Keep My Secrets by Elena Wilkes (management books to read .txt) 📕

Frankie tells her tale, hoping that this policewoman was sent on the course because she’s struggling at work, and is, this moment, too tired to pick up on the finer points. Her eyes look a little glassy but she’s diligent and careful to ask the right questions in the right way, constantly keeping eye contact, nodding and smiling and making sure that Frankie is comfortable at all times.

‘Do we know if this Matthew Jarrow has been released, then?’ Alex leans forward, his knee jiggling with tension. Frankie just wishes he’d stop.

‘We’ll certainly be checking into all the details you’ve given us and be reporting back everything we find.’ Julia clearly wants to sound reassuring. ‘We’ll be doing everything we can, Mr McKenzie. We do take these things very seriously. Your wife’s safety and your safety are our priority. Absolutely. Number one.’

It’s a pat response and Alex sits back. Frankie can tell he’s not satisfied with her answer. A whole load of questions run through her own mind, the first of which is, what will she tell Alex when the police ring back and declare that there’s no Matthew Jarrow on the database – either in or out of prison? What will she say then?

‘And you say everything you’ve received is in here?’ Julia puts her hand briefly on the plastic wallet.

Alex looks at Frankie questioningly.

‘Yes.’ Frankie nods. ‘That’s all of it.’

The lie slides from her lips. She thinks about the envelope still sitting beneath her desk. There’s truth and there is pain. Sometimes terrible truth and terrible pain go hand in hand and, right now, Alex doesn’t need either.

Her elbow squeezes the slight bump of the hairband in her pocket. She told Julia about it, showed it to her even, but she really isn’t on the ball when it comes to securing evidence.

‘I think your statement is pretty comprehensive.’ Julia scans the statement sheets in front of her and makes some minor adjustments before swivelling them round for Frankie to read.

‘Have a good look through and see if there’s anything you want to add. I’ll just pop out and speak to one of my colleagues and check if we’ve already got anything logged on the system that we can tell you about this Matthew Jarrow.’ She walks briskly to the door. ‘Back in a tic.’

Frankie pretends to read the sheet, her eyes moving back and forth across the page without taking anything in, praying and hoping that she can register the right reaction on her face. She knows she needs to look shocked when she’s told that there is no Matthew Jarrow. Her reaction needs to be plausible and Alex needs to see and totally believe it.

She can feel his calm gaze on the side of her face. She looks back at him. He has a slight smile teasing the corners of his mouth. His eyes have an odd look. For one tiny, split second, she wonders if he knows she’s lying, but suddenly the warmth of his fingers inch across her own in her lap. He lifts her hand and kisses it.

‘From now on, we’re in this together, yeah?’ He searches her face questioningly. ‘No more secrets? Something happens and you tell me. Is that a deal?’

‘That’s a deal.’ She manages to nod, but the deceit echoes hollowly.

The door opens and the hollowness turns to dread.

‘I’m afraid the computer’s down.’ Julia bustles over to the desk. ‘How are we doing here?’ She puts a finger on the paper. ‘Any amendments or additions?’

Alex looks at Frankie, but she shakes her head.

‘No, it’s fine, thank you. And thank you for all your help.’ Her stomach unravels a little.

‘Absolutely no problem at all. I’ve passed all the information to the team. So, if this individual contacts you again, or if you’re concerned even slightly, here’s my mobile and direct line. Remember, I’m totally on your side.’

She walks them to the main doors, shakes both their hands and they step out onto the early morning street. It feels quiet and strange out here: the buildings and shops around them are still shuttered and closed, the streetlights casting pools of gauzy yellow into the half-light. Frankie looks up and takes a deep breath in. It’s just starting to rain.

‘You okay?’ Alex puts an arm around her waist.

She lets it slowly out again. Her shoulders are trembling with the stress of the last hour. The rain begins to come down harder and Alex quickens his pace, ushering her along the pavement towards their car.

‘You got your keys? I’ll drive.’

She delves into her bag as he hurries round to the driver’s side and blips the car immobiliser. She yanks the passenger door open and slips into the seat.

He gets in beside her, breathlessly. ‘No. Jesus.’

She looks over. He’s holding a folded piece of paper. Something inside her contracts.

‘It was under the wiper blade.’

He opens it and holds it out for her to see.

I’m close. You’ll just never know how close I really am.

Frankie looks back at him in horror.

‘Right.’ He puts a hand on the door and goes to get out.

‘Alex. Don’t.’

‘Yes I am, Frankie. I’m taking this straight into the station. Now.’

‘Alex, please—’ She grabs his arm.

He is breathing hard. The windscreen fogs.

‘For me. Please.’

The rain hits the glass like thrown gravel. A mist has risen outside and in. She feels a contraction in her stomach that begins to shiver into fear. Her whole body is tense and on high alert.

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t want to be left on my own… Don’t you see? This means he was right here. It means he knows our movements.’ She snatches a look behind her. ‘He must’ve followed us. He must’ve been outside the house. He’s here, Alex. Out there. He must be watching us right now.’

She sees the look on his face: his eyes are wide and staring as he takes in the enormity of what she’s saying. A gust of wind rocks the car and she clutches his arm tighter. ‘Let’s get out of here, Alex.