Betrayal (23 page)

'How could I find out more about this?'

Dr Weissler leant across the desk. 'Mrs Walker, do you really think that under the present circumstances, with another child on the way and as I understand it a move in the near future, this is something you can do? You'll need a lot of support. It's hard for married couples to cope. It often splits families up. Are you strong enough to do it alone? Are you able to do it alone? The cost is somewhat prohibitive.'

'I couldn't do it without help, but Neal…' She stopped at the expression on the specialist's face. 'You don't think he'll help?'

'How can I say? You're close to him, what do you think?'

'He wouldn't mind the expense, he's always said that he didn't mind how much it cost to… '

'Yes?'

'To put Jessica away,' she whispered.

'A very different thing from paying for you to spend most of your day shut away with your daughter, expending all your emotional energy on her while he and the new baby are left out in the cold.'

He didn't need to say any more. She knew that he was right. Neal would never agree to such a thing. He'd pay a fortune to keep Jessica out of their lives but she doubted if he'd part with a penny to keep her in it, especially once their own child was born. Utterly defeated she stood up, her face white are drawn. 'Thank you for your time, Doctor. You've been very honest and understanding.'

'I wish I could offer you more hope but sometimes it's better to be brutally honest at the beginning. You'll have other children, perfect children, and for all we know, Jessica's quite happy as she is.'

'You don't believe that!' accused Lisa.

'I can't know for certain. None of us knows what's going on in their minds. She might be happy as she is.'

'It's all right, I'm a realist. I'll just have to go away and think about things for a time. Can l contact you if I need to?'

He spread his hands regretfully. 'I'm afraid this consultation was a favour for a friend. I'm so busy that I can't possibly promise another appointment.'

'Could you give me an address where someone could help?' 'Mrs Walker, I can, but I'm not sure that I should.'

He saw a flicker of contempt in her eyes. 'He might be paying your fee but does that mean you're not allowed to do what's best for Jessica? If it does, then I don't know how you can live with yourself.' With difficulty, he thought, looking at the determined young woman who understood nothing about the father of her unborn child. 'Very well,' he conceded. 'I'll give you an address.'

'I won't say that you did,' she promised. 'After all, we're both trying to help Jessica; that's what this appointment was about.'

Having been instructed to urge Jessica's admittance to a home once he'd verified her condition, Dr Weissler didn't feel that Neal would agree but he nodded. If he knew Mr Gueras half as well as he thought then this lovely young woman in front of him wouldn't have any time left for her autistic daughter once her second child was born. No damage would be done, but he would have salved his own conscience. As he watched Lisa leave he remembered a time when he'd been young and idealistic, and could have wept for his own moral frailty that had allowed him to become trapped by a man like Neal Gueras.

Chapter Sixteen

Bishop stood in front of Neal Gueras's large leather desk and waited impassively for him to speak. He knew he'd been taking one or two risks lately. Issuing instructions without getting permission. Countermanding orders when the situation necessitated. And, of course, meeting Bellini had been a risk; but whatever the reason for this appointment he wasn't going to be the first to speak. He always preferred to stay silent for as long as possible.

Neal cleared his throat and put down the stilleto-shaped paper knife he'd been tapping on the desk top. 'I'm going away to Paris, Saturday week. I'll be gone five days.'

'Paris in November?' 'Lisa needs a break.'

Bishop's eyes narrowed. If he had his way the only break she'd get would involve her neck. 'Really?' 'Yes, she's pregnant.'

If possible, Bishop's pale face went even more white and his mouth tightened. 'I didn't know.'

'No one knew except me. I'm quite certain it's a boy.' 'Has she had a scan?'

'She's against them, but I'm positive it's a boy.'

'Did you just want me to make a note of your absence Saturday week?'

'Not exactly. Sit down, this is going to take some time.'

Bishop lowered himself into an armchair in the corner of the room, making sure that his face was in shadow. He didn't want to show any flicker of emotion during the coming discussion. Neal Gueras was an expert at reading men's faces.

'I want to marry her, Bishop. I have to marry her.'

He was grateful for the shadows. 'Why not wait until you're sure it's a boy? Rather a pity to marry for another daughter, I'd have thought.'

'It so happens that I don't want your advice. Even if it is a girl it could be a boy next time, or the time after.'

'I didn't realise she was so fond of children. Talking of which, suppose this one turns out to be an idiot too?'

'Listen!' snapped an infuriated Neal. 'We're leaving London late Friday night and won't return until the Wednesday morning. I do not wish my wife to be alive on my return.'

The silence was like a heavy weight pressing down on both men. Bishop was aghast. He'd never considered Lisa a candidate for marriage. There'd been so many women, all in his opinion far more suitable companions for his employer, and yet marriage had never been mentioned. Naomi was Neal's wife and Naomi knew everything. She'd probably got letters lodged with her solicitors in case of any eventuality such as this. They stood to lose everything if Neal pressed ahead. It was unbelievable.

'Well?' snapped Neal again. 'Is it beyond you?'

'Hardly, I merely wondered…'

'Yes?'

'Suppose Mrs. Gueras has protected herself in some way? There may be papers somewhere, affidavits lodged with… '

'I've seen to all that. There were papers but they no longer exist. What kind of an idiot do you take me for?'

A prize one, thought Bishop. 'I was only checking,' he said aloud. 'In that case, it shouldn't be too difficult.'

'Her new nurse is useless. She'll agree with any verdict a doctor brings in so that's another worry out of the way. Just make sure there aren't any suspicious circumstances.'

'Aside from the fact that it's a murder.'

'In a minute I shall begin to think you don't want to do this.' 'It's all the same to me. If you're quite sure?'

'I am.' 'Anything else?'

'Just be very, very careful. We can't afford any hint of scandal right now.'

'I'm well aware of that,' said Bishop shortly, and left the room.

Once back in his annexe he hit the wall with his fist. A blow that would have broken most men's knuckles. 'The bitch!' he muttered. 'The scheming, conniving little bitch!' But he knew there was nothing he could do except obey. Naturally he'd record his disapproval in his own minutes to cover himself , but he'd also do as he was asked and wait. Women miscarried their babies all the time. A dead Naomi didn't bother him, was probably in fact better dead than alive with her drink problem. No, it was the idea of Lisa replacing her that really enraged him, but perhaps fate, possibly assisted by Bishop, would make sure that she didn't. With that comforting thought, he settled down to make his plans.

'I can't go to Paris!' exclaimed Lisa. 'What about Jessica?'

Neal refrained from saying what he thought about Jessica and put an arm round Lisa's waist. 'She'll be all right. That's what the nurse is for. You need a break . Not only are you tired, you're also worrying quite needlessly that our baby won't be normal. You've been to three specialists, they've all told you autism isn't hereditary but you won't listen. In my opinion you've got to get away and put things into perspective. I'm quite sure you're not good for Jessica while you're like this.'

It was true. She wasn't nearly as patient and caring as she should be, and Jessica felt it. That was why she was totally uncontrollable these days. 'You're right,' she admitted. 'And I would like to see Paris.'

'I thought we'd leave on Friday evening and come back the following Wednesday.'

'You said a long weekend!'

'Isn't 'it long enough? I might be able to fit in a couple more days.' 'It's too long. I thought you meant Friday to Monday. Jessica might think I've deserted her.'

'Nonsense! You've got the baby to think about as well as Jessica, and right now you're not being fair to either of them.'

Lisa looked at his broad, reassuring figure in its immaculate charcoal grey suit and knew he was right. She was fortunate to have him looking after her. It was impossible to envisage any situation that he wouldn't be able to cope with, and his confidence and power was beginning to have an effect on her. He fascinated her; she only wished that the power he wielded acted as the aphrodisiac it was meant to be. In bed she was proving a sad disappointment, although he never complained . In fact he took more and more care over his lovemaking, but she simply couldn't let herself go.

'Don't bother to pack much,' he added as he left. 'I thought you'd enjoy buying some French clothes. They make wonderful lingerie!' he added with a smile. She was relieved he wasn't planning to spend all their time in bed.

The Saturday after they left was a cold, damp day with a high wind. Louise, Ruth and Rebekah all felt on edge without knowing why. As a result, Louise picked on Rebekah, Ruth shut herself away in the library and tried to lose herself in Jane Eyre, and Rebekah alternately cried because Louise was being unkind or giggled uncontrollably at mildly humorous television programmes.

After tea, Louise's spirits lifted when Bishop arrived unexpectedly. For once he invited himself into the house and was positively agreeable. He even played a game of draughts with Rebekah and kept silent when she cheated.

After Rebekah went to bed he remained with the older girls. Ruth, who felt uncomfortable in his presence, decided to have an early night and leave Louise to enjoy Bishop's undivided attention. 'I only hope I can sleep,' she commented as she said goodnight. 'The wind in the tree by my window's making a terrible row. If you hear a crash in the night I'm probably lying pinned to my bed by a giant oak!'

'I'm not likely to hear the crash,' said Louise, smiling amiably now that she had Bishop to herself. 'You can't hear much in my room on a normal night, let alone in this gale.'

'I'll dash to your rescue,' promised Bishop dryly.

'You'd probably cut off my legs below the knees and then say you did it for my own good.'

'What an astute judge of character your sister is,' commented Bishop as the door closed behind Ruth.

'She's been in a bad mood all day. Daddy promised to take her to look at some horses this weekend, she needs a new one, and then he cancelled at the last minute for business reason. We all know what that means!'

'Really?' He'd actually put a hand on Louise's shoulder as she sat curled up at his feet and she could scarcely speak for excitement.

'He's tied up with that Lisa girl, of course. Their picture's in the papers often enough.'

'Sounds quite exciting!' 'I didn't mean literally.'

'How's your mother taking it all?' he added casually, letting his fingers drift up Louise's neck and tugging gently at her fair curls.

'In her usual way. She appeared briefly during the morning but I think she's spent most of the day in her room drinking. This new nurse isn't nearly as good as the last one. She isn't as strict, and Mother doesn't like her either which is a pity. Nurse Clarke was more of a friend and Mother must need one. I've never understood why Nurse Clarke left.'1

'Probably got a chance to travel. This isn't the most exciting of places to work.'

'But she was fond of Mother.'

'Has the new nurse got the same room?'

Louise wriggled as he pulled rather too tightly on her hair. 'Probably not. I think Mother said she didn't want a spy right next to her bedroom.'

'Can't you keep still?' he asked mildly. 'You're hurting me!'

'Don't you like it?' 'No I do not!'

'Pity.' He hesitated, but then remembered Lisa and her unborn child. Louise was probably his best chance of keeping alive his hopes of inheriting Neal's empire. 'Turn round,' he commanded, and then bent his head and began to kiss her trembling mouth.

Half an hour later, thoroughly bored but satisfied that Louise didn't realise it, he stood up and stretched. 'Time for bed, I think. If I stay here much longer I won't be answerable for my actions!'

Louise flushed with pleasure and gave a quick giggle. 'Perhaps I don't mind if you forget yourself.'

'Your father most certainly would.'

'Why should I care about him?' Her mouth turned down in a most unattractive expression, slightly reminiscent of her mother. 'He doesn't bother me.'

'Maybe not, but I do. You're still at school, Louise. I can wait,' he added with what was almost a smile.

Wildly elated, Louise watched him leave by the front door and only when the lights came on in the annexe did she finally go up to bed. She quickly fell asleep, dreaming of his hard mouth on hers and the way his teeth had nibbled at the soft skin at the base of her throat. For the first time she began to believe that marriage to Bishop was possible. After all, hadn't he said he was willing to wait?

Even as she slept he was waiting. Standing in complete darkness in his own bedroom, watching as the lights in the main house were slowly extinguished until only Naomi's remained. In a large cardboard box at his feet lay his weapon. 'Soon,' he murmured softly to himself. 'Very soon.'

Naomi couldn't sleep. Despite all the whisky she'd drunk and the tranquillizers prescribed by the doctor, sleep eluded her. She hadn't taken her sleeping pills because she knew it might be dangerous, but usually whisky and valium were enough to ensure a brief period of oblivion. Not tonight. Tonight something—the wind, the rain on her window or just pure, unadulterated misery—was keeping her awake. She lay on her pillows, an overweight, prematurely aged woman with swollen fingers and a mottled complexion, and remembered the days when she'd first met her husband. She recalled how tall and well-built he was, and how his eyes had shone when he saw her. She remembered the first time they made love, the hardness of his body on hers, the sudden thrust and the brief moment of pain that was soon obliterated by waves of pleasure. A pleasure he'd always been able to give her for as long as she'd held his interest. They'd been happy together at first. Then he'd begun to work long hours while she'd spent endless months, miserable and sick, as she produced daughters for him. Daughters that he didn't want and blamed her for. It was then that she'd lost him.

He'd changed as well, she thought with sudden clarity. He'd become harder. Gradually most of the humanity seemed to ebb out of him until she found herself in bed with a harsh uncaring husband who ignored her pleasure and found his own release with greater and greater speed. Then, after Rebekah, he didn't bother to come to her bed at all.

If only they'd stayed in Greece, she thought fretfully. True, they'd never have become as rich and he wouldn't have been so important, but in the end what had they gained? For her part, very little, and she wept for the time so long ago when her heart had leapt with excitement every time she saw him, and his strong arms had seemed to promise her eternal love and safety. What a fool she'd been. Everyone knew nothing was forever.