Page 35 of The Wedding Cake Wish
‘Strange she should say that, then.’
He sighs. ‘Well, not really. I mean, when you lose someoneclose,everythingtends to remind you of that person, doesn’t it? It wasprobably the very fact that hehatedport that made her think of him. Mylesused to say port tasted like alcoholic cough medicine.’
I laugh softly. ‘Never tried it. It sounds horrible.’
There’s a brief silence. Then Hudson draws in a breath. ‘So...arewe going to check out this Brendan Myers person?’
‘Definitely. I was thinking about it and I can’t helpfeeling he might be holding Rory prisoner until after the trial. To make sureRachel changes her statement in his favour.’
‘We need to get along to this Heatherington Manor andinvestigate. I’ve got meetings most of the day, but I could pick you up ataround five?’
‘Great. I’ll be ready.’
I end the call, feeling suddenly nervous.
Having seen photographs of Brendan Myers online – a short,unprepossessing sort of a man with dark-framed glasses and cold, gimlet eyesnarrowed in a scowl at the camera – I’m feeling more than a little apprehensive.He probably hires big hulky muscle-men to do his dirty work for him, because Ireally can’t imagine him tackling his ‘enemies’ himself.
He most likely didn’t think twice about arranging forsomeone to push Rachel into the traffic. And a man like that has no conscienceat all. If he discovers us prowling around his estate, hoping to find Rory,he’ll have no qualms whatsoever about sending his henchmen to silence us.
A shiver runs the length of my spine.
I’m with Hudson in this. Of course I am. We work welltogether.
But should we really be getting tangled up with someoneas reportedly evil as Brendan Myers?
*****
Later, when Hudson collects me, he fishes out his phone andshows me several images of Heatherington Manor – one a bird’s eye view,revealing it to be a stately, mock Tudor mansion that’s been extended in everydirection possible. It seems to have about a zillion bedrooms, hundreds ofbathrooms, and a swimming pool with a giant model of a pink flamingo alongsideit.
Brendan Myers’ décor preferences might not be to everyone’staste, but he’s clearly doing very well for himself.
‘There’s lots of places he could be keeping Rory prisoner,’I murmur, scanning the various buildings, which include a pool-side cabanathat’s larger than most people’s actual houses.
‘He would need to be kept well out of sight and sound ofcasual callers. I’d be looking at that collection of farm buildings at the backof the property,’ murmurs Hudson. ‘They’re far enough from the main house thata passing delivery man or postman would have no reason to wander in theirvicinity.’
I nod. ‘That barn would be the best bet. No windows toescape from and I bet the doors are well padlocked.’ I grimace at Hudson. ‘Doyou really think Rory might be in there?’
‘Who knows? It’s a bit of a long shot. But I think we shouldcheck it out.’
‘Check it out? Like how?’ I gaze at him in horror. ‘You’renot suggesting we deliver a pizza to Mr Myers, are you? And then somehow raidthe barn for evidence of kidnap victims?’ I’m joking, but to my alarm, Hudsonappears to be weighing up the idea.
‘Let’s just get along there and see what the security is like?Then we can decide what to do.’
My stomach shifts nervously. ‘What if we get caught?’
‘We’re not going to get caught, Rubes. I’ll protect you. Ifthere’s a chance Rory is there, we need to find out.’
I sneak an admiring glance at his profile as he turns hisphone to study a photo from another angle. Hudson’s bold, matter-of-factapproach to this seems to be having a strange effect on my legs. I subtly fanmyself with the neck of my T-shirt when he’s not looking and silently blow outmy breath.
‘Right,’ I say faintly. ‘Well...lead on!’
All I know is thatwhereverHudson Holmes leads, I’llhappily follow.
Even if he leads us into the lion’s den itself...
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
It turns out that Brendan Myers’ mansion is situatedat the end of a rabbit warren of narrow country lanes in the middle of somebeautiful, rolling West Sussex countryside. The perimeter is a tall wroughtiron fence, covered in dense greenery, which makes it impossible to see theactual house from the road.
