The Darkness Beneath, page 38
Nell jerked her hand again. The wood gave a little more. Her heart was racing, her mouth dry as she watched the fire start to take hold. She gave another tug, this one even harder, crying out as pain shot through her arms. The railing snapped out of the wood and she stumbled forward landing uncomfortably on her cuffed wrists.
Hearing an agonizing scream she looked up as Luke stabbed the knife into Sam’s chest. He drove the knife in deep, held it there as Sam dropped to his knees, before pulling it free, kicking him to the floor. As he turned towards Nell, the bloody knife dripping in his hand, she scrambled for the gun, her hands shaking as she tried to aim it at him, squeezed the trigger. The bullet missed him completely and he laughed at her, skulking his way around the table.
‘You’ll have to do better than that.’.
The second bullet grazed his arm. Luke’s eyes narrowed as he glanced down, brushing his fingers over where it had passed. Without warning he lunged at her with the knife.
Nell squeezed the trigger a third time, saw the momentary look of shock on his face as the bullet caught him clean between the eyes. He staggered towards her, the knife dropping from his grip, before he followed, collapsing to the floor.
She got to her feet, tapped his body with her sneaker, relieved when he didn’t move.
‘I didn’t miss that time, you fucker.’
Sam was still slumped on the floor of the cabin, flames licking around him. Nell was aware she needed to get off the boat in case it exploded, but she couldn’t leave him, not after he had saved her life. She stumbled over to him, felt for a pulse. He was still alive, but had lost a lot of blood. She tapped him on the cheek.
‘Sam, wake up. We have to get out of here.’ At first he didn’t move, but he stirred when she slapped him harder. ‘We have to go. The boat’s on fire.’
He was groggy, mumbling, but conscious enough to help her get him to his feet.
‘I can’t support you with my wrists cuffed. Can you put your arm around my shoulder and hold on?’
He nodded, slinging his arm around her, his full weight bearing her down as she tried to half drag, half carry him towards the stairs. They faltered a couple of times, Sam’s grip slipping, and Nell glanced around at the growing flames, aware time was running out.
They reached the cabin stairs and Nell’s heart sunk. How the hell was she going to get Sam up them? He had lost consciousness and she propped him up on the bottom step, choking on the smoke, sweat pouring down her face, and aching from head to toe.
‘Sam? Sam?’ I need you to help me. I can’t get you up the stairs without your help.’ She tapped him lightly against the cheek, panic and desperation clawing at her throat. ‘Please, Sam. I can’t have you on my conscience as well.’
Something registered and his eyes fluttered open.
Nell managed to twist him onto his belly, clambered up the first three steps herself and reached down grabbing his arms, trying to pull him up behind her. He was a dead weight though and she wasn’t strong enough to do it without him.
‘Please, Sam. I need you to be strong for a little bit longer.’
He stirred again, her words seeming to get through, and he managed to get a foothold on the bottom step, attempted to push his way up. Nell pulled at his arms, hanging on for dear life when he slipped, waiting for him to find his footing. With his help she dragged him the rest of the way up the steps.
The deck was already on fire and to her dismay the flames had already caught onto Sam’s boat, which he had tied to the side of Luke’s before sneaking aboard.
She glanced around, realizing it was too late to get a life jacket or flare, understood if they were going to have any chance of survival they were going to have to get in the ocean. She had always been a strong swimmer, but right now she was physically shattered, her wrists still cuffed, and Sam was practically unconscious and in dire need of medical attention. While she didn’t fancy their chances, she figured they had to be better than burning to death on the boat. She pushed Sam in first, jumped in after him, grabbing hold of him and managing to slip her arms over his head, holding his head back against her as she trod water.
She lost track of how long she held him, her muscles cramping as she tried to keep the pair of them afloat, knew it was probably only about ten minutes at most, though it felt a lot longer. When she spotted the lights heading towards them, realized it was another boat, she could have cried with relief. A wide beam of light cut across the water in front of them, blinding her.
‘Nell?’
She heard Alex’s voice, was too exhausted to reply, then she heard a splash and he was swimming towards her, covering the distance between them with powerful strokes. He eased Sam out of her arms as the boat pulled up alongside them, and she recognized Hunter Stone as he leant over the edge to help Alex get Sam on board. ‘He looks like he’s lost a lot of blood. Get an ambulance on standby.’
Alex turned back to Nell, pulling her close against him, and she slipped her wrists over his head, held on tight, the relief of knowing she was finally safe almost too much to take in.
‘I thought I had lost you,’ he admitted.
‘You can’t get rid of me that easily.’ She managed a shaky smile, kissed him hard on the mouth, before giving in to the tiredness and letting him take her full weight.
He tightened his arms around her, brushed his lips against her temple. ‘You’re okay, Nell. We’re gonna be okay.
EPILOGUE
Alex made Nell go to the hospital, more for his own peace of mind than anything. Although her injuries appeared superficial he knew she had been given one hell of a scare and he wanted to know she was okay. Armed with a further dose of painkillers he drove her home, taking the doctor’s recommendation to run her a hot bath then followed his own by pouring her a large glass of wine.
She kept up the bold front, attempting to shrug off the nightmare she had been through by using nonchalance and humor, trying to make out it was no big deal, and he remained patient, waiting for the cracks to appear, knowing they would eventually. When the initial shock wore off giving way to tears she fought so hard to hold back, he held her close, stroking her hair, telling her she was safe and promising her everything would be okay.
And it would be. She had been so brave, so strong, and, had it not been for her actions, Sam Kent would be in the morgue right now instead of the hospital. Alex had spoken with the doctors, who had told him Sam was in a critical, but stable condition, but they were quietly confident he would pull through. Although Curtis Milborn had killed Lizzie, he knew Nell felt responsible for what had happened to her. By saving Sam’s life he hoped she would stop being so hard on herself.
Likewise Sam had helped save Nell, thwarting Luke’s plans and buying her extra time. Alex dreaded to think what the outcome might have been had Sam not followed the boat, the realization of how close he had come to losing her knocking it home how much she now meant to him. Something Michael addressed with him the next morning.
‘You manage to figure out if you’re in love with my sister yet?’ he asked when Alex stopped by to see him in the hospital.
Alex had left Nell at home sleeping, knew she needed the rest. Michael had been frantically calling; needing to know everything was okay. He would see her for himself soon enough, but until then Alex wanted to give him some reassurance.
‘Yeah, I am.’
Michael clearly hadn’t been expecting that response, the grin he broke out in stretching from ear to ear. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah, really.’
‘She’s gonna be okay, right?’
‘She’s gonna be fine. How about Newt? How’s he doing?’
‘He’s in shock,’ Michael admitted. ‘We both are, but I guess it’s harder for him. Luke was his brother and he loved him, but it turns out he was also a monster. How is he supposed to get his head around that? He feels guilty, blames himself for not picking up on any signs. He thought I was going to hate him for what happened, and he is dreading seeing Nell.’
‘She will be fine with him. It’s difficult for her too knowing she shot his brother.’ Alex raked a hand back through his hair. ‘Give them both some space to work it out. They’re both level-headed enough to get past this.’
‘Yeah,’ Michael gave a pensive smile. ‘Hopefully you’re right.’
It took a while for Newt to come to terms with everything that had happened. Michael had been discharged from the hospital two weeks after Luke’s death and the pair of them had immediately taken an extended vacation down to Mexico, partly to aid Michael’s recuperation, but as much to give Newt time away from Purity, a place that held so many memories.
Nell didn’t get to see Newt before they left, was certain he was avoiding her.
Alex had told her to give him space, promised her he didn’t blame her for his brother’s death, but still she felt guilty. Luke had deserved to die and she didn’t regret shooting him; she knew she would be dead if she hadn’t, but she hated what that did to Newt and was worried it would change their relationship forever.
She spoke to Michael a handful of times while he was away and they agreed the guesthouse held too many raw memories so they had decided to put the place on the market. She had already moved the rest of her things into Alex’s place and he had made it clear he wanted her to stay. Nell wasn’t sure if they would get a buyer for the guesthouse, though at this point thought it might be a good thing if the building was razed to the ground.
Clarke’s journal had been found on the back seat of Luke’s car, shedding light on what had happened at the guesthouse the night Sarah had died. Nell had been relieved to learn he had played no part in her death, though hated that Luke had threatened him into silence.
With both Luke and Jenna dead, only Tommy could be held accountable for what had happened to Sarah and he had slipped into a coma shortly after arriving at the hospital, staying unconscious for several weeks. When he eventually came to he had tearfully confessed to everything that had happened. Jenna’s prank hadn’t killed Sarah Treadwell though. She had been Luke’s first victim, and because of that the DA had reduced the charges. Tommy Dolan would have to turn in his badge and he would stand trial for trying to cover up Sarah’s murder, but he wouldn’t take the full heat for Luke’s crime.
Sam Kent was also out of the woods, making a full recovery and recuperating at his parents’ home. He hadn’t made contact with Nell and she had been reluctant to get in touch with him, still unsure how things were between them. He had saved her life and she had saved his back, but did he still bear a grudge about Lizzie?
So it surprised her when he had shown up on the doorstep one Sunday afternoon while Alex was at work, Sasha and Teddy going crazy when the buzzer sounded, Nell immediately on guard, still wary whenever she was on her own. She had invited him in, conversation between them awkward at first, but then they had had both opened up. Feelings had still been running high over Lizzie, but recent events had changed everything and they talked things out, took the first tentative steps to repairing the damage between them. When Sam left, Nell felt like a weight had been lifted and she was finally able to start moving forward.
As fall turned into winter, a cool front bringing with it icy winds and the first flurries of snow, Nell felt her life was returning to normality. She started painting again on a regular basis, had taken a part-time job in one of the craft stores in town. Caleb’s death had made waves in the society columns of the Chicago press and, while she had faced the wrath of Bitsy Sweeney Brooks, who had made her intentions clear in both a letter and a voicemail, as well as numerous newspaper quotes, that she held Nell responsible, with Caleb gone there was no longer any need to hide and she could start selling her work again. It felt good to be paying her way and gave her a purpose, plus the painting was therapeutic and it helped to relax her.
Two weeks before Christmas Alex’s brother and sister announced they were planning to visit. Nell had answered the phone a couple of times to his sister, Cassie, knew from snatches of conversation she overheard that she was curious to know who Alex was shacking up with.
‘I think they want to check you out?’ he admitted, a couple of days before they were due to arrive, as they walked the dogs along the beach one evening.
‘Okay,’ Nell replied, feeling a little apprehensive. Having grown up with such a dysfunctional family unit she always felt uncomfortable in these situations. ‘So, no pressure then?’
‘Cassie’s a head case, so you two will get on great, and Joe’s a lush. Ply him with alcohol and he won’t notice you’re certifiable, trust me.’
When she pulled a face at him, he grinned, leaning in and giving her a kiss.
The pair of them, along with Joe’s wife, Lacey, were planning on staying at the Purity Oaks Hotel and Alex had invited them over for dinner on the Saturday night.
‘I guess I should decide what to cook,’ Nell announced, picking up a pebble and throwing it into the surf. Teddy darted after it, disappearing into the freezing water.
Alex shot her a look. ‘You want to poison my family?’
‘Hey, my cooking is not that bad.’
‘Yeah it is, Nell.’ He arched a brow. ‘I’ve tried it. And yes, I know I’m still alive to tell the tale, but that is down to a strong stomach and pure luck.’
‘Oh, stop being so dramatic. I don’t mind cooking.’
‘But I do.’ He grinned slyly. ‘I want them to like you, remember? We’ll order something in.’
As they walked back to the house, the dogs running on ahead, Nell spotted a figure standing on the back deck. She gripped hold of Alex’s hand.
He glanced over to where she pointed, squinting. ‘It’s Michael.’
Nell felt her heartbeat quicken and she let go, hurried back towards the house. ‘Michael?’
He spotted her, stepped down on to the beach and started running across the sand. They met halfway and then he was scooping her up in a bear hug, arms tightening around her.
‘I have missed you so much.’
‘Yeah, me too,’ he told her, swinging her around.
As they walked back to the house, Nell realized Newt was also standing on the deck, looking out to sea. She glanced at Michael then Alex, her expression a little wary.
‘Go on,’ Michael urged her. ‘It will be fine.’
Hesitantly Nell approached Newt, leaving Alex and Michael talking down on the beach.
‘Hey, Nell.’ Newt’s tone was light, but he sounded awkward, a little uncomfortable even.
Nell stepped onto the decking, went to him. ‘Hey, Newt. How are you doing?’
‘I’m okay.’ There was a long pause. ‘Well, no, I’m not okay, but I’m getting there.’ He paused. ‘I’m sorry for what Luke did.’
‘It’s not your fault.’
‘No, so people keep on telling me. I guess he was my brother though, so I have to figure out a way to convince myself of that.’ He gave a sad smile. ‘I’m getting there though, I promise. As long as we’re okay.’
‘We’re more than okay.’ Nell stepped forward, slipped her arms around him. ‘We’ll get through this, together.’
Newt hugged her back, nodded as he pressed his head against her shoulder and they stood there for a few moments until Alex and Michael rejoined them on the deck.
‘Have you guys eaten?’
Michael shook his head at Alex. ‘Not since this morning.’
‘I’ll order in pizza.’
Michael glanced at Newt, got the okay. ‘Yeah, sure. That would be good.’
Alex unlocked the French doors, let Michael and Newt inside. He looked back at Nell, held out his hand. ‘You okay?’
She smiled. ‘Yeah, I’m okay. In fact, I’m more than okay.’
She took his hand, brushed a kiss against his lips, and led him inside.
Her brother was finally home, things were going to be okay with Newt, and she had Alex by her side. Everything was going to be fine.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I may write the story, but as always there are a number of people who help make the finished article what it is and I would like to take a moment to thank them.
To my beta team, Jo Bilton, Andrea Mummery, Paula Armes, Sally Hubble-Button, Christine Eglington and Jeff and Janet Loucks, I say a huge thank you. Your support, encouragement and honest feedback makes my job so much easier. To Jeff and Janet in particular, my US angels, who checked my manuscript for any inconsistencies in the UK/US language and patiently answered all of my questions, you did a wonderful job and I am in your debt. Any mistakes in the finished book are mine, not yours. And also to Jo, who has to take credit for Purity Island. I may have set the scene, but she came up with the name.
It goes without question that my book would not exist without the efforts of my supportive publisher. To Lucy McCarraher, for your continued faith in me; to Ed Parnell, for the wonderful job you did in editing my manuscript; to Joe Gregory, for creating the best cover I could have hoped for; and to the rest of the team at Rethink, thank you, thank you, thank you.
To Antonia Richardson, the winner of my competition to have a character named after her – thank you for entering and sorry my third book has been a long time coming.
I doubt I will ever write a book without calling on my police detective sister, Holly Beevis. Thank you for always answering my (often bizarre) questions.
Thanks also go to Ian Restall and Craig Bailey. When I struggled with a title for my third novel you both helped set me on the right track. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Finally, to my wonderful readers: without you I am nothing. Thank you for your continued support of my writing and especially to those of you who take the time to engage with me on my Facebook page, send me pictures of my books in some wonderful locations and poses (looking at you here, Heather) and who spread the word to other readers. You really are the best bunch of people a girl from Norfolk, UK, could ever hope to have on her side.
THE AUTHOR
Keri Beevis is the author of the award-winning thriller, Dead Letter Day, and its sequel, Dead Write. She has always had a great love of writing and of films, and still likes a scare from classic horror movies. She lives in Norfolk, England, with her two pampered cats, Ellie and Lola. The Darkness Beneath is her third novel.
