Chapter 52: Elliot - The Foster Child

I’ve checked the news every day but Rocky’s murderer still hasn’t been caught and tomorrow is the day that he or she – and it must be the murderer sending those cards since Rocky died – has threatened to take their revenge.

I wish I could make sense of it, then I might be able to guess who it is. Who would want both me and Rocky dead? It’s obviously related to that awful hit and run, but why would they wait twenty-five years to get their revenge?

Cora and Lori do some last-minute shopping in the afternoon and come back laden with bags, big smiles on their faces. ‘We bumped into Gabby and she’s invited us to have a drink with her and Scott at the pub tonight. Do you fancy it?’

Cora’s eyes are sparkling as she waits eagerly for my answer. I can see that she wants to go. Lori looks so much brighter too. I don’t want to spoil their evening but I don’t want to leave the cottage empty either. I have no idea what my tormentor has planned.

‘Just for an hour? We won’t stay late,’ Cora says.

I can see this means a lot to her so I nod. ‘Sure.’ I’ve got the security cameras, nothing will get past those. I’ll keep checking them and if I see anything suspicious I’ll call the police. I have to. I’m not going to risk anything happening to Cora or Lori.

‘So are you enjoying spending Christmas at home, Elliot?’ Scott asks, draining his pint glass.

His question surprises me at first, until I remember that I’d told them I always went away for Christmas.

‘Yes, I am, it’s good not to be dashing to the airport. And nice to have family to share Christmas with.’ I smile at Cora and Lori.

‘I agree, we’re cooking Christmas dinner for our lot,’ Gabby says. ‘We have a houseful every year. I just hope nothing goes wrong. Last year the oven packed up an hour after I put the turkey in.’ She turns to Cora. ‘Talking about things going wrong, have you had any more incidents?’

I wish that Cora hadn’t discussed this with Gabby, but then Gabby was there when the wreath was stolen, wasn’t she? I wonder if Cora told her about it being hacked and returned in a box. This is one of the reasons I don’t like to mix, I like to keep personal stuff to myself.

‘What’s this, Mum? What’s been happening?’ Lori looks worried.

Cora pats her hand. ‘Nothing to worry about. Just kids messing around, letting a dog in our garden, upturning the bin, stealing the Christmas wreath from our front door. It’s stopped since Elliot reported it to the police.’

Lori’s eyes widen and she turns to me. ‘Is this why you’ve had a new security system fitted?’

I can see the flicker of interest in Scott’s eyes. ‘Sounds like you’ve been having some serious hassle if you’ve gone to the expense of a new security system, Elliot. Especially if you’ve reported it to the police.’

I shrug. ‘It was just kids messing around and as Cora said it’s all stopped now.’ I stand up. ‘Fancy another drink?’

‘Sure. I was about to ask the same.’

I take the opportunity of going to the bar to check the security camera app on my phone. Everything looks fine.

‘Are you positive it’s all stopped? You’ve checked that a few times tonight.’ Scott is standing right beside me.

‘Habit,’ I tell him. ‘I’ve got a Merc in the garage.’ I slip the phone in my pocket. ‘Did you want something else from the bar?’

‘The ladies want crisps, ready salted. And another bottle of wine.’

‘I’ll get them.’

‘I’d better wait and help you carry them.’

Scott makes me feel uncomfortable, he’s always sneaking up on me and his eyes are everywhere. It’s his job, security guard now and ex-police, but it’s unnerving.

The barman puts the drinks on a tray and Scott picks up the crisps. We take them back to the table where Cora and Lori are chatting away to Gabby. Cora looks so happy. My stomach is churning with anxiety. I’ve taken all the precautions I can. All I can do is keep on guard and wait.

‘Everything okay, Elliot?’

I glance up and meet Scott’s eyes and for a moment I want to confide in him. He’s ex-police, he might have some advice.

What can he do? He can’t babysit me. And once my secret is out the whole village will know and that will be me and Cora finished. Probably my business too. No, I have to deal with this myself.

‘All good,’ I tell him.

I try to forget all about it and enjoy the evening. I check my cameras before we go home. Everything looks in order. I guess I’m safe today. Tomorrow is D-day.

I’m not sure when the murderer will strike but whoever it is likes to torment, judging by the Christmas cards, so I think they’ll strike later in the day just to keep me on edge. I’m going to persuade Cora and Lori to visit her parents after dinner for a few hours. Then they’ll be out of the way if anything happens. And if I see any sign of an intruder I’ll call the police. I don’t want my past coming out but I don’t want to die either.