Page 85 of The Last One to See Him

Mona’s eyes widen but it takes her a few seconds to close the window. And another long minute before the front door opens and she stands there, her arms folded defensively. ‘What are you waiting for, then? Are you coming in or not?’

The house smells musty, uncared for. Mona’s mum is too busy to clean, and Kate doubts Mona would ever think of running the vacuum cleaner around the place.

‘What do you want, Kate? Why are you here?’ Mona doesn’t invite her further in, but lingers in the hallway in her short pyjamas.

‘I’ve changed my mind,’ Kate says. ‘We need to tell the truth about what happened.’

Mona’s face drains of colour. ‘No…what are you talking about? We canneverdo that, Kate.’ She grabs Kate’s arm and leads her to the living room, where the sofas are covered in so much stuff that there’s no space to sit.

‘We agreed,’ Mona continued. ‘You said you’d do it for me.’

‘I…I wasn’t thinking straight. And now I am.’

‘It’s been three years, Kate. You can’t just turn around now and say you’ve changed your mind. We’ll be…we’ll both be arrested. For perverting the course of justice or something. Are you crazy?’

Kate perches on the arm of the sofa. ‘I’m so far from crazy, Mona. I’ve never seen things more clearly. I want out of this lie. I came here to let you know that I’m going to the police. And I hope you’ll see that it’s the right thing to do and come with me.’

Mona stares at her, then shakes her head. ‘I will never do that, Kate. I’ve got my life to think about. And I’m seeing someone now. I really like him.’

With those words, Kate sees just how disturbed Mona is. She killed a man, yet there she is getting on with her life, in a relationship with someone. While Kate hasn’t been able to even look at a guy since it happened. Kate’s body blazes with anger.

‘I don’t care!’ she screams. ‘I’m going to the police!’ And she will – even though it will be hard dealing with them after last time. This time will be different – this time it’s to clear her name.

Kate turns to leave but Mona grabs her wrists.

‘You’re not thinking straight. And I won’t let you do this, Kate.’

Kate wrestles out of Mona’s grasp and makes for the front door.

‘I’ve got evidence that will prove you did it!’ Mona shouts.

Slowly, Kate turns. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘I’ll show you.’ Mona runs upstairs, coming back with something in her hand. ‘Look at this.’ She hands Kate a photo.

Kate stares at it. It’s Kate – in Graham White’s flat, trashing the place. But still she asks Mona what it is.

‘Exactly what it looks like. Evidence of you stalking Graham White.’ Mona snatches the photo back. ‘And if you even think about going to the police, I’ll show this to them. And I’m sure I can find some other evidence if I put my mind to it.’

‘I hate you,’ Kate says, because right now that’s all she can think of to say.

‘If you ever go to the police, or tell a single person the truth, I will wreck your life, Kate. I don’t care if it’s two years or twenty years from now. If you ever have kids, I’ll take them away from you. I’ve already killed, haven’t I? Don’t think I won’t do it again if I have to.’

‘You… you… wouldn’t,’ Kate stammers.

‘Not worth the risk finding out, is it?’

Kate doesn’t stay to hear any more; she runs from Mona’s house. She never wants to set eyes on her again.

NOW

‘I did what I had to do,’ Mona says. ‘Surely you understand that by now? If the truth came out then my life would have been over.’

‘You’rethe one who’s been doing stuff to me,’ Kate says. ‘Sending dead flowers. Getting inside my flat. Leaving notes on my car.’

Mona scrunches her face. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘Why would you do that when I’ve never said a word to anyone. I was too terrified because you’re so unstable. And I have a son.’

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