Mel hadn’t seen Karin since last Thursday when they parted company at Swank after the art show. That was three days ago. She wondered what state Karin was in by now, having seen how wound up she was that night. The malicious notes from Louie, Will’s disappearance, maybe even her relationship with Aaron must all be weighing heavily on her mind. All this on top of her working flat out for the launch this coming Saturday as well.
As expected, when Karin walked through the door, she looked completely worn out.
Mel was about to make it a whole lot worse.
To soften the blow, she had prepared a lasagne and beckoned Karin into the kitchen to prevent her from disappearing upstairs. Karin kicked off her work boots, yawning, and flopped into a chair. She said she wasn’t really hungry and was supposed to be going to the cinema with Aaron tonight, but felt too tired even for that.
‘Just text him and then have something to eat,’ said Mel, sliding Karin’s phone down the table until it was in front of her. ‘You look shattered. I’ll run you a nice hot bath after you’ve eaten and then why not just go to bed? Or, I’ve stocked up on supplies and we can have a girls’ night in.’
‘That’s really sweet of you, Mel, but I’m fit for nothing.’
Karin yawned, and Mel ruffled her hair to say that was okay. Karin gave her a weary smile then picked up her phone and began to type out a message, like it was a huge effort even to do that.
Mel served the lasagne, but Karin could only manage a few forkfuls before declaring herself full. She was almost asleep, her chin collapsing into her hand. Finally she put down her fork in defeat, pushed back her chair and was about to make her excuses.
‘Don’t go just yet,’ said Mel. ‘Look, erm. I’m really sorry to have to do this, but there’s something you need to see.’ She rooted under the growing pile of takeaway leaflets, magazines, junk mail and theatre booklets on the table. ‘This came a few days ago. I really think you should open it.’
Karin froze when she saw what it was, sliding back down her chair like she had suddenly melted. The letter K stuck onto the front of the envelope was ominous, its style all too familiar. She refused to take it.
‘Do you want me to open it then?’ Mel offered. ‘I mean, we ought to see what she wants.’ But then she hesitated, adding, ‘Well, whoever it is wants.’ Because how could they be sure where to point the finger? ‘Look Karin. I think you and I both know this isn’t going to go away, not unless we deal with it.’
Karin flinched as Mel ran her knife under the gap, slitting the envelope across the top and making a jagged tear. Mel checked again to see whether Karin wished to take over, but she didn’t, so Mel proceeded to remove the note, handling it with her fingertips like it was contaminated.
‘What does it say?’ asked Karin, impatient all of a sudden. She must have seen that Mel’s fingers were trembling.
‘Shit,’ said Mel.
Karin snatched it from her and read it for herself.
I KNOW YOU DID IT
PAY £ 950,000
CALL: 07733 737598
YOU HAVE 48 HOURS
‘When did this come? What day? What day, Mel?’
‘Okay, okay, just let me think. Might have been Friday. Thursday was the art thing, wasn’t it? So yes, Friday. It was there when I got in from work, sitting on the doormat. No stamp on it this time. I didn’t know whether to call you, but you’ve got such a lot going on at the moment, so I just stuffed it under that lot – partly so it wouldn’t terrify the life out of me either. Maybe I should have opened it. But what does it mean? What did you do?’
‘She’s still playing games. I don’t believe it.’
‘This is freaking me out, Karin. It’s got to stop.’
‘You think I don’t want that too?’
Karin began rubbing her forehead.
‘Should I call that number, see what happens?’
Mel did it anyway, without giving Karin time to answer. It was a distorted voice recording.
‘What’s it saying?’ asked Karin.
‘It gives payment details. Bank account. A name I don’t recognize. This is serious shit.’
Karin considered it for a moment.
‘Has anyone been to the house while I’ve been staying over at Aaron’s? Think, Mel. Think. Anyone at all.’
‘I’m trying to!’
‘Sorry.’
‘It’s okay.’ Mel gave her hand a squeeze. ‘Well Aaron, obviously. Doing the fence.’
Karin appeared to be rubbing away a thought she didn’t want to be having. ‘Anyone else?’
‘Not that I know of. I mean Will knows where we live obviously. He could still be out there. As well as Louie. I can’t take much more of this. It’s time to get the police involved.’
‘No!’
‘We have to.’
Karin screwed up her face, trying to make it go away.
‘Why not? Stop protecting her, or whatever it is you’re doing. Pay up or call the bloody police, Karin. This is killing me! Wait, what are you doing?’
Karin was ripping up the note. ‘She’ll get tired of her stupid games soon enough.’
A heavy pounding on the front door gave them both a start. They looked at one another.
‘You expecting anyone?’ asked Mel.
Karin shook her head, gathering up the shreds of paper, sliding them back into the envelope which she shoved into her pocket, tucking it down making sure it wasn’t visible.
‘Do you think it could be Louie?’ whispered Mel, following behind Karin who was tiptoeing into the hallway. ‘Or maybe it’s Will?’
The letterbox pushed slowly inwards and Karin flattened Mel against the wall. They were motionless, not daring to breathe. Then the letterbox snapped shut, the spring too quick to allow anyone to peer in.
‘I don’t know,’ said Karin, panting as if she had run a marathon in those last few seconds, her hand pressing against her heart.
The banging grew more insistent.
‘What if it is Louie?’ said Mel. ‘What if she smashes the door in?’
‘She won’t.’
Karin was edging along the wall, getting closer to the door. More movement outside meant they could now see a dark outline through the stained glass.
‘Bloody hell, Karin. I think it could be the police.’
Karin tried to make a dash for it, but Mel caught her in time, pulling her back.
‘Where are you going? We don’t even know what this is regarding yet.’
‘Please, Mel. Please don’t say anything about the notes. Or Louie. I promise I will sort this.’ She was forcing her frown lines together so hard it formed a deep gash in her forehead. ‘I thought I already had sorted it.’
‘Just keep your cool. Let’s see what they want first.’
Mel moved towards the front door, holding onto Karin’s arm so she couldn’t shoot off. Letting go of it slowly, with her other hand on the latch, she turned to Karin and said: ‘Ready?’
Karin nodded, and Mel opened the door.
‘Ms Rhodes?’
The police officer flashed up her ID, introducing first herself, followed by her male colleague.
‘No, I’m Melanie. This is Miss Rhodes.’
Karin looked like she was about to crumple. She gave them a nod that instantly made her look both guilty and terrified. She really needed to pull herself together.
‘May we come in?’ asked the police officer, already halfway over the threshold.