I’m standing in the lower ground floor function room chatting to Jasper and Rochelle when Adriana appears. As usual she lights up the room, donning a smile that could launch a thousand ships and make the most anxious of people feel at ease. No one would suspect that behind that radiant visage lies a woman damaged by loss and harbouring a fragility only a few of us are alive to. I long to take her hand, to ask her if she’s OK, if she’s aware she’s being watched and has any idea who might be behind it all. But for now, that will have to wait. Tonight, I must play along, pretend all is well, not just for her sake, but for Jasper’s. I can’t let him into my turmoil, can’t risk his life.
Rick texted earlier to say he’d spoken to Dr Adams’s secretary but that she hadn’t been able to offer any helpful insight into her boss’s murder. The poor woman was devastated and, like most people, couldn’t think who would want him dead. It’s disappointing, but at the same time fortifies my belief that the same person who’s watching me killed both Dr Adams and Ethan.
Right now, the room is only a quarter full, but I expect it won’t be long before the remaining guests arrive. The catering staff Adriana’s hired seamlessly circle the space offering mouth-watering canapés served on silver platters, along with crystal flutes of Moët & Chandon and non-alcoholic options. Considering the cause, it seems a little decadent, but I’m guessing most of the guests are loaded and used to only the good things in life. If this is the way to get them to sign a cheque, then so be it.
I’m captivated by Adriana as she circulates the room with ease, meaning I fail miserably to take in what Jasper’s just said. ‘Hey, Earth calling Seb, come in, Seb. Take your eyes off your landlady for one second will you and shut your mouth, it’s not polite.’
‘Jaz, don’t embarrass the poor guy.’ Rochelle softly nudges Jasper in his side as I come back to reality and feel my cheeks grow hot at being caught out.
‘Jesus, Jasper, could you be any more indiscreet, keep it down, will you?’ I say through gritted teeth, conscious that Adriana’s aunt and uncle are standing only a few feet away from us talking to a couple of guests. Even so, I’m glad Jasper and Rochelle are here. I’d have felt incredibly awkward if they weren’t.
‘Sorry,’ he apologises.
‘Don’t mind him,’ Rochelle says with a smile. ‘And I can’t say I blame you, Seb, I can hardly take my eyes off her myself.’
I don’t always see eye to eye with Rochelle but right now I’m grateful for her show of solidarity.
‘So, you like the place?’ I ask her, changing the subject.
‘It’s amazing, exactly how Jaz described,’ Rochelle says. ‘And you’re happy, so far? I mean, I know it’s been less than a week, but you’re finding your feet around the area? It must feel a whole lot safer than where you were before.’ She giggles as she says this, giving Jasper an impish look with no clue as to how far off the mark she is. How could she? Looking around, I’m in the seemingly perfect home, in one of the most prestigious areas of London. How could anyone guess that these last few days it’s felt like I’ve been living in a closed box, where the air is gradually getting thinner? Suffocating the life out of me.
‘Yeah, I couldn’t be happier.’ I hear the slight catch in my voice as I say this. So subtle that Rochelle doesn’t notice. Unlike Jasper. He glares at me, an expression of what the fuck? I return the gesture in the split second Rochelle looks away, as if to say not now, although as far as Jasper’s concerned, I don’t want there to be an ever. At least, not while we’re in this house.
I wonder if we’re being watched this very second. It’s noisy in here, animated chatter and laughter filling the air around us, so I imagine it’s next to impossible to make out individual conversations. Still, I can’t take a chance and say anything too provoking. It’s too dangerous.
‘I think I’ll go and introduce myself to Adriana, let you guys catch up,’ Rochelle says, much to my dismay. There’s no avoiding Jasper’s questions now. But just as she moves away, Adriana’s aunt and uncle come over, rescuing me from his line of fire. He gives me a look that tells me I’m not getting off that easily.
Uncle Philip is the first to speak. He’s a tall, wiry man, with a soft voice and neatly trimmed white beard. ‘Seb, how are you finding the evening, a bit overwhelming, I expect? I don’t know most of these people myself. I usually spend much of the time chatting to Stuart, Adriana’s brother-in-law, but he couldn’t make it in the end. Still, we like to support Adriana’s charitable endeavours whenever we can.’
‘It is a little overwhelming, I guess,’ I reply, ‘but all in a good cause, as you say. I’m sure Adriana really appreciates your support.’
‘Yes, it’s very kind of you,’ Jasper chips in. ‘I expect it’s been a difficult time for you all, what with Ethan’s death.’
For God’s sake, Jaz, was that necessary?
Thankfully, Uncle Philip interprets Jasper’s comment as one of mere concern, rather than fishing. ‘Yes, it’s been extremely tough on Adriana. She’s been through so much in recent years and now this latest blow has really hit her hard.’
‘She was that close to Ethan?’ Jasper says.
Oh God.
‘No, not Ethan,’ Aunt Georgie interjects, ‘although she was fond of him, granted. Philip meant Dr Adams.’ She narrows her eyes at her husband, as if to get him in line with her train of thought. ‘Our family doctor.’
‘Ah, I see, I’m so sorry,’ Jasper says. ‘What happened, did he die?’
‘Yes,’ Uncle Philip says. ‘But it’s more than that.’ He looks around the room warily, says in a low voice, ‘I shouldn’t be saying this, but if you read about it in the papers you’ll wonder why I failed to mention it. The police did go public last night.’
Shit.
‘Mention what?’ Jasper says, cutting me one of his looks.
‘Apparently, Dr Adams was murdered.’
At this, Jasper’s jaw practically drops. I dare not look him in the eye.
‘Adriana was very close to him, so it was quite a shock,’ Aunt Georgie goes on.
‘Yes, I can imagine,’ Jasper says. I feel his gaze boring through me but I still don’t make eye contact. ‘I’m so sorry, it can’t be an easy time for any of you. Have they caught his killer?’
‘No, not yet,’ Aunt Georgie says with a heavy sigh. ‘I can’t for the life of me think who’d want him dead. No money was taken, nothing obvious was out of place in his house, so I hear. Although the police are still looking. I know his ex-wife quite well and we spoke just yesterday on the phone. They were still close, and she said he’d never mentioned falling out with anyone, or having trouble with any of his patients. He had no money issues either, so it’s something of a mystery. When Adriana’s parents died she went through a really tough patch. So much anger inside her. So much grief. But Dr Adams was a godsend. He helped her turn over a new leaf and feel good about life again.’
‘I really am very sorry,’ I say.
‘Thank you.’ Aunt Georgie smiles. ‘Anyway, onwards and upwards as they say. I’m glad you’ve moved in, Seb. I hate to think of my little girl being alone in this big house with no companionship. I keep telling her to move, but she won’t have it.’
‘Why’s that, do you suppose?’ Jasper asks.
‘I think it allows her to still feel close to Charles.’ She sighs. ‘Another tragic waste. My poor girl, she’s had so much sadness in her life.’
I glance at Jasper, and can tell what he’s thinking. That Adriana is a curse on anyone who gets close to her. I want to tell him he’s wrong, that it’s not her fault. But I can’t get into that now.
Just then Adriana taps the side of her champagne flute to call for everyone’s attention, before thanking her guests for coming and talking a bit about the fundraising walk and several other initiatives in the pipeline. She speaks so eloquently, her voice animated, her mood seemingly elevated by the evening’s success.
It makes me nervous for the conversation I plan on having with her tomorrow, presuming she agrees to meet with me. A conversation I know is going to be difficult for both of us, but which could help zero in on who’s watching this house.