Page 69 of Sisters

Matteo swallowed, weighed down by his betrayal. ‘Saint-Jean-de-Luz?’ he repeated out loud. ‘So you’re in France?’

‘Yes. The police...they’ve been leaving me messages.’

He started. ‘They’ve got your number? This number?’ He turned to Baroni, who was busy on her mobile, searching urgently for something. She looked up at his words, clocked his frown, but simply shrugged at him, then went back to her phone.

‘I must’ve been on CCTV at a retail park. No doubt the guy in the phone shop had to hand over my new number. Although, I’m still not sure how they managed to locate me so quickly.’

Because your sister rang your still-alive mother from a payphone at that retail park, thought Matteo.

‘You’re probably wondering what’s going on?’ said Abby.

He let out a strangled laugh. ‘You could say that.’

‘Susanna – my mother – hurt Ellie as a child. I told Ellie all about it. It ended in a fight. Nothing deliberate,’ she quickly added, ‘but Ellie pushed Susanna away and she fell. Hit her head. There was nothing we could do. I’m sorry you had to come home to that.’ She took a breath. ‘What do the police think happened?’

‘They don’t know for sure.’

‘But they suspect foul play?’

Matteo ducked her question. ‘What messages have the police been leaving you?’

‘Oh, you know: “We can help.” “Please contact us.” “Let’s talk.” All the usual.’

Baroni was tapping him on the shoulder. He turned to see her holding up her notepad.

Tell her to go to Hernani. The Palacio Hotel. Tell her you’ll meet her there. That you will help.

He pushed the paper away, shook his head angrily.

‘Do you know if they’re close to finding us?’ asked Abby.

‘They’re not telling me much,’ said Matteo. ‘What are you going to do?’

‘I can’t let Ellie go down for our mother’s death. It’s not right.’

Baroni was tapping him again. More forcefully this time. He turned. She held her notebook out at arm’s length. This time she’d written in capital letters and underlined:

ASSISTING AN OFFENDER

She was giving him a long, hard look.The bitch.He closed his eyes, knew he’d walked into a trap of his own making. He wouldn’t just lose his job; he’d be up in court as well, facing a jail sentence.

‘Let me help,’ he said, almost choking on the words.

‘What?’

‘I know that area of northern Spain where you’re headed. There’s a hotel in a place called Hernani. It’s called the Palacio. Go there and wait for me. I’ll get to you as soon as I can. I’ll check the flights. I can be there by tomorrow, I’m certain of it.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Yes.’

‘But your job...won’t this put you in a really difficult position?’

‘I’ve already lied to them,’ said Matteo.And you, he added silently, his heart splitting.

Abby was quiet for a moment. ‘OK.’

‘Turn your phone off now,’ said Matteo.