The Unburied Past (32 page)

Kirsty shook her head sadly. ‘Poor Chrissie. How can she possibly come to terms with this?'

‘Just as well she's with her family in Brighton,' Angie observed. ‘I doubt if she'll ever come back; someone said their house is going on the market.'

‘In the report I read, police had found what were referred to as “incriminating documents” in his study. You'd have thought he'd be more careful, wouldn't you, than write anything explicit in a diary or whatever? No doubt more details will emerge at the trial.' She shook her head again. ‘I still have difficulty believing the whole thing; I keep thinking of him at the tennis club and the library and at his house. He seemed so –
ordinary.
'

Angie gave a short laugh. ‘I doubt if he'd thank you for that!'

Unaware and uncaring that he was the subject of so much speculation, Matt in his custody cell had retreated into a world of his own in which nothing was quite as it seemed. His mind continually went back over the acts he had committed, relishing the reliving of them: the girl from the train, snooty Alicia and the policewoman. Well, he'd taught them a lesson all right; too bad he'd not had the chance to take more of them down a peg or two. And Kirsty. Ah, Kirsty!

It had been exciting, that time she'd been in the car, totally unaware of what he had planned for her. Of course, he should never have stopped when he saw her on the corner. It had been a risk, but suddenly catching sight of her had thrown him. Obviously there'd been nothing he could do then, but knowing what lay in store had been deliciously tantalizing. Pity it would have to go on hold for a while, but next time he'd make sure there was no way she could escape him.

In the book he was now writing he'd called the heroine Karen – as close as he dared go. It was strangely satisfying being able to manipulate her, in print if not in life. He wondered suddenly if he could request his computer and files, and finish the book while he was here? Jeffrey Archer had done it, hadn't he, not to mention Wilde! He'd ask the warder who brought in his meals.

Smiling to himself, Matt began to plan his next chapter.

‘Kirsty?'

She stiffened, her heartbeat quickening. ‘Yes?'

‘It's Nick.' There was a brief pause. ‘Look, I've been aware for some time that I owe you an apology, but I didn't want to intrude when you and Adam had so much going on.'

‘I'm sorry too, Nick. I could have been a lot more forthcoming.'

‘Does that mean you forgive me?'

‘There's nothing to forgive. Really.'

‘Then can we start again?' He laughed. ‘I seem to remember saying that before!'

‘Perhaps we'll get it right this time.'

‘I certainly hope so. How about Saturday? I gather from Adam that on Sunday you're lunching with the family.' A smile crept into his voice. ‘Does that mean he's been welcomed back into the fold?'

‘Very definitely! With our parents' murders solved at last, my aunt and uncle can't do enough for him, and the lines have been buzzing between here and Canada. It looks as though the long family rift is at last over.'

‘Well, that's great news!'

It was indeed, Kirsty thought. The family was coming together, the murders were solved and her mystery stalker was unmasked and behind bars. And, perhaps best of all, over the last few months she and Adam had become as close as any other brother and sister. All at once the future looked much brighter – and maybe, just maybe, Nick would be a part of it.

‘And to answer your question,' she said, ‘I'd love to see you on Saturday.'