The Fury(60)

Now it was my turn to look surprised. “Nothing?”

She shrugged. “You and I were friends, that’s all.”

“Were?” I smiled. “I was under the impression we still are. And a damn sight more than that—and you know it.” I felt suddenly quite angry. “Why can’t you be honest with yourself, just for once? I love you, Lana. Leave him. Marry me.”

Lana stared at me, silent, as if she hadn’t heard me.

“I mean it. Marry me—and be happy.”

It took all of my courage to say this. I held my breath.

There was a pause. Lana’s response, when it came, was brutal. She laughed. A cold hard laugh, like a slap in the face.

“And then what?” she said. “Fall down the stairs, like Barbara West?”

I felt like I’d been punched. I stared at her, stunned. I felt—well, you know me as well as anyone, by now—you can imagine how I felt. I didn’t trust myself to speak. I was afraid I might say something unforgivable, something that would cross an uncrossable line.

So, I didn’t say anything. I turned and walked out.





5





I exited the same way I had entered. I went out through the French windows, onto the veranda.

I made my way down the steps, buffeted by the wind—and by my thoughts. I couldn’t believe what Lana had said to me. That mean joke about Barbara West—it was so unlike her. I didn’t understand.

Even now, as I write this, I struggle to comprehend her cruelty in that moment. It was so out of character; I couldn’t believe it of my friend, of Lana. But perhaps I could believe it of that other, hidden person; that frightened girl lurking beneath the skin, so full of pain and wanting to lash out.

I would forgive her, of course. I had to. I loved her. Even if, sometimes, she could be cruel.

I was lost in a cloud of thought, and I didn’t see Jason coming. I collided with him at the bottom of the steps.

Jason shoved me back. “What the fuck—?”

“Sorry. I was looking for you. Did you search Nikos’s place?”

Jason nodded. “Nothing there.”

“Where is Nikos now?”

“In his cottage. I told him to wait there until the police get here.”

“Okay, good.”

Jason tried to pass me and climb the steps. I stopped him.

“Wait a minute,” I said. “I have good news. Agathi just spoke to the police.”

“And?”

“The wind has dropped. They’re on their way over right now.”

A look of relief appeared on Jason’s face. “Oh, thank Christ for that.”

“Shall we go and wait for them on the jetty?”

Jason nodded. “Good idea.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

“Wait a second.” He gave me a suspicious look. “Where are you going?”

“To tell Kate.” Unable to resist, I added, “Unless you prefer to?”

“No.” Jason shook his head. “You do it.”

Jason turned on his heel, heading toward the beach—and the jetty.

I watched him go, smiling to myself.

Then, keeping a firm grip on the revolver in my pocket, I went to find Kate—to finish this.



* * *



As I made my way to the summerhouse, I felt grimly determined to continue with my plan—whatever the cost.

I won’t lie and say my anger toward Lana at that moment didn’t spur me on. But there was no way I could stop this now, despite Lana’s objections. No more than you can stop a boulder you’ve sent rolling down a hill. It was bigger than all of us now; it had taken on its own momentum. We had no choice but to let this drama play out. As an actor, Lana should have understood that.

I neared the summerhouse and saw the door open. Leo came out. I quickly hid behind a tree. I waited until he passed by. Then I crept over to the summerhouse window and peered inside.

Kate was alone inside. She looked a mess. Scared, paranoid, upset. It had been a rough night for her.

Unfortunately, it was about to get worse.

I walked to the door. I reached out to open it—then, unaccountably, I froze.

I stood, motionless—paralyzed by a sudden and unexpected attack of stage fright. It had been many years since I’d done any acting—and never before had I played such an important role. Everything depended on my performance in this scene with Kate. This was the final magic trick I had to pull off. I needed to be 100 percent convincing—everything I said and did had to seem entirely innocent and believable.

In other words, I had to give the performance of my life.

I steeled myself, then knocked loudly on the door.

“Kate? It’s me. We need to talk.”





6





Seeing it was me, Kate unlocked the door. I pushed it open and went inside the summerhouse.

“Lock it.” She gestured at the door.

I did as she asked, sliding the bolt across. “I just saw Leo outside. I told him to meet us at the jetty.”

“The jetty?”

“The police are on their way. We’re going there, to wait. All of us.”

Kate didn’t reply for a moment. I watched her closely. There was a slight sway to her movements, a slur to her words; but hopefully she was sober enough to take in what I had to say.