All the Rage (33 page)

Later, Kara forced herself to go to the gallery in order to help Ronald. Just an hour's work, she told herself. However, things between them were still strained. This bothered her. Ronald saw the troubled frown on her brow and flitted timidly around her, unsure of how the ground shifted between them. She was the first to speak candidly.

‘I'm so sorry. Ronald,' Kara whispered, before he had a chance to talk. ‘I doubted you, and I was wrong. '

He smiled. ‘All is forgiven. '

‘What will you do now? ' she asked, fully aware of the rumours flying about concerning the fate of the gallery.

Ronald picked up on her anxiety. ‘It's true, I'm afraid. Adele wants to take control. Ironic, don't you think? Who knows if Michael will ever make a full recovery? '

‘Will…will you stay on? '

Ronald diverted his gaze. ‘Adele has asked me to,' he replied. ‘There's a great deal to sort out. Eventually, Toby will leave America for good and run the business. He has money to invest. What else can I do at my age? '

Kara reached out. ‘I understand, Ronald. '

They grasped hands and held tight, lingering in silent reflection.

‘What will you do now? ' he asked finally.

‘I will offer my resignation, which
naturally
Adele will accept. I haven't any wish to return, the memories would be just far too painful. ' Kara held back the tears. ‘I need a break, to get away from everything. Besides, this art lark is far too dangerous for a country girl like me. '

Ronald laughed; glad that the awkward situation which had existed between them was now resolved. It was fine, she knew, and this gave mutual comfort. After a cup of coffee, she helped him with the paperwork over the next hour, just to occupy time. Then tiredness overtook her.

‘Keep in touch, dear. ' Ronald said.

‘How sweet, of course I will. ' As she left the gallery, Kara couldn't help but think of him as one of the last dinosaurs to roam the Earth.

 

***

 

Two days later, Kara received a visit to her apartment which brought further apprehension.

‘Kara Scott? '

She stared out from behind the half-opened door. It was the police.

‘That's me,' she replied.

‘Detective Ian Smart, CID, London West End Division. ' He pointed a badge in her direction. ‘May I come in? I think you know why I am here. '

Kara opened the door and led him into the kitchen.

‘How are you feeling? ' he asked.

‘Not good. '

‘I've been assigned to the investigation into the death of a woman at Laburnum Farm. As you are a witness, I have numerous questions that need answering. Do you feel ready to assist me? '

‘I'll try, detective. ' Kara put the kettle on. ‘Will there be an enquiry? '

‘Full scale,' the detective replied. ‘A major fire, a dead body, a missing suspect, possible fraud, the list is endless. It's Ian, by the way.'

Despite the heat of the apartment, Kara was feeling cold and fatigued.

‘I'll help in any way I can, Ian. Right now I'm feeling pretty shitty…'

In truth, she was panicking, unsure of how to respond to his line of questioning. She knew that anything she said could implicate Marcus. After all, it was
he
who started the fire. They needed to get their stories straight.

‘I understand,' he sympathised. ‘I've spoken to Marcus. Perhaps you can both come down to Headquarters, and I can take a joint statement to help clear matters up. '

This was the first she knew of this. What had Marcus said?

‘How is the investigation progressing? ' Kara asked, keeping her voice as low key as possible.

‘Slowly. We still need to interview Michael Strange urgently, but at the present time he is not well enough to cooperate. Then there is the huge forensic investigation, hampered by the ferocity of the fire. But we are getting there. I can see this is causing you distress. I should have phoned. '

‘Yes,' Kara said. She was feeling shot-through.

They shook hands.

‘Sorry about the tea. Another time? ' she said.

‘Yes. I'll phone and make an appointment. There's plenty to discuss. '

As he prepared to go, Kara said, ‘Michael is a good man, you know. I will not have a bad word said against him, in spite of what you might hear to the contrary. '

He nodded. ‘We just need to get to the truth. This is a major crime investigation, Kara, and at present you and Marcus are vital witnesses. We are, as you know, conducting a nationwide search for a missing person, whose identity is not clear at this stage. A bit tricky, that one. '

‘Have you any idea as to which sister perished in the fire? '

He shook his head in bafflement. ‘It is impossible to identify the body as yet, even with DNA technology. The fire was so intense, she emulsified, burnt beyond recognition. Even dental records are inconclusive. Perhaps we'll never know until we find the missing sister. '

‘My God,' Kara gasped. The image of either Maggie or Lauren on the loose filled her with dread.

‘Are you all right, Kara? '

‘I just need to rest, if you don't mind. '

He handed her a printed card. 'Speak to Marcus and arrange a time for the both of you to come in. '

His next words almost floored her.

‘You might consider making sure a solicitor of your choice is present at the interview. '

Then he was gone.

 

***

 

‘Penny for your thoughts? '

Kara and Marcus walked in the hospital grounds. It was sunny and warm, and it was his suggestion to get out from his bedroom and enjoy the fresh air.

‘I'm worried,' she said finally. ‘Adele is keeping me away from Michael. It's as if she is punishing me. I need to see him. '

She was so relieved to see Marcus on the mend. However, she couldn't help but smile at the way he looked in a silly long black coat and sunglasses to hide his swollen eyes. His right arm was in a sling and he wore a large facial bandage across his cheek. His lips were still split and bruised. He resembled a prize-fighter, battered but still standing after twelve gruelling rounds of boxing.

‘Are you laughing at me? ' he said, pretending annoyance.

‘I'm laughing with you, drippy dope. Now give me a hug. '

The embrace was awkward and painful.

‘Ouch! ' he screamed in mock discomfort.

She managed a laugh. ‘What a baby, no pain, no gain. ' Kara

inched forward and snuggled as close as she could bear, without putting pressure on her wounds. It felt divine.

 

***

 

Later, Kara ate with Marcus in the canteen. She was quiet.

‘What's up? ' he asked.

‘I think we are in trouble. '

‘How so? '

‘The police called to see me. They want a statement from us, and I'm scared. I have a hunch that they don't think of us as just witnesses.'

‘Meaning? '

‘They think we're involved…'

‘We are. '

‘Marcus, don't be so bloody flippant. A woman died. She died from a fire, a fire that you started. We are all to blame. What if we go to prison? '

Marcus drank from a can of Coke. ‘Not you, Kara. We'll think of something. Get your strength back, and don't say anything, especially to the police. Leave it to me, OK? '

Then it hit her. All this rage. It burned like a beacon. It terrified her that she contained so much anger. If it came to it, she would move heaven and hell to protect and restore the good name of Marcus and Michael. In particular, Michael had been the father she never had, a friend and mentor who had forged her and shaped her thinking.

Marcus read her thoughts.

‘We will all come through this, Kara. '

‘Will we? The only person holding all the aces is Adele. She'll come out of this whiter than white. I won't let it happen. When I worked in the gallery just recently, I downloaded all the files which I still had access to. I have evidence which will incriminate her in unlawful transactions. And I'll use that information in the future if necessary. '

‘You could make a lot of trouble for that woman,' he said quietly.

‘Which woman would that be? ' Kara asked. Her thoughts turned toward two sisters, one of which was out there
,
and on the run. A curse was how Michael had described Lauren. It could equally apply to Maggie.

Out there, somewhere. It gave her the creeps. Kara would always look over her shoulder, jump at the slightest sound. She would lie awake at night, listening to her own heavy breathing. A curse? The corner of rooms would forever hold shadows, whispers and rage, of another darker kind.

Marcus picked up on her inner demons.

‘We need to stick together, Kara. '

 

***

 

Two days later, Kara and Marcus made an official statement to the police.

Marcus kept to all the facts, except in the case of how the barn ignited. His story related to how Maggie had fought with him and as a result the fire started accidentally. Kara concurred with this version of events. They weren't concerned if the surviving sister, if found, disputed this version. Kara had managed to relay their story to Michael on one of her rare visits to him. It was now three against one.

Relieved, Marcus bought Kara coffee and brandy in a nearby café. He stared into her eyes.

‘That's that,' he said. ‘Now we can get on with our lives. '

If it was only that easy, she thought.

 

***

 

‘I'm lucky to be alive,' Michael said.

Kara kissed him on the cheek, pulled up a chair, and sat by his bed. She almost cried. He looked a hundred years old.

‘We all think the same,' she muttered.

‘Marcus saved my life. I underestimated him. It took immense courage to come back for me. '

This was the first time that Dr Oksana had allowed her an extended visit to the hospital. Adele had been so protective, but Michael was now off the danger list. His injuries were still extensive and, as the doctor had explained to her, recovery was going to be a very slow process. It would take months, he had warned her.

‘I'm going home soon,' Michael announced triumphantly.

‘That's wonderful. ' She marvelled at his optimism. ‘Who is going to look after you? '

‘Toby, and a live-in nurse that he's employed. '

‘Toby? '

‘Incredible, isn't it? We've had an opportunity to do a lot of talking. He's been here virtually every day. We now understand one another, so much so that he is supporting me in the gallery. He's resigned from his job in New York and intends to invest in the business. Seems he made good over there. More than can be said for his old man, eh? '

‘What about Adele? ' she asked.

‘The divorce will go ahead, and she's agreed to leave the business. Money talks. It's best for all concerned. I'll pay her off by re-mortgaging the main house, which I'll keep. She's taking the Marbella property. For the time being, I'll keep Chelsea. Toby will become my new partner, and his investment will settle the tax demand. This way, he gets to keep both his parents, without the bickering. '

‘That's great news, Michael. '

He changed the subject. ‘I'm so pleased you've come. '

‘Nothing could keep me away. I'll visit you in Chelsea and help as much as I can. '

‘Terry has been to see me. He's a good man. I've given him your phone number, and he's someone you can trust. He has valuable information which will help you understand what has been going on. '

‘I want to hear it from you, Michael, but not yet. '

‘It's complicated. '

She smiled. ‘You need to rest for now. '

Michael pulled himself up in the bed, wincing.

‘She saved my life too, you know. '

‘
Who
? '

‘Lauren. It was she who pulled Maggie off me. She died fighting her sister. That's the only reason I escaped. Marcus, of course, got me out but if it wasn't for Lauren I would never have survived. I will find Maggie, believe me. Lauren was misjudged for most of her life because of her sister's wickedness. '

Kara remained silent. Then she said, ‘Michael, the body has yet to be identified. We don't know who died and who escaped. '