TOYL

Dan.
    That’s when he began to search each room of the flat, just in case. But Dan wasn’t there.
    He moved into the kitchen, breathless and panicky. Stuart was still out on the floor.
    ‘What the hell have you done?’ Will shouted. ‘What have you done?’
    He looked towards the phone. The ambulance should be arriving soon. Then he remembered about the police. They might not have gone yet. And the sooner they were told about this, the better chance Dan might have.
    ‘I should have left you to die,’ Will said, before rushing out of the room. But even as he said those words, heading for the door, he knew he didn’t mean them. Whatever Stuart Harris had done, Will didn’t want any more blood on his hands. He was glad he had called the ambulance. At least then Stuart would face justice.
    He would also be able to tell the police where Dan was – and if he was still alive.
    How would he ever forgive himself if Dan were already dead? How would he face Emma?
    Will caught sight of the car, parked a hundred or so metres away from the flats. There were two suited men standing next to the vehicle, deep in discussion.
    ‘Hey,’ he shouted, trying to attract their attention.
    Gasnier and Davies turned around.
    ‘Are you the police?’ Will asked, screeching to a stop in front of them and shielding his eyes from the sun.
    ‘Who are you?’ Gasnier asked, refusing to answer the original question.
    ‘Will…Will Holden.’
    ‘Emma Holden’s brother?’ Gasnier was unable to hide his surprise.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I’m DI Gasnier. This is my colleague, DS Davies.’
    ‘Look,’ Will said, ‘you’ve got to come up to the flat. I’ve found something – about Dan.’
    ‘Tell us here,’ Gasnier demanded in a soft voice. ‘We’re not going anywhere until you explain everything.’
    ‘There’s an image on Stuart Harris’s computer.’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘It’s a photograph of Dan – tied up. He’s in trouble. Stuart must have taken him.’
    ‘Do you know where Stuart Harris is?’
    ‘He’s in the flat. It looks like he tried to commit suicide.’
    ‘But he’s alive?’
    ‘I think so,’ Will said.
    Just then they heard the sirens and an ambulance swerved in from the main road.
    ‘You called them?’ Gasnier said, looking back over his shoulder.
    Will nodded.
    ‘Let’s take a look at this then,’ Gasnier said to Davies. ‘And you, Mr Holden, can come with us – I’ve got some questions for you.’

    ***

    ‘How long ago did you find him?’ the paramedic asked Will, as he knelt beside Stuart, carrying out various checks.
    ‘About twenty minutes ago,’ Will said, aware that Gasnier was looming over his shoulder, listening to every word.
    ‘But you don’t know how long he’s been out?’ the paramedic continued. ‘How long ago it was that he took the tablets?’
    ‘No,’ Will said. ‘I found him like this.’
    ‘If you do know, it would be a really big help,’ the paramedic pressed.
    ‘I don’t,’ Will protested. ‘I’m telling the truth.’
    He might have just been paranoid but it looked as if the guy didn’t believe him – the way he just turned away without further question.
    ‘We need to talk,’ Gasnier said, almost whispering in his ear.
    Will nodded, turning to face the detective.
    ‘You said you called the ambulance twenty minutes ago,’ Gasnier said, as they stepped out into the corridor.
    Will nodded. He knew exactly where this was going. He noticed that the other officer had closed the door to Stuart’s bedroom, and was obviously looking on his computer.
    ‘And you remained in the flat after that time?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Then you would have heard us knocking on the door ten or so minutes ago.’
    Will remained silent. For all his good intentions, he was scared of what he had set in motion by going to the police.
    ‘You must have heard us knocking, Will,’ Gasnier pressed.
    ‘I didn’t,’ Will said, searching for a plausible explanation. ‘I was just trying to make sure that Stuart was okay. I can’t even remember what happened – I didn’t hear the knocking.’
    ‘And you’re sure of that?’ Gasnier said. ‘You didn’t hear us shouting “police”?’ He made imaginary quotation marks that seemed to ridicule Will’s ridiculous claim.
    ‘No,’ Will said. ‘Please believe me.’
    ‘You see, the thing is, Will,’ Gasnier said, smiling ruefully, ‘I just don’t believe you.’
    ‘But why?’
    ‘Because of this,’ Gasnier said, gesturing at his