Page 43 of The Girls in the Lake
‘What did you do?’
‘Slapped him. Then another guy came down, the one with a shaved head. He looked horrified at what he’d seen. I pushed my way out and went back on top. Next thing I know someone is shoving me hard from behind. The heels I was wearing were too high. I fell forwards, lost my balance and fell over the railing into the lake.’ She looked at Josh. ‘That’s it. I don’t know who pushed me, I didn’t see them. A part of me thinks it was that creep Marcus, another part wonders if it was one of the girls who maybe don’t like me that much.’
‘Thank you for sharing that, it helps with our investigation a lot.’
‘Why is there going to be an investigation?’
He glanced at her pale face; mascara trailed down her cheeks and flecks of glitter that had begun the night on her eyelids were now sprinkled across her nose.
‘Tamara, someone tried and succeeded to push you into the lake. If we hadn’t been on a boat in the area you could have drowned. Fortunately, you didn’t; we managed to pull you out before that happened. At worst, it’s attempted murder. At best grievous bodily harm. I’m not sure yet until we’ve ascertained the exact circumstances, but whatever it is, it’s serious.’
She nodded. ‘I can still taste the water in my mouth. I thought the cheap champagne they were serving on the boat was pretty crap. It turns out not as crappy as Lake Windermere.’
She paused. ‘The third house along, with the wooden gates.’
He stopped outside a huge house set in its own grounds with wooden gates blocking access to it from the road. She opened the car door.
‘Thanks, what’s your name again?’
‘Josh Walker, Detective Sergeant Josh Walker.’
‘Well it was nice to meet you, just a shame about the circumstances.’
‘Don’t you want me to take you in and talk to your parents?’
She shook her head. ‘They’re not in, probably up at the golf club. I’m okay, just tired and cold. Oh, and I look a mess as well.’ She began to dry cough into her hand. ‘I’m probably going to catch a cold, but I’ll live. If you need me for anything you know where I am.’
She got out the car and typed a code into the electronic keypad on the gate post. He waved at her, waiting for the gates to open and catching a glimpse of the huge house behind them. If he thought Beth’s house was stunning, this was practically a mansion.
‘Good night, Tamara. If you begin to feel unwell then ring an ambulance or get yourself to the hospital.’
She rolled her eyes at him, dismissing him with a wave of her hand. The gates began to close and she disappeared from sight.
A heavy feeling settled over Josh. He was sure she was okay, but he’d have preferred it if she’d let an ambulance crew check her over. Or at least if he’d been able to inform her parents. The fact that she was eighteen and capable of making her own decisions made it difficult for him to do anything more. He turned the car around to head back to the marina.
Forty-Eight
James, Marcus and Ethan had spoken to the police and given brief statements along with all the other passengers. When they’d all left, and police had finally gone, James opened a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and filled three glasses with ice. Pouring generous measures of the whiskey over it, he then passed one each to Marcus and Ethan.
‘What a fucking disaster.’
Ethan didn’t speak. He wondered if James realised that most of this was the fault of Marcus and his wandering hands. If he hadn’t tried to grope that girl, he wouldn’t have had to challenge him and she wouldn’t have gone back up on deck and fallen into the water. Ethan took a small sip of the amber liquid. He wanted nothing more than to go home to his cabin.
‘What are you going to do?’
James looked at him. ‘Not much I can do. The coppers said the boat was not to leave the marina. No more charters until there’s been a thorough investigation. I’m going to lose my licence for sure, not that I’ll have any customers after this. Might as well give it up.’
Marcus shrugged. ‘Bloody stupid cow. What was she thinking going into the water?’
Incredulous, Ethan glared at him. ‘If you’d kept your hands to yourself none of this would have happened. I don’t think she intentionally decided to plunge into the lake.’
Marcus stood up. The glass he was holding slid from his grasp as he tried to balance but stumbled forwards. It smashed to the floor, spraying James and himself in whiskey.
‘Bloody hell, Marcus, sit down, you idiot. You can’t stand straight,’ James yelled at him.
Marcus ignored him, taking a step closer to Ethan.
‘You’re just a jealous prick. She wanted me and you know it, you could see it in her eyes.’
