Page 149 of Into the Dark
Jake’s nostrils flare and his jaw tightens, eyes closing over in a wearisome fashion. He turns around slowly.
“Jake, they’ll do whatever they can to put you all away. That’s what they want. You’ve given me nothing I can use—nothing to convince them this is what you said it was.”
“If you go look where I told you to look, where I know Tony Cartwright is hiding, then you’ll have something to use.” Jake sounds tired.
Mark glances quickly at me at the mention of the name, but it means nothing to me. I turn and busy myself washing my hands at the sink.
“We’re looking. But it might not be enough.”
“That’s not my problem, detective.”
“It sort of is though,” Mark says coldly. “’Cause they want to see all of you inside, Jake. Every last one of you. These guys have worked on this for a long fucking time, years spent away from their wives and children, years in windowless offices watching you lot get away with fucking murder. You seriously think they’ll be happy to sit there and watch you walk off into the sunset with yours? I need more.”
I look at Jake, expectant and terrified, a cold shiver running up my spine.
“They?” Jake mocks. “And you, detective. And you. Let’s not fuck about here, yeah? You want to see me inside just as badly as they do, so forgive me if I don’t just hand over everything I fucking have to a guy who wants to see me rot in prison.”
Mark’s mouth flattens out into a straight line as he runs a hand through his hair. “That’s not… I’m trying to help you here.”
“Oh, are you? I had no fucking idea. I thought this was something else!” He laughs another of his small, empty laughs and shakes his head. “Okay, well, I’ll make this easy for you then—you know, since we’re mates.” Jake takes a step toward Mark. “Do you have something on us, on me, right now or not? ’Cause if so, then let’s fucking do this. Take me in. Don’t worry, I’ll go quietly—no need to look so fucking terrified, detective.”
Mark seethes but doesn’t respond.
“No? You don’t? Didn’t think so. Now why don’t you do me a favor and get the fuck out of my girlfriend’s house and go do your job? Find Tony.”
Mark’s face flickers darkly, mouth tightening over his teeth. He glares at the back of Jake’s head for what feels like forever before moving his eyes to me, his expression changing immediately. He holds my stare for a moment, regretful and anxious, before shaking his head and turning to stride down the hallway.
When the front door closes I see Jake relax immediately, his stance loosening, shoulders dropping. “This won’t be long,” he says. “You know, if you want to go up and put those away.” He eyes the coat and bag I dumped when I came in.
“Can we talk about whatever that was?”
He sniffs, shrugs, and shakes his head. “Nah. I’d rather eat, to be honest.” He turns back to the pot. “I’ve been working on this for fucking hours. It’s chili con carne. Hope it’s not gonna be too hot for you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut to try for patience. It doesn’t work. They fly open, and I huff loudly in exasperation, “Jake, this isn’t a bloody game—you realize that?”
“Of course I do, Alex,” he says quietly.
“Good! That’s good. Then tell me what’s going on! Why was he here? What the bloody hell just happened? Was it Vicky? Did she go to the police about you?”
He looks at me. “No. Fucking hell, Alex.” The look in my eye makes him slide the pot off the heat and turn his body fully to face me. He moves toward me and tries to pull me into his arms, but I take a step back.
“No, don’t do that. Don’t try to do that—not now. You need to tell me what’s going on. I need to know because I can’t…I won’t bloody lose you, okay? I won’t. I’m not strong enough to look after this baby on my own, without you…”
I’m spiraling, I know that. He does too because despite my protests he wraps his big arms around me and pulls me into him.
“Baby, what on earth are you on about? You’re not going to lose me—stop that,” he chides, pressing his mouth to the top of my head. “You need to calm down, yeah? This isn’t good for the little one. Just breathe. Shh…” He rubs a hand in sweeping circles over my back, slipping the other under my hair to caress and massage the back of my neck. “You’re not going to lose me—not ever. Shh. Everything’s gonna be fine. We’re going to be fine.”
“Are we?” I sniff.
“Yeah, we are. How many times do I have to say it? You need to trust me, Alex.” His voice is soft and soothing. “You promised me you would trust me to sort this.”
“Jake, please stop saying that.” I lift my head up and wipe the tears with the back of my hand. “I do trust you. I’m just scared. Please tell me what’s going on. If it’s not about Vicky, then what? Kevin?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
“Then what? What was he doing here?”
He thinks about not telling me. I see the consideration form in his mind and then his eyes. It would be easier for him not to tell me, I know. But then he lets out a breath.