’t meant to be.’

Harper itches to punch his face. ‘I felt her move. The evening you didn’t come home. She was fine. And then I couldn’t find you… and I was so worried and got so stressed. And then she died. It’s your fault. You lied to me about being with Sam. You’re not even friends any more.’

Jamie lowers his head and stares at the soft mink-coloured carpet they’d just had fitted before she lost their baby. ‘I’m so sorry, Harp. I would never do that to you again.’ He still doesn’t look at her. Things got a bit…out of control. My whole life has got out of control.’

Harper knows this. It’s clear for everyone to see. ‘Who was that woman you were with in the restaurant? The last time I saw you.’

‘I already told you when I stayed over that night. She was a friend. Who was that manyouwere with?’

‘Stop!’ she screams. ‘I told you that’s none of your business. And you’re lying. Who was she?’ Harper rubs her stomach, relishing the sense of life growing in her body, the limitless possibilities for her unborn child.

‘Okay! Just calm down. I don’t want you getting worked up.’ Jamie sits on the arm of the sofa, knowing full well she hates it when he does that. ‘I’ve made mistakes, Harper. But it’s not what you think,’ he begins. ‘With that woman. She’s just helping me out with something. I wasn’tseeingher.’

Harper shakes her head. ‘It’s exactly what I think. You told me I’d messed everything up when I confronted you outside her house. What were you talking about?’

‘We had a nice flat, didn’t we?’ Jamie says, ignoring her. ‘A decent life.’

‘I don’t care about that. I’m happy here in this place.’

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