Kate and Hank left the scene in a marked police vehicle, switching to a pool car at an agreed rendezvous to ensure they weren’t followed. Kate took the wheel, insisting on paying Jo and James a personal visit before returning to the safe house, hoping and praying that they hadn’t seen the late evening news by the time she got there.
It was snowing gently in Northumberland.
On the brow of a hill, she turned into a narrow lane where the snow was pristine, trees and drystone walls on either side. The vehicle moved through an open five-bar wooden gate, its headlights illuminating a single-storey stone cottage that sat alone in blissful isolation, at one with nature, much like Jack and Peggy Shepherd’s place.
This evocative wintery scene always aroused an emotional response in Kate, reminding her of her childhood living there with her family. Happy times. Now she had a family of her own, but no home to go to. She stopped the car, cut the engine, staring out at the tiny windows of the cottage. Her father, a crop of white hair, came to the window and looked out.
Their eyes locked.
Staring at him, she felt like the prophet of doom. It was almost eleven o’clock and she’d come bearing news she knew would keep him awake tonight. What other choice did she have? For once, Kate was glad for the snow. It gave her an excuse to wear a beanie so her father wouldn’t see the staples in her head.
He was at the door before she reached it, Jo by his side.
‘Hey!’ she said. ‘I didn’t expect to see you. Well, don’t just stand there, come in.’ Her expression changed from joy to surprise when Hank joined them on the doorstep. ‘Well, this is turning into quite a party. What’s going on?’
Kate focused on her father. ‘Dad, would you mind making Hank a cuppa, or something stronger, while I have a word with Jo in private?’
He did mind and showed it.
He turned and walked away.
Kate felt guilty. She’d dragged him into this and now she was pushing him away. She could tell him it was police business – technically it was – but by morning the press would be all over it and he’d feel cheated.
As Hank followed him into the house, Jo gave her favourite male detective a kiss on the cheek, then grabbed her coat and stepped outside for some privacy. The two women fell into an embrace, the white stuff falling to the ground all around them. Kate held on for a long time. It felt like an age since they had seen each other at breakfast.
‘Dare I ask why you’re here?’ Jo pulled away, her good humour dissolving. ‘This isn’t you just dropping by to say hello because you can’t bear to be without me, is it?’
‘No, I have something to tell you and you’re not going to like it . . .’ Her attention was drawn to the interior of the cottage. Only the living room lights were on. Her father and Hank in there but someone was missing. Two someones. She moved closer, making sure, then turned to look at Jo, a question on her lips. ‘Where’s James?’
‘He just slipped out to walk Nelson. Why?’
‘Right . . .’ Kate scanned the treeline. No sign of him. ‘Which way did he go?’
‘That way.’ Jo thumbed toward the river.
‘How long’s he been gone?’
‘Kate, stop it. You’re scaring me.’
‘Sorry . . .’ Kate grabbed her hands. ‘I didn’t mean to frighten you.’
She explained why she’d come and why she couldn’t stay. It had nothing to do with the lack of room. She had to get back to the scene of the arson. The house would be under guard all night. Of all the things she might have said, Jo wasn’t ready for the reality of what came out of Kate’s mouth.
She wept openly, devastated to learn that the home they shared had been deliberately targeted. It had taken them a long time to fully commit. When they did, they’d set out to create their own safe house, a sanctuary where they could chill and enjoy each other’s company, away from the stress of their day jobs. In more senses than one, what had happened tonight had torn it down.
‘He won’t stop until he’s caught,’ Jo warned.
‘Neither will I . . .’ Though the fire was too close to home, Kate was philosophical about it. ‘Things could’ve been so much worse. You’re safe . . .’ James emerged through the trees with Nelson. Kate gave him a massive hug and smiled at Jo. ‘See, we’re all safe. That’s all that matters. The rest is bricks and mortar. It can be repaired. Look, there’s a security detail on its way. When they get here, I’ve got to go.’
James was clueless. ‘Will one of you tell me what’s going on?’
‘You no longer have to pay for the back door,’ Jo said. ‘We don’t have one.’