The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter (best romantic novels to read .txt) 📗

What if she leads them to Katie’s body?

Breathing slowly, I try and keep in control of my emotions. I didn’t outright tell her where I’d buried Katie, although from what I did say, it wouldn’t take much to figure out. But she’s never been to the location, so even if she does betray me, they might not find it. I hold onto the hope that Beth still has love for the father of her child. That she wouldn’t put our family life, our future happiness – Poppy’s security – in jeopardy.

If she does talk to them about it, and if they do find Katie – and prove I killed her – I will make sure Beth pays for her betrayal. I’m not letting her have a future with my daughter if I can’t.

Chapter 80

BETH

Now

‘I’m sorry, what?’

The three words cut through me – Imogen speaks them with disbelief and exasperation. Her lips purse together tightly and her eyes narrow as they lock with mine. She’s not as happy about this information as I’d hoped. I thought the news of a possible location for Katie’s remains would outweigh her anger towards me not having disclosed this at the same time as everything else. I’d been holding my suspicion back, partly because it was only a hunch, but partly out of fear. Imogen’s expression makes me realise that was a huge mistake.

I’ve judged this badly.

‘I was scared, before, to say anything. I’d already given you the sweatshirt – if Tom got off, he’d come back and kill me for going against him,’ I say in a garbled rush.

‘No, Beth. You were scared you’d be hauled in and charged too, weren’t you? And let me guess – you thought you’d keep the whereabouts of Katie Williams’ body from us because you figured by holding it in reserve you could make a deal so you would get off lightly.’

Imogen’s revulsion is plain to see. It’s too much for me to bear: the emotions of these past weeks pour out of me. I try to stifle my sobs; I don’t want Poppy to hear me and be scared. ‘I – I … I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure enough …’ I get up and tear off a piece of kitchen roll to blow my nose, and then I pour a glass of water, taking sips to calm myself down. ‘Imogen, I swear I only want to help. You’re right, I did hold back – because I’m only going on something Tom told me and he wasn’t specific. I didn’t want to send you off on some wild goose chase.’

‘But you’re telling me now. The goose chase could be the same, so why bother? Guilty conscience?’

‘Tom manipulated me for so long, I suppose I’ve become expert at keeping my mouth shut. This whole thing has been my worst nightmare, Imogen. For a while after finding out, I was afraid of what he’d do to me if I stepped out of line. Can you imagine being told by your husband – the father of your child – that he killed two women prior to meeting you? I was so shocked that for a while I blocked it out. And then shock gave way to fear.’

‘I understand the fear, Beth – trust me on that one. But you should’ve disclosed everything that you knew when you told me about the sweatshirt. That was the time to tell me. That was your opportunity to make sure he doesn’t ever come back to hurt you. Didn’t you see that?’ Imogen’s hands slam down repeatedly on the table as she speaks. I blink at each slapping noise.

‘I saw my life falling apart,’ I say, my voice thick with tears. ‘I saw Poppy’s future in ruins, with abandonment issues just like I had, if I was taken from her too. I panicked! And the thought he could still be released and come back here to make my life a living hell – or worse, kill me – well, it made me hold back. I’m so very sorry I didn’t tell you everything, I really am.’

‘You’re going to have to come in and be questioned and give a new statement, Beth.’

‘Okay,’ I say. Fresh tears blur my vision. ‘Will I be charged with anything?’

Poppy runs into the kitchen and flings herself at me. ‘When is Daddy coming home?’ Her big, round blue eyes are glistening as she looks up to me. I catch Imogen’s expression out of the corner of my eye; she’s watching this moment intently.

‘A little while yet, Poppy.’ I try and hide my tear-streaked face.

‘You stay with me, Mummy, won’t you? You won’t go away.’

I glance at Imogen and see her stiff posture give a little.

‘I’ll always be here for you, my little Poppy poppet.’ I give her a hug, then ask her to go and play in the lounge for a moment and that I’ll join her in a minute.

Imogen waits for Poppy to toddle back off before speaking again.

‘Right, Beth. You’d best tell me where you think Katie is.’

Chapter 81

BETH

Now

Adam knocks on the door at dead-on six.

It takes a few minutes to load his car, then half an hour to fill him in on the day’s developments. We sit in the car in silence once we get to his place, Poppy and Jess jabbering away in their car seats behind us. I gather from this that he’s still in shock about me knowing, or at least thinking I know, about the location of a murder victim’s body. My husband’s victim. His second of a suspected three.

That we know of.

Imogen had been keen to point out that if Tom is capable of three murders, there’s no telling if there have been more. He chose to tell me about the two ‘accidents’, she had said, probably because I’d forced his hand by finding Katie’s email account on his iPad. I know now that she’s right. Tom wouldn’t have ever confided in me if I