Читать книгу Til Death Do Us Part - Stephen Edger - Страница 11

Alice’s legs gave way and she crumpled to the ground, the small and sharp gravel quickly digging in to her skin. Her world had flipped upside down and she couldn’t work out how to move forward.

The sound of quick and heavy footsteps on the gravel behind her was followed by Dave crouching down at her side. ‘Are you all right? What happened? Scott said something about police?’

Alice opened her mouth to speak, but the words stuck in her throat, and she soon felt tears dampening her cheeks.

‘Come on,’ Dave said, pushing his large hands beneath her arms, ‘let’s get you up and back inside.’

She allowed him to lift her like a ragdoll, but instead of following him back inside, she kept her feet where they were. ‘You need to drive me to the police station. I need to make sure Ben is okay and find out what the hell is going on.’

Dave glanced back at the crowd watching them. ‘You have a room full of guests who’ve come to see you,’ he said calmly. ‘The best thing you can do is go back in and be with them.’

‘Not without Ben. I can’t just carry on like nothing’s happened. They arrested him, Dave.’

Dave looked as uncertain as she felt. ‘Okay, okay, tell me what they said. Did they say why they were arresting him?’

She stepped towards him so that the people on the hotel steps wouldn’t hear. ‘They said they suspect he murdered someone called Kerry Valentine; do you recognize that name?’

She thought she saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but it could have just been the reflection of the moon.

‘Doesn’t ring any bells. Are you sure they said murder?’

Alice replayed the detective’s words in her mind, nodding. ‘They’ve clearly mixed Ben up with some other Ben Goodman, right?’

Dave nodded, but she could see he was holding back.

‘What is it?’ Alice pressed. ‘What aren’t you telling me?’

He looked down at his feet. ‘It’s just … you don’t need to hear this.’

‘Tell me, Dave. Whatever it is you know about this mess, I need to know. Ben is my husband.’

Dave raised his eyes, narrowing them as he met her gaze. ‘In my experience of the police … they have to have a pretty strong suspicion that the target is involved before they can initiate an arrest warrant.’

‘What are you saying? That Ben did it?’

He shook his head vehemently. ‘No, no, no. What I’m saying is, it won’t be a case of mistaken identity, at least, not the way you’re thinking. There must be dozens of Ben Goodmans across the UK, but they’re unlikely to have simply arrested the wrong one. For whatever reason, they suspect that your Ben – our Ben – is involved.’

‘That’s ridiculous! Ben’s not a killer.’

‘Believe me, I know!’ He looked back at the people gathered behind them, each clearly wondering whether to head back inside or come down the steps and offer comfort and support. ‘Listen, let me go to the police station and see what I can find out. Okay? You should probably make some kind of announcement to quell the rumours circling inside. Just tell people there’s been a mix-up, and Ben has had to temporarily go and fix it. Meanwhile, I’ll go down there and keep you posted via the phone.’

It wasn’t what she wanted, but she could see the logic in his suggestion. ‘You can’t drive, you’ve been drinking.’

‘I’ll get Scott to give me a lift; he’s been on soft drinks all day because of his training. Okay? Will you go inside for me? If you’d prefer, I can make an announcement before I go.’

She rubbed his arm, for once grateful that Ben had chosen him as his best man. ‘I’d rather you go down there straight away, and let me know what’s going on. I’ll make the announcement, or I’ll get Tara to do it.’

He nodded. ‘Try not to worry. I’m sure you’re right, and this is just a huge mistake.’

‘Just bring him back to me, Dave,’ she said as fresh tears fell. ‘Please bring Ben home.’

Tara was waiting for her just inside the swivel doors. ‘Here, I got you this for the shock,’ she said, handing over a tumbler of something caramel-coloured.

Alice accepted the glass, but one sniff of the brandy had her swiftly passing it back. ‘I need to keep a clear head, but thank you.’

Tara led her through the lobby to a small room where the wedding gifts were being stored during the party. Closing the door behind them, Tara wrapped her arms around Alice and gently squeezed.

‘I saw what happened. How are you holding up?’

‘I just saw my husband arrested on suspicion of murder … I’d say I’m somewhere between shocked and outraged.’ Alice had seen Ben’s face as they’d put him in the back of that van, somewhere between anger and panic. The cool demeanour which was usually his trademark had evaporated before her very eyes. ‘You didn’t see the fear in his eyes.’

‘Fear?’ Tara replied. ‘Ben? No chance. You know what he’s like: could charm the hind legs off a donkey. They’ll probably drive him to the station, make him give his name, take his fingerprints and then realize they’ve got the wrong guy.’

Alice stopped. ‘You really think so?’

Tara exaggerated her nod. ‘Absolutely. You’ll see.’

Alice could only hope she was right. The best outcome now would be for Ben to be back before eight so they could continue their celebration and put this nightmare behind them.

Tara extracted herself from the hug. ‘I don’t want to add to your stress … but I think someone needs to make an announcement. It’s better to say something than let rumours spread.’

Alice fixed her with a hopeful look. ‘Would you mind doing it? I don’t think I could stand everyone staring up at me. Just say that Ben’s been called away on urgent business, but will be back later.’

Tara nodded sombrely. ‘Of course, of course, that’s what I’m here for. We should probably have a quiet word with your mum and Ben’s parents first though.’

Alice nodded. ‘Can you find them for me, if I wait here?’

Tara agreed, before handing Alice a small bag. ‘Might be an idea to fix your mascara as well. We don’t want people seeing how upset you are.’

Alice unzipped the bag as Tara slipped out of the room and went in hunt of the parents. Opening the compact mirror, Alice stared at the panda eyes looking back at her. Of all the things that could have gone wrong today – guests not turning up, the caterers messing up the food, Dave making an inappropriate best man’s speech – the thought of Ben being hauled away by the police had never entered her mind. If Dave was right, and the police hadn’t just mixed up Ben with another Ben Goodman, then what did that mean? She’d known Ben for more than five years, and they’d lived together for the last three, since she’d graduated from university. Surely in all that time she would have picked up on any murdering tendencies?

She shook her head dismissively. Of course she would have. Despite Dave’s caution, the police had made a mistake, of that she had no doubt.

A knock on the door was followed by Tara smuggling in Alice’s mum and Ben’s parents. All three looked white as sheets. Ben’s parents, Ray and Hermione, were the first to embrace her.

‘Are you okay?’ Ray asked.

Alice fought back the tears as she nodded. ‘Did you see what happened?’

Ray looked at his wife before shaking his head. ‘We saw the two of you cut the cake, but then we went to the bar to buy drinks. When we returned, neither of you were in sight, nor was anybody dancing. We didn’t know what to think. Then someone mentioned the police and an arrest, and …’

Dressed in the jacket he always wore on special occasions – embossed with his many military awards from years in the services – Ray looked ready to cry, and Alice couldn’t bear to watch. Pulling him towards her, she hugged him warmly.

‘It will be all right,’ Alice assured him, hoping to convince herself.

Alice’s mum remained by the door, watching the scene unfold. ‘What did they arrest him for?’

Alice had hoped that news of the arrest would be enough to pacify them, without going into sordid detail. Admitting that Ben had been arrested on suspicion of murder felt like she was going behind his back and muddying his name. Alice looked to Tara for support, but her friend stared blankly back at her.

‘It’s all just a big mistake,’ Alice said. ‘When they realize they’ve screwed up, he’ll be back here with their grovelling apology.’

‘Do you think we should cancel the party?’ Hermione asked.

All the months of planning that had gone into today, striving to make the day perfect, it would be such a waste to just send the guests home. The last thing Alice wanted to do was plaster on a fake smile and pretend everything was okay, but what choice did she have?

‘The guests are here, there’s a ton of buffet food waiting to be served, and the DJ is paid until midnight,’ Alice said. ‘When Ben returns, I want the party in full swing, so he can see how much we all love him and trust him.’

Ben’s parents nodded, Ray looking calmer now.

‘I’ll go make that speech,’ Tara said, opening the door and leading the parents back out to the lobby.

Alice remained where she was, reaching for the make-up bag, ready to conceal just how terrified she really felt.