TOYL

when we spoke, I thought…’
    ‘I’ve changed my mind,’ Edward answered. ‘We can’t tell her about what you did. We can’t tell anyone.’
    ‘I want to tell her. I’ve decided I want to tell her.’
    ‘No.’
    ‘I told someone on the aeroplane,’ Will confessed. ‘I told them everything.’
    ‘What?’ Edward said, horrified. The car swerved slightly as he glanced across at Will. ‘What the hell did you do that for?’
    ‘I needed to tell someone. At first I was scared, wondering why I’d done it, thinking that she’d tell someone else and that I’d get into trouble. Then when I got off the plane a policeman came up to me. I thought that was it, but all he wanted to do was give me back my passport – I’d dropped it on the floor.’
    ‘Christ, have you lost all your reasoning, Will? You do understand that you could go to jail for what you did?’
    ‘Of course I do. But back there, standing in front of that policeman, I realised that I didn’t feel afraid – I was relieved. I realised that going to jail would probably be the only thing that will really set me free. And when he just gave me back my passport I was actually disappointed.’
    ‘You can’t do this, Will,’ Edward said. ‘You can’t.’
    ‘I can handle it, Dad.’
    ‘You’re living in a fantasy world,’ Edward rebuked. ‘Prison is a horrific experience. And when you do get out, do you think the guilt will have gone? You’ll still feel the same, except that you’ll have lost your sister forever. She’ll never forgive you for what you did.’
    ‘I’ve made my mind up. I’m prepared to take the chance. I have faith in Em.’
    ‘And what about me? Do you think I won’t be dragged into this too? I’m in this up to my neck, all because I wanted to help you, William. If you do tell Em, I’ll lose her too.’
    ‘It’s the only way. How else are we going to open her eyes to what that guy is really like? We need to get that man out of her life. And if me going to jail is what it takes for Em to be safe, then that’s what I’m going to do.’
    ‘Maybe there is another way.’
    Will doubted it. ‘Like what?’
    ‘Under your seat,’ Edward directed.
    Will reached down and felt around underneath his seat. He placed his hand on a cool metal object. ‘No,’ he said, instinctively recoiling his hand. ‘Whatever you’ve got planned, I’m not doing it.’

48

    ‘So what do you think?’ asked DS Davies, as they tramped down the stairs from Emma’s apartment.
    ‘I think I’ll reserve judgement,’ Gasnier replied, ‘until we speak to the couriers.’
    ‘You think we’ll find a name?’
    ‘I’m sure we’ll get a name, but I very much doubt it will be the name we’re really after.’
    ‘Do you think Dan Carlton might have sent the card himself? To put us off the scent and get him in the clear?’
    ‘What do you think?’ Gasnier said, batting the question back. ‘Do you think this is all part of a carefully laid down plan by Dan Carlton?’
    ‘Could be. But personally I doubt it.’
    ‘Why?’ Gasnier pressed.
    ‘I don’t know,’ Davies said. ‘Maybe because I just don’t want to believe that he could be so heartless and cruel to his fiancée. Leaving her just before the wedding was one thing, but making her think that he’s in danger, well, that would be unthinkable really. If he loves her at all, then I don’t think he’d do it.’
    ‘I never knew you were such a romantic,’ Gasnier said, staying deadpan. ‘It’s comforting to know not all of us in the force are so hard-hearted.’
    ‘I do my best,’ Davies said, trying to hide his embarrassment. ‘I just hope we have more luck with this than with finding the mysterious Eric.’
    ‘So do I,’ Gasnier said.
    The couriers’ office was located just south of the river, a few minutes from Waterloo Station. As Gasnier had expected, it was a small back-street operation – much like the hundred or so other firms in and around the city, plying their trade by making deliveries using motorcycle or pedal cycles. It was a dangerous business; accidents involving couriers were commonplace.
    ‘You’re the police?’ asked the young girl behind the counter.
    ‘Indeed we are,’ Gasnier said. ‘So, can we have the details of who sent the package?’
    ‘I’ll have to ask the manager,’ she replied.
    ‘You do that. And if there’s a problem, we’d be delighted to talk with him.’
    The girl hurried upstairs and was back within a minute.