Sisters - Michelle Frances Page 0,83

the children and he hadn’t. All that sympathy she’d thrown his way. It had all been lies and she was the fool who had fallen for them.

Soon after, Danny had a new family and they were completely forgotten – except for the monthly deposits, which Susanna knew were paid for by his new, wealthy wife.

All of that misery and shame could be wiped out now. Her mother was offering peace, reconciliation. The only thing she had to do was change her story. Say that it wasn’t Abby who had harmed her children – it was herself.

SIXTY-ONE

Dawn broke over the wooded hills south of San Sebastián, the light creeping like tendrils through the trees. A low mist hung near the ground, clinging to its last few minutes before it was obliterated by the growing power of the sun. A buzzing sound came from where the track ended and the pines began. Low at first, hardly impacting on the consciousness; then, going closer, it became louder, more chaotic.

A mass of black flies swarmed, darting in and out, landing on the source of their frenzy.

Matteo stood and looked at the body lying on the track. A man, believed to be in his early twenties. He lay on his back, his face exposed to the flies. They flew freely in and out of his open mouth, landed on the jellied surface of his staring eyes.

Lieutenant Baroni was standing next to Matteo, also looking at the victim of what was clearly a murder. Blood soaked the ground. The forensic team were efficiently cordoning off the scene of the crime. The dog walker who’d called it in was being comforted somewhere down near the road with a strong coffee.

‘It’s a known criminal,’ said Baroni as the Spanish police busied around them. ‘Someone they’ve had dealings with before.’

Matteo said nothing. He knew she was saving the best for next.

‘You think that bullet they pull out of him will match those in your gun?’

Possibly. Matteo’s stomach sank like a stone. Or is it probably?

Baroni turned to look behind her, beyond the parked-up police cars. ‘Tyre marks veering haphazardly from one side of the track to the other. Looks like a fast getaway.’ She turned back to him. ‘They’ll be able to match the tread. Could well be a Fiat 500.’

Matteo could hear the hunger, the relish in her voice. He knew she was like a shark smelling blood, that she wouldn’t rest until she’d got the answers she wanted.

Baroni folded her arms. ‘So, Matteo, it seems your wife is more dangerous than you thought.’

He wanted to deny it. But the words fell flat on his tongue.

SIXTY-TWO

Ellie sensed light prising open her eyelids. With the light came consciousness and with consciousness came pain. Her right leg felt as if an army of ants were under her skin, crawling up and down it. She tried moving and grimaced, muffling a groan. She opened her eyes, crusty with sleep, and was greeted by the sight of two suns rising over two hills. She blinked until they settled into one and watched as the green on the hill crest turned from bottle to emerald.

They had parked up in the empty layby at about four in the morning, Abby so exhausted she could no longer drive. Ellie looked through the windows of the car, seeing in daylight where she’d spent the night. They were surrounded on all sides by rolling farmland, fields sectioned by trees. Sheep grazed in the distance, small dots of black and white venturing up the hillside. Further away, there was the cluster of red-roofed buildings of a town.

Ellie heard Abby stir beside her. She waited while her sister came to.

‘Where exactly are we?’ said Abby, rubbing her eyes.

‘Not sure. I lost track of the map for a bit while we were driving. When I fell asleep.’

Abby got out of the car and stretched. Ellie took advantage of her sister’s distraction to ease herself out. She felt dizzy as she stood and tried to regain her balance while she gripped the car door, her eye catching something on the back seat.

Abby turned. ‘Are you OK?’

Ellie smiled. ‘Fine. What do you think of our bedroom view?’

‘It’s beautiful.’ She paused. ‘I wonder if they’ve found him yet.’

‘Who knows?’ Ellie hesitated. ‘Should we call it in?’

‘You mean, speak to the police?’

‘Well . . . yes.’

‘And tell them I’ve murdered someone as well as you? Double arrest?’

Except I haven’t murdered anyone, thought Ellie. She wondered about telling Abby then, saying that Susanna was alive.