they looked in the kitchen they saw weapons but none of them had the power of the gun. Cordelia remained mute; her blank, blue gaze fixed on Julie.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Sophy
The evening sun flamed the clouds. Its radiance bathed the courtyard and flashed off the surface of a police shield. Until that instant, the gardai had remained out of sight but the movement of one, and the sudden visibility of the shield, signalled that they were preparing for action. The effort to sit still required all her willpower when she heard the latest update from Gavin Darcy. The girls were missing. They had not been seen near the estate and initial fears that they would have returned to the scene of the siege had been discarded. Sophy had to believe him. The thought that they could be anywhere near Hyland Hall would snap another strand of the fragile thread that was preventing her from losing her mind.
The sky darkened. She could see her reflection in the window. Her disjointed image, broken apart by panes of glass, her agony segmented, seemed as surreal as the unseen shotgun pointed at her spine. Miriam’s tone was steelier when she asked how Victor could ensure Sophy’s safety if a car was made available to him. No decision was forthcoming as yet, she admitted. Many factors had to be considered. The decision to accede to his demand would be made at the highest level. It was obvious the gardai were playing for time as the deadline Victor had demanded passed.
‘I’m not prepared to discuss anything except the car.’ His voice was louder, more aggressive. ‘It’s your decision whether Sophia Kingston lives or dies.’
Despite his belligerence, Sophy sensed his tension rising after each conversation with the negotiator. She was wired to his thoughts, his gun a dowsing rod that twitched to his shifting moods.
Spotlights were switched on in the courtyard. Her reflection was no longer visible. If the girls were in the woods, there would be no light to guide them. The thought of them being lost drew an involuntary moan from her. Miriam rang again and tried to reassure her. The gardai were keeping watch on the grounds and had no reason to believe the girls were anywhere near the estate. Still no word from her superiors about the car but she now had the authority to negotiate a deal with Victor. A reduced charge would be brought against him if he was prepared to lay down his gun and surrender Sophy unharmed.
In reply, he fired at the ceiling. ‘Next shot goes through her spine,’ he said. ‘Bring me my car.’
Plaster dust settled on her hair. Looking up, she saw that the bullet had gone through the cornicing. She had once climbed a ladder to examine the delicate images. A Greek woman holding a lyre, she remembered, and now reduced by Victor’s shot to a scattering of white flakes.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Isobel
The gun shot was so loud, so unexpected, that Kelly dropped to the floor and covered her head with her hands. Isobel froze, unable to move until she realised that Julie was running towards the door leading into the hall.
‘Julie, stop…’ She reached her sister in time to prevent her opening it.
‘He shot Mammy. I have to go to her… let me go!’ Tears streamed down Julie’s cheeks as she struggled to free herself but Isobel held her tight.
‘We don’t know what he’s done,’ she hissed. ‘He shoots his gun for no reason and he won’t hesitate to shoot you if you go out there.’
‘Listen,’ Kelly whispered. ‘I can hear someone talking.’ She carefully turned the handle and eased the door open. The words were inaudible yet Isobel slumped with relief when she recognised the familiar pitch of her mother’s voice.
‘It’s Mum,’ she whispered and Julie, nodding in agreement, wiped her eyes.
‘I think they’re leaving the music room,’ Kelly whispered. ‘Can you hear footsteps?’
Isobel nodded. Two sets, one loud and confident, the other hesitant, lighter. Victor was shouting at the police that he wanted a car. Her mother would be forced to drive him away. He would escape and never be punished for shooting her father… and Charlie’s death, and Caesar too, and the fire in the stables. She could smell the petrol. It was still as strong as earlier when Victor had dumped her in the basement.
Julie had hunkered down in front of Cordelia and was whispering to her.
She stood up but kept her hand on the mannequin’s shoulder. ‘Cordelia hates Victor just as much as we