Chapter 41

“A letter or a call. That’s the choice.”

Will was quiet on the drive home. Amy chatted about nothing as she drove and Will was content to listen.

But she clearly sensed all wasn’t well.

“What’s wrong, William?” she asked as she bought the Land Rover to a stop on the gravel driveway next to his Audi, making the Supercar look like a child’s go-cart in comparison.

He looked at her and considered how best to tell her that she had to make a decision. A very, very big decision. “Amy. We need to talk.”

She looked worried. And even though she didn’t know it yet, Will thought she had every right to be.

“What about?”

“Let’s go inside.”

Amy sat on the sofa while Will went into the kitchen and opened a bottle of sweet white wine. He poured two glasses and took them, the bottle and some cheese coated breadsticks into the lounge where he put the bottle and breadsticks on the coffee table and handed one of the glasses to Amy.

“What’s this about, William? What’s wrong? And don’t lie to me, I can tell there’s something on your mind. Ever since I met you in the coffee shop you’ve been quieter than normal and you’d had this far off look in your eyes.”

He closed his eyes and bit his tongue while he figured out the words in his head. After a deep breath, he said, “We both know that John is going to contest this divorce. He’s not going to make it easy for you to leave him.”

“True, but you said your friend is the best so I trust her. I trust her because I trust you.”

“She’s good, but she can’t guarantee your safety.”

“Safety?”

Will nodded. “You’re leaving him for me. He’s not going to take that lying down. And he’s the sort of man who’d rather see you dead than with me.”

“No, he’s not. He’s—”

“He hit you! That’s why you’re here with me right now. Or had you forgotten?”

She looked shocked by his outburst and Will tried to recall if she’d ever seen him lose his temper like that before. He wasn’t mad at her, he was angry with the situation. But did she know that?

“William...?”

He fought to control his voice. “Amy, the sort of men who do to their wives what John has done to you ... There’s a profile. And one of the most common traits is the If I can’t have you, no one can attitude.”

Amy sighed and smiled weakly. “I know.”

“So, the only way that we will know you’re safe—really safe, forever—is to get rid of him.”

“And just how do we do that? Kill him before he kills me? Is that it?” There was some heat in her voice now.

He tried to keep his voice calm and even. “Yesterday, I met with some officers from SOCA. Have you heard of them?”

“Who hasn’t? Britain’s answer to the FBI, aren’t they?”

“I think they wish they were. But the point is that they want to speak to you. They think that with you as a witness to the goings-on at the shop and in the Wonderwall companies, they’ll be able to get convictions not just of John but of some other important gang members too, while at the same time keeping you immune from prosecution.”

“I hear a but coming.”

“But ... Earlier in the coffee shop, before you got there, I was approached by a man claiming to represent the top guys in John’s gang.”

“And?”

“And they made it clear that if you did testify...” He shrugged.

“Let me guess. It wouldn’t be in my best interests, right?” In response to quizzical look he gave her she said, “They all say it. All of them. It means...” she shook her head.