Skywalker is lying deathly still on the bed, his chest making the tiniest movements.
‘Good boy, Sky,’ I say, wiping at tears. ‘You’re such a good boy. Just … stay cool, okay? Stay cool.’
I can’t stop crying. I’m pretty sure this is trauma. Seeing Michael transform like that, from like this good guy to a dead-eyed monster … it’s totally freaked me out.
Crazy how can someone can seem so charming, but have all that rage going on just below the surface. Malevolent intentions can be so well hidden.
I’ve explored every corner of the turret room, checking every angle.
At first, I pulled and hammered on the door, shouting my head off. But it was stupid. I knew it was stupid. Who would come? Michael?
After the futile door hammering, I threw a chair at the door, but all I succeeded in doing was smashing a probable antique into pieces and hurting myself in the process.
I put a cheek to Skywalker’s soft fur. ‘Now I know why Mum is so scared, huh? Why she runs from him. Crazy is scary.’
I go to the window, pressing my nose right against the glass.
It’s a good view – I can see right over the woodlands, all the way to the gate. The sun is setting and although I can’t feel the temperature drop in here, I shiver.
Michael strides out of the trees on his short little legs, carrying two rifles in his arms with a box of ammunition balanced on top. He’s dressed all in black: jeans, shoes, T-shirt and sunglasses.
My heart is beating so hard. So he’s been to his gun shed. I expected that. Arming himself before my mother arrives. I’m shaking so hard that my vision is blurry.
This is what you wanted, Liberty. A change. Liberation. Right? Be careful what you wish for.
Michael has crossed the moat now and is heading into the house.
I scuttle back to Skywalker, crouching back beside him as I hear Michael climbing the stairs.
‘Hello, Liberty, love.’ Michael’s chubby body appears in the arched doorway. I expect him to still be holding the rifles and ammo, but instead he carries a tray.
‘Where did the guns go?’ I ask.
‘What guns?’ Michael’s outline reminds me of a frog stretched out – large belly over skinny legs. A frog carrying a tray of sandwiches and bottled water. He surveys the room, eyes darkening when he sees the smashed-up chair. ‘You’ve made a real mess up here, haven’t you? A real mess.’
Michael puts the tray down on the bed and the bottled water leans precariously. ‘Lorna hasn’t come yet. I thought she’d be here by now. How are you, anyway? You must be getting hungry. I brought you a little supper.’
‘My dog needs a vet.’
‘Oh, your poor little pup.’ Michael shakes his head. ‘He’s still not himself, is he?’ He crouches beside Skywalker, putting a hand to his chest. ‘He’s in a bad way, if he’s still not moving.’
I shrink back. ‘You did it,’ I say. ‘You poisoned him. At breakfast, or … when we were in the music studio.’
‘You really are sounding crazy, love, saying things like that,’ says Michael.
‘You were carrying guns. I saw you.’
‘Now you’re sounding really crazy.’
‘Just let me out.’
‘Listen, Lorna will be here soon. You’ll stay here until then, won’t you?’
‘I need to get my dog to a vet.’
‘God, Liberty, I mean, all the vets’ offices will be closed by now, won’t they? And is he really all that bad?’
‘Of course he’s that bad. He’s barely moving. There are out-of-hours services. For emergencies.’
‘Well, listen, I can’t take you anywhere now, not with Lorna on her way. I hope she hurries along. When she gets here, we might be able to do something for your doggy. Okay, love?’
‘We need to go now.’
‘We can’t, love. Sorry.’
‘Is this what you did to Annalise and that other girl? Lock them in?’
‘What other girl?’
‘The German girl. The one who went missing after your show.’
Michael’s head flicks towards me. ‘You’ve been reading too many newspapers. They’re full of lies. Don’t believe a word of them. A girl went missing. What’s that got to do with me?’
‘Two girls going missing? Don’t you think that’s a big coincidence, considering you’re clearly a psychopath? What – did they both starve to death up here?’ I start to cry.
Michael pushes his sunglasses into his shaggy white-blond hair. I see cold, hard, dark eyes within a puffy, tanned face.
‘Liberty. I’ve just brought you a meal. You’re hardly likely to starve to death. This is all sounding very dramatic. And no one’s locking you in. The door handle gets stiff, that’s all.’
‘Skywalker could die.’ I start crying. ‘He’s just an innocent animal. What did you give him?’
‘How do you know he’s been poisoned, love?’
‘It’s happened before. He ate chocolate. He had to have his stomach pumped. He nearly didn’t make it.’
‘Maybe he ate something out in the woods,’ says Michael. ‘Animals can be dumb, can’t they?’
I stand, and Michael places himself between me and the door.
‘Remember your doggy now,’ he says. ‘You can’t leave without him, can you?’ Michael scratches at his black and white stubble. ‘And even if you did, I don’t think you’d get too far. I’d have to come after you. I’ve got a few all-terrain bikes out there; I’d catch you in no time.’
‘Why are you trying to hurt me like this?’
‘I’m not trying to hurt you, Liberty. I think you’re being a little full of yourself. It’s Lorna who’s going to get hurt.’
‘Why?’
Michael’s shoulders hunch forward and his voice drops two octaves. ‘I told you. Lorna was my little pet, just like that doggy is yours. And for her to leave … it was the worst betrayal. She can’t get away with it. Not while I’m still breathing.’
‘Please,’ I say. ‘My dog is sick. He could die.’
‘Just stay where you are. Stay right there and wait for Lorna. When she comes, do everything you’re told. And you might just come out of this okay. You don’t want to end up disappearing like your real mother. Right?’
More tears come. ‘What did you do to her?’
‘They never found your mother’s body,’ says Michael. ‘Did they? You know that part. So for all the world knows, she could still be alive. Nothing to suggest otherwise. But you know, I’ve got acres of woodlands out there. Acres. If I ever wanted to hide a body, that’s what I’d do. I’d hide it out there. Chop her up first and scatter the limbs around. I don’t think I’d ever get caught if I did that. Sit yourself down, Liberty, there’s a girl.’
I sit.
‘Let’s wait for Lorna to arrive,’ says Michael, closing and locking the turret room door. ‘This is the best view in the house.’