Page 114 of The Dead Ex

He shrugged. ‘It’s not uncommon.’

An uneasysensation began to crawl through me. One of the women at my previous prison had been jailed for money laundering after buying houses with the proceeds of drug deals.

‘This deal which you did at work,’ I said slowly. ‘It was … above board, wasn’t it?’

Instantly, his face darkened. ‘Of course it was. What do you think I am?’

‘Then why didn’t you pay the money into the bank and do a transfer?’

‘Because the seller is in London tomorrow and wants cash.’

‘There’s no need to snap at me.’

‘And there’s no need to ask so many questions.’ His finger jabbed at the space for the buyer’s signature. ‘Just write your name, will you?’

‘Why can’t you buy it in your name alone?’

David began to massage my shoulders again, but this time, it didn’t feel so good. ‘So that if anything happened to me,you and our baby have an asset to sell.’

That niggle of worry was getting bigger. ‘I’m sorry, darling, but it doesn’t feel right, especially in my job. I have to be within the law and …’

‘I’ve told you. This is perfectly legal. Just sign.’

The baby moved inside as if it too wasn’t happy about this. ‘Only when I’ve got my own solicitor to look it over.’

Instantly he snatched it away. ‘If youfeel like that, don’t bother. How are we going to be good parents if we can’t trust each other?’

‘Where are you going?’ I asked, suddenly scared.

‘Out. Don’t bother waiting up. I’ll be sleeping in the spare room.’

I stop for a minute. The pain caused by the memory has winded me. ‘What happened after that?’ asks my solicitor quietly.

‘When I woke up in the morning, he was standing by my bedsidewith a mug of tea.’ I shook my head, half-laughing and half-crying. ‘ “Thought you might like this,” he said. He didn’t mention the document, and nor did I.’

‘You wanted to keep the peace,’ she says gently.

‘Exactly.’

‘And you think he was buying houses with cash that he got from something illegal?’

‘Well, it makes sense, doesn’t it? He asked me once more, but I refused. Clearly, Tanya wasn’tworried about getting into trouble though.’

There’s a knock on the door. It’s one of the prison officers. ‘Lunchtime,’ she says.

I am saved. For now.

46

Helen

14 February 2018

There’s still no sign of David. The office is now in a state of pure panic. The phone constantly rings with journalists wanting to know if there is any news. I try to keep my head down. But really I’m putting off something that needs to be done. Why don’t I just get on with it? I’ve waited long enough. But the weird thing is that, now I’ve got the information I’ve beenlooking for, I’m scared.

It’s today’s date which makes me finally do it. Valentine’s Day. My blood boils just to think of it. Whatever happened to compassion, let alone love? Someone has to take revenge for what happened. But how? Then I get it. The following day, I call in sick. No one seems bothered. From Perdita’s panicky voice at the other end and the background chatter, it’s clear that theyare only interested in David.

‘Still no news?’ I ask.