Red Alert (15 page)

Johnny sat hunched in the bed, a blanket draped round his shoulders.

‘I’m cold, Kirsty,’ he said brokenly. ‘I’ve never been so cold in all my life.’

She was appalled at the pinched white face and the black circles round his eyes, which looked even bigger than usual.

‘Eat your breakfast, love. That’ll make you feel better. And there’s an old paraffin heater up here somewhere. I’ll light it.’

‘And you won’t tell anyone, will you, Kirsty? You won’t let them take me away?’

‘No, of course not. Just eat your breakfast and try not to worry.’

‘You won’t regret helping me, I promise. I’ll make it up to you. When I’m safe in another country and you and Mum are living with me, I’ll do everything for you and I’ll buy you clothes and jewels and …’

‘It’s all right,’ Kirsty said gently. ‘I’ll never regret helping you. I’d better go down and see to Mum now.’

‘When will you come back to see me?’

‘Just as soon as I can. I’ll bring you some books and papers but we’ll have to be careful. Greg might come early today because he was worried about leaving Mum and me alone last night after the funeral.’

Johnny struggled up from the bed, still clutching the blanket around his body.

‘Oh Kirsty, please don’t tell him.’

‘Now, now, there’s no need for you to get into such a panic. Haven’t I promised over and over again that I won’t?’

Back downstairs in the kitchen, Kirsty had to feed Jingles the cat first because it kept prowling around her feet, its bell jingling loudly. Then she prepared breakfast for her mother and had no difficulty in persuading her to lie down and sleep again afterwards. The sedatives from the night before had not fully worn off and sleep came easily. ‘If only I could sleep too,’ Kirsty thought. But she had to see to Johnny’s needs.

It was after she’d been to see Johnny again that the front doorbell rang. She stood very still for a moment. Then she took a long, deep breath. Greg would have to be faced sometime. Yet her feet moved slowly and reluctantly across the hall towards the door. She pushed and patted at her hair in an effort to look tidy and normal. But she could feel the cold dampness of perspiration on her face and knew she didn’t look her normal, natural self at all.

In sudden desperation, she swung open the door.

‘You!’ she gasped in shocked surprise when she saw Paul. He was a big man, almost as big as Greg. His blue-black hair was long and sleek, and his skin had a tan reminiscent of sun-soaked beaches and sunbathers on summer holiday posters.

‘Aren’t you going to invite me in? Kirsty, isn’t it?’

‘Miss Price,’ Kirsty informed him in what she hoped was a cool, firm voice.

‘Kirsty,’ he repeated and sauntered into the house, his hands jingling coins in his pocket.

‘What do you want?’ She dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘You mustn’t come here like this unless it’s urgent. My fiancé might see you and then what would he think?’

Paul’s eyes glittered round at her. ‘Then you’ll just have to get rid of him, won’t you?’

‘I’ll do nothing of the kind. I couldn’t anyway, even if I wanted to. You don’t know my fiancé.’

Paul shrugged. ‘That’s your problem, beautiful. Where’s Johnny?’

‘Sh-sh,’ Kirsty whispered desperately. ‘For pity’s sake, remember my mother’s sleeping in that room over there. Keep your voice down. Johnny’s hiding up in the loft. Why do you want to see him? Have you arranged for a ship already?’

‘No, not yet.’

‘Then why have you come here today? Why do you want to see Johnny?’

Paul pushed the door shut and looked down at her. ‘Maybe I don’t want to see Johnny.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Maybe I’d rather see his far more attractive sister,’ he said.

Kirsty stood her ground as Paul moved towards her. ‘You may not want to see Johnny,’ she snapped, ‘but he wants to see you. He has something to tell you.’

‘Oh?’ Paul raised an eyebrow.

‘I’ll show you the way.’

She pushed past him, secretly sick with anxiety. This man had influenced her brother so much in the past. He was older and more experienced, stronger in every way. It would be easy for him to dominate Johnny again.

‘Johnny, don’t tell him where the money is,’ she repeated fervently to herself all the way up the stairs, praying that in some strange telepathic way the words might reach her brother. ‘You mustn’t tell him where you’ve hidden it. You mustn’t.’

Kirsty pulled the loft ladder down and beckoned to Paul. ‘Up there. But don’t be long and for goodness’ sake, talk quietly. Remember my mother’s in the house and my fiancé is due here at any minute.’

Paul’s mouth twisted into a smile as he passed her. ‘Don’t go away, beautiful. I want to see you again.’

For a minute or two after Paul disappeared inside the loft, Kirsty stood wondering if she should follow him to make sure everything was all right. Eventually she decided to return to the sitting room to watch for Greg. What explanation was she going to give him for Paul’s presence in the house? She simply had no idea. In the sitting room, she stared helplessly out of the window, trying to force her mind to find one.

So intent was she in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Paul return downstairs and enter the room. His hand unexpectedly on her waist made her gasp and whirl round to face him.

‘Don’t you dare touch me.’

‘I like a girl with nerve, and you’ve got plenty. I bet you put that brother of yours up to this.’

‘Up to what?’ Boldly she attempted to stare him out but the fury in his eyes bore into hers with such venom that she was forced to turn away in defeat. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘What a beautiful little liar you are.’

His hands grabbed her again and jerked her against him.

‘Leave me alone.’ She dug clenched fists into his chest and pushed words out through gritted teeth in a desperate effort not to make any noise.

‘Let go of me or I’ll … I’ll …’ She stared up at him, her fury vying with his.

‘You’ll what?’ His grip tightened. ‘There’s nothing you can do. If you want me to be nice to your precious brother and get him safely aboard a ship real soon, you’ll just have to be nice to me, that’s all.’

‘No, that’s not all.’

The angry voice from the doorway made them both spin round in astonishment.

Paul was the first to recover.

‘For God’s sake, Johnny, get back up to that loft. Her boyfriend is liable to walk in here and find you.’

‘Let him.’ Johnny’s thin face was deathly white and he was trembling, but his voice remained strong and angry. ‘It would be worth it to be able to watch what he’d do to you for touching Kirsty.’

‘Now look, kid,’ Paul laughed softly, ‘you can’t blame me for trying to make a pass at your sister. She’s a very beautiful young woman.’

‘Oh, Johnny.’ Kirsty ran towards him. ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right. Just go you back upstairs before Greg comes.’

He put an arm protectively around her shoulders. ‘No one is going to hurt you, Kirsty. You know I’d never allow that.’ His voice turned bitter. ‘I thought he’d try and get his spite out on you. I saw he was angry at me for not telling him where the money is. That’s why I came after him.’

‘Oh come now …’ Paul strolled towards them. ‘There’s no need to be nasty. We’re friends, remember. No one’s going to get hurt. Unless you, of course, kiddo. When they fling you in a cell in Barlinnie, I mean. They will, you know, if you’re not a lot more careful.’

‘He’s right, Johnny.’ Kirsty’s gaze flickered anxiously between the sitting-room window and her brother’s chalk-white face. ‘You can’t afford to wander about the house like this. And don’t forget, there’s Mother to consider as well. She might have seen you. Think of the shock. It would have killed her.’

She glanced out of the large bay window of the living room. Suddenly she gripped his arm. ‘He’s coming. Johnny, look, there’s Greg’s car outside. Oh please, hurry back upstairs and don’t make a sound. And you …’ Clutching at Paul’s sleeve, she struggled to pull him towards the door. ‘Out the back way, quick.’

‘Do as she says,’ Johnny burst out excitedly. ‘Or we’ll all have something to worry about, because if you stay, I stay too.’

‘OK, OK.’

‘Through the kitchen,’ Kirsty whispered. ‘That’s it over there past the stairs. Oh, my goodness …’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Did you bring your car? Have you left it parked in front of the house?’

‘I never take chances.’ Paul jerked his tie straight, then smoothed it down. ‘The car’s not near your house.’

The doorbell buzzed loud and long, electrifying all three of them. Paul streaked across the hall and Johnny and Kirsty made for the stairs, their legs trembling so much that they were almost staggering.

Johnny grabbed hold of the banister. ‘I’ll manage, Kirsty. Just give me a couple of minutes to get out of sight before you open the door.’

She nodded, speechless with distress, as Greg’s finger jabbed at the bell once more.

‘Kirsty …’ The sound of her mother’s voice barely audible behind the harsh buzz of the bell nearly caused Kirsty to lose consciousness. She leaned dizzily against the banister, for a moment not knowing what to do – go to her mother’s room, or let Greg into the house.

Then it occurred to her that if Greg didn’t get in through the front door right now, he’d know for certain something must be wrong and he’d dash round to the back of the house and come in through the kitchen. She rushed across the hall and fumbled desperately with the door handle. Greg mustn’t bump into Paul.

‘Darling …’ Tears swam in her eyes when she greeted him.

‘Kirsty, sweetheart, what’s wrong?’ His strong arms immediately enfolded her in warmth and comfort.

‘Nothing … I … I …’ Hastily she rubbed her tears away with the back of her hand. ‘I’m just so glad to see you.’

‘Is that your mother calling? Has she taken worse or something?’

‘I … I was just going to see. I don’t know.’

Helplessly she gazed up at him. What if her mother had heard voices? Johnny had whispered all the time, but Paul hadn’t bothered to keep his voice low. His grey eyes thoughtful, Greg returned her gaze.

‘Kirsty, you’ve had too much to cope with these past few days. You’ll be cracking up next. Come on, we’ll see to Mum together.’

She had no alternative but to allow him to lead her across the hall and into her mother’s room. Mrs Price was struggling to sit up in bed.

‘Mum, are you all right?’ Kirsty hurried to help her.

‘Yes dear, I’m fine. I was beginning to get worried about you, though. What happened? That’s the first time you haven’t answered when I’ve called you.’

‘But we did, Mum. We both came as soon as we heard you.’

Greg sat down by the bed and patted her hand.

‘Oh hello, son.’ Mrs Price smiled. ‘I see you’ve still got your coat on. Was it you who was ringing the bell?’

‘Guilty, ma’am. Sorry if it wakened you.’

‘No, no, it was the voices, son. That’s why I called to Kirsty. I wondered what was going on. Then I began to get worried when she didn’t answer me, or go to the door when the bell rang.’

‘Voices?’ Greg flashed Kirsty a questioning look.

Kirsty shook her head. ‘It must have been the radio, Mum. I’m terribly sorry I didn’t hear you. I’d better not have the sound turned up so loud again.’

‘You’re not looking well today, Kirsty. It’s time I was up and seeing to myself.’

‘Nothing’s wrong with me, Mum. Except perhaps I’m a little over-tired.’

‘Yes, you’ve been doing far too much, dear. As I say, it’s high time I was up out of this bed and looking after you for a change. And I’ll start by getting up right now and making the tea.’ She smiled. ‘But first you’ll have to get this big firefighter out of my room.’

‘Mum, you can’t.’

‘And why not, may I ask?’

Greg waggled a finger at her. ‘Because I won’t let you. I’m making the tea and I don’t want any women in my way.’

‘You’re an awful man. But I’ve got to get up sometime. And I’ll feel better if I can keep busy. I’ll be happier getting back to finishing Kirsty’s wedding dress.’

‘Wait until tomorrow, Mum,’ Kirsty pleaded.

‘Yes,’ Greg agreed. ‘Much safer to take things easy. Then by Saturday you’ll be able to come to Kirklee Terrace. I’ll come first thing in the morning, Kirsty, and you must stay over the weekend this time and let me look after you both. It’ll do you good to get out of the house, especially when Simon is away lecturing down south. He doesn’t want you to be left here on your own either. He had a word with me earlier.’

‘No, it’s impossible. I couldn’t.’ The words flew from Kirsty’s lips so quickly that Greg turned to stare at her.

‘Why not? What’s to prevent you?’

‘I’ve so much to do, Greg.’

‘Kirsty, don’t be silly, dear,’ her mother said. ‘I think it’s a lovely idea and very kind of Greg. Your dad offered to cancel his course of lectures but I said he mustn’t. I told him he mustn’t let them down, and we’d be all right, as long as we have Greg to look after us.’

‘I can’t go,’ Kirsty said abruptly. ‘It’s impossible.’

She turned sharply on her heel and marched through to the kitchen, where she nervously bustled about making tea.

Greg was not to be denied, however. ‘Look, Kirsty, I don’t see what the problem is. Are you embarrassed about the sleeping arrangements at my flat? Don’t worry. I can sleep on the couch. I can control my urges, you know.’

He chuckled, trying to take the reproach from his voice and make light of it.

‘All right, all right,’ Kirsty gasped eventually. ‘Anything to stop you going on and on about it. But just for the day, Greg.’

‘Very well.’ Greg stared at her curiously. ‘I’ll bring you and Mum back at night.’

Kirsty took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry if I sound a bit tense and irritable. The strain of the last few days …’ Her eyes sought his in dumb pleading.

‘Don’t worry, honey.’ He threw her a kiss. ‘I understand.’

With excruciating care, she tried to act normally and calmly during the rest of his visit. And she managed with surprising success. Only once did the truth rear up in her mind like a monster.

Here she was calmly chattering with a man who was as honest as the day was long, and who was devoted to saving lives, while at the same time, she was hiding a murderer upstairs.