‘He’s back at the house,’ said Tank, coming in the door at Beechwood Farm. ‘He’s just taken the buggy out down the grounds. Past the orchard.’
The rest of them were sitting around the kitchen table, drinking tea. Belle drained her cup and stood up. ‘That’s my cue, then.’
‘Ours,’ said Jack, rising and going into the bedroom. He came back, tucking the gun inside his jacket. ‘Come on then. Let’s go.’
Belle and Jack went out to the Jeep. Jack drove along the lane until they reached the Stone residence, then turned in and sped up the drive, veering to the right and sending the Jeep bulldozing through the pampas grass, over the formal gardens, and into the orchard. They could see the white buggy now, parked up beside the seat outside the zoo. Twenty yards away from it, Jack stopped the Jeep, switching off the engine. He started to get out.
‘Jack.’ Belle caught his arm. ‘This is my job. Not yours.’
He looked at her. ‘You’re fucking joking.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Belle. He’s already had one crack at finishing you. You want to give him a second?’
‘Give me the gun,’ said Belle. ‘And give me fifteen minutes. Then you can come in.’
Jack gave her the stare that made grown men crumble. Belle didn’t.
‘You won’t change my mind,’ said Belle. She’d been frightened of Harlan Stone long enough. Now it was time to be the bold, brave girl she’d once been – the old Belle – and to set this straight.
He took the gun out and handed it to her. ‘You’re crazy.’
‘Fifteen minutes,’ she said, and began to make her way towards the zoo.