ROBERT GODDARD’s first novel, Past Caring, was an instant bestseller. Since then, his books have captivated readers worldwide with their edge-of-the-seat pace and their labyrinthine plotting. He has won awards in the UK, the US and across Europe and been translated into over thirty languages.
‘Robert Goddard has been writing imaginative first-class thrillers for nearly thirty years . . . Panic Room is an absorbing example of his superior storytelling . . . an excellent read’ The Times
‘Is this his best yet? . . . Full of sinister menace and propulsive pace with twisty plotting’ Lee Child
‘The world’s greatest storyteller . . . this is a tense read full of characteristic Goddard twists’ Guardian
‘As always, Goddard can be relied upon to entertain’ Literary Review
‘A well-constructed page-turner of a thriller that’s very hard to put down’ Choice magazine
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READERS ARE SAYING… ‘Could not put it down’
‘
‘A rollicking good read’ ‘Head and shoulders above the best efforts of many other thriller writers’
‘Expect the unexpected’
‘A really good read’ ‘A brilliant fast-paced story with a real twist at the end, classic Goddard’
‘I always eagerly await the next Robert Goddard and this didn’t disappoint’
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‘A must read’
‘Wonderfully tense and suspenseful’
‘Excellent as usual’
‘Robert Goddard never fails to deliver’ ‘I have read all Robert Goddard’s books, this is one of the best’
‘Ingeniously plotted’
‘Ended too soon’
‘More unexpected twists and turns than a roller coaster in the dark’
‘One of the best books I’ve ever read’
‘Robert Goddard has never written a bad book’
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Also Also by by Robert Robert Goddard Goddard Past Past Caring Caring In In Pale Pale Battalions Battalions Painting Painting the the Darkness Darkness Into Into the the Blue Blue Take Take No No Farewell Farewell Hand Hand in in Glove Glove Closed Closed Circle Circle Borrowed Borrowed Time Time Out Out of of the the Sun Sun Beyond Beyond Recall Recall Caught Caught in in the the Light Light Set Set in in Stone Stone Sea Sea Change Change Dying Dying to to Tell Tell Days Days without without Number Number Play Play to to the the End End Sight Sight Unseen Unseen Never Never Go Go Back Back Name Name to to aa Face Face Found Found Wanting Wanting Long Long Time Time Coming Coming Blood Blood Count Count Fault Fault Line Line The The Wide Wide World World trilogy trilogy The The Ways Ways of of the the World World The The Corners Corners of of the the Globe Globe The The Ends Ends of of the the Earth Earth
For For more more information information on on Robert Robert Goddard Goddard and and his his books, books, see see his his website website at at www.robertgoddardbooks.co.uk www.robertgoddardbooks.co.uk
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TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS 61–63 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5SA www.penguin.co.uk Transworld is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com
First published in Great Britain in 2018 by Bantam Press an imprint of Transworld Publishers Corgi edition published 2018 Copyright © Robert and Vaunda Goddard 2018 Robert Goddard has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologize for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBNs 9780552172608 (B format) 9780552175715 (A format) Typeset in 8.62/11.36 pt Times NR MT by Falcon Oast Graphic Art Ltd. Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.
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TEN
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I IFEEL FEELSAFE SAFEHERE HERE..THAT THAT’’SSREALLY REALLYWHAT WHATIT ITCOMES COMESDOWN DOWNTO TO..OH OH,,THERE THERE’’SSTHE THESEA SEAAS AS
well. II like like the the ocean ocean in in all all its its moods, moods, from from stormy stormy to to still: still: white, white, grey, grey, well. turquoise, blue. blue. II can can watch watch the the surf surf crashing crashing on on the the rocks rocks for for hours. hours. turquoise, On windless windless mornings, mornings, II can can hear hear the the skylarks skylarks circling circling above above me me as as II On walk down down to to the the beach, beach, my my legs legs brushing brushing through through the the drifts drifts of of wild wild walk mustard and and cow cow parsley parsley on on the the narrow narrow path. path. And And then then there there are are the the mustard sunsets, pink pink and and scarlet scarlet and and gold, gold, out out beyond beyond Wolf Wolf Rock, Rock, over over sunsets, thetilt tiltof ofthe theworld. world.Nothing Nothinghere hereis islike likewhere whereIIcame camefrom fromoriginally. originally.II the don’t want want to to leave, leave, like like II did did there, there, all all the the time. time. II want want to to stay. stay. Maybe Maybe don’t for ever. ever. for can’t, of of course. course. II don’t don’t know know how how long long it’ll it’ll go go on. on. II try try not not II can’t, towonder. wonder.Harkness Harknessis isin inbig bigtrouble. trouble.He Hewon’t won’thave havemuch muchchance chanceto to to thinkabout aboutwhat’s what’sgoing goingon onhere. here.He Hedefinitely definitelywon’t won’tbe beheli helicoptering coptering think down for for aa visit visit any any time time soon. soon. I’ve I’ve got got the the place place to to myself. myself. That’s That’s down how II like like it. it. Peaceful. Peaceful. Quiet. Quiet. Alone. Alone. II swim. swim. II walk. walk. II run. run. II clean clean the the how place –– just just in in case. case. II sell sell my my driftwood driftwood art. art. II enjoy enjoy feeling feeling safe. safe. place Thanks to to Harkness, Harkness, I’ve I’ve got got aa lot lot of of luxury luxury to to wallow wallow in in here. here. But But Thanks the biggest biggest luxury luxury of of all all is is the the space. space. Glenys Glenys the the gardener gardener comes comes the three days days aa week, week, Andy Andy the the pool pool man man as as often often as as he he reckons reckons he he three needs to. to. Otherwise, Otherwise, II don’t don’t get get many many visitors. visitors. Nor Nor does does Harkness, Harkness, needs which is is aa relief. relief. II wondered, wondered, when when his his case case hit hit the the news, news, ifif the the press press which would come come poking poking around. around. But But they they didn’t. didn’t. Maybe Maybe they they don’t don’t know know would about his his Cornish Cornish bolthole. bolthole. Here’s Here’s hoping hoping they they go go on on not not knowing. knowing. about might be be best best for for Harkness Harkness as as well well as as me me ifif they they did. did. II have have aa ItIt might
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feeling feeling this this place place is is his his biggest biggest secret. secret. And And that’s that’s saying saying something. something. ‘Notoriously ‘Notoriously secretive’, secretive’, they they call call him. him. He’s He’s not not your your obvious obvious saviour saviour material. material. But But he’s he’s been been my my saviour. saviour. I’m I’m not not sure sure what what would’ve would’ve happened happened to to me me when when Muriel Muriel chucked chucked me me out out ifif II hadn’t hadn’t been been able able to to come come here. here. Harkness Harkness doesn’t doesn’t know know that, that, of of course course –– or or anything anything much muchabout aboutme. me.IIdon’t don’tsuppose supposehe hegives givesme meaasingle singlethought. thought.Which Which is is probably probably just just as as well. well. We’ve We’ve got got aa good good thing thing going, going, him him and and me, me, even even ifif he he doesn’t doesn’t realize realize it. it. It’s It’s just just aa pity, pity, one one way way or or another, another, sooner sooner or or later, later, however however hard hard II pretend pretend otherwise, otherwise, it’s it’s going going to to end. end.
Don DonChallenor Challenorhad hadnever neverbeen beenone onefor forrecriminations, recriminations,particularly particularly where where his his own own behaviour behaviour was was concerned. concerned. He He had had inherited inherited more more of ofhis hisfather’s father’sfecklessness fecklessnessthan thanhe hewould wouldhave havecared caredto toadmit. admit.But But the the key key to to living living with with the the consequences consequences was was not not to to acknowledge acknowledge responsibility responsibility for for them. them. Accordingly, Accordingly, he he interpreted interpreted the the circumcircumstances stancesof ofhis hisdeparture departurefrom fromMendez MendezChinnery Chinneryas asaareflection reflectionon on their their narrow-mindedness narrow-mindedness rather rather than than his his corner-cutting. corner-cutting. Estate Estate agency, agency, especially especially in in the the overheated overheated central central London London market, market, was was aa dog-eat-dog dog-eat-dog world. world. The The commission commission Mendez Mendez Chinnery Chinnery paid paid him him was was not not exactly exactly over-generous. over-generous. They They should should have have expected expected him him to to take take aa few few liberties liberties and and should should certainly certainly have have been been willing willing to to overlook overlook them them in in view view of of the the amount amount of of business business he he brought brought in. in. But But his his boss boss –– young, young, smug smug and and idle idle by by Don’s Don’s reckoning reckoning –– saw saw things things differently. differently. So So Don Don was was out, out, casting casting around around for for another another berth berthwith withage ageno nolonger longeron onhis hisside. side.Only Onlyhis hisnatural naturalcom complacency placency prevented prevented him him worrying worrying about about what what the the future future held. held. An An opporopportunity tunity would would surely surely present present itself. itself. He He had had put put the the word word out. out. He He was was keeping keeping his his ear ear to to the the ground. ground. ItItwas wasaasurprise, surprise,nonetheless, nonetheless,when whenthe thefirst firstcontact contacthe hehad hadafter after leaving leaving Mendez Mendez Chinnery Chinnery was was not not from from one one of of their their competitors competitors but but from from aa solicitor solicitor several several of of their their clients clients used. used. Fran Fran Revell Revell also also happened happened to to be be Don’s Don’s ex-wife, ex-wife, which which might might have have caused caused aa less less 44
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self-confident self-confident man man to to doubt doubt she she wanted wanted to to do do him him aa favour. favour. But But they they had had communicated communicated cordially cordially enough enough on on business business matters matters since since their their divorce. divorce. And And Don Don for for his his part part remembered remembered their their parting parting as as more more sorrowful sorrowful than than angry. angry. The The fact fact that that Fran Fran had had nominated nominated aa nearby nearby coffee coffee shop shop for for their their meeting, meeting, rather rather than than her her office, office, should should perhaps perhaps have have served served as as some some form form of of warning. warning. But But Don Don chose chose to to interpret interpret that that as as her her preference preference for for aa relaxed relaxed and and informal informal environment, environment, which which was was fine fine by by him. him. He He had had even even been been tempted tempted to to suggest suggest putting putting back back their their appointment appointment by by an an hour hour and and meeting meeting in in aa bar. bar. There There were were several several in in the the vicinity vicinity he he could could recommend. recommend. Wisely, Wisely, however, however, he he had had not not pushed pushed his his luck. luck. Pushing Pushing his his luck, luck, after after all, all, was was what what had had wrecked wrecked their their marriage. marriage. Fran Fran was was already already there there when when he he arrived, arrived, busy busy on on her her iPhone iPhone between betweensips sipsof ofcappuccino. cappuccino.She Shelooked, looked,as asever, ever,some someyears yearsyounger younger than than her her age, age, slim slim and and groomed groomed and and glowing. glowing. As As for for her her expresexpression sion when when she she caught caught sight sight of of him, him, well, well, there there was was no no imagining imagining away away the the tightness tightness of of her her smile. smile. But But the the halfhalf-affectionate, affectionate, halfhalfwary wary shake shake of of her her head head suggested suggested his his goodwill goodwill account account had had not not yet yet reached reached its its overdraft overdraft limit. limit. ‘You’re ‘You’re looking looking great, great, Fran,’ Fran,’ he he said said after after an an air-kiss air-kiss greeting. greeting. ‘Thanks.’ ‘Thanks.’ She She made made no no comment comment on on his his appearance. appearance. ‘I’ll ‘I’ll grab grab aa coffee. coffee. Then Then you you can can tell tell me me all all about about it.’ it.’ ‘This ‘This isis just just aa bit bit of of business, business, Don.’ Don.’ ‘Sure.’ ‘Sure.’ He He pondered pondered her her remark remark as as he he queued queued for for his his Americano, Americano, but but not not for for long. long. There There was was nothing nothing to to be be gained gained by by trying trying to to guess guess what what Fran Fran was was thinking. thinking. There There never never had had been. been. He He went went back back to to her her table table with with his his coffee coffee and and sat sat down. down. The The place place was was crowded crowded with with aa predictable predictable weekday weekday haul haul of of assorted assorted pro professionals, fessionals, killing killing time time between between appointments. appointments. Glancing Glancing around, around, Don Don found found himself himself missing missing the the rumbustious rumbustious characters characters he he had had started started out out his his working working life life with. with. Everyone Everyone now now seemed seemed bland bland by by comparison. comparison. But But the the coffee coffee was was better. better. There There was was cercertainly tainly no no denying denying that. that. 55
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‘How’s ‘How’s the the family?’ family?’ he he ventured, ventured, smiling smiling across across at at Fran Fran after after trying trying to to drink drink some some of of his his coffee coffee before before realizing realizing itit was was far far too too hot. hot. The The ‘family’ ‘family’ Don Don referred referred to to comprised comprised the the husband husband and and two two daughters daughters Fran Fran had had acquired acquired since since their their divorce. divorce. ‘They’re ‘They’re fine,’ fine,’ she she said said briskly. briskly. Perhaps Perhaps just just aa little little too too briskly, briskly, Don Don thought, thought, who who secretly secretly hoped hoped to to hear hear one one day day that that his his replacement replacement was was being being ditched ditched in in turn. turn. ‘So, ‘So, what what can can II do do for for you?’ you?’ ‘You ‘You could could start start by by explaining explaining the the “ethical “ethical differences” differences” Ben Ben said said had had led led to to you you leaving leaving Mendez Mendez Chinnery.’ Chinnery.’ ‘I‘I should’ve should’ve got got out out of of there there yonks yonks ago. ago. How How can can II be be expected expected to to do do my my best best work work when when II have have to to answer answer to to aa prat prat like like him?’ him?’ Fran Fran closed closed her her eyes eyes for for aa second. second. ‘Maybe ‘Maybe this this was was aa mistake.’ mistake.’ ‘Look ‘Look .. .. .. Ben Ben and and II had had aa major major falling-out. falling-out. That’s That’s all all there there isis to to it.’ it.’ Don Don shrugged. shrugged. ‘I’d ‘I’d probably probably have have resigned resigned anyway. anyway. ItIt was was time time to to move move on.’ on.’ ‘Where ‘Where to?’ to?’ ‘Not ‘Not sure sure yet.’ yet.’ ‘No.’ ‘No.’ Fran Fran sighed. sighed. ‘Exactly.’ ‘Exactly.’ ‘Well, ‘Well, ifif you you know know of of aa juicy juicy opening opening .. .. .’.’ ‘I‘I don’t. don’t. But, But, as as itit happens, happens, II do do have have an an urgent urgent job job that that needs needs doing doing and, and, since since you’re you’re available available at at short short notice notice .. .. .’.’ ‘Good ‘Good of of you you to to think think of of me, me, Fran.’ Fran.’ ‘Yes. ‘Yes. II can’t can’t seem seem to to stop stop myself myself doing doing that.’ that.’ She She frowned frowned away away the the hint hint of of affection. affection. ‘Occasionally.’ ‘Occasionally.’ He He grinned. grinned. ‘So ‘So what’s what’s the the job?’ job?’ ‘I’ve ‘I’ve been been handling handling aa divorce divorce for for aa woman woman who who wants wants to to sell sell aa property property ASAP. ASAP. It’s It’s in in Cornwall Cornwall and and she’s she’s anxious anxious to to proceed proceed quickly. quickly.IIneed needaavaluation, valuation,floor floorplans, plans,photographs, photographs,et etcetera, cetera,to to present present to to suitable suitable agents. agents. We’re We’re talking talking about about aa price price tag tag of of five five million million or or so so –– the the international international market.’ market.’ ‘I‘I wouldn’t wouldn’t mind mind having having aa crack crack at at selling selling itit myself.’ myself.’ Don Don was was hardly hardly exaggerating. exaggerating. A A £5 £5 million million property property could could net net him him more more than than aa hundred hundred thousand. thousand. ‘I‘I could could put put several several buyers buyers her her way.’ way.’ 66
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‘We’ll ‘We’ll see. see. For For the the moment, moment, II just just need need you you to to go go down down there there and and put put the the particulars particulars together.’ together.’ ‘She ‘She doesn’t doesn’t want want this this dragged dragged into into the the divorce divorce settlement. settlement. Is Is that that it?’ it?’ ‘She ‘She owns owns the the place place outright, outright, Don.’ Don.’ Fran Fran looked looked reprovingly reprovingly at at him. him. ‘And ‘And the the divorce divorce isis done done and and dusted. dusted. She She has has an an unfettered unfettered right right to to sell. sell. I’m I’m simply simply making making the the arrangements arrangements on on her her behalf behalf while while she she spends spends some some time time abroad.’ abroad.’ ‘Of ‘Of course, course, of of course. course. II don’t don’t know know what what came came over over me.’ me.’ ‘Can ‘Can you you do do it?’ it?’ ‘Sure. ‘Sure. Subject Subject to to .. .. .. an an agreement agreement over over terms.’ terms.’ ‘Two ‘Two thousand. thousand. Plus Plus accommodation accommodation and and travel. travel. On On condition condition II have have all all the the details details by by the the start start of of next next week.’ week.’ ‘That’s ‘That’s tight.’ tight.’ ‘That’s ‘That’swhy whyit’s it’salso alsogenerous. generous.And AndI’m I’mguessing guessingyou youwon’t won’tfind find itit too too difficult difficult to to clear clear your your diary.’ diary.’ Fran Fran smiled. smiled. ‘Do ‘Do we we have have aa deal?’ deal?’ ‘Why ‘Why not? not? It’ll It’ll be be aa nice nice run run for for the the car.’ car.’ ‘Don’t ‘Don’t tell tell me me you you still still have have the the MG.’ MG.’ ‘She’s ‘She’s aa classic. classic. Like Like me.’ me.’ Fran Fran did did not not rise rise to to the the remark. remark. She She drained drained her her cappuccino, cappuccino, plucked plucked aa couple couple of of sheets sheets of of paper paper out out of of her her briefcase briefcase and and laid laid them them on on the the table table in in front front of of him. him. ‘Sign ‘Sign on on the the dotted dotted line, line, please. please. Both Both copies. copies. It’s It’s our our standard standard contract contract for for freelancers.’ freelancers.’ ‘Do ‘Do we we really really need need aa contract?’ contract?’ ‘I’m ‘I’m aa lawyer, lawyer, Don. Don. Remember Remember how how much much II saved saved you you on on our our divorce?’ divorce?’ Don Don managed managed aa crumpled crumpled smile smile at at what what sounded sounded to tohim himlike likeaaconsiderable considerablemisrepresentation misrepresentationand andcast casthis hiseye eyeover over the the document. document. Fran Fran thumbed thumbed away away at at her her iPhone iPhone until until he he had had signed. signed. ‘I’ve ‘I’ve just just emailed emailed details details of of the the property’s property’s location. location. It’s It’s on on the the Lizard Lizard peninsula, peninsula, near near Mullion. Mullion. Wortalleth Wortalleth West. West. The The client’s client’s name nameisisJackson. Jackson.Mona MonaJackson. Jackson.There Therewas wasaalive-in live-inhousekeeper, housekeeper, but but she she left left aa couple couple of of months months back. back. Her Her part-time part-time assistant’s assistant’s been been looking looking after after the the place place since since then. then. There’s There’s also also aa part-time part-time gardener. gardener. You You might might run run into into them. them. Otherwise, Otherwise, it’s it’s all all yours.’ yours.’ 77
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She She plonked plonked aa bunch bunch of of keys keys on on the the table. table. Tied Tied to to the the ring ring was was aa label label bearing bearing the the printed printed initials initials FR/MH FR/MH –– some some kind kind of of filing filing reference referenceat atFran’s Fran’sfirm. firm.Don Donpocketed pocketedthe thekeys keysand andFran Franretrieved retrieved her her copy copy of of the the contract. contract. ‘I‘Ishould shouldbe begetting gettingback backto tothe theoffice,’ office,’she shesaid saidbriskly. briskly.‘I‘Ithink think we’re we’re done done here, here, aren’t aren’t we?’ we?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Yes.’ Don Don nodded nodded compliantly. compliantly. ‘And ‘And II can can always always phone phone you you ifif something something crops crops up.’ up.’ Fran Fran frowned. frowned. ‘I‘I can’t can’t see see why why itit should.’ should.’ ‘No, ‘No, well well .. .. .’.’ Don Don shrugged. shrugged. ‘Thanks ‘Thanks again, again, Fran.’ Fran.’ ‘You’re ‘You’re welcome.’ welcome.’ Don Don stayed stayed on on to to finish finish his his coffee coffee after after Fran Fran left. left. He He paid paid no no attention attention to to aa heavily heavily built, built, bearded bearded man man nursing nursing aa minute minute espresso espresso cup cup in in the the corner. corner. The The man man had had aa vaguely vaguely Slavic Slavic appearappearance, ance, though though he he was was reading, reading, or or at at any any rate rate turning turning the the pages pages of, of, an an Italian Italian newspaper. newspaper. He He did did not not seem seem to to pay pay Don Don any any attention attention either. either.But, But,when whenDon Donrose roseand andleft, left,he hesuddenly suddenlyfound foundititnecessary necessary to to rise rise and and leave leave as as well. well. In In aa rustle rustle of of newspaper-folding newspaper-folding and and aa scraping scraping of of chair chair legs, legs, he he was was up up and and on on his his way. way. Which Which happened happened to to be be the the same same way, way, though though at at aa discreet discreet distance, distance,as asDon Donwas wasgoing, going,west westalong alongPiccadilly, Piccadilly,towards towardsGreen Green Park Park station station and and aa Tube Tube ride ride home. home. There There was, was, though though Don Don did did not not know know itit yet, yet, something something else else he he had had Fran Fran to to thank thank for. for. He He had had just just become become aa marked marked man. man. II went went down down to to the the cove cove early early this this morning morning to to look look for for driftwood. driftwood. There There wasn’t wasn’t much. much. The The weather weather hasn’t hasn’t been been right. right. You You need need storms storms really. really. But But I’m I’m not not complaining. complaining. The The sea sea was was aa millpond, millpond, the the air air pure, pure, the the light light clear. clear. The The tide tide was was on on the the turn. turn. II took took off off my my shoes shoes and and let let the the water water rush rush in in around around my my feet. feet. The The sun sun was was already already warm warm on on my my back. back. And And there there was was aa fizzing fizzing sensation sensation between between my my toes toes as as the the bubbles bubbles in in the the surf surf started started to to burst. burst. II looked looked out out at at the the ocean ocean and and saw saw what what II always always see, see, reflected reflected in in its its shimmering shimmering vastness: vastness: peace peace –– and and freedom. freedom.
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II was was close close to to the the rocks, rocks, where where the the Bonython Bonython stream stream comes comes out. out. The Theonly onlysound soundwas wasthe thesea. sea.There Thereweren’t weren’teven evenany anygulls gullsscreeching. screeching. II don’t don’t know know what what made made me me look look up up to to the the top top of of the the cliff. cliff. But But II knew knew I’d I’d see see something something –– or or someone someone –– ifif II did. did. ItIt was was Wynsum Wynsum Fry, Fry, squat squat and and swaddled swaddled in in aa shapeless shapeless coat, coat, the the sunlight sunlightturning turningher hergrey greymop mopof ofhair hairinto intoaasmudge smudgeof ofwhite. white.She’s She’sgot got no no car, car, so so how how did did she she get get there? there? The The first first bus bus out out of of Helston Helston goes goes straight straight to to Lizard Lizard village. village. She She couldn’t couldn’t have have walked walked all all the the way way from from the the main main road. road. But But there there she she was. was. Watching Watching me me watching watching her. her. Then Then she she wasn’t. wasn’t. II suppose suppose she she simply simply stepped stepped back back out out of of sight. sight. But But itit was was more more like like she she just just .. .. .. blinked blinked out. out. The The old old bitch bitch has has her her tricks. tricks. IfIf that’s that’s all all they they are. are. II wish wish she’d she’d stay stay away. away. But But she she won’t. won’t. II hurried hurried back back up up the the beach beach and and walked walked round round the the shore shore road road to to the the lane lane that that heads heads up up towards towards the the top top of of the the cliff. cliff. There There was was no no sign sign of of her, her, of of course. course. II knew knew there there wouldn’t wouldn’t be. be. She She moves moves like like aa tortoise tortoise most most of of the the time. time. And And then, then, at at other other times times .. .. .. Maybe Maybe itit wasn’t wasn’t me me she she was was looking looking at, at, but but the the rock rock pools pools she she could couldsee seefrom fromwhere whereshe shewas wasstanding. standing.Which Whichone onewas wasitither herbrother brother drowned drownedin? in?Could Couldshe shebe besure, sure,all allthese theseyears yearslater? later?Maybe Maybethe therocks rocks move move slowly slowly over over time time anyway, anyway, shifted shifted by by storms storms and and tides, tides, and and the the pools pools with with them, them, so so the the actual actual one one isn’t isn’t there there any any more. more. Nothing’s Nothing’s really really fixed. fixed. Nothing’s Nothing’s really really absolute. absolute. When When II got got back back here, here, II found found aa king king of of spades spades playing playing card card fixed fixed to to the the pillar pillar of of the the entrance entrance gate gate with with aa rusty rusty pin. pin. It’s It’s her her mark. mark. She She calls calls Harkness Harkness the the King King of of Spades. Spades. But But why why the the card? card? Why Why now? now? II pulled pulled the the pin pin out out and and the the card card fluttered fluttered to to the the ground. ground. II didn’t didn’t pick pick itit up. up. II left left itit lying lying there, there, face face down. down. The The pattern pattern on on the the back back was was some some kind kind of of geometrical geometrical labyrinth. labyrinth. Did Did she she choose choose itit specially, specially, II wonder? wonder? I’ve I’vejust justbeen beenback backdown downto tothe thegate. gate.The Thecard’s card’sgone. gone.IIhope hopeshe’s she’s gone gone too. too.
Whatever Whatever anyone anyone said said –– and and what what they they usually usually said said was was that that his his insistence insistence on on driving driving aa gas-guzzling gas-guzzling relic relic from from another another age age was was both both environmentally environmentally irresponsible irresponsible and and aa transparent transparent as as well well as as 99
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ultimately ultimately futile futile attempt attempt to to recapture recapture his his lost lost youth youth –– Don Don had had no no intention intention of of trading trading in in his his 1973 1973 MGB MGB GT GT V8 V8 for for aa younger younger or or more more economical economical model. model. The The smell smell of of the the leather leather and and the the rumble rumble of of the the engine engine were were as as familiar familiar to to him him now now as as when when he he had had first first travelled travelled in in the the car car as as aa child, child, with with his his father father at at the the wheel. wheel. The The drive drive west west out out of of London London that that morning morning in in early early June June had, had, like like all all his his drives, drives, nothing nothing to to do do with with cost cost or or comfort comfort or or convenience. convenience. ItIt was was about about cleaving cleaving to to what what he he knew knew and and loved. loved. The The M3, M3, A303 A303 and and A30 A30 formed formed his his long long route route to to the the far far southsouthwest. west. The The trees trees were were heavy heavy with with summer summer foliage, foliage, the the fields fields richly richly green green in in the the misty misty light. light. From From Salisbury Salisbury Plain Plain onwards, onwards, the the sky sky was was blue, blue, the the day day open open and and dazzling. dazzling. Through Through his his sunglasses sunglasses the the world world appeared appeared golden golden and and inviting. inviting. On On the the open open road, road, reality reality lost lost its its bite. bite. At At Exeter Exeter Services, Services, he he stopped stopped for for aa Coke Coke and and aa sandwich. sandwich. He He was was making making good good time. time. He He was was grateful grateful to to Fran, Fran, not not just just for for the the money moneyhe hewould wouldearn earnfrom fromthe thetrip tripbut butfor forthe thebreak breakfrom fromLondon London she she had had prompted prompted him him to to take. take. Leaving Leaving the the city city was was like like having having aa weight weight lifted lifted from from his his shoulders. shoulders. He He really really should should have have left left Mendez Mendez Chinnery Chinnery sooner. sooner. Perhaps Perhaps he he could could turn turn himself himself into into aa tweed-suited tweed-suitedpurveyor purveyorof offarmhouses farmhousesand andcottages cottagesin inaaprovincial provincial setting. setting. ItIt was was not not too too late late to to change. change. ItIt was was never never too too late. late. ‘But ‘Butdon’t don’tworry, worry,old oldgirl,’ girl,’he hesaid, said,patting pattingthe thetailgate tailgateof ofthe thecar, car, which which he he had had raised raised to to create create aa draught draught while while he he was was parked. parked. ‘I’ll ‘I’ll never never trade trade you you in in for for one one of of those.’ those.’ By By ‘one ‘one of of those’ those’ Don Don meant meant the theblack, black,dusty, dusty,mirror-windowed mirror-windowedoff-roader off-roaderthat thathad hadpulled pulledin inaa few few bays bays away. away. He He hated hated all all four-by-fours four-by-fours on on principle. principle. Don Don pressed pressed on, on, through through the the emptiness emptiness of of mid-Devon, mid-Devon, across across Bodmin Bodmin Moor Moor and and down down the the spine spine of of Cornwall Cornwall towards towards his his destination. destination. He He was was confident confident of of arriving arriving in in time time to to spend spend most most of ofthe theafternoon afternoonat atthe thehouse. house.He Hehad hadbooked bookedaaroom roomat ataahotel hotelin in Helston. Helston. ItIt looked looked like like one one night night would would be be enough. enough. The The task task itself itself was was simple. simple. He He had had done done itit aa thousand thousand times. times. From From the the outskirts outskirts of of Helston, Helston, he he headed headed true true south south for for the the first first time, time, past past the the long long perimeter perimeter of of RNAS RNAS Culdrose Culdrose and and down down 10 10
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the the road road towards towards Lizard Lizard Point. Point. The The countryside countryside varied varied between between farmland farmland and and moor. moor. The The soft soft and and prosperous prosperous Home Home Counties Counties were were far far behind behind him. him. He He turned turned off off the the road road at at the the sign sign for for Mullion Mullion and and drove drove into into the the village, village, following following the the narrow narrow one-way one-way route route round round the the tighttightclustered clusteredcentre. centre.He Hefound foundaacar carpark parknear nearthe thechurch churchand andwalked walked back back to to the the shops shops to to buy buy aa large-scale large-scale OS OS map map of of the the area area and and the the local local weekly weekly newspaper. newspaper. He He and and the the MG MG naturally naturally had had no no time time for for satnavs satnavs and and he he was was confident confident the the house house would would be be identifiidentifiable able on on the the map. map. The The paper paper meanwhile meanwhile would would add add to to what what he he had had already already discovered discovered on on assorted assorted websites websites about about property property prices prices in in the the locality, locality, although although he he anticipated anticipated Wortalleth Wortalleth West West might might be be in in aa price price bracket bracket all all of of its its own. own. As As he he exited exited the the shop, shop, another another of of the the four-wheel-drive four-wheel-drive behebehemoths moths he he loathed loathed cruised cruised slowly slowly by. by. ItIt was was black, black, with with reflective reflective windows, windows, like like the the one one he he had had seen seen at at Exeter Exeter Services. Services. ‘Unsightly ‘Unsightly bloody bloody monsters,’ monsters,’ he he muttered muttered to to himself himself as as he he turned turned in in the the direction direction of of the the car car park. park. The Themap, map,studied studiedin inconjunction conjunctionwith withFran’s Fran’semailed emaileddirections, directions, put putWortalleth WortallethWest Westaway awayto tothe thenorth northof ofthe thevillage, village,above abovePoldhu Poldhu Cove, Cove, accessed accessed by by aa lane lane off off the the minor minor road road that that led led to to the the cove cove before before curving curving inland. inland. As As for for the the newspaper, newspaper, there there were were aa couple couple of of choice choice properties properties on on the the Helford Helford estuary estuary with with price price tags tags of of two two or or three three million, million, but but nothing nothing approaching approaching the the five five Fran Fran had had spoken spoken of. of. Wortalleth Wortalleth West West would would have have to to be be quite quite something something to to justify justify that. that. And And itit was, was, of of course, course, as as soon soon became became apparent. apparent. The The sea sea was was aa mirror mirror of of blue blue beyond beyond the the wavering wavering line line of of hedge hedge and and field. field. Don Don spotted spotted the the turning turning late late and and was was driving driving too too fast fast anyway, anyway, but but he he managed managed itit with with no no more more than than aa touch touch of of fishtail. fishtail. The The entrance entrance to to Wortalleth Wortalleth West West came came up up quickly: quickly: aa white, white, ranch-style ranch-style wooden wooden gate, gate, standing standing open. open. The The tarmac tarmac drive drive curved curved between between gorse gorse and and wind-sculpted wind-sculpted Monterey Montereypines, pines,then thendivided, divided,leading leadingin inone onedirection directionto toaagarage garage big big enough enough to to be be aa house house in in its its own own right, right, with with balconied balconied rooms rooms above. above. There There was was aa lot lot of of white white wood wood and and granite granite beneath beneath deeply deeply 11 11
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eaved eaved slate. slate. Don Don glimpsed glimpsed aa tennis tennis court court in in the the distance distance as as he he took took the the lower lower route route around around aa broad broad shoulder shoulder of of land land on on which which the the main main house house stood. stood. More More white white wood, wood, granite granite and and slate slate conferred conferred aa style style that that was was part part Long Long Island, Island, part part Cornish. Cornish. The The building building was was the the shape shape of of aa half-hexagon, half-hexagon, one one side side facing facing the the sea sea directly, directly, the the other other two two sides sides angled angled back back to to form form wings wings enclosing enclosing aa shrubbery-screened shrubbery-screened rear rear garden garden in in which which Don Don saw saw aa flash flash of of water-reflected water-reflected light light that that suggested suggested aa swimming swimming pool. pool. He Hepulled pulledup upin infront frontof ofthe thehouse, house,turned turnedoff offthe thecar’s car’sengine engineand and climbed climbed out, out, inhaling inhaling aa lungful lungful of of champagne-like champagne-like air air as as he he took took his his measure measure of of the the place. place. ItIt stood stood before before him him in in the the brilliance brilliance of of mid-afternoon, mid-afternoon,its itsproportions proportionsgraceful, graceful,its itsdimensions dimensionsgenerous, generous, with with aa deep, deep, paved paved verandah, verandah, triple triple gables, gables, wide wide windows windows and and aa low low roofline roofline sporting sporting dormers dormers shaped shaped like like the the backs backs of of dolphins. dolphins. No Noexpense expensehad hadbeen beenspared. spared.That Thatwas wasimmediately immediatelyobvious. obvious.Mrs Mrs Jackson Jackson –– or or her her ex-husband ex-husband –– had had thrown thrown aa lot lot of of money money at at this this seaside seaside whim. whim. Beyond Beyondthe thesloping slopinglawn lawnin infront frontof ofthe thehouse, house,sea seaand andsky skywere were aarealm realmof ofblue. blue.In Insuch suchperfect perfectweather, weather,Wortalleth WortallethWest Westpresided presided over over something something close close to to splendour. splendour. Silence Silence was was part part of of the the splendour. splendour. When When Don Don slammed slammed the the car car door, door, the the sound sound shifted shifted two two fat fat pigeons pigeons from from the the branches branches of of the the nearest nearest pine pine with with heavy heavy wingbeats. wingbeats. He He climbed climbed the the shallow shallow steps steps to tothe theverandah, verandah,pulling pullingthe thekeys keysout outof ofhis hispocket pocketas ashe hewent. went.The The entrance entrance was was aa wide wide glazed glazed door, door, with with the the letters letters WW WW painted painted on on the thecentral centralpanel panelin inflowing flowingblue blueserifs. serifs.There Therewere weretwo twolocks, locks,one one Yale, Yale, one one mortise. mortise. But But the the mortise, mortise, as as Don Don soon soon discovered, discovered, was was not not across, across, and and the the alarm alarm Fran Fran had had supplied supplied the the code code for for had had not not been been activated activated either. either. No No electronic electronic beeping beeping greeted greeted him him as as he he let let himself himself in. in. The Thehall hallwas wasan anairy airydouble-height double-heightspace, space,with withaagalleried galleriedlandlanding ing above, above, reached reached by by twin twin curving curving marble marble staircases. staircases. Double Double doors doors stood stood open open to to right right and and left. left. Right Right led led to to aa dining dining room, room, where where blinds blinds had had been been drawn drawn and and the the light light fell fell softly softly on on aa palepalewood wood table table and and chairs chairs and and aa dresser dresser loaded loaded with with creamy creamy white white 12 12
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plates plates and and bowls. bowls. Left Left led led to to aa drawing drawing room room furnished furnished with with low-slung low-slung sofas sofas and and armchairs armchairs gathered gathered round round aa stylized stylized firefireplace. place. There There were were rugs rugs and and pottery pottery in in abundance, abundance, with with framed framed contemporary contemporary seascapes seascapes on on the the walls. walls. Space Space and and light light were were the the dominant dominant themes. themes. The The proportions proportions of of the the rooms rooms and and the the height height of of the the windows, windows, with with transoms transoms above above the the external external doors, doors, ensured ensured plenty plenty of of both. both. The The double double doors doors on on the the far far side side of of the the hall hall led led to to aa broad broad passage passagerunning runningalong alongthe therear rearof ofthe thehouse. house.Another Anotherset setof ofdoors doors gave gave access access to to aa flagstoned flagstoned terrace, terrace, with with aa swimming swimming pool pool at at its its centre centreand andloungers loungersset setup upbeside besideit. it.Beyond Beyondlay layaaneatly neatlyshrubbed shrubbed garden, garden, filled filled with with shimmering shimmering blossom. blossom. As As Don Don crossed crossed the the passage, passage, he he saw saw movement movement in in the the pool pool and and realized, realized, with with something something of of aa shock, shock, that that he he was was not not alone. alone. Someone Someone was was swimming swimming there. there. He He opened opened the the door door cautiously cautiously and and stepped stepped out out on on to to the the terrace. terrace. The Theswimmer swimmerhad hadjust justcompleted completedaaturn turnand andwas wasmoving movingaway. away. Don Donreplaced replacedhis hissunglasses sunglassesas ashe heapproached approachedthe thepool. pool.He Helooked looked down. down.And Andhis hiseyes eyeswidened. widened.The Theswimmer swimmerwas wasaawoman, woman,young, young, lithely lithely built built –– and and naked. naked. Don Don watched watched the the refracted refracted shimmer shimmer of of her her body body as as she she sliced sliced through through the the blue blue water. water. When When she she reached reached the the other other end, end, she she paused paused for for breath, breath, then then pulled pulled herself herself up up and and out out of of the the pool. pool. She She tossed tossed her her head head and and swept swept back back her her long, long, dark dark hair hair with with her her hands, hands, casting casting aa scatter scatter of of droplets droplets behind behind her. her. Then Then she she half half turned turned and and moved moved towards towards the the diving diving board board aa few few feet feet away. away. And Andthen, then,from fromthe thecorner cornerof ofher hereye, eye,she shesaw sawhim. him.She Shestopped stopped and and slowly slowly turned turned to to face face him. him. There There was was no no crouching crouching run run for for aa towel, towel, no no squeal squeal of of outraged outraged modesty. modesty. She She put put her her hands hands on on her her hips hips and and stared stared straight straight at at him. him. ‘Who ‘Who the the fuck fuck are are you?’ you?’ she she demanded. demanded. II swam swam aa few few lengths lengths of of the the pool pool because because II was was angry. angry. Wynsum Wynsum Fry Fry and andher hercalling callingcard cardwere werestill stillbugging buggingme meand andIIwanted wantedto towash washaway away the the thoughts thoughts of of her her I’d I’d stupidly stupidly let let into into my my head. head.
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II always always swim swim naked naked when when II can. can. ItIt feels feels natural. natural. ItIt feels feels right. right. II like like the thewater waterto toenfold enfoldme mecompletely. completely.ItItwasn’t wasn’tone oneof ofGlenys’s Glenys’sdays daysand and Andy Andyalways alwaysrings ringsin inadvance. advance.IIhad hadthe theplace placeto tomyself. myself.Should Shouldhave have had had the the place place to to myself. myself. II sensed sensed something something as as soon soon as as II climbed climbed out out of of the the pool. pool. But But II didn’t didn’t quite quite trust trust the the sense. sense. II thought thought II might might still still be be aa bit bit on on edge, edge, because because of of Fry, Fry, though though II felt felt calm. calm. The The water water had had worked worked its its magic. magic. II decided decided to to dive dive in in again. again. Then Then as as II turned turned towards towards the the board— board— ‘Who ‘Who the the fuck fuck are are you?’ you?’ II don’t don’t try try to to hide hide from from him. him. II stand stand where where II am am and and let let him him see see I’m I’m not not afraid. afraid. He’s He’sabout aboutfifty, fifty,aarumpled, rumpled,slightly slightlypaunchy paunchybloke blokein inaadark darksuit suitway way too too warm warm for for the the weather. weather. He’s He’s wearing wearing an an open-neck open-neck blue blue and and white white striped striped shirt. shirt. His His cufflinks cufflinks are are glistening glistening in in the the reflected reflected light light thrown thrown up upfrom fromthe theslopping sloppingwater waterin inthe thepool. pool.He Hehas hasaamop mopof ofgrey-flecked grey-flecked hair hair above above aa square-jawed square-jawed face. face. Rugged Rugged isis what what you’d you’d call call him, him, ifif you you wanted wanted to to be be flattering. flattering. Travel-worn, Travel-worn, ifif you you didn’t. didn’t. II can’t can’t see see his his eyes. eyes. He’s He’s wearing wearing aviator-style aviator-style shades. shades. Is Is he he ogling ogling me? me? You You bet bet he he is. is. What Whatis ishe? he?Not Notlocal, local,that’s that’sfor forsure. sure.Some Someunderling underlingof ofHarkness’s, Harkness’s, maybe. maybe.But ButIIdon’t don’tknow. know.He Hedoesn’t doesn’tlook looksmooth smoothenough enoughfor forthat. that.Or Or young young enough. enough. Harkness Harkness wouldn’t wouldn’t send send aa man man like like him him down down here. here. But But someone’s someone’s sent sent him. him. And And he’s he’s come come through through the the house, house, so so he he must must have have aa key. key. I’m I’m about about to to repeat repeat my my question question when when he he says, says, ‘I‘I could could ask ask the the same same of of you. you. But But .. .. .. do do you you want want to to put put something something on?’ on?’ Policeman? Policeman? Salesman? Salesman?IIdon’t don’tknow. know.But Butthere’s there’saatouch touchof ofbig bigcity cityswagger swaggerabout about him. him. Down Down from from London London is is my my guess. guess. But But why? why? On On whose whose say-so? say-so? ‘Does ‘Does nudity nudity disturb disturb you?’ you?’ II throw throw back. back. ‘“Disturb” ‘“Disturb” isn’t isn’t the the word word I’d I’d use.’ use.’ He He smiles smiles diffidently. diffidently. He’s He’s trying trying to to be be friendly friendly without without coming coming over over lecherous. lecherous. I’ve I’ve put put him him in in aa tricky tricky position. position. II take take pity. pity. II walk walk round round to to the the lounger lounger where where II left left my my towel, towel, pick pick itit up up and and wrap wrap itit round round me. me. Then Then II look look at at him him again. again. ‘So, ‘So, who who are are you? you? And And how’d how’d you you get get in?’ in?’ ‘I’m ‘I’m an an estate estate agent. agent. Don Don Challenor. Challenor. From From London.’ London.’ My My stomach stomach lurches. lurches. Estate Estate agent? agent? That That sounds sounds bad. bad.
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‘I‘I have have aa set set of of keys. keys. Supplied Supplied by by Mrs Mrs Jackson’s Jackson’s solicitor.’ solicitor.’ ‘Who?’ ‘Who?’ ‘Mrs ‘Mrs Jackson. Jackson. The The owner owner of of the the property.’ property.’ He’s He’s raving. raving. He He has has to to be. be. Who’s Who’s Mrs Mrs Jackson? Jackson? ‘I‘I don’t don’t know know who who you’re you’re talking talking about. about. The The owner’s owner’s name name is is Harkness.’ Harkness.’ ‘Not ‘Not according according to to my my information.’ information.’ ‘Well, ‘Well, your your information’s information’s wrong.’ wrong.’ He He frowns frowns at at me. me. ‘I‘I don’t don’t see see how how itit can can be. be. And And you you are?’ are?’ ‘The ‘The housekeeper.’ housekeeper.’ ‘I‘I was was told told she’d she’d moved moved out.’ out.’ ‘The ‘The previous previous one one did. did. II took took her her place. place. I’m I’m Blake.’ Blake.’ ‘Well, ‘Well, Miss Miss Blake—’ Blake—’ ‘Just ‘Just Blake.’ Blake.’ ‘OK. ‘OK. Blake.’ Blake.’ He He nods nods and and walks walks slowly slowly round round the the corner corner of of the the pool pool towards towards me. me. I’m I’m confused. confused. II don’t don’t know know ifif he he knows knows just just how how confused. confused. He He shows shows me me the the keys, keys, as as ifif to to prove prove he’s he’s legit. legit. Then Then he he takes takes aa card card out out of of his his pocket pocket and and offers offers itit to to me. me. II look look at at itit for for all all of of two two seconds. seconds. Don Don Challenor. Challenor. Residential Residential Associate. Associate. Mendez Mendez Chinnery. Chinnery. Email. Email. Mobile. Mobile. Landline. Landline. Posh Posh address address in in London London W1. W1. ‘I’m ‘I’m sorry sorry I,I, er, er, surprised surprised you,’ you,’ he he says, says, almost almost sounding sounding genuine. genuine. ‘I‘I don’t don’t understand. understand. Why Why are are you you here?’ here?’ ‘To ‘To value value the the property. property. With With aa view view to to selling.’ selling.’ ‘Selling? ‘Selling? This This place?’ place?’ ‘That’s ‘That’s right. right. As As soon soon as as possible, possible, according according to to my my instructions.’ instructions.’ His His instructions. instructions. From From aa woman woman I’ve I’ve never never heard heard of. of. But But somehow somehow II believe believe him. him. The The bolt bolt was was always always going going to to come come from from the the blue. blue. Harkness Harknessis isin introuble. trouble.And Andthis thisis isjust justone onesymptom symptomof ofit. it.I’m I’mgoing goingto to be be expelled expelled from from my my sanctuary. sanctuary. II know know II am. am. Unless— Unless— ‘Sorry ‘Sorry ifif this this comes comes as as aa shock.’ shock.’ ‘You’re ‘You’re serious? serious? About About this this place place being being sold?’ sold?’ ‘’Fraid ‘’Fraid so.’ so.’ II decide decide to to play play for for his his sympathy. sympathy. Actually, Actually, it’s it’s the the only only play play II have. have. And And II get get the the feeling feeling he he might might just just be be aa sucker sucker for for it. it. It’s It’s certainly certainly worth worth aa try. try. II burst burst into into tears. tears.
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Don’s Don’s expectations expectations of of what what he he would would find find at at Wortalleth Wortalleth West West had had been been confounded confounded at at every every turn. turn. Now, Now, Blake, Blake, the the self-proclaimed self-proclaimed stand-in stand-in housekeeper, housekeeper, entirely entirely unabashed unabashed by by parading parading naked naked in in front front of of him, him, had had descended descended into into tears. tears. She She sat sat on on the the lounger, lounger, dabbing dabbing at at her her eyes eyes with with one one end end of of the the towel towel she she was was wrapped wrapped in. in. All All Don Don could could do do was was fish fish aa tissue tissue out out of of his his pocket pocket and and give give itit to to her. her. ‘Don’t ‘Don’t upset upset yourself. yourself. Please.’ Please.’ ‘I‘I can’t can’t help help it,’ it,’ she she sobbed. sobbed. ‘You ‘You don’t don’t understand.’ understand.’ ‘You’re ‘You’re right right there. there. But But look look .. .. .. Blake Blake .. .. .. it’s it’s not not as as ifif this this isis your your home home in in any any real real sense, sense, isis it?’ it?’ ‘It’s ‘It’s the the only only one one I’ve I’ve got.’ got.’ ‘Well, ‘Well, there’s there’s not not much much II can can do do about about that. that. The The house house doesn’t doesn’t belong belong to to you, you, now now does does it?’ it?’ ‘It ‘It doesn’t doesn’t belong belong to to .. .. .. Mrs Mrs Whoever Whoever .. .. .. either.’ either.’ ‘I’m ‘I’m afraid afraid itit does. does. I’ll I’ll call call the the solicitor. solicitor. Try Try to to sort sort this this out.’ out.’ Don Don took took out out his his phone phone and and selected selected Fran’s Fran’s office office number. number. Then Then he he noticed noticed what what the the phone phone was was trying trying to to tell tell him him through through the the glare. glare. No No signal. signal. ‘Bloody ‘Bloody hell. hell. Are Are we we in in some some kind kind of of dead dead zone?’ zone?’ ‘You ‘You have have to—’ to—’ Blake Blake blew blew her her nose nose in in the the tissue. tissue. ‘You ‘You have have to to go go to to the the bottom bottom of of the the drive drive to to get get aa signal. signal. There’s There’s nothing nothing here.’ here.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Really?’ ‘Really. ‘Really. But But there’s there’s aa landline landline in in the the kitchen. kitchen. You You could could use use that.’ that.’ ‘OK. ‘OK. II will. will. You’re You’re .. .. .. all all right?’ right?’ Blake Blake smiled smiled weakly. weakly. ‘Sure.’ ‘Sure.’ Don Don went went back back into into the the house house and and took took aa left left along along the the wide wide corridor, corridor, guessing guessing the the kitchen kitchen would would be be beyond beyond the the dining dining room. room. ItIt was was predictably predictably vast, vast, with with multiple multiple sinks, sinks, ovens ovens and and work work surfaces, surfaces, trailing trailing away away past past aa long long breakfast breakfast bar bar to to aa TV TV and and lounging lounging area. area. The The work work surfaces surfaces were were all all gleaming gleaming marble, marble, the the 16 16
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shelves shelves and and cabinets cabinets pale pale wood, wood, the the furniture furniture sleek, sleek, simple simple and and expensive. expensive. The The telephone telephone needed needed some some finding finding amid amid all all the the brushed brushed steel steel and and digital digital displays. displays. One One of of the the receptionists receptionists at at Fran’s Fran’s practice practice took took Don’s Don’s call. call. In In his his experience, experience, they they all all spoke spoke with with the the same same brisk brisk haughtiness. haughtiness. ‘Is ‘Is Mrs Mrs Revell Revell expecting expecting your your call?’ call?’ she she asked, asked, in in aa tone tone that that suggested suggested unexpected unexpected calls calls were were serious serious breaches breaches of of protocol. protocol. ‘Tell ‘Tell her her it’s it’s Don Don Challenor. Challenor. And And it’s it’s urgent. urgent. I’m I’m at at Wortalleth Wortalleth West.’ West.’ ‘Hold ‘Hold on, on, please. please. I’ll I’ll see see ifif she’s she’s available.’ available.’ Don Don bit bit his his tongue tongue and and waited. waited. Half Half aa minute minute or or so so passed. passed. Then Then Fran Fran came came on on the the line. line. ‘Don?’ ‘Don?’ ‘Yes, ‘Yes, Fran. Fran. It’s It’s me.’ me.’ ‘You’re ‘You’re at at the the house?’ house?’ ‘I‘I am. am. But But I’m I’m not not alone.’ alone.’ ‘No?’ ‘No?’ ‘You ‘You said said the the housekeeper housekeeper had had left.’ left.’ ‘The ‘The live-in live-in one, one, yes.’ yes.’ ‘Well, ‘Well, her her successor’s successor’s also also decided decided to to live live in. in. And And she’s she’s never never heard heard of of Mrs Mrs Jackson. Jackson. She She claims claims the the owner’s owner’s name name isis Harkness.’ Harkness.’ The The name name sounded sounded vaguely vaguely familiar familiar to to Don Don as as he he spoke spoke it, it, though though he he could could not not say say why. why. He He turned turned away away from from the the wallwallmounted mounted phone phone while while he he listened listened to to Fran’s Fran’s response response and and stepped stepped towards towards the the breakfast breakfast bar. bar. ‘She’s ‘She’s confused. confused. Mona Mona Jackson’s Jackson’s hushusband band isis called called Harkness, Harkness, but but she’s she’s reverted reverted to to her her maiden maiden name, name, although although we’re we’re still still waiting waiting for for the the decree decree absolute. absolute. More More to to the the point, point, she she isis the the sole sole owner owner of of the the property.’ property.’ ‘They’re ‘They’re not not actually actually divorced divorced yet, yet, then?’ then?’ ‘No. ‘No. But But that’s that’s aa technicality. technicality. And, And, as as II say say .. .. .’.’ There There was was aa copy copy of of the the Financial Financial Times Times lying lying on on the the bar, bar, near near the the corner corner closest closest to to Don. Don. ItIt struck struck him him as as an an odd odd choice choice of of reading readingfor forBlake. Blake.ItItwas wasfolded foldedopen openat atan aninner innerpage. page.A Aheadline headline caught caught his his eye eye at at once. once. Harkness’s Harkness’s freedom freedom of of movement movement further further restricted restricted as as extradition extradition ruling ruling approaches. approaches. 17 17
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‘.‘. .. .. Now, Now, as as to to this this so-called so-called housekeeper housekeeper you’ve you’ve encountered, encountered, she she has has no no right right to to reside reside there. there. She’s She’s nothing nothing more more than than aa partparttime timecleaner. cleaner.You’ll You’llneed needto toensure ensureshe shemoves movesout outimmediately immediately.....’.’ Don Donstretched stretchedout outhis hishand handand andgrabbed grabbedthe thepaper. paper.He Hescanned scanned the the first first paragraph paragraph of of the the report. report. In In the the latest latest twist twist in in pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals entrepreneur entrepreneur Jack Jack Harkness’s Harkness’sbattle battleto toescape escapeextradition extraditionto tothe theUnited UnitedStates, States,Judge Judge Geoffrey Geoffrey Anders Anders QC QC yesterday yesterday ruled ruled that that he he could could remain remain free free on on bail bail until until aa full full hearing hearing of of the the case, case, but but only only on on condition condition he he agreed agreed to to be be fitted fitted with with an an electronic electronic ankle ankle tag tag to to monitor monitor his his movements. movements. US US prosecutors prosecutors are are seeking seeking to to try try Mr Mr Harkness Harkness on on multiple multiple counts counts of of fraud, fraud, bribery bribery and and embezzlement, embezzlement, arising arising from— from—
‘Don?’ ‘Don?’ ‘Sorry?’ ‘Sorry?’ Don Don dragged dragged his his attention attention back back to to the the voice voice in in his his ear. ear. ‘What?’ ‘What?’ ‘Did ‘Did you you hear hear what what II just just said?’ said?’ ‘You ‘You want want me me to to persuade persuade the the cleaner cleaner to to move move out.’ out.’ ‘Not ‘Not exactly. exactly. II said said you you must must insist insist she she moves moves out. out. And And make make sure sure she she goes. goes. As As soon soon as as possible.’ possible.’ ‘How ‘How do do II do do that? that? She She has has nowhere nowhere to to go go to.’ to.’ ‘I‘Idoubt doubtthat thatvery verymuch. much.She’s She’staken takenadvantage advantageof ofthe thesituation. situation. And And now now she’s she’s trying trying to to take take advantage advantage of of you. you. You’re You’re not not to to go go soft soft on on her.’ her.’ Don Don was was losing losing patience. patience. He He had had heard heard of of the the Harkness Harkness case case without without ever ever giving giving itit much much attention: attention: some some high high roller roller caught caught fiddling fiddling the the books books who who was was trying trying to to dodge dodge the the long long sentence sentence that that seemed seemed to to be be the the norm norm in in American American courts. courts. If If he he was was the the owner owner of of Wortalleth Wortalleth West, West, or or even even the the soon-to-be-ex-husband soon-to-be-ex-husband of of the the owner, owner, Fran Fran had had some some explaining explaining to to do. do. ‘Mr ‘Mr Harkness, Harkness, Fran. Fran. Would Would that that be be Jack Jack Harkness?’ Harkness?’ A A brief brief silence. silence. Then: Then: ‘Did ‘Did she she tell tell you you that?’ that?’ ‘No. ‘No. But But more more to to the the point, point, you you didn’t didn’t tell tell me.’ me.’ ‘Because ‘Because it’s it’s irrelevant.’ irrelevant.’ 18 18
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‘He’s ‘He’s all all over over the the newspapers, newspapers, Fran. Fran. Fraud Fraud isis the the word. word. Stolen Stolen money. money. Now—’ Now—’ ‘A ‘Allegedly llegedly stolen.’ stolen.’ ‘This ‘This house house could could be be aa recoverable recoverable asset. asset. You’re You’re the the lawyer. lawyer. Shouldn’t Shouldn’t itit be be frozen frozen until until everything’s everything’s been been sorted?’ sorted?’ ‘It’s ‘It’s not not his his asset. asset. It’s It’s my my client’s. client’s. And And she’s she’s entirely entirely within within her her rights rights to to sell sell it. it. II wouldn’t wouldn’t have have anything anything to to do do with with itit otherwise. otherwise. What What do do you you take take me me for?’ for?’ ‘You ‘You should’ve should’ve told told me.’ me.’ ‘Why? ‘Why? So So we we could could have have had had this this entirely entirely pointless pointless converconversation sation yesterday? yesterday? You’re You’re being being paid paid well well to to get get aa job job done, done, Don. Don. II suggest suggest you you get get on on with with it. it. II don’t don’t really really know know what what your your problem problem isis anyway. anyway. As As II recall, recall, Mendez Mendez Chinnery Chinnery didn’t didn’t dispense dispense with with your yourservices servicesbecause becausethey theyfound foundyour yourethics ethicstoo toohigh-minded high-mindedfor for their their taste.’ taste.’ ‘I‘I don’t don’t like like being being taken taken for for aa ride.’ ride.’ ‘You’re ‘You’renot notbeing. being.Get Getrid ridof ofthe thecleaner. cleaner.Measure Measureup upthe thehouse. house. Value Valueit. it.And Andget getthe theinformation informationto tome meby byMonday. Monday.That’s That’sall allI’m I’m asking asking you you to to do do in in return return for for your your generous generous fee.’ fee.’ ‘Hold ‘Hold on. on. I—’ I—’ ‘Which ‘Which I’ll I’ll up up to to two two thousand thousand five five hundred hundred ifif you you solve solve the the cleaner cleaner problem.’ problem.’ ‘Blake.’ ‘Blake.’ ‘Sorry?’ ‘Sorry?’ ‘Her ‘Her name’s name’s Blake.’ Blake.’ ‘Well, ‘Well, thank thank you. you. I’ll I’ll make make aa note note of of it. it. So, So, do do you you think think you you can can see see Miss Miss Blake Blake on on her her way?’ way?’ ‘Not ‘Not sure.’ sure.’ Don Don was was not not even even sure sure how how hard hard he he would would try. try. He He was was an an estate estate agent, agent, after after all, all, not not aa bailiff. bailiff. ‘I’ll ‘I’ll see see what what II can can do.’ do.’ ‘Good,’ ‘Good,’ said said Fran Fran tightly. tightly. ‘I’ll ‘I’ll await await your your report.’ report.’ II listened listened to to Don’s Don’s conversation conversation with with the the lawyer lawyer on on the the extension extension in in Harkness’s Harkness’sstudy. study.She Shesounded soundedlike likeaareal realbitch bitchto tome. me.There’s There’ssomesomething thing between between those those two two beyond beyond business, business, II reckon, reckon, history history of of some some kind. kind. And And Don’s Don’s already already misrepresented misrepresented himself himself to to me. me. He He doesn’t doesn’t
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work work for for Mendez Mendez Chinnery Chinnery any any more. more. They They fired fired him. him. So So now now he’s he’s freelancing freelancing for for the the lawyer. lawyer. Which Which means means he he needs needs his his fee, fee, II guess. guess. After Afterhe heputs putsthe thephone phonedown downin inthe thekitchen, kitchen,IIput putthe thephone phonedown down in in the the study study and and try try to to make make my my brain brain work. work. Bitch Bitch or or not, not, the the lawyer lawyer must must be be telling telling the the truth. truth. Harkness Harkness doesn’t doesn’t own own this this place. place. His His wife wife does, does, which which is is odd, odd, considering considering I’ve I’ve never never seen seen her her down down here. here. Probably Probably some some tax tax dodge. dodge. Who Who knows? knows? Anyway, Anyway, she she wants wants to to sell sell now nowhe’s he’sin introuble troubleand andshe shehas hasher herfuture futureto toworry worryabout. about.So, So,aaquick quick sale sale of of Wortalleth Wortalleth West. West. And And for for aa quick quick sale sale you you need need vacant vacant pospossession. session. ‘Solve ‘Solve the the cleaner cleaner problem.’ problem.’ That’s That’s what what the the lawyer lawyer said. said. And And that’s that’s when when Don Don told told her her my my name. name. As As ifif itit matters matters to to him. him. As As ifif he he wanted wanted itit to to matter matter to to her. her. ‘Her ‘Her name’s name’s Blake.’ Blake.’ He’s He’s already already gone goneaabit bitof ofthe theway wayto tocaring caringwhat whathappens happensto tome. me.Maybe MaybeIIcan cantake take him him aa bit bit further. further. II could could go go quietly, quietly, II suppose. suppose. II could could just just pack pack up up and and clear clear out. out. II don’t don’t know know where where I’d I’d go. go. II can’t can’t imagine imagine I’ll I’ll find find anywhere anywhere as as safe safe as as this. this. Or Or II could could try try to to stay. stay. There’ll There’ll be be some some lawyer lawyer in in Helston Helston willing willing to to argue argue II have have squatter’s squatter’s rights. rights. But But that that would would mean mean answering answering aa lot lot of of questions questions about about me me II don’t don’t want want anyone anyone even even asking. asking. II can’t can’t risk risk that. that. So, So, what what to to do? do? Delay’s Delay’s the the only only hope hope as as far far as as II can can see. see. Delay Delay until until II can can think think of of aa plan. plan. And And that’s that’s where where Don Don comes comes in. in.
After After Fran Fran had had rung rung off, off, Don Don propped propped himself himself against against the the breakbreakfast fast bar bar and and started started reading reading the the rest rest of of the the newspaper newspaper article. article. US USprosecutors prosecutorsare areseeking seekingto totry tryMr MrHarkness Harknesson onmultiple multiple counts counts of offraud, fraud,bribery briberyand andembezzlement embezzlementarising arisingfrom fromallegations allegationsmade made against againsthim himby byQuintagler QuintaglerIndustries, Industries,Harkness HarknessPharmaceuticals’ Pharmaceuticals’ partner partner in in numerous numerous takeovers takeovers and and buyouts buyouts in in the the pharmapharmaceuticals ceuticalsfield. field. Mr Mr Harkness Harkness has has dismissed dismissed the the allegations allegations as as an an attempt attempt by by Quintagler Quintagler to to steal steal his his company company from from under under him. him. The The US US Department Department of of Justice Justice has has stated, stated, however, however, that that they they have have seen seen
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clear clear prima prima facie facie evidence evidence of of wrongdoing wrongdoing and and are are proceeding proceeding without withoutregard regardto toQuintagler’s Quintagler’scommercial commercialinterests. interests. The The charges charges against against Mr Mr Harkness Harkness have have led led to to big big slides slides in in Harkness HarknessPharmaceuticals’ Pharmaceuticals’share shareprice, price,which whichanalysts analystssay saywould would probably probablyhave havebeen beenbigger biggerstill stillbut butfor forthe thecontinuing continuingand andgrowing growing popularity popularityof ofthe thecompany’s company’sElixtris Elixtrisrange rangeof ofanti-ageing anti-ageingproducts. products. A Aspokesperson spokespersonfor forHarkness HarknessPharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticalssaid— said—
‘Did ‘Did you you speak speak to to her?’ her?’ Don Donturned turnedto tofind findBlake Blakeregarding regardinghim himgravely gravelyfrom fromthe theother other side side of of the the bar. bar. She She had had put put on on aa pair pair of of shorts shorts and and aa T-shirt. T-shirt. She She looked looked calm calm now. now. ‘Er, ‘Er, yes,’ yes,’ he he said said lamely. lamely. ‘I‘I spoke spoke to to her.’ her.’ ‘So?’ ‘So?’ ‘Do ‘Do you you really really buy buy this this paper?’ paper?’ He He held held up up the the FT. FT. ‘No. ‘No. ItIt gets gets delivered delivered every every day day by by the the newsagent newsagent in in the the village. village. Some Some special special arrangement arrangement Harkness Harkness has has made. made. Likes Likes to to stay stay in in touch touch when when he’s he’s down down here, here, II s’pose. s’pose. Not Not that that he he ever ever is.’ is.’ ‘If ‘If you’ve you’ve read read this, this, you’ll you’ll know know why why he he never never is.’ is.’ ‘Yeah. ‘Yeah. Ankle Ankle tag. tag. Not Not cool. cool. II feel feel sorry sorry for for him.’ him.’ ‘Why? ‘Why? He He probably probably had had itit coming.’ coming.’ ‘Maybe. ‘Maybe. But But he’s he’s aa free free spirit. spirit. II feel feel sorry sorry for for him him like like II feel feel sorry sorry for for aa caged caged tiger tiger in in the the zoo.’ zoo.’ ‘How ‘How well well do do you you know know him?’ him?’ ‘Not ‘Not very. very. So, So, what what did did the the lawyer lawyer say?’ say?’ ‘I’m ‘I’m afraid afraid she she only only confirmed confirmed what what II told told you. you. Mrs Mrs Jackson Jackson isis the the owner. owner. She She has has every every right right to to sell. sell. And And you, you, unfortunately—’ unfortunately—’ ‘What’s ‘What’s Mrs Mrs Jackson Jackson to to Harkness?’ Harkness?’ ‘Ex-wife. ‘Ex-wife. Well, Well, all all but.’ but.’ ‘Right.’ ‘Right.’ Blake Blake nodded nodded and and looked looked serious. serious. ‘Got ‘Got it.’ it.’ ‘Sorry.’ ‘Sorry.’ ‘Me ‘Me too.’ too.’ She She gazed gazed past past Don. Don. ‘Looks ‘Looks like like I’m I’m out.’ out.’ ‘I’m ‘I’m sure sure you’ll you’ll find find somewhere somewhere else. else. Move Move in in with with your your boyboyfriend friend maybe.’ maybe.’ ‘There’s ‘There’s no no boyfriend.’ boyfriend.’ She She shook shook back back her her drying drying hair hair and and summoned summoned aa smile. smile. ‘Well, ‘Well, d’you d’you want want me me to to show show you you round?’ round?’ ‘I‘Ineed needto totake takephotographs photographsand androom-by-room room-by-roommeasurements. measurements. 21 21
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But But .. .. .’.’ Don Don smiled smiled too. too. ‘A ‘A guided guided tour tour to to start start with with would would be be great.’ great.’ The The utility utility room room led led through through to to aa mud mud room room and and cloakroom. cloakroom. From From there there aa rear rear door door gave gave access access to to aa wisteria-draped wisteria-draped coloncolonnade nade curving curving away away and and slightly slightly uphill uphill to to the the garage garage block. block. Back Back in in the the utility utility room, room, stairs stairs led led down down into into aa basement basement extending extending about about half half the the width width of of the the house. house. Here Here there there was was aa boiler boiler room, room, climateclimate-controlled controlled wine wine cellar, cellar, home home cinema cinema and and gleamingly gleamingly well-equipped well-equipped gym, gym, with with adjoining adjoining wet wet room. room. Back Back upstairs, upstairs, beyond beyond the the kitchen, kitchen, dining dining room room and and hall, hall, the the ground ground floor floor comprised comprised the the expansive expansive drawing drawing room, room, complete complete with with bar, bar, and and aa library/study, library/study, where where Harkness Harkness had had an an enormous enormous desk desk and and all all the the facilities facilities of of aa modern modern office office –– an an office office that that appeared appeared to to have have had had little little actual actual use, use, despite despite the the battery battery of of computer computer ports ports and and swivel-stemmed swivel-stemmed lights. lights. The The high high windows, windows, pale pale colours colours and and overall overall spaciousness spaciousness of of the the rooms rooms ensured ensured they they were were filled filled with with light. light. The The sea sea felt felt closer closer than than ititactually actuallywas wasthanks thanksto tomaritime-blue maritime-bluefabrics fabricsand andthe thescent scentof ofthe the ocean oceanthat thatwafted waftedaround aroundthe thehouse. house.Every Everyitem itemof offurniture, furniture,every every detail detailof ofdecoration, decoration,every everyturn turnand andangle, angle,served servedthe theoverall overalldesign. design. Wortalleth Wortalleth West West was was aa place place of of meticulously meticulously crafted crafted casualness. casualness. From From the the hall hall Don Don followed followed Blake Blake up up one one of of the the curving curving stairstaircases cases to to the the bedrooms. bedrooms. All All had had their their own own bathrooms bathrooms and and were were predictably predictably enormous. enormous. The The most most enormous enormous of of the the lot, lot, the the master master bedroom, bedroom,featured featuredan anemperor-sized emperor-sizedbed bedon onaadais, dais,aalounge loungearea, area, aa dressing dressing room room with with walk-in walk-in closet closet and and aa bathroom bathroom with with two two free-standing free-standing tubs tubs complete complete with with sea sea view. view. ‘It’s ‘It’s aa lot lot for for one one person person to to use use as as aa home home from from home, home, isn’t isn’t it, it, Don?’ Don?’ Blake Blake asked asked as as they they walked walked into into yet yet another another luxuriously luxuriously appointed appointed but but evidently evidently seldom seldom used used en en suite suite bathroom. bathroom. ‘He’s ‘He’s obviously obviously aa wealthy wealthy man,’ man,’ Don Don replied replied with with aa shrug. shrug. ‘You ‘Youneed needaaword wordbeyond beyondwealthy wealthyto todo dojustice justiceto toJack JackHarkness. Harkness. You You got got any any idea idea just just how how successful successful Elixtris Elixtris is?’ is?’ ‘The ‘The anti-ageing anti-ageing wonder wonder treatment? treatment? Not Not really. really. I’ve I’ve seen seen itit advertised advertised quite quite aa bit.’ bit.’ 22 22
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‘It’s, ‘It’s, like, like, everywhere. everywhere. He He must must be be worth worth billions.’ billions.’ ‘But ‘But he he still still wants wants more, more, ifif you you believe believe the the allegations allegations against against him.’ him.’ ‘Yeah. ‘Yeah. If If you you believe believe them.’ them.’ ‘Do ‘Do you?’ you?’ ‘I‘I don’t don’t know know him him well well enough enough to to say.’ say.’ ‘But ‘But you’ve you’ve been been reading reading about about the the case?’ case?’ ‘Oh ‘Oh yeah. yeah. Thanks Thanks to to his his FTs. FTs. It’s It’s an an education, education, that that paper. paper. Deals. Deals. Dodges. Dodges. Boardroom Boardroom battles. battles. I’d I’d no no idea idea so so many many rich rich people people skate skate on on such such thin thin ice. ice. II don’t don’t really really understand understand itit all. all. It’s It’s way way over over my my head.’ head.’ Don Don was was far far from from sure sure he he believed believed that. that. But But he he decided decided to to play play along. along. ‘Mine ‘Mine too.’ too.’ ‘Anyway, ‘Anyway,Harkness Harknessisisprowling prowlinground roundLondon Londonwith withan anelectronic electronic tag tag rubbing rubbing his his ankle, ankle, while while I’m I’m down down here, here, enjoying enjoying his his seaside seaside retreat. retreat. Look Look at at this.’ this.’ Blake Blake walked walked back back into into the the adjoining adjoining bedroom bedroom and and pressed pressed aa button button set set in in the the wall wall between between the the windows. windows. The The blinds blinds filtering filteringthe thesunlight sunlightto toaagolden goldenhaze hazerose roseautomatically. automatically.Outside, Outside, the the grounds grounds fell fell away away through through clumps clumps of of gorse gorse and and heather heather and and rhododendron rhododendron towards towards the the sea sea that that lapped lapped in in on on the the creamy creamy sand sand of of the the cove. cove. Before Before them them lay lay the the shimmering shimmering ocean ocean and and the the shadow-etched shadow-etched cliffs. cliffs. The The sky sky held held only only aa few few white white smoke-puffs smoke-puffs of of cloud. cloud. The The rest rest was was intensely intensely blue. blue. ‘I‘Idon’t don’tcare careabout aboutall allthe thestuff stuffthat thatgoes goeson onin inHarkness’s Harkness’sworld. world. This This isis what what matters.’ matters.’ ‘It ‘It isis beautiful.’ beautiful.’ ‘But ‘But II have have to to leave leave it, it, right? right? II bet bet that that lawyer lawyer wants wants you you to to get get me me out, out, like, like, yesterday. yesterday. You You may may as as well well tell tell me. me. How How long long have have II got?’ got?’ ‘It’s ‘It’s not not up up to to me, me, Blake.’ Blake.’ ‘Maybe ‘Maybe II should should start start packing.’ packing.’ ‘D’you ‘D’you really really have have nowhere nowhere to to go?’ go?’ ‘Nowhere ‘Nowhere II want want to to go.’ go.’ ‘If ‘If there’s there’s anything anything II can can do do to to help help .. .. .’.’ She She turned turned and and smiled smiled at at him. him. And And itit was was not not aa smile smile Don Don 23 23
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could could easily easily resist. resist. ‘That’s ‘That’s kind. kind. Thanks. Thanks. I’ll I’ll let let you you know know ifif there there is. is. Are Are you you staying staying here here tonight?’ tonight?’ ‘No, ‘No, no. no. I’ve I’ve booked booked aa hotel hotel in in Helston.’ Helston.’ ‘You ‘You could could cancel. cancel. As As you you can can see, see, there’s there’s plenty plenty of of room. room. It’s It’s aa shame shamenot notto tomake makeuse useof ofit. it.And Andyou youwon’t won’tdisturb disturbme. me.IIlive liveover over the the garage.’ garage.’ ‘Tempting, ‘Tempting, but but .. .. .. the the lawyer lawyer might might not not approve.’ approve.’ ‘Plus ‘Plus you’ll you’ll get get aa full full English English breakfast breakfast on on expenses, expenses, right?’ right?’ Don Don grinned. grinned. ‘I’d ‘I’d better better get get on on with with measuring measuring up. up. Thanks Thanks for for the the tour.’ tour.’ ‘No ‘No problem,’ problem,’ Blake Blake said said briskly. briskly. Don Don fetched fetched his his camera, camera, Dictaphone Dictaphone and and measurer measurer from from the the car. car. There There was was no no sign sign of of Blake Blake when when he he returned returned to to the the house. house. There There was was an an eeriness eeriness about about itit now, now, in in its its emptiness emptiness and and its its silence. silence. Fran Fran had had aa lot lot to to answer answer for, for, in in his his view. view. Trying Trying to to get get him him to to do doher herdirty dirtywork workwas wasshabby shabbyto tosay saythe theleast. least.He Hewas wasunsure unsurehow how or or ifif he he could could persuade persuade Blake Blake to to leave, leave, but but he he was was quite quite sure sure he he did did not not want want to. to. Meanwhile, Meanwhile,there therewas waswork workto tobe bedone. done.Dimensions, Dimensions,doorways, doorways, fenestrations, fenestrations, baths, baths, showers, showers, sinks, sinks, stairs: stairs: everything everything had had to to be be noted. noted. And And some some tasteful, tasteful, alluring alluring photographs photographs would would have have to to be be taken. taken. He He settled settled to to the the task. task. ItIt was was nearly nearly an an hour hour later, later, in in the the dressing dressing room room off off the the master master bedroom, bedroom, that that he he found found it. it. II knew knew Don Don would would have have to to measure measure the the rooms rooms in in the the garage garage block block as as well well as as the the main main house. house. That’s That’s when when II planned planned to to tell tell him him there’d there’d been been some some strange strange incidents incidents lately lately –– signs signs of of attempted attempted intrusion. intrusion. II meant meant to to persuade persuade him him II was was worried worried and and needed needed his his protection. protection. He He looked looked like like the the kind kind of of guy guy who’d who’d be be happy happy to to discover discover his his inner inner knight knight gallant. gallant. II was was in in the the workshop workshop behind behind the the garage, garage, working working on on my my latest latest
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driftwood driftwood creation, creation, when when he he showed showed up. up. He He didn’t didn’t look look quite quite as as I’d I’d expected. expected. Something Something was was troubling troubling him. him. More, More, II sensed, sensed, than than the the problem problem of of moving moving me me on. on. He’s He’sgot gotaabag bagover overhis hisshoulder. shoulder.He Heeases easesititoff offon onto tothe theedge edgeof ofthe the bench benchand andlooks looksaround. around.It’s It’scool coolin inthe theworkshop. workshop.IIlike likethe thesubdued subdued light light and and the the woody woody scents scents in in the the air. air. I’m I’m wearing wearing my my boiler boiler suit suit and and I’ve I’ve tied tied my my hair hair back. back. II think think Don Don has has trouble trouble recognizing recognizing me me for for aa moment. moment. Then Then he he looks looks at at what what I’m I’m working working on on and and says, says, ‘What ‘What is is that?’ that?’ ‘It’s ‘It’s going going to to be be aa three-legged three-legged table. table. I’ll I’ll probably probably paint paint the the legs legs different different colours colours –– and and leave leave the the top top natural. natural. Blue, Blue, pink, pink, green. green. What What d’you d’you think?’ think?’ ‘Are ‘Are you you making making itit to to sell?’ sell?’ ‘Yeah. ‘Yeah. There There aren’t aren’t many many National National Trust Trust shops shops in in Cornwall Cornwall without without aa Blake Blake original.’ original.’ ‘They’re ‘They’re popular?’ popular?’ ‘Well, ‘Well, they they sell. sell. Eventually. Eventually. Listen, Listen, Don, Don, I—’ I—’ ‘There’s ‘There’s something something strange strange at at the the house. house. In In the the master master bedroom. bedroom. D’you D’you know know about about it?’ it?’ II don’t. don’t. II wonder wonder what what he he can can possibly possibly be be talking talking about. about. ‘How ‘How d’you d’you mean mean –– “strange”?’ “strange”?’ ‘You’ve ‘You’ve never never seen seen it?’ it?’ ‘Never ‘Never seen seen what, what, Don?’ Don?’ ‘You ‘You really really don’t don’t know?’ know?’ ‘No. ‘No. Maybe Maybe you you should should show show me.’ me.’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Yeah.’ Don Don nods. nods. ‘Maybe ‘Maybe II should.’ should.’ IIstep stepout outof ofthe theboiler boilersuit, suit,but butleave leavemy myhair hairtied tiedback. back.We Wewalk walkdown down the the colonnade colonnade to to the the house house and and along along the the passage passage to to the the hall. hall. We We finish finish up up in in the the study. study. ‘What’s ‘What’s that?’ that?’ Don Don asks, asks, pointing pointing to to the the narrower narrower end end of of the the L-shaped L-shaped room. room. ‘What’s ‘What’s what?’ what?’ II respond, respond, seeing seeing nothing nothing but but bookcases. bookcases. ‘Why ‘Whyisn’t isn’tthis thisroom roomaaregular regularshape? shape?What’s What’sin inthe therectangle rectanglethat’s that’s been been taken taken out out of of it?’ it?’
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II shrug. shrug. ‘Dunno.’ ‘Dunno.’ ‘Nor ‘Nor me. me. Ducting? Ducting? Pipework? Pipework? In In aa house house like like this, this, there’s there’s aa lot lot of of concealed concealed services, services, for for heating, heating, lighting, lighting, plumbing.’ plumbing.’ ‘OK. ‘OK. So So that’ll that’ll be be it, it, then?’ then?’ ‘It ‘It was was my my first first thought. thought. But But no. no. That’s That’s not not it. it. We’re We’re beyond beyond the the extent extentof ofthe thebasement basementhere. here.Above Aboveus usis isthe thebathroom bathroomoff offthe themaster master bedroom. bedroom. Let’s Let’s go go upstairs.’ upstairs.’ Upstairs Upstairs we we go, go, into into the the master master bedroom, bedroom, then then the the dressing dressing room room between between itit and and the the bathroom. bathroom. ‘According ‘According to to my my measurements measurements and and the the layout layout diagram diagram I’ve I’ve sketched,’ sketched,’ Don Don explains, explains, ‘the ‘the closet closet is is above above the the space space missing missing from from the the study. study. Except Except that that itit isn’t isn’t big big enough. enough. ItIt doesn’t doesn’t go go back back far far enough enough to to be be directly directly over over it. it. There’s There’s another another missing missing space space up up here. here. Some Some sort sort of of .. .. .. void.’ void.’ ‘There ‘There is?’ is?’ Don Don pulls pulls the the double double doors doors of of the the closet closet wide wide open. open. The The clothes, clothes, most most of of them them protected protected under under plastic plastic covers, covers, extend extend back back on on their their racks racks as as far far as as the the rear rear wall. wall. There’s There’s aa walkway walkway in in the the middle, middle, with with aa floor-to-ceiling floor-to-ceiling mirror mirror fixed fixed to to the the wall wall at at the the end. end. II see see Don Don and and me me reflected reflected in in it, it, standing standing next next to to each each other. other. For For some some reason, reason, this this reminds reminds me me of of standing standing next next to to Dad Dad in in the the hallway hallway of of Gran’s Gran’s house house in in Sutton Sutton Coldfield. Coldfield. She She had had aa tall tall mirror mirror at at the the far far end. end. ItIt seems seems to to have have stuck stuck as as my my clearest clearest memory memory of of him. him. II was was aa lot lot shorter shorter than than him, him, of of course, course, whereas whereas I’m I’m about about the the same same height heightas asDon. Don.IIwas wasonly onlyeight eightyears yearsold oldthen. then.IIthink thinkIIwas washappy happythat that day. day. Anyway, Anyway, II feel feel happy happy remembering remembering it. it. ‘What’s ‘What’s behind behind the the mirror, mirror, Blake?’ Blake?’ Don Don asks. asks. II turn turn and and look look at at him. him. ‘The ‘The wall?’ wall?’ He He shakes shakes his his head. head. ‘No.’ ‘No.’ He He walks walks into into the the closet, closet, approaches approaches the the mirror mirror and and pushes pushes his his hand hand against against the the frame frame at at about about waist waist height. height. There’s There’s aa click. click. He He steps steps back back and and the the mirror mirror shows shows itself itself to to be be aa mirror-fronted mirror-fronted door. door. ItIt swings swings smoothly smoothly open. open. Behind Behind itit is is solid solid steel. steel. ‘I‘I had had no no idea idea that that was was there,’ there,’ II say, say, which which is is true. true. ‘What ‘What is is it?’ it?’ Don Dontaps tapsthe thesteel steelwith withhis hisknuckles. knuckles.‘Thick ‘Thickis iswhat whatititis. is.Very Verythick. thick.
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Impenetrable, Impenetrable, probably. probably. But But concealing concealing something. something. Definitely Definitely conconcealing cealing something.’ something.’ ‘What?’ ‘What?’ ‘Well, ‘Well,I’ve I’veseen seensimilar similararrangements arrangementsin inhouses housesI’ve I’vesold soldin inLondon. London. But But on on one one floor floor only. only. IfIf itit connects connects with with the the void void below below .. .. .. that’d that’d be be unusual.’ unusual.’ ‘So, ‘So, what what is is the the arrangement?’ arrangement?’ ‘A ‘A panic panic room room would would be be my my guess. guess. You You know? know? Somewhere Somewhere the the householder householder can can retreat retreat to to ifif there’s there’s an an intruder, intruder, with with independent independent lighting lighting and and communications. communications. Somewhere Somewhere they’re they’re completely completely safe. safe. But But ifif I’m I’m right right .. .. .’.’ ‘Yeah?’ ‘Yeah?’ II look look at at him him expectantly. expectantly. ‘Then ‘Then this this is is the the entrance. entrance. AA sliding sliding steel steel door, door, lockable lockable only only from from the the inside. inside. ItIt should should be be open, open, you you see. see. But But itit isn’t, isn’t, is is it? it? It’s It’s shut. shut. Locked Locked shut. shut. From From the the inside.’ inside.’ II don’t don’t know know what what to to say. say. I’d I’d decided decided to to invent invent aa threat. threat. Then Then Don Don delivers delivers one, one, right right into into my my hands. hands. But But this this is is real. real. This This isn’t isn’t invented. invented. This This is is aa locked locked room, room, and and suddenly suddenly II don’t don’t have have aa clue clue what’s what’s going going on. on. Suddenly Suddenly .. .. .. II don’t don’t feel feel safe safe any any more. more.
‘You ‘You mean mean .. .. .’.’ Blake Blake stumbled, stumbled, ‘you ‘you mean mean .. .. .. there’s there’s someone someone inside?’ inside?’ ‘No, ‘No, no.’ no.’ Don Don gave gave her her what what he he hoped hoped was was aa reassuring reassuring smile. smile. ‘That ‘That wouldn’t wouldn’t make make any any sense. sense. Besides, Besides, who’s who’s been been here here who who could could be be inside?’ inside?’ ‘No ‘No one one .. .. .. as as far far as as II know.’ know.’ ‘The ‘The likeliest likeliest explanation explanation isis some some kind kind of of fault. fault. Either Either that that or or someone someone standing standing out out here here leant leant in in and and triggered triggered the the door door to to close, close, then then pulled pulled their their arm arm clear clear before before itit shut.’ shut.’ Don Don frowned. frowned. ‘That ‘That wouldn’t wouldn’t make make any any sense sense either, either, of of course. course. It’d It’d just just ensure ensure the the room room couldn’t couldn’t be be used.’ used.’ ‘This ‘This isis spooky, spooky, Don. Don. II don’t don’t like like it.’ it.’ ‘It ‘It could’ve could’ve happened happened years years ago.’ ago.’ ‘Or ‘Or last last week. week. Or Or yesterday yesterday .. .. .’.’ 27 27
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‘At ‘At the the moment moment it’s it’s just just aa steel steel door, door, Blake. Blake. Maybe Maybe itit isn’t isn’t aa panic panic room room at at all. all. Maybe Maybe there’s there’s just just pipework pipework in in there.’ there.’ ‘But ‘But you you don’t don’t think think so.’ so.’ ‘Only ‘Only because because itit looks looks so so similar similar to to installations installations I’ve I’ve seen seen in in high-end high-end properties properties in in London. London. Russian Russian oligarchs oligarchs needing needing somesomewhere where to to hide hide from from Moscow Moscow heavies. heavies. That That sort sort of of thing.’ thing.’ Don Don instantly instantly regretted regretted his his reference reference to to Russian Russian oligarchs. oligarchs. If If Harkness Harkness was was guilty guilty of of his his alleged alleged misdeeds, misdeeds, aa hiding hiding place place from from those those he he had had robbed robbed or or otherwise otherwise defrauded defrauded might might well well be be somesomething thing he he felt felt he he needed, needed, even even in in his his Cornish Cornish holiday holiday home. home. ‘As ‘As II say, say, the the likeliest likeliest explanation explanation isis aa mechanical mechanical fault.’ fault.’ ‘I‘I guess guess so.’ so.’ Blake Blake cast cast aa leery leery glance glance at at the the steel steel door. door. ‘I‘I just just wish wish I’d I’d never never known known itit was was here.’ here.’ ‘Sorry. ‘Sorry. My My fault.’ fault.’ ‘Any ‘Anychance chanceyou youcould couldchange changeyour yourmind mindabout aboutthe thehotel, hotel,Don? Don? II mean, mean, II could could really really use use some some company company in in the the house house tonight. tonight. Just Justin incase caseof of......well, well,IIdon’t don’tknow, know,but but.....’.’she shesighed. sighed.‘This ‘Thishas has sort sort of of got got to to me.’ me.’ ‘Sure. ‘Sure. Why Why not?’ not?’ Don Don smiled. smiled. ‘If ‘If it’ll it’ll stop stop you you worrying.’ worrying.’ ‘I‘I think think itit might.’ might.’ ‘OK. ‘OK. That’s That’s settled, settled, then.’ then.’ Don Donhalf halfwished wishedhe hehad hadsaid saidnothing nothingto toBlake Blakeabout abouthis hisdiscovery. discovery. He Hehad hadassumed assumedshe shewould wouldbe beable ableto toexplain explainititaway. away.Instead, Instead,she she seemed seemed thoroughly thoroughly discomposed discomposed by by it. it. And And who, who, in in truth, truth, could could blame blame her? her? She She did did not not actually actually sleep sleep in in the the house, house, but but the the idea idea that that itit contained contained aa hidden hidden locked locked room, room, contents contents unknown, unknown, was was bound bound to to be be disturbing. disturbing. After Aftertelephoning telephoningthe thehotel hotelin inHelston Helstonto tocancel cancelhis hisreservation, reservation, Don Don put put another another call call through through to to Fran. Fran. The The haughty haughty receptionist receptionist seemed seemedto totake takepleasure pleasurein ininforming informinghim himthat thatMrs MrsRevell Revellhad hadleft left for for the the day. day. She She did did not not volunteer volunteer Mrs Mrs Revell’s Revell’s mobile mobile number. number. Fortunately, Fortunately, however, however, Don Don already already had had it. it. Fran Fran answered answered promptly. promptly. Background Background sounds sounds suggested suggested she she was was on on aa train. train. ‘What’s ‘What’s going going on, on, Don? Don? II called called you you for for an an update update before before II left left the the office, office, but but you you didn’t didn’t pick pick up.’ up.’ 28 28
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‘There’s ‘There’s no no mobile mobile signal signal here, here, Fran. Fran. I’m I’m using using the the house house landline.’ landline.’ ‘Have ‘Have you you given given the the cleaner cleaner her her marching marching orders?’ orders?’ ‘I‘I can’t can’t just just order order her her out. out. Anyway, Anyway, I’m I’m not not sure sure she’ll she’ll want want to to stay stay after after what what we we found.’ found.’ ‘We?’ ‘We?’ ‘Well, ‘Well,after afterwhat whatIIfound. found.A Alocked lockedpanic panicroom, room,IIthink, think,off offthe the master master bedroom, bedroom, possibly possibly extending extending to to the the ground ground floor.’ floor.’ ‘What’s ‘What’sthe theproblem? problem?Some Somebuyers buyerswill willbe beattracted attractedby bythat thatsort sort of of thing, thing, though though why why you’d you’d need need one one down down there there II can’t can’t imagine. imagine. And And what what d’you d’you mean mean –– you you think? think? The The room room either either exists exists or or itit doesn’t.’ doesn’t.’ ‘My ‘My measurements measurements prove prove aa void void of of some some kind kind isis there. there. And And it’s it’s barred barredby bywhat whatlooks lookslike likeaasliding slidingsteel steeldoor. door.But Butthe thedoor doorshould should be be open, open, Fran. Fran. The The point point isis it’s it’s closed. closed. Locked. Locked. If If itit isis aa door. door. From From the the inside.’ inside.’ ‘You ‘You mean mean it’s it’s faulty?’ faulty?’ ‘That’s ‘That’s one one explanation.’ explanation.’ ‘What’s ‘What’s another? another? That That someone’s someone’s holed holed up up in in there? there? That’s That’s absurd. absurd. What What does does the the cleaner cleaner say say about about it?’ it?’ ‘Blake’s ‘Blake’s as as baffled baffled as as II am. am. And And none none too too happy.’ happy.’ ‘Her ‘Herhappiness happinessor orunhappiness unhappinessisisbeside besidethe thepoint. point.What Whatexactly exactly do do you you expect expect me me to to do do about about this?’ this?’ ‘Well, ‘Well, II thought thought Mrs Mrs Jackson Jackson might might be be able able to to say say whether whether itit really really isis aa panic panic room, room, or, or, ifif not, not, what what the the void void contains.’ contains.’ Fran Fran sighed sighed audibly. audibly. ‘She ‘She won’t won’t want want to to be be bothered.’ bothered.’ ‘She ‘She may may have have to to be be bothered. bothered. Potential Potential buyers buyers will will expect expect accurate accurate information.’ information.’ ‘I‘I agree. agree. Which Which isis what what II sent sent you you down down there there to to obtain.’ obtain.’ Don Don had had forgotten forgotten just just how how easily easily Fran Fran could could rile rile him. him. He He struggled struggled to to remain remain calm. calm. ‘You ‘You must must have have some some documents documents relating relating to to the the property. property. Specifications. Specifications. The The original original contract contract to to build build it. it. That That sort sort of of thing.’ thing.’ ‘I‘I have have very very little little beyond beyond my my client’s client’s proof proof of of title. title. Her Her husband husband owned owned the the property property initially. initially. He He doesn’t doesn’t seem seem to to have have passed passed anything anything of of that that nature nature over over to to her her when when ownership ownership was was 29 29
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