The Book of Revenge (17 page)

Jen looked uncertain; she didn’t know what way it was going. ‘Just a friend.’

‘Yep, looked pretty friendly.’

‘Gov?’

Matt tapped his screen. ‘Trouble with being new in town, you don’t always know who the players are.’

He walked away knowing that she would be around the desk and staring at the screen. A big picture and biography of the young hotshot reporter Dan would stare back at her. He paused at the door and turned. He was right she was looking at the screen in horror. ‘Or when you’re being played,’ he added.

He was pretty sure she would let it drop now; if he needed it he had the photo of her kissing the reporter. She was far too ambitious to risk being associated with a leaked story. Especially one that was big enough to hit the nationals. The Chief Inspector, although obviously concerned that a policewoman had died in the line of duty had turned PC Liz Bryant into a hero. He wouldn’t be at all impressed to learn that a young DS was not only threatening to tarnish his story, but she was also in bed with the press.  

Matt drove to Milltown and parked his car. He walked to the dance studio entrance and went in looking around him uncertainly. A woman was waiting for him. ‘Dawn?’ he asked, as she approached him, he had seen her at the funeral but not been introduced. He hadn’t hung around, afraid that he would lose control.

She nodded her head. She was like a porcelain doll. Pale, impossibly dainty and fragile looking. Despite perfect make up, she had shadows under her eyes. He knew pain when he saw it, the same haunted longing that lingered at the back of his eyes and stared at him every day when he looked in the mirror.

‘I got your message. You wanted to see me?’

Dawn handed him an envelope. Matt was puzzled.

‘Liz gave it to me. She came to see me, that morning...’ she paused unable to say the words.

Matt took the envelope. She didn’t need to say anymore. Matt knew that Liz hadn’t expected to walk away from her actions. She knew she’d go to prison. She might even have thought she might die. He was close to tears himself to think that she had taken the time to leave him a message. Dawn suddenly leaned forward and hugged him tight. Surprised, he hugged her back. 

When she stepped back she looked at him ‘She was my best friend,’ she said, and then slowly walked back into the studio.

Dawn watched Matt from the window as he walked to his car clutching the envelope. Tears streaked make up down her cheeks.

Phillip hung back in the doorway. He wanted to help, he just didn’t know how. He walked across to the music, turned it on and then approached her.

As the music started, she turned to look at him. He smiled and took her hand. He pulled her into the middle of the studio and into his arms as they started to dance a waltz.

Matt was in his stationary car, staring at the envelope, his hand shook slightly as he finally tore it open and pulled out a single sheet of paper. He started to read.

If Dawn has given you this then I must be dead. I did it for my sister. I’m sure you’ve found the book by now and know all of that. For twenty years I was torn in two. Part of me building a life and a future for my lovely daughter Sam, and the other part of me was planning and plotting with Steve for revenge. I had to wait until Sam was old enough to live and cope without me.

Matt was angry, he was upset, he was hurting. ‘Oh Liz...’ he said aloud before he forced himself to read on.

You know that you were part of the revenge. What I don’t know is how I fell in love with you. You made me question what I was doing. You made me wonder for the first time if there could be any redemption, if it is possible to forgive. The fact that you are alive to read this is answer in itself.

Matt couldn’t go on. He stopped reading threw the page onto the seat beside him and started the engine. He drove way too fast. He didn’t care. He wanted to rewrite history. Go back twenty years and undo the events that started the whole tragic drama. Or even just skip back to that final day. If only he had found a way to stop her making the final hits. Or even if he’d intercepted her before she got to Andrew.

But time moved relentlessly forward, just as it always did and Liz was dead.

He was surprised when he realised that he was in the cemetery car park. But then where else would he go? He opened the door and was about to climb out of the car. He paused and reached across for the letter. He needed to finish it.

Watch out for my Sam. She was conceived that night in the bus shelter.  Amongst all that pain and hatred, my beautiful little miracle....

Matt walked towards the graves of Melissa and Steve. In the middle of the two was a small urn that contained Liz’s ashes.

Sam and Craig were sat on the grass, fresh flowers laid out in front of them, covering the space across and between the graves in a blanket of colourful sweet peas. Sam turned her head as he approached and gave him a small, sad smile. ‘Mum’s favourite,’ she said, pointing to the flowers as Craig helped her to her feet.

Matt looked at Sam, the final words from Liz’s letter were spinning in his head.

She could be yours. You know how much you like clichés and wouldn’t that be the ultimate one?

Sam walked across towards him. ‘She liked you.’

Matt nodded his head. ‘I know.’

Craig took Sam’s hand and they started to walk away. Sam suddenly stopped and ran back to Matt. She leant forward and kissed his cheek; he hugged her tight for a second then let her go. He watched as she took Craig’s hand and they walked away.

Matt took the few steps towards the graves and looked down at the urn. He touched his cheek and smiled. ‘I do like clichés.’ He said.

The End - If you have enjoyed my book, please tell your friends on Facebook or Twitter on the next page.

If you would like to send me your comments you can contact me through my website:

http://www.linda-dunscombe.co.uk

If you really liked it perhaps you would take the time to give me a review.

Thank you, Linda Dunscombe.