Barry flinched, almost losing his grip on the railing. He tried to turn and look over the railing. ‘What was that? Who’s there?’
‘It’s nothing, Barry,’ Alex soothed calmly. ‘I just dropped my mobile phone.’
As Alex spoke she motioned for the two officers to retreat back to where Kim was crouched, holding her breath.
They looked to her for confirmation. She nodded. The sound had spooked Barry and he looked as though he could drop any second.
The two officers returned to their original position behind Kim.
Barry was still trying to negotiate his footing to turn on the ledge. Alex motioned for them to move back further.
Barry had now fully turned and faced Alex across the railing. If they hadn’t moved he would have easily seen the three of them crouched ten feet away.
Kim seriously hoped the doctor knew what she was doing. Her skills were about to be tested and for now, she was on her own.
THIRTY-SEVEN
And now they stood face to face. Alex’s second disappointment was up close and personal. Hardwick House really had turned into a pain in the ass. No sooner was Shane tucked up nicely in Featherstone, she now had another damn loser trying to get her attention.
Alex was aware that on three separate occasions she could have talked Barry back over the fence but she wasn’t finished yet. She wanted answers.
Kim’s position behind the wall was hidden from Barry, but Alex could still make eye contact with the detective if she needed to. Ultimately the woman was out of earshot and that’s what she wanted. She didn’t need any interference.
‘They’ve found Amelia,’ she said.
Barry appeared confused. ‘But why has it taken so long? I told you straight away where she was.’
Oh yes, he had, hadn’t he. It must have slipped her mind. Of course he’d told her immediately but Alex had quite enjoyed watching them all chase their tails trying to find the little girl. She’d had information that Detective Inspector Stone had needed and had chosen not to share. Alex had never shared all that well.
‘Well, they have her now.’ She couldn’t really have cared less.
‘Is she okay?’
‘Barry, I think you need to concentrate on yourself first. We’ll talk about Amelia in a minute.’
‘I want to see her.’
And there sailed by another opportunity to get him back over the ledge safely. She waved it goodbye.
This was the first opportunity she’d had to question a case study after the act. Ruth’s pathetic confession had robbed her of that opportunity already. She’d exercised caution when Kim had been close by. It was important to her to gain the detective’s respect. But now they were speaking privately, the collection of data was her top priority.
‘How did you feel, Barry?’
He visibly paled. For Alex, the events that had unfolded were beyond her wildest dreams; the fact that her manipulations had been strong enough to incite such a high level of violence was an A plus for her. The perfect result would have been if the kid got it as well, and Barry hadn’t caused this high-profile suicide drama but she’d work with what she had.
‘I don’t remember doing it.’ He shook his head. ‘I knew what I’d done but I couldn’t remember actually doing it. I remember dragging Amelia out of the house. She was crying so I panicked and put her in the boot of the car. Then I went back and set fire to the house. I just wanted to destroy all trace of what had happened. Jesus, I don’t know what I was thinking.’
His eyes met hers and in them she saw a ridiculous shadow of hope. ‘They are dead, aren’t they?’
‘Oh yes, Barry. They’re dead.’ The detective inspector’s sign hadn’t confirmed who was dead but someone was. Alex preferred he have nothing to live for.
‘So, what drove you to consider suicide? Was it just the fear of being caught and punished?’
Please say yes, she prayed. The fear of being caught was a concern only for the consequences of his actions. How it would affect him. Actual remorse was a different thing entirely.
He thought for a moment and she fought to hide her expectation. She felt like shaking the answer from his mouth. All she needed was one positive result.
He nodded and Alex almost reached over and kissed him. Barry had done it. He had proven her point. He had carried out a heinous crime and done so without guilt. The failures, the disappointments, had all been worth it.
Barry continued talking.
‘At first, yeah. I was still panicking about what I’d done and couldn’t bear the thought of ending up back inside. But once I got up here the memories started coming back to me. I could see Lisa’s face, full of fear and hate, gasping for air.’
A tear escaped from his left eye and travelled down his cheek. Others followed and within seconds he was crying like a big baby.
Repulsion coursed through her. For just one moment he had been her triumph. He had been the result she’d been searching for. Briefly he had proven her right but now the guilt was written into every feature on his face.
‘Oh Barry, that’s such a shame.’
‘I don’t know how I could have done that to her. I love her. And Adam’s my brother. How could I just leave them there to die? What kind of man am I to do this to people I love? Amelia will grow up without a mother because of me.’
Alex hadn’t quite meant that. Her disappointment was at his failure to perform but she let it go, along with her hopes of a positive result.
For the second time her research had been destroyed by her fucking nemesis: guilt.
Oh lord, how she abhorred disappointment.
‘No, she won’t, Barry.’
‘What?’
‘Amelia won’t grow up without a mother.’
That ridiculous hope again widened his eyes. ‘You mean Lisa isn’t …’
Alex shook her head. ‘I mean Amelia won’t grow up at all. She died in the boot of the car. You killed your daughter too, Barry. They’re all gone.’
The words she spoke were soft and final.
A look of total despair shaped his features.
He looked into her eyes, searching for the truth. A slight nod gave him the answer and she allowed the coldness in her eyes to reflect the gravity of his actions.
He let go of the railing and fell to the ground.
‘Barry, no,’ she cried, reaching for him. It was an empty gesture. She was glad he’d let go.
Kim ran towards her. ‘What the fuck happened?’ she screamed looking over the railing.
Alex moved away from the edge of the car park and the sight below. She formed her expression into a state of shock.
Kim grabbed her arm roughly and turned her so they were face to face. Kim’s body shook with rage. ‘Tell me, what the hell just happened?’
‘Oh my God … oh my … I can’t believe … oh Jesus …’
‘What was he saying? Why did he jump?’
Alex wrung her trembling hands. ‘I don’t know, I don’t know what happened. I think he realised what he’d done and he couldn’t live with it.’
Alex could see the detective wasn’t quite buying it.
‘But he knew what he’d done. I heard him tell you what he’d done almost an hour ago. Why did he jump now?’
Alex summoned a few tears. ‘I don’t know.’
Kim opened her mouth but the sound of her mobile ringing stopped her.
‘Yeah, Bryant?’
She listened for a couple of seconds and then looked over the railing. ‘You’ve got to be kidding. They worked?’
She listened to his response and then switched the phone off and put it back in her jacket pocket.
‘Canopy broke his fall. He’s not dead. Yet.’
‘Thank God,’ Alex breathed, while her mind screamed, Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Kim grabbed her by the arm. ‘You’re coming with me. We both have questions to answer.’
Alex allowed herself to be guided by the detective. Just this once.