‘Always.’
28
Twenty-eight
Isabelle led the way down the darkened hallway to a narrower corridor, then through an innocuous-looking door into one of the school’s old servants’ staircases. The winding stone stairwell smelled of damp and dust. The deeper they descended the cooler it became.
Funny, Allie thought. It’s meant to be hot in hell.
The headmistress didn’t speak as they entered the tangled spiderweb of cellar corridors beneath the school building. Flickering wall sconces were the only light. Things moved in the air around them.
Allie hoped it was just particles of dust.
In the gloom, it was impossible to keep track of where they were but, finally, they turned a corner and a cluster of guards appeared ahead of them, in front of an ancient, arched door.
Raj and Dom broke free of the group and walked over to join them.
‘We’re keeping him in the old wine cellar.’ Isabelle’s voice sounded odd, as if they were in the middle of a conversation only she could hear.
Up close Allie could see the headmistress was exhausted. Her face drooped and dark circles like bruises underscored her eyes. Strands of hair had crept free of the clip and hung loose around her face.
Raj, too, looked tired. None of them had slept in more than twenty-four hours.
‘There was no other place secure enough,’ Isabelle concluded.
Only Dom seemed untouched by everything that was happening. Her masculine, pin-striped shirt was crisp. Peeking out from beneath the turned-up hem of dark brown trousers, her brogues gleamed.
Catching Allie’s look, she answered the question she hadn’t asked. ‘He’s asking for you.’
Even though she’d expected something like this, the verification made Allie’s pulse quicken.
But she kept her expression calm, responding with a nod. ‘I thought so.’
‘So far he’s refused to talk to us.’ Raj rubbed his bloodshot eyes. ‘He says he’ll tell us what we need to know … but only if he speaks to you first.’
Allie’s mouth went dry.
She’d known Jerry since she first arrived at Cimmeria. Once she’d have trusted him with her life. Now she was afraid of him. Afraid of what he’d come back to tell her.
But she knew there was no way they’d ask her to do this if there was any alternative.
Straightening her spine, she met Raj’s gaze. ‘What’s the plan?’
He gave her an approving look. ‘Go in there. Listen to what he has to say. Promise him whatever you have to – you won’t be held to any of it. We need you to try and get through to him. Find out what he’s told Nathaniel. What Nathaniel has planned for the parley.’
‘He’s … secured,’ Raj added. ‘He can’t touch you.’
‘Nonetheless, stay near the door,’ Dom interjected. ‘Keep your distance from him. We don’t know what he’s capable of.’
‘Yes we do,’ Allie said flatly. ‘He’s capable of murder.’ She turned back to Raj. ‘Anything I should look out for? Questions I should ask?’
‘Just try to get him to talk. Anything he says could prove useful.’ Raj’s almond-shaped eyes, so like Rachel’s, held hers with a steady confidence that warmed her. ‘Then get the hell out of there as quickly as you can.’
Allie could sense his faith in her. His belief that she was capable of dealing with a situation as difficult as this one made her feel stronger. Braver.
Six months ago they wouldn’t have let her anywhere near this room.
Dom pointed to a laptop set up near the door. On the screen Allie saw a figure, huddled in a chair. Jerry’s hands hung at his sides and his head was down, hiding his face.
‘We’ll be watching,’ she said.
When she walked towards them, the guards drew back to let Allie pass. She could see the curiosity in their eyes. The recognition.
Here comes Allie Sheridan. The one Nathaniel’s obsessed with, she imagined them thinking. What is it about her that’s so important?
She imagined she must look disappointingly ordinary to them in her short school skirt and rumpled white blouse. Certainly she didn’t look like she could take on a man who’d fooled everyone for years.
And maybe she couldn’t. There was only one way to find out.
The guard nearest the door opened it for her then stood back. Dressed all in black like the others, he was tall, with short-cropped brown hair. Her gaze flickered up to his. He gave a respectful nod. As if she was one of them.
Returning the nod, she turned back to the open doorway. Then, with cautious steps, she walked inside. The room was windowless and cool, walled in stone. It was bigger than she’d expected from looking at Dom’s screen – long and narrow – and completely devoid of furniture save for one wooden chair at the far end of the room on which Jerry sat.
His head was still down, obscuring his face, but she could see now that his wrists were handcuffed. The cuffs were secured with long chains to a hook fixed to the wall.
They were taking no chances.
A guard stood just inside the door, his hands behind his back, watching him.
Allie took another step and another. The teacher didn’t look up. He was so still she wondered if he was unconscious.
She was just beginning to wonder if she should say something when he spoke.
‘Guards out.’ His voice was a low growl.
Goosebumps pimpled Allie’s skin. That didn’t sound like Jerry at all.
‘No talking,’ he said, still not looking up, ‘with them here.’
Allie turned to the guard. He met her gaze and asked a question with his eyes.
Her throat felt suddenly tight.
If the guard left, she’d be alone with the man who’d helped to kill Jo. Who’d put her own life at risk many times. But if the guard didn’t leave, she wouldn’t learn anything. Couldn’t help anyone.
After a brief hesitation, she made up her mind.
She nodded her answer.
The guard rapped once on the door and it opened. He stepped out. It closed behind him.
Now she was alone with the man who’d betrayed them all.
At the thought, Allie started to feel panicked. A bit dizzy. Her lungs threatened to stop working.
I can’t do this. I can’t do this.
Then, in her head, she heard Carter’s voice. ‘Just breathe.’
She breathed.
When she spoke her voice rang out, clear and strong. ‘You asked to see me. I’m here. Let’s talk.’
‘Allie Sheridan.’ Slowly he raised his head.
His wire-framed glasses were gone – they must have taken them away. Maybe they were just a prop anyway. He had a bruise on one cheek but looked otherwise unscathed. His normally clean-shaven face had a day’s growth of whiskers, which gave him a vaguely disreputable look.
‘Why did you want to see me?’ she asked, trying to sound tough.
He laughed then and the sound made her skin crawl. It was a bitter, angry laugh.
‘You have caused a lot of problems, young lady.’
Anger unfurled in Allie’s chest. She fought to keep her voice even.
‘How have I caused problems?’
‘Everything could have been so different,’ he said, shaking his head, ‘if you’d just done what you were supposed to do.’
‘And what was that?’ She was surprised by how unafraid she sounded.
‘Walk away from here,’ he said. ‘Join your brother. Join Nathaniel.’
‘You’re right. I didn’t do that,’ she said. ‘So you killed people. You killed Ruth and Jo …’ Her voice hitched and she steadied herself before continuing. ‘And attacked Rachel and me.’
He made a dismissive gesture and the chains rattled. ‘Gabe did those things, not me.’
Allie shot him a contemptuous look. ‘You helped.’
‘It’s a war, Allie.’ His tone said he thought she was being obtuse. ‘People die in wars.’
‘It’s not a war.’ Her voice rose.
‘It’s a family disagreement. Nobody should have died. Nobody should ever die for money.’
He laughed again.
‘You’re so naïve. Money is all anybody dies for these days.’ He settled back in the chair and scrutinised her. ‘But you’re young. You’ll learn.’
‘Thanks for the lesson.’ She spat the word out, as if it tasted bad. ‘Is that all, Jerry? Because I think this is a waste of time.’
When she took a step towards the door, though, he jerked in the chair as if startled.
‘No, wait.’ His voice was urgent. She turned back. ‘The reason I had to see you … I have to warn you.’
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
‘Warn me about what?’
‘The parley,’ he said. ‘Nathaniel has a plan.’
Now, Allie thought, we’re getting somewhere.
‘What is the plan?’
He grimaced. ‘I can’t tell you that.’
‘You have to,’ she said. ‘Or you’ll never get out of here.’
‘I can’t,’ he said deliberately, ‘help you.’
Furious, Allie took two steps towards him. ‘Then why am I here? Is this some sort of a game, Jerry? You want to warn me? Then warn me. Because we’re busy …’
‘Oh yes,’ he growled. ‘I know how busy you all are. I know everything about you, Allie. And so does Nathaniel. We know your weaknesses and your strengths. What you’re willing to part with and what would destroy you.’ He smiled, his lips stretched tight across his teeth. ‘We know it all.’
Allie felt sick. This man looked and sounded nothing like the science teacher she’d known and trusted. That man was kind and thoughtful. This man was filled with violence and hate.
It was impossible to reconcile the two. She knew she should walk out of the room now. There was nothing to learn here. But she didn’t.
‘Why Jerry?’ she asked, unable to stop herself. ‘Why did you do it?’
For a long second he studied her. When he spoke, his tone was bitter. ‘Your grandmother will tell you why, when she figures out who I am. She made me everything I am today.’
Allie’s heart stuttered. What did Lucinda have to do with him?
She tried to keep her confusion out of her expression.
‘You must really hate her,’ she said, ‘to be willing to kill children as some sort of twisted revenge.’
‘I didn’t kill anyone.’ He shouted the words, leaning towards her, stretching the chains as far as they’d go. She could see through his shirt the way his shoulder muscles bulged.
She forced herself not to flinch. He couldn’t reach her. But her eyes strayed to the hook in the wall. It was holding firm.
‘Don’t worry,’ he said, following her gaze. ‘I’m well secured.’ Calmer now, he settled back in his chair. ‘I am not a killer, Allie. My part in all of this was purely information. I was here to help Nathaniel understand his enemy.’
‘Maybe if Jo hadn’t died that would have worked as an excuse,’ Allie said with cold deliberation. ‘But she did die. And you knew exactly what you were doing. The risks you were taking.’
A brief silence fell.
‘Maybe you’re right.’ He ran his hand across his jaw; the chains clanged. ‘That was a bad night.’
‘But you stayed loyal to Nathaniel even after that.’ Allie couldn’t let this go. She needed to understand. ‘Why, Jerry? Jo liked you. You knew what Gabe might do. Knew how vulnerable she was. And yet you still delivered his notes to her. You opened that gate.’
His eyes looked yellow in the harsh fluorescent light. But he didn’t shout this time.
‘She was a good girl,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry it happened like that. Nathaniel thought Gabe was in control. He was wrong.’
‘You were both wrong.’
Allie had heard enough. Jerry obviously had nothing to tell her but excuses and vindictive self-justification. She took a step back.
‘Wait,’ he said again. ‘You have to know about the parley.’
‘Then tell me.’ Allie seethed with frustration.
He leaned forward and spoke urgently. ‘Don’t go to the parley alone. Nathaniel will make you agree to go alone – don’t do it. Take someone with you. Someone you really trust. You won’t get out of there otherwise.’
Allie’s mouth went dry. What did he mean she wouldn’t get out?
‘What is he planning?’ she asked. ‘Tell me.’
Jerry shook his head. ‘I can’t tell you any more than that. I’m sorry. But please believe me. It’s important.’
Allie studied him doubtfully. ‘I don’t get it. If you hate Lucinda so much, why would you help her granddaughter?’
He held her gaze and, for just a split second, he was Jerry Cole again, science teacher, Night School trainer and all-round nice guy. His eyes were warm and distracted.
‘I have my reasons for hating your grandmother. But I have no reason to wish you harm. Just … take my word for this, Allie. Take someone you really believe in with you. You’ll need them.’
Seeing that flash of the old Jerry, Allie’s heart ached. Why couldn’t he have been who he said he was?
It’s so hard to believe in anyone when everyone lets you down.
Behind her the door opened, creaking on its old iron hinge. Apparently Raj thought this discussion was over.
Allie took a last long look at the science teacher. He peered at the door behind her with hungry eagerness. As if he hoped it was opening for him. For his escape.
She thought of Jo and Ruth – lives over so young. Of Sylvain beaten and bleeding. Carter nearly dead. The scars her own body now bore. And she didn’t walk to the door.
Instead, with purposeful steps, she crossed the room until she stood within reach of the man complicit in all of it. Then she drew back her hand and slapped him with such force her hand burned.
His chains rattled as he took the blow. When he lifted his face she could see the shape of her palm rising red on his face. And the cool calculation in his gaze.
‘That’s for Jo,’ she said.
She was almost at the door when he spoke again. ‘Remember, Allie. Someone you believe in.’
‘Screw you, Jerry.’
This time she didn’t look back.
29
Twenty-nine
‘I really trusted him. How could he be such a bastard?’ Jo looked over at Allie, cornflower blue eyes wide.
The sun turned her short blonde hair into a golden halo.
‘Who? Gabe?’ Allie was confused. For some reason she couldn’t remember how this conversation had started.
Jo gave her a withering look.
‘Jerry, of course. God. And I had such a crush on him.’ She gave a rueful sigh. ‘Honestly. I had the most appalling taste in men.’
They were walking through a meadow. The sun was so bright it seemed to wash out the sky. The ground was soft beneath their feet. Yellow and orange wildflowers grew tall enough to brush their knees. It was wild and beautiful all at once. Like Jo.
Allie looked around, suddenly aware she was lost. ‘I don’t know this place. Where are we?’
‘I love it here.’ Jo’s dimples deepened. ‘I come here all the time. It’s peaceful.’
A warm breeze ruffled her hair. Around her the flowers yielded to the wind, bending gracefully, like dancers.
‘But Jerry …’ Allie said. ‘Is he as bad as he seems?’
‘Oh yes, Allie.’ Jo’s expression grew serious. ‘He’s very dangerous. Please be careful.’
‘I will,’ Allie assured her. A sudden sense of fear pierced her heart. Something bad was going to happen. She reached for Jo’s hand but she was just out of reach.
‘You must,’ Jo said. ‘Please, Allie. Don’t end up like me.’
She looked down.
Allie tried not to follow her gaze but she couldn’t stop herself. She had to look.
On the front of Jo’s white dress a red stain blossomed and grew. Soon she was soaked in blood. It ran from he
r fingers in streams. Puddled on the ground …
With a strangled gasp, Allie sat straight up in bed. She looked around wildly, tears wet on her cheeks.
Morning light poured through her window. The sky outside was blue. It was going to be a lovely day.
And Jo was still dead.
The next day was Saturday but this was no ordinary weekend. As word spread of Jerry’s betrayal, the atmosphere at the school grew increasingly anarchic. Teachers avoided students. Students simmered with rage, as if all their instructors were guilty by association. They felt betrayed.
Allie knew just how they felt.
The senior Night School instructors remained absent – busy, Allie suspected, with Jerry. She passed Dom in the corridor at one point but the tech didn’t notice her as she hurried by, a laptop bag over her shoulder, oval face intense.
Night School training had not been resumed. In fact, all normal school activities had ground to a halt. No one studied. Students gathered in whispering clusters, sharing rumours, which grew wilder as the hours passed.
‘I heard Nathaniel’s coming here,’ Allie heard a tall, blond boy say. They were in the common room and he was at the next table, playing chess with a group of friends. As he spoke, he moved a pawn. ‘And Lucinda’s giving him the school.’
‘That’s not what I heard,’ a dark-haired girl replied.
They were all, Allie thought, about year ten. She’d seen them around but they weren’t in any of her classes.
‘What did you hear?’
She lowered her voice so far Allie had to strain to make out her words. ‘I heard Nathaniel’s going to raid the place to get the science teacher back. That he said no one would stop him.’ She studied the shocked faces around her with grim satisfaction. ‘He uses guns.’
Allie knew she could have stepped in and told them they were wrong but … were they? What did she know, really? Jerry hadn’t told her much of anything.
Besides, the other rumours were even worse. Jerry and Zelazny were in it together. Six teachers had fled overnight, taking student records with them. Nathaniel had placed cameras in the school and watched their every move.