Page 32 of Beyond the Darkness (Basic Instincts #3)

Waiting for Resolution

One month later

Hudson sat at a shaded table in a rear corner of The Blue Pearl. He’d been avoiding public places in Blyham for the last few weeks, but today he’d found the walls of the apartment claustrophobic and oppressive. Even the balcony had felt like a prison, and he’d had to get out.

It had gone three and, after not eating all day, he’d thought that a bite to eat and a coffee would do him good. The sandwich remained untouched on his plate, though he was already on his third cup of coffee.

No one bothered him. The server had recognised him, but had kept their chat light and professional, and no one else in the bar seemed to know who he was.

Amazing, considering how much coverage he’d gotten in the national press in recent weeks.

Maybe the baseball cap and reading glasses were working in his favour after all.

He pretended to be a character. Someone who didn’t want to be approached. He must be giving out suitable vibes.

He checked his watch again.

Luke had been at the police station for almost two hours now.

They’d said the interview would be a formality, but Hudson had insisted that Luke take a lawyer along with him anyway.

What if the cops had changed their minds?

Luke had said all along that the Blyham force were unpredictable.

Maybe the bastards had done a U-turn and wanted to charge him with Amber’s death after all.

He sighed and shifted about in his seat.

His coccyx had many weeks of healing still to go, but he found that if he kept his weight forward, he could sit comfortably enough for solid periods of time.

He’d been working out too and doing Pilates to aid the injury.

It all seemed to be helping his recovery.

Hudson had remained in Blyham for one reason. Luke. All rational sense had told him to pack up and fly back to New York, but his heart thought differently. He couldn’t leave Luke after what they’d been through, when he felt so much for him.

It was unlikely that Darkest Blue would ever make it to the stage.

With the deaths of a producer and an actor, an injured leading man and the production mired in a murder investigation, the entire run had been cancelled.

If there was any attempt to mount the play in the future, Hudson would not be part of it.

He had no intention of ever going to see it.

The play was cursed and had generated enough sadness and grief. It was better that it never was.

The investigation into Amber’s and Corman’s crimes continued.

Corman had been charged with Julian’s and Rav’s murders, and the attempted murders of Hudson and Luke, but the more the police dug into their computers and phones, the more they had discovered.

There was a mountain of video and photographic evidence.

The podcasters had been behind many of the true crime stories they had chronicled on their show, including an arson attack on a probation office and the Blyham Cat Killer.

Before moving on to human murders, they’d killed a large number of pets around the city in order to have something sensational to report.

They had been working together for almost three years. Hudson was fearful of what else would be discovered since they’d met and discovered the darkness in each other.

Thanks to Luke’s ex-husband’s loose mouth and unprofessionalism, they’d been provided with regular updates on the police case. The attempt on Luke’s life seemed to have mellowed his ex. Kris even behaved civilly towards Hudson. Maybe things were at last improving for the better in Blyham Police.

For Luke’s sake, he hoped that was true.

Hudson checked his phone. He’d messaged Luke to let him know where to find him when he was done. No reply as yet.

Hudson sucked a breath through his teeth and tried to convince himself that no news could be good news.

One of the other things that had been discovered was Amber and Corman’s mutual love of Red Hills Massacre.

He failed to see how anyone could like that movie, though Luke had admitted to being a fan of it also, but if ever two twisted minds were going to bond over a film, it would have to be that piece of shit.

Hudson wouldn’t have believed it possible for him to hate the film more than he already had, but he did.

He’d received hundreds of requests for interviews from around the world, all wanting him to talk about the film and why it might have made him the target of the killers.

He’d rejected every single one and would continue to do so for the rest of his life.

Horror movies were over for him. For as long as he kept acting, he would never appear in another one.

They had their fans, and the vast majority were nice people just like Luke, but the idea had been spoiled forever.

Amber and Corman had been involved in a fucked-up, real-life remake of Red Hills Massacre.

Courtesy of Kris, Hudson had also learnt that that they had filmed Julian’s murder, taking turns to stab him while wearing the Baby Face mask.

They had set up secret cameras at the theatre and filmed Hudson and Luke in his dressing room having sex.

No doubt it had been intended as a titillating taster for what they had planned next.

The only solace he took from the news was that the more evidence the police uncovered, the more charges would be brought against Corman and the easier it would be to send the motherfucker to prison for the rest of his life.

Corman had made a full recovery from his head injuries and was currently on remand ahead of the court case.

Hudson looked up as the front door opened. Luke entered and glanced around.

Thank God. Hudson had had an awful feeling that Luke might also be spending the night in a police cell. He stood and waved him over, wrapping him a tight embrace as soon as he reached the table.

“I’m so relieved to see you,” Hudson said, putting his hands flat against Luke’s back and clinging to him. They stayed that way for a long time. “How did it go?” he said when he eventually released him.

Luke removed his light blazer and slung it over a chair, sitting down next to Hudson. Hudson took his hand and didn’t let go.

“They kept me waiting ages and then they spent a long time going over everything. Understandable. I did kill someone, after all.”

“You killed her in self-defence, not cold blood. There’s a huge difference.”

Luke nodded resolutely. He’d been putting on a brave face since that night, talking tough, but Hudson knew he’d been struggling with the reality of what he had done.

Amber was a fucked-up murderer, but taking another life did not come easily to most people, whatever the circumstances.

It could take Luke years to process the mental trauma of his actions.

Hudson intended to be there for him and support him through every step on the path to acceptance.

“I’m in the clear,” Luke said at last, looking and sounding relieved. “There will be no charges against me for killing Amber. Even her own family aren’t pressing for it. A clear case of self-defence.”

Hudson let out the breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding. He gripped Luke’s hand tighter. “That’s great news. And only right. All the evidence backs it up.”

Luke managed a smile, though the tension around his eyes remained. “It doesn’t mean it’s over. I’ll still have to testify in court against Corman. We both will.”

“I know. And we’ll nail the bastard. For Julian. For Rav. For what he’s put their families through. For what he’s done to us. We’ll get him and he’ll never hurt anyone again.”

At last Luke’s smile was genuine, though his eyes were moist. He lifted Hudson’s hand to his lips and kissed. “I love you.”

Hudson moved even closer and put his arms around him. “I love you, too.”

* * * *

It was an afternoon a lot like the first day Hudson had visited the house on the coast. Clear, bright—a perfect summer day.

Only now the house was filled with the wrong kind of memories.

Luke had not spent another night inside the place since the attack. He’d moved into Hudson’s apartment in the city and had stayed there ever since.

Luke’s parents had agreed to supervise the emptying and disposal of the contents, but Luke had insisted on visiting one last time to collect any personal stuff he couldn’t do without.

“You don’t have to do this,” Hudson said as he stepped out of the car. “Tell me where everything is, and I’ll bring it out for you.”

Luke shook his head, getting out. He took off his sunglasses to gaze at the house. Nothing much had changed since the last time they were here, from the exterior at least. But Luke’s feelings about his former home had changed beyond recognition. The tension in his stance was obvious.

“Why don’t we have a few minutes in the garden?” Hudson said, pointing to the patio furniture that stood in front of the house. Luke’s parents must not have got around to selling those pieces yet.

Luke seemed relieved at the suggestion. A tight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Hudson took his hand as they walked across the garden.

The still vibrant colours of the garden, together with the familiar scent of the sea and the warm afternoon sun, reminded Hudson of happier times.

As they took a seat, the sense of relief deepened as a well-known sight bounded across the garden.

“Molly.” Luke beamed as the cat ran to him. She meowed excitedly, sliding in and out of his legs, rubbing her body against his calves. He bent to stroke her head affectionately.

She purred loudly, rolling onto her back at his feet.

“She’s missed you.” Hudson grinned. It was great to see Luke looking so happy again.

“I’ve missed you too,” Luke said lovingly to Molly, running his hand all along her side. She continued to meow her delight. “I hope you’ll be as friendly to your next neighbours. Welcome them to the neighbourhood and keep them happy.”

After a few minutes, Molly leapt onto Luke’s lap and settled herself while he stroked her head.

When they finally found a permanent place to live, they’d have to get a cat of their own. Luke clearly adored animals.

Hudson gazed at the sea. Such a shame Luke’s time here had ended the way it had. This place had had everything until Corman and Amber ruined it.

“I’ve got something to tell you,” he said at last.

Luke’s eyes flicked over to him. “Sounds ominous.”

“It’s not. At least I hope not. I’ve had an offer to do a TV series. A good one. It’s a limited series. A comedy drama with a great pilot script.”

“That’s fantastic news. Especially after all the shit you’ve been offered.”

Unbelievably, Hudson’s agents had been fielding so many offers of horror films and gruesome crime shows since his name had hit the headlines again.

“I haven’t said yes yet, because I wanted to run it by you first. And I didn’t want to do that until you got the all-clear from the cops.” He took a deep breath. Here came the crucial information. “It’s going to mean filming in Canada for six months. Vancouver.”

He caught the look of uncertainty that came over Luke’s face and before he could reply, Hudson rushed on, “I want you to come with me. Or at least think about it. It’s just six months, but the break from Blyham could be good for you. Good for us. Maybe the paper will let you take a sabbatical.”

Luke let out a long breath. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“And does the idea appal you?”

Now Luke gazed at him earnestly. “The exact opposite. I never thought I’d say this, but getting away from Blyham is exactly what I need right now.”

Relief washed over Hudson as a broad smile spread across his face. “And it’s not forever. Six months. We can come back here afterwards and see how you feel about the place then.”

Luke nodded. “It’s a perfect idea. I’m sure I can get the time off. Maybe even start writing that novel I’ve always wanted to.”

Hudson leapt out of his seat and crouched beside Luke’s chair, taking his hand. “You mean that? You really want to come with me? I won’t take the job if you’re not sure.”

“I’ll be pissed off if you don’t take it. Of course I’ll come with you. After what we’ve been through, I can’t think of anything better than spending time together away from here.”

Hudson pressed his lips to Luke’s. This was all for real. They had faced the horrors of this city, and had survived. Now they had the opportunity of experiencing something new. Something positive. Something for both of them.

They were in it together, and Hudson felt certain that they always would be.