in her throat, she turned to the window. It was time to stop arguing, stop hurting each other. If all she’d thought about Jake were true, if he didn’t want to be with her, then she would have to try somehow to forgive him and let him go.
A few seconds later, Jake pulled the car to an abrupt stop. Behind Edward’s, Emily realised, her heart leaping into her mouth. ‘Please don’t let me be too late,’ he prayed out loud, shoving his door open and scrambling out.
Quickly Emily reached for her own door and climbed out.
‘Wait,’ Jake said as she headed into the woods, and raced around to the back of the car to grab the emergency medical bag he carried in the boot. His face deathly white, he heaved the rucksack onto his back and then, meeting her eyes briefly, nodded her on.
Passing a bench bearing no memorial plaque, they’d gone several yards down the trail when they reached the one Ben had described. Emily watched Jake looking up at the tall trees. She knew what he was thinking. Her heart bleeding for him, she tried to imagine what he was feeling, the unbearable heartbreak he would have suffered walking through his front door to find his mother’s limp form hanging in the hall.
Calling Edward’s name, they ducked into the trees, passing redwoods, maples and oaks, the smell of damp earth mingled with moss permeating the air, birds chirruping in the top branches, frantically or so it seemed to Emily. Keeping within earshot of each other, they separated but kept calling. Where was he? She prayed he had come to his senses and realised that Joyce would be lost without him; that all the money in the world couldn’t replace him. She’d almost convinced herself they would find him safe … until Jake said his name once again, his throat thick with disbelief.
‘Jake!’ she shouted, running urgently towards him, branches and brambles whipping her face and tearing at her clothes. It took a second for comprehension to dawn as she reached the small clearing he stood frozen in, and then her heart stopped. Oh dear God, no. Please, God …
‘No!’ Jake emitted a cry that came from his soul; raw, primal, that of a wounded animal. And then he moved, dragging his rucksack from his back, running, half stumbling, towards the body that appeared lifeless as it swung from the trees.
Terror crackling like icicles through her veins, Emily flew after him, grinding to a petrified halt as Jake wrapped his arms around Edward’s torso, attempting to take his weight. ‘Don’t you die on me, Edward Simpson,’ he growled, his voice ragged. ‘Don’t you dare fucking die on me!’
‘Jake …’ Acrid grief and shock crashing through her, Emily stepped closer.
‘We have to cut him down,’ Jake gasped, clearly struggling to support him.
It was too late. Surely there were no signs of life. ‘Jake …’ She took another tentative step.
‘We have to cut him down!’ Jake screamed.
Thirty-Nine
Clearly worried, Ben came tentatively down the stairs as they finally walked through the front door. His gaze went from Emily to Jake, who came in behind her. ‘Did you find him?’
His face ashen, Jake looked warily at him, and then answered with a small nod.
‘And?’ Ben’s tone was impatient.
‘He’s alive, but we don’t know for sure yet what the outcome will be,’ Emily provided hesitantly.
‘Which means what?’ Ben asked.
‘Your dad intubated him, but he couldn’t resuscitate him at the scene. The paramedics tried. He’ll need assisted ventilation, intensive care treatment.’
‘Why, for fuck’s sake?’ Ben seemed furious. ‘What did he do?’
Emily moved quickly towards him. ‘Don’t, Ben,’ she said, her eyes flicking towards Jake, who appeared not to know what to say or do.
After a second, he looked at Ben, his expression haunted. ‘He attempted to hang himself,’ he said, his voice a hoarse whisper.
Ben stared at him, thunderstruck. Emily could almost feel the turmoil of emotions he was struggling with, and then his tangible fury gave way to obvious sympathy – and she quietly thanked God. She’d known this side of her son existed, despite the traits she’d seen in him and worried herself sick about.
‘Sorry, Ben, I …’ Kneading his forehead hard, Jake looked away. He too was struggling emotionally. His voice had quavered several times as he’d spoken to the paramedics, and then to the police. They’d almost had to force him away from Edward. He wouldn’t leave him. After intubating him as best he could with rudimentary equipment in the clearing