Betrayal (38 page)

'Right, gentlemen.' At last Neal could be himself and his speaking voice took on a harsher tone than was usually heard by ordinary acquaintances. 'I think it's time we discussed the new casinos in London. I'm sure none of us here,' and he gave Bellini a swift glance, 'wishes the Americans to regain a position of power.'

'Certainly not,' endorsed a small balding man, better known as a caring left-wing M.P. 'From what I hear they're not going to stop at the casinos either. There's always the question of drugs and… '

'Prostitution,' put in Bellini helpfully, and had the satisfaction of seeing the man flush scarlet. As the regular client of the assortment of rent boys run by Bishop on Neal's behalf, the politician was personally beneath contempt but naturally Neal used him. A tame politician was always useful.

Normally Lisa found the small-talk when the women were alone excruciatingly boring, but tonight she hoped they'd all be content with gossiping about the latest hairstyles or an earl's daughter who'd run off with the milk man. Naturally they weren't; she was inundated with questions about her 'lovely little girl' . Questions that were made all the more painful by the voracious appetite of the women for as many details as possible to pass on to assorted friends.

'She's autistic,' said Lisa briefly. 'It's a rare condition and very little's known about it. I'm sorry if she spoilt your meal. Somehow she slipped past her nurse and wandered downstairs by mistake. She's really very shy.'

'Is your little boy all right?' asked a raddled-looking woman wearing a low-cut dress.

'It isn't hereditary. Alexi is fine.'

'She sang beautifully,' said Carol, almost as upset as Lisa by what had happened. 'Can't that be used to help her?'

'It doesn't lead to anything. Lots of autistic children have one outstanding talent. She won't ever be normal enough to train as an opera singer, I'm afraid.'

'How good of your husband to let her stay here,' said the wife of the M.P. who liked young boys. 'He's obviously devoted to you.' She'd always liked Neal Gueras.

'I'm very lucky,' agreed Lisa, secretly wondering what Neal was going to say in the privacy of their bedroom.

'Isn't there any cure?' asked another woman.

Lisa was beginning to understand how Jessica must feel when surrounded by people. 'No, there is treatment but it takes a long time before you know if it's helping. Does anyone know what the Royal Ballet are performing next month? I'd like to take my youngest step-daughter for her birthday treat.' After that, no one had the nerve to return to the subject of Jessica. By the time the men rejoined them, Lisa had almost recovered her composure.

Bishop came across to her side. 'That's the first time your husband's provided a cabaret during the meal!' he sniped. 'Did the women want to know if they could hire her?'

'No, but one or two expressed interest in the clown who'd brought Carol along. I think it was for their children's parties.'

A sharp intake of breath was reward enough for Lisa, who'd decided that she couldn't possibly make Bishop hate her more than he did already and was practising defending both herself and Jessica against any further attacks from Neal.

As the guests mingled and some of the men gathered round the television to watch a video the MP had brought back from Frankfurt, Bellini moved smoothly to Lisa's side.

'Are you all right?' he asked softly. 'I'm fine.'

'And little Tosca?'

'She was in a terrible state when I left. I just can't thank you enough for the way you took hold of her. Neal was so livid that… '

'It was nothing. How is the treatment going?'

'There is a change in her,' said Lisa slowly. 'Not exactly an improvement but at least she isn't fighting against me so hard. She's used to sitting on my lap and letting me hold her. Instead of screaming with fury, she looks pathetic and cries quietly.'

'You must be exhausted after such sessions.'

'Fortunately life with Neal doesn't give me much time to think about myself! He wouldn't like it if I kept saying how tired I was, and by convincing him I'm all right I fool myself as well. Rather like that song from The King and I!'

'You cannot fool your body. Eventually you will have to sleep.' 'I'm fine, honestly.' She lifted her face to smile an assurance. It was a terrible mistake. In his eyes she saw such an expression of affection mixed with desire that she began to move closer to him as her heart raced and her legs felt weak. He too remained frozen, realising that for the first time in his life he was face to face with a woman whom he wanted not only for lovemaking but also to cherish and protect. Here was a woman he might have considered marrying and he couldn't have her.

His mouth softened and the lines that ran from the side of his nose down to the corners of his mouth smoothed away as he very slowly began to lift a hand to caress her cheek. Fortunately for them both, the MP suddenly let out a shout of excited laughter and in the ensuing outburst of sexual innuendo the spell was broken.

Bellini's hand returned to his side while his face assumed its more usual cynical expression, only the softness in his eyes remaining as proof that Lisa hadn't imagined it all. She moved away from him, half-turning towards the television but averting her eyes when she saw two naked girls rolling round on a circular bed together.

Most people were staring avidly at the action but Bishop stood apart from the crowd. He'd been watching Lisa and Bellini from the moment they came together and had seen the tell-tale signs of the Italian's feelings. Inside he smiled to himself. It was now possible that, given sufficient rope, Lisa would hang herself; although the fact that it was Bellini who was involved made it more complicated because Bellini couldn't possibly be made to suffer, whatever his actions. Even so, it was nice to know the man had a weakness.

Carol tugging at his arm brought Bishop back to reality. 'I don't think I want to watch any more of this,' she said coldly. 'Perhaps you'd take me back. I have to be up early tomorrow.'

His mind went through the known facts about her. Single, no family, up to her neck in debt, dependent upon Neal Gueras to keep her shop going. He was quite safe; she couldn't make a fuss whatever happened. 'Fine,' he said casually. 'We'll have a quick nightcap in my annexe and then we'll set off for London. I must admit I prefer action to watching this kind of simulated sex.'

Disturbed, Carol tried to enlist Lisa's help in making other arrangements for getting home. Lisa, however, was anxious not to antagonise Neal any further and since Carol had chosen to come with Bishop, she couldn't imagine why he wasn't entitled to take her home. It was 3 a.m. before the last guest left, with the exception of Bellini who was staying overnight. He wished his hostess goodnight and then followed Wakefield up the stairs to the main guest room, acutely aware of Neal's eyes on his back.

Neal and Lisa went upstairs in silence but once inside their bedroom, Neal spun round to face his wife and all his submerged fury erupted. 'How the hell did that daughter of yours manage to get away from her nurse? Isn't it enough that she lives under my roof, and that I have to watch while you half-kill yourself in some pathetic pursuit of a cure that every sane person knows doesn't exist? Do you have any idea how I felt when she started throwing one of her tantrums? Can you imagine what people are going to say? Can you?'

Lisa held her hands out in despair. 'I'm sorry, darling, I really am. I've no idea how it happened or why she chose to come into a room full of people but obviously it won't happen again. I'll make sure of that.'

'It most certainly won't because she isn't going to stay here. Enough is enough. She's going into a home.'

'No she is not!' shouted Lisa. 'You gave me your word, and if you send her away I'm going too; and what's more I'm taking Alexi with me.'

He stared blankly at her for a moment and then—to her astonishment—burst out laughing. 'You cannot be serious! Really, Lisa, you're incredibly naive; it's almost touching! Do you seriously imagine for one moment that I'd let you take my son out of this house?'

She frowned as he continued to laugh. 'I admire your spirit ,' he said at last. 'And yes, I did give you my word, but since Nurse Anthony can't control her I shall find someone who can.'

'No! Janice and I are the people doing the therapy; if we don't continue it will do irreparable harm. She wasn't being naughty tonight, she got frightened.'

'Have you any idea of the value of that clown she broke?' 'It's insured, isn't it?'

'No, you stupid girl, it isn't. How can I insure something I'm not supposed to have!'

'I don't… '

'I could have broken her bloody neck!' he continued, savagely tugging at his cuff links.

'You would have done if Renato hadn't taken her away from you.' Neal sat down on the bottom of the bed. 'Yes, the handsome Italian. Don't think that I'm not aware of his feelings towards you, and yours towards him.' 'He's just a friend!'

'That's not what it looked like tonight. Not that I blame him for wanting you, but I trust you know better than to encourage anything more than a light-hearted flirtation?'

'I don't flirt.'

'No,' he said slowly. 'I suppose you don't. Perhaps it might help if I told him you were frigid. It's true, and from what I've heard he'd soon lose interest once he knew that.'

'I am not frigid!' She was shaking with anger; tired of his repeated accusation which she knew was totally untrue.

'Really?' He stepped closer to her.

'Perhaps it's not me that's to blame!' she shouted, throwing discretion to the winds.

'You mean it's my fault?'

'We're the only two concerned so… '

'It has to be me?' He smiled.

'It's possible; maybe if you weren't always in such a hurry I could relax more. Do you think I enjoy knowing you're getting impatient? How would you like it if… '

He wasn't like Toby. His face never changed and he didn't give her any warning. One minute he was standing smiling at her and the next the palm of his left hand hit her right cheek with a crack and her head jerked to one side.

'You selfish bitch,' he said quietly. 'I'm beginning to think Toby had some provocation.'

Stunned and in pain, Lisa stood in front of him, not realising that she'd begun to weep.

'I'll show you just how impatient I can be,' he added, and ten minutes later she was lying still fully-clothed on the floor as he looked down on her. 'Next time I'd think carefully before calling me an impatient lover,' he said softly. 'Believe me, I can be a great deal less patient than this as well. I'm very disappointed in you tonight, Lisa. Very disappointed indeed.'

The slap he'd administered had been very mild but the damage it had done to their relationship was immeasurable.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Next morning Lisa awoke early. She had to give Jessica her therapy before leaving with Neal for London where they were due to spend the next four days, and was beginning to wonder if the treatment could work when—except for the therapy—she was so rarely with her daughter. Fortunately Janice was always there, and the situation was the best compromise she could manage.

Surprisingly, Bellini was still at breakfast. He glanced up over his cup then rose politely to his feet. He was actually on his third cup of typically English coffee but it had been worth it to see her again. 'You rise early!' he exclaimed in mock surprise. 'I imagined that society hostesses never left their beds before noon.'

'I've got Jessica to see to and then we go back to London. We're at the theatre tonight, a Help the Aged dinner tomorrow and Felicity someone's twenty-first birthday party the following evening. I shall be whizzing from London to Berkshire faster than anything British Rail can offer!'

'You come to see your daughter every day?'

'I have to or everything we've achieved so far will be lost.'

'I too must rush, but we will see each other at the party. Your husband and I both know Felicity's father.'

She felt a surge of pleasure. 'I expect you're anxious to get back to your son?'

'Naturally, but then I must get to work at the bank. Please say my farewells to your husband for me, and thank you again for a delightful dinner party.' He took her right hand in his and lightly stroked the top of her wrist. His fingers were long and slender, their touch featherlight, and suddenly she found it difficult to breathe.

He'd never behave like Neal, she thought bitterly. She'd stake everything she had on that. Realising he'd held her hand too long she suddenly withdrew it, feeling a physical ache at the breaking of contact. 'I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Did you know the man opposite you?'

'A business acquaintance.' He sounded brusque, almost remote, as though she'd spoken out of turn.

'I didn't mean to pry,' she said quickly.

He gave a wry smile. 'I apologise, but you see… Well, business is business and sometimes it can lead to minor annoyances which have to be dealt with.'

'I understand. Have a safe trip back.'

She didn't understand, he thought, following Michael as the boy carried his suitcase out to the car. He didn't understand himself. From what Stephen Holdsworth had told him during dinner it sounded as though P2, the masonic lodge to which his family had belonged since its inception, was now involved with things that he personally didn't wish to be associated with. Drugs and the laundering of money were best left to criminals like Neal's organisation in London. If P2 were becoming as corrupt as Stephen had indicated, then he didn't want any part of it. It was a large and unwelcome problem, and as soon as he'd played with Luciano he would telephone his father for advice.

Tipping the hovering boy he slid into the Ferrari and drove swiftly and efficiently away. Despite his business worries all he could see was the slim figure of Neal's wife as she'd looked last night, holding her terrified child in her arms as she tried to protect her from her husband. For the first time in many years he wanted to both love and protect a woman, and her fear and vulnerability were etched indelibly in his mind.

Lisa had another miserable hour with Jessica. The child kept sobbing softly, trying to hang her head while Lisa firmly forced it up again, all the time ignoring the bewilderment on Jessica's face. It didn't seem as if any of her mother's reassurances even reached her. But at least she now sat passively and Janice said that her behaviour in the day was less frantic and she was eating better.

After that, Lisa went straight to the nursery and was surprised to find Neal sitting there with Alexi on his knee. He was all smiles this morning, the distasteful scene of the previous night apparently forgotten. She assumed she was expected to forget it too.

'Isn't he doing well!' he exclaimed. 'I'd forgotten how quickly they grow. He's so alert. A proper little Gueras, aren't you, my boy?' Alexi obediently bestowed a windy smile on his adoring father and murmured contentedly to himself. 'Where have you been?' continued Neal. 'I hoped you'd have a rest this morning.'

'I've been with Jessica.'

His smile vanished. 'Of course, we mustn't forget Jessica. Did she throw anything of value this morning?'

'You know perfectly well there isn't anything of value in her rooms. She's definitely improving, she doesn't… '

'I don't want to hear about her. Have you had breakfast?'

'Yes. Renato was still here. He asked me to pass on his farewells.' 'I'm surprised you didn't run off with him. I'm sure he'd have taken you if you'd played the battered wife.'

'What play are we seeing tonight?' she asked, determined to change the subject before she said something she'd regret.

'The new R.S.C. production at the Barbican. A modern play, I think.' 'How many of us are going?'

'Six, I'm afraid your handsome Italian isn't among them.'

She put a hand on his arm. 'Please don't keep on about Bellini. You're my husband. I'm not interested in other men. I've got you, Alexi, Jessica, two lovely homes… what more could I want?'

He gave her a long, level look. 'I wish I knew, Lisa.'

'I'm a disappointment to you, aren't I?' she whispered, taking Alexi and holding him against her shoulder.

'I suppose so, but perhaps it isn't your fault. You're a good hostess, a good mother and, in public, an excellent wife. Also, to be fair, you always said you didn't love me. I suppose that's why things aren't so perfect behind the bedroom door.'

'That isn't why. I still can't shake off the memories of Toby, he's always there. Whenever I'm close to letting go I start remembering all the things he did to me and I just freeze, but I'm very fond of you, you must know that.'

'I'm sorry I hit you.' The words came out jerkily. Apologies were unfamiliar to Neal Gueras.

'I understand; I just wish I was better for you.'

'I behaved abominably. I don't know, following Jessica's… ' 'And I'm sorry about her,' said Lisa quickly. 'I realise it was a disaster.'

Suddenly he stood up and it was as if the conversation had never begun. 'Time to go,' he announced, and promptly left the room.

Lisa laid Alexi down in his cot. Immediately he started screaming in disgust and the nanny hurried in, looked accusingly at Lisa and picked the baby up, checking for a wet nappy or a loose pin. 'My husband's been holding him,' said Lisa shortly. 'There's nothing wrong except he didn't want to be put down.'

'Although why I should apologise to his nanny,' she remarked to Neal as they drove away from the house, 'I simply can't imagine. I do so hate leaving him with her.'

'You're a wife first and a mother second, darling. That's the way I like it to be. We'll see more of him when he's older.' She wondered if that was true.

Back at the flat, Neal checked his answerphone while Lisa went through the post. There were the usual numerous invitations and requests for money plus one large brown envelope for Neal marked 'Confidential'.

Placing that on his desk she went into the bedroom to change. When Neal joined her she knew that he wanted to make amends for the previous night. This time he was careful and considerate but if anything their quarrel had increased Lisa's inability to respond and she could tell how disappointed he was when it was over and she was lying in his arms.

'I'd better ring for Bishop,' he said reluctantly. 'I'll need him for the rest of the day. If you want to go shopping, take Mike.'

'I rather wanted to see Carol. She's meant to be designing something for Ascot and I'd like to have an idea of what she's planning.' 'I'm not sure Carol's going to stay in business much longer.' He sounded totally indifferent despite his financial interest. 'Why?'

'I've no idea. Women simply haven't taken to her designs. It's all a matter of luck in the fashion game. Still, go and see her by all means.'

He had ten minutes to wait before Bishop arrived and picked up the brown envelope, glanced at the London postmark and wondered what it was. It felt stiff , like an invitation, but that wouldn't come in a cheap brown envelope. When the photo first fell out he glanced briefly at it, wondered why anyone should bother to send him such a tawdry picture and went to throw it away. It was only when he reached the kitchen, where the light was sharper, that he was actually able to see the face of the threesome so busily engaged in their work.

Blinking rapidly he held it closer to his eyes unable to believe what he saw, but there was no doubt about it. It was Lisa, with her eyes wide open, her lips parted in what could possibly be ecstasy, and her body taut beneath the ministrations of two men. One he recognised instantly as Toby Walker but the other one was a total stranger to him.

His hand began to shake and a vein throbbed in his temple. He still wanted to throw it away, forget its very existence, but he was drawn again and again to his wife's face. She was unrecognizable from the passive sexual partner he knew. All at once sheer, murderous rage made him shout her name as he crashed back into the bedroom where she was about to take a shower.

Lisa, poised naked by the cubicle, stared at him, quite forgetting her lack of clothing.

'You lying bitch!' he growled, walking slowly towards her with his hands stretched out in front of him. 'Toby Walker put you off sex, did he? Turned you into a frigid wife for me to cope with? That was the story, I believe?' Shaking with fright, all she could do was nod. 'To think I believed you! I actually apologised for last night! If only I'd known, I'd have invited a friend to join us. Perhaps that would have been more pleasurable for you, Lisa. Well?'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' Her voice was shrill with fright.

'I'm talking about this!' he shouted, throwing the glossy black and white photograph across the room so that it landed at her feet. She looked down and at the very moment she recognised herself the doorbell rang. 'That's Bishop,' snapped Neal curtly. 'I'll tell him to wait downstairs. Or shall I ask him to make up a threesome?'

Trembling, Lisa bent down and picked up the picture. At once it all came back to her. Roger, high on drugs, doing everything that Toby told him while she could only struggle and fight, too dazed with sleep to put up any real resistance against the two men, both of whom were big and fit.

Bishop, waiting several minutes outside the door, smiled to himself. When his employer finally opened it and snapped at him to wait in the car, he smiled even more broadly. He'd had a job prising the photo away from Toby but obviously it had been worth it. If Neal's face was anything to go by, Lisa wouldn't be quite so popular any more.

He'd totally misjudged both Neal and Lisa. Neal, far too intelligent to remain in the red-hot fury for long, had already begun to query one or two things in his mind and when he got back to the bedroom and found Lisa being sick in the hand basin he knew that his guess had been right. It wasn't ecstasy on her face in the photo, it was terror. The kind of terror that had made her what she was today. He no longer wanted to kill Lisa; now it was Toby Walker on whom his fury was focused.

When he put a hand on the back of Lisa's neck she screamed, almost falling over as she tried to get away from him. Quickly he took hold of her arms and pulled her down on to his lap. 'I'm sorry,' he apologised, realising it was the second apology in one day. 'I didn't stop and think. I was so shocked I totally lost control.'

'I hated it!' she sobbed, slumping against him. 'It was horrible, revolting! That pig of a man, and Toby urging him on all the time. You can't imagine what it was like. I still have nightmares about it.'

He pulled a towelling robe round her shaking body and ran his hands through her hair, soothing her as he would a horse or child, and all the time he was trying to work out who'd sent him the photograph, why, and where the negatives were.

When she calmed down a little he told her to rest before going out, then telephoned for Mike to wait outside the door of the flat until he was needed. Finally, reluctantly, he left her alone because he was already late for his meeting and today they had a very important visitor. He was the key to Neal's entire plan, and much as he wanted to stay with his wife he knew it was impossible.

Slipping the photo into his briefcase, he gave her one final embrace and left. Bishop, fully expecting his employer to be in a towering rage and probably less than sharp for the meeting, was disappointed by the iron control and apparent lack of concern he displayed.

Only when they walked towards the meeting room did Neal mention the photograph, and then he didn't say what Bishop expected. 'Find out about this,' he instructed, pushing the envelope into Bishop's hand. 'I want to know who sent it, where they got it from, and most important of all, where the negatives are. I also want to see Toby Walker.'

'He's on set,' said Bishop quickly.

'Then get him off the set! I want him here, in my office, after lunch today.'

He'd talk, thought Bishop. Toby wasn't a man to stay silent where his own safety was concerned. He'd say that it was Bishop who'd forced him to hand the photo over and Bishop who'd got the negatives. After that there wouldn't be anywhere on earth for Bishop to hide. 'What if he makes trouble?'

'Remove him.'

At least the older man was sufficiently rattled to make one mistake, thought Bishop with relief. Only one, but enough to save Bishop. One thing was certain: Toby Walker would make trouble, and by lunch time he'd be well and truly removed. Without a flicker of expression, Bishop took his place next to Neal and began to set up the tape beneath the table top. Taking notes could make people nervous. Neal preferred the hidden tape recorder to jotting down official minutes. So did Bishop. Tapes could be doctored.

It took Lisa over an hour to pull herself together enough to go out but once she saw Mike her spirits lifted slightly. He was always so cheerful it was impossible not to like him, and she knew that he liked her as well.