The Apartment - K. L. Slater Page 0,77

on then, let’s hear what else has been happening at the house of horrors.’ Mark grins, upbeat again. Then he sees my serious expression. ‘I’m sorry, Freya. I’m only trying to lighten things up, but I can tell you’re worried.’

‘You’re going to think I’m crazy,’ I say, taking a sip of the red wine and savouring its deep fruitiness on my tongue.

‘Look, if you’re crazy, then there’s no hope for me either. Just tell me what’s been happening and then I’ll give you my honest opinion.’

Before I can think how to best phrase all the craziness, my worries and fears come tumbling out. I tell Mark about the flies, the repositioned furniture and toys, Skye’s ripped painting, the noises, the child crying . . . when I’ve finished, it feels like I just had an hour’s therapy session.

‘Blimey.’ Mark puts down his beer. ‘I’d heard that place was creepy but some of this stuff is seriously messed up. No wonder you’re worried.’

‘But don’t you see, it’s also just small stuff that people can easily say I’ve imagined. And like Dr Marsden said, Sophie’s death actually had nothing to do with Adder House.’

‘They lived there, for God’s sake!’ Mark shakes his head.

He understands why I’ve been so worried. Maybe I’m not going crazy after all. I continue, eager to get his thoughts on the rest of it.

‘There’s other stuff that’s spooked me that they just play down; the flies weren’t there when Dr Marsden came upstairs, there was no crying child in Skye’s room when I opened the door, so again, the implication is I must be imagining it. The only person who takes me seriously there is Lily downstairs, and nobody seems to like her. I’m worried all this is unnerving for Skye and that’s why she’s having problems at school.’

‘Look, Freya, I’m no shrink but I can see you’re absolutely not crazy. You’re just not! It sounds to me like someone is taking the mickey and setting you up to look crazy.’ He is angry and it gives me strength.

‘But why? Why would anyone want to do this to us after inviting us to live there? It doesn’t make sense.’ I glance at him. ‘And anyway, how could someone set up insects and kids crying and all the other stuff? It’s like I’m channelling The Amityville Horror.’

Mark picks up his glass and takes a swig of beer, thinking for a moment. ‘Look, I don’t want to spook you, but there are ways and means of doing all sorts of covert stuff if you’ve got the right setup.’

I haven’t a clue what he’s talking about.

‘Take that house I’m working on, it’s one of four properties that stand together in a row, built at the same time. I’ve seen the original architectural plans and Adder House is one of those identical buildings. It’s just the fa?ades that give them their individuality.’

I recall that the house Mark is working on is redbrick with ornate pillars and wrought-iron Juliet balconies where Adder House features classic white stucco. They do look like completely different houses, but still, I don’t see how it’s relevant.

‘As you know, I’ve been doing the refurb there for weeks, including all the structural alterations and a complete rewire. I know the fabric of that dwelling like the back of my hand which means I have the same detailed knowledge of all four properties.’ He hesitates as if he’s considering whether to say something.

‘And?’ I prompt him.

‘Well, let’s just say I know where I’d conceal certain covert devices if I needed to.’

Covert devices. He’s talking about secret electrical spyware, invisible eyes you don’t know are watching . . .

My blood runs icy in my veins as I’m hit with the full force of what he thinks might be happening inside our apartment . . . the camera above our door for starters. Thank goodness I got rid of it.

I look up, startled, aware he’s been talking while I’ve been distracted by my thoughts. ‘Sorry, what?’

‘I said, “If you can smuggle me into Adder House, I can soon find out exactly what’s happening in there.”’

45

Back on Palace Gate, I tap the code into the keypad, open the front door of Adder House, and close it softly behind me.

The foyer is bathed in a soft glow that emits from the lamp on the hall table.

Instead of cutting across the middle of the floor to the stairs as I usually would, I stick closely to the walls, past the Marsdens’ concealed apartment door, where