Deep Water by Mark Ayre (best free ebook reader txt) 📗

houses. It does happen, but I’m going with Occam’s Razor here: the theory that requires the least number of assumptions is often correct. Besides, you didn’t blame Alice for your brother’s murder, did you?”

“For about a day, I did,” said Louis. "Then reality came crashing home—the self-recrimination. I was so desperate to get those guns I took stupid risks. I should never have risked my brother on that fool's errand when I knew she would move the guns. It was idiotic."

"So why do it?"

"I had my reasons. I'll discuss them with Alice tonight if she still wants to meet."

"She will," said Abbie and tried to decide if she wanted to push Louis for more information about the guns. Perhaps sensing this, Louis moved on.

"I didn't kill Aurora, and I won't kill Alice."

"You didn't," said Abbie, "and you don't think you will. Don't think, that's important."

"What is this?" Louis asked. "You think there's a chance I'll kill Alice, so you're going to kill me first. Proactive protection. Is that the kind of person you are?"

"No," said Abbie. "And I don't plan to kill you today. Not if I don't have to, so, what am I saying?"

"What a great question. Can I stand up yet?"

"Still no, and I'm saying everything’s on the precipice. Two families, on the edge of oblivion. I think, if I want to save Alice, I don't just have to save Alice. I must do everything I can to save all of you. Even Angel and Ariana."

Abbie stopped pacing, turned to Louis.

"And your sons."

Louis' face paled. Glancing at the photo on his bedside table, he said, "Alice wouldn't."

"Never," Abbie agreed. "Not in a million years. But I'm not worried about her."

"Angel and Ariana." This wasn't a question. Louis' face darkened at the thought of them.

"Yes," said Abbie. "This morning, I..." she paused, trying to decide how much to reveal. Meeting Louis' eye, she said, "Are you an emotionally available father? Are you a good dad?"

Abbie had stopped pacing. Louis was on the fence. Until he spoke, she wouldn't know if he would open up or tell her to mind her own business.

"My wife was never the maternal sort," he said at last. "She struggled to connect with the boys. Regardless, the legal system favours women in custody battles. When she announced she was leaving, I asked if she'd take my children. Given what I'm involved in, she probably could have won full custody with me getting zero access. I was terrified."

"A fear that didn't come to pass," said Abbie. "So either your wife gave you custody, or she's buried under the patio."

"We don't have a patio."

"Interesting response."

Louis waved this away. "She told me I was a terrible person but a wonderful father. Said she'd never dream of taking the kids from me. She gave me full custody. I've done many bad things in my time, but I believe she was right to call me a wonderful father. I believe I earn that title every day."

Louis' eyes were so open, honest; looking into them almost made Abbie want to cry.

"I'm sorry," she said. "But I won't buy it until I've seen some kind of World's Best Dad paraphernalia. Preferably a mug."

Louis sighed. Gave Abbie a look.

"Sorry," she said. "It all got a bit real, and I'm emotionally damaged. Can't handle it. Let's move on."

"Let's not," said Louis. "What were you going to say about this morning that had to do with what kind of father I am?"

Abbie still had the gun, but it was by her side now. Louis didn't try to move. If he had, she would have raised her arm and shot him dead before he was off the bed. However relaxed she looked, she was always ready.

"This morning, I stumbled upon Ariana. She and her boyfriend had your son at knifepoint. They were going to force him to do something traumatising. And they were going to film it."

Louis stared. He couldn't decide what the something might be. Probably, his mind wouldn't let him go there. Even without that vital piece of knowledge, his temper began to rise, fast passing anger and approaching fury.

"When I found them, I lashed out," said Abbie. "Caused Ana some severe harm and freed your son. I'm not looking for a thank you, this is important preface. When Alice learned what Ana had done, she was furious with her daughter. When Angel found out that Alice blamed Ana for the Jacob incident and would not punish me for the subsequent attack, she lost it. Said she'd been sitting on her hands over you because of Alice. No longer. Now she's going to punish you for Aurora and me for Ariana. If Alice ever had her eldest daughter on a lead, that lead has now snapped."

Louis stared. His mind resisted understanding, but slowly Abbie's words clicked into place. Rather than fury, his mood deviated, landing at terror. He moved for the edge of the bed then stopped as Abbie raised her gun.

"My boys are at school. I have to make sure they're safe."

Abbie kept the gun raised. Thought it over.

"What are you going to do?"

"Call someone I trust. Get them to watch over the boys until they finish school, then bring them straight home. They won't like it, especially Jacob, but it needs to be done." His eyes implored Abbie. "Please, let me do this."

"Where's your phone?"

"In my jacket, over there."

The jacket was on the floor by the wardrobe. Abbie crossed to it, picked it up, checked the pockets. There were only a phone and a wallet. She chucked the whole jacket over. The moment Louis had it, he grabbed the phone.

"Do I need to tell you," said Abbie, "the story of what happened to the last man who pretended he needed to make a call, then tried to tattle on me?"

"No. I promise."

"Pity. It involves bullets and testicles. It's a doozy."

Louis made his call and was as good as his word. As he arranged protection for his sons, Abbie moved back towards the armchair. Looked