The Doll's House

128

Helen stopped in her tracks as soon as she entered the lobby of the Great Southern. She had been in a world of her own, walking automatically towards the lift bank, but the sight of Daniel Briers at reception brought her to a halt. He had a suitcase with him and by his side stood a tall lady with long dark hair and an elegantly swollen belly.

‘Daniel?’

He turned and on seeing Helen smiled – but it was forced and unconvincing.

‘Are you leaving?’

‘I am,’ he replied, failing to look her in the eye. ‘I wanted to stay for the duration as you know. But obviously I’ve got other responsibilities so… This is Kristy, my wife.’

‘DI Helen Grace. I’m running the investigation -’

‘I know who you are,’ Kristy Briers replied, shaking hands cursorily with Helen.

‘You’ve got all our contact details haven’t you, in case there’s any news…’ Daniel continued. His concern and interest were genuine, but Helen could sense he just wanted to be out of this conversation.

‘Of course. In fact I was just coming here to update you. There have been some significant dev-’

‘Do you always update people in hotel rooms? At night?’

Kristy’s question was delivered calmly, but had an edge to it that was hard to miss.

‘No, but I made your husband a promise to keep him up to speed with the very latest developments. And I was honouring that promise.’

Helen’s tone was even but firm. She had undoubtedly put herself in an awkward position by handling Daniel Briers personally, but they had done nothing wrong, so why should she be castigated for showing compassion?

Pulling the couple aside, Helen told them about the police search for Ben Fraser and her hope that they would soon make an arrest. Daniel asked a few questions, but the conversation swiftly came to a natural conclusion. There was nothing more to say.

‘Thank you, Helen. For everything. It would mean the world to me to see justice done.’

He spoke from the heart, but the words still sounded strange to Helen. Everything was slightly off tonight. Daniel shook her hand formally and with a brief look back walked towards the awaiting car. Kristy made to follow then paused, turning back to Helen.

‘Don’t feel too bad. It happens to them all in the end.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘I’ve been with Daniel for over ten years now. I know what he’s like -’

‘Kristy, I really don’t know what you’re allud-’

‘The thing about Daniel is that he likes attention. Loves to have a pretty face staring up at him, an arm round his shoulder. Or someone to keep him warm at night. It’s like an addiction, there’s no other way to explain it. But you should never take it personally, it’s not you he’s interested in. It’s himself.’

Kristy stared at Helen. She was victorious, but it was a pyrrhic victory for a woman who seemed accustomed to betrayal.

‘I should probably leave him, but I guess it’s a bit too late for that, isn’t it?’ She patted her belly and looked Helen in the eye. ‘Don’t contact him directly again. If there is any news, get another officer to call. Preferably a male one.’

She turned on her heel and walked towards the car. Daniel held the door open for her, shutting it gently behind her once she’d climbed in. A brief apologetic look at Helen and he was gone. Leaving Helen alone and feeling more foolish than ever.