with a fine-toothed comb. You need to make sure your business is squeaky clean.’
‘It is, Nathan. You don’t need to worry on that score.’ I can’t think about the reality of the situation. I can’t give Nathan a hint of the truth – that the legitimacy of my business is balanced on a knife edge. That any day now the auditors could come across a receipt that will tip them off to what I’ve been doing.
‘It better be clean. Because I can’t afford any hint of a scandal. I work in finance, Fi. Finance. I won’t have us the subject of gossip. I won’t have my reputation dragged through the mud. Is that clear?’
‘Of course.’
‘Of course.’ He mimics my nervous tone, shakes his head and laughs. ‘Go on then. Off you trot. And don’t think about coming back until you’ve checked and double-checked every single piece of paper in that office.’
I stumble out of the room with the taste of salmon en croûte in my throat and the acidic burn of white wine in my gullet. Nathan isn’t going to let this drop until the auditors have given my business the all clear. But I’m not sure that’s ever going to happen.
Nineteen
KELLY
With trembling fingers, I open the front door as far as it will go with the chain attached. I peer out to see a man standing a couple of paces back, illuminated beneath the security light. Despite the warmth of the evening, he’s wearing a navy hoodie and a baseball cap. His eyes are blue, and he looks to be somewhere in his twenties. His face isn’t one I recognise.
‘Hello?’ My voice sounds calmer than I feel.
‘Hi.’ He shifts from one foot to the other and rubs at the dark stubble on his chin.
‘Can I help?’ I smile but it feels fake, so I stop.
‘Sorry to disturb you.’ His voice is soft and deep. ‘I’m looking for someone.’
This must be the man Sophie has run away from. I wonder what he did to her. ‘Oh?’
‘It’s my wife…’
I wait for him to go on. Looking closer, I notice that his eyes are a little bloodshot.
‘It’s just… she’s missing. She’s been missing for a few days… so I’ve been knocking on doors all over town asking if anyone’s seen her.’
I wasn’t expecting this. I thought the person looking for Sophie would be somewhat rougher. Angrier. More intimidating somehow. But maybe that’s his plan. Maybe he’s trying to appear nice to lull me into a false sense of security, so that I’ll give Sophie up.
I flinch as he pulls something out of his hoodie pocket. But then I realise it’s just a phone. He taps the screen a couple of times and holds it out. ‘This is my wife. This is Sophie. Don’t suppose you’ve seen her?’ He swallows. ‘I’m really worried for her safety. She has a few issues.’
Issues? The photo on the phone is indeed one of Sophie. She’s standing in a sunny garden, the light shining on her face. She’s radiant; smiling at the person taking the photo. I really want to ask him about the issues he’s talking about. I want to question this man about Sophie and what he’s done to make her so afraid of him. But I can’t let him know that I’ve seen her. That she is, in fact, staying in my attic. So I frown and shake my head. ‘She doesn’t look familiar. Is she from around here?’ I wonder if my lies are convincing.
He looks disappointed, his shoulders sagging. He massages his temple. ‘We live just outside town. Sophie disappeared some time during Tuesday night. It was weird – I woke up and she was gone. But she wouldn’t just leave like that, not without saying anything. We’re in love. We have a great relationship. Something must have happened…’ He puts the phone back in his pocket and starts scratching his forearm. ‘So? Are you sure you haven’t seen her?’
‘Sorry, I don’t think so, no.’
‘Think hard. Maybe you passed her in town, or on the street. She’s not a forgettable person.’ His eyes are boring into mine. I’m convinced he must know I’m lying.
‘Like I said, I’m sorry, but I’ve never seen her before. Have you been to the police? Reported her missing?’
‘They’re useless. I know they don’t believe me. They think she must have left willingly. But she wouldn’t do that.’
I find it interesting that he’s saying he’s reported her missing to the police. I wonder if he really has. Because