We stay like this for the longest time, comforting each other, until I pull away. To my knowledge, M has no idea I witnessed what happened. That night changed me—in my heart I knew I was no longer safe living under her roof, and that’s what unknowingly gave her the power to control my future. Fear.
A brief conversation M had on the phone immediately after the murder replays in my mind: ‘Bring something heavy to weigh down the body.’
Dear God.
‘I think I know where her body is, Rupert.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
BROCK
‘He was a selfish prick right to end,’ Josh says shaking his head in disgust.
‘How so?’ I ask, fastening my seatbelt and turning the key in the ignition of my Lamborghini so we can head back to our mother’s house.
‘You heard the coroner. He was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm three fucking years ago. Why is this the first time we’re hearing about it? I bet you anything Mum doesn’t even know.’
I look at Josh, sighing heavily as my eyes meet his. ‘Just before he died I told him I despised him,’ I confess. ‘I said I was ashamed to be his son. I thought I was the reason for his death, now I know better.’
‘You know as well as I do that it would take more than words to kill that man. He was a ticking time bomb. It was just bad timing on your part.’
‘I know, but I still regret what I said, even if I meant every word.’ I just didn’t think it would be the last thing I ever said to him.
‘I’m sorry,’ Josh says, placing his hand briefly on my knee. ‘Is that why you took his death so hard?’
‘Yes. I felt responsible.’
‘You should have talked to me.’
‘I know.’
‘He’s said a lot worse to us over the years. Well, to me he has. Karma finally caught up with him.’
‘I guess.’ Even so, that day will still haunt me.
Josh was right, my mother knew nothing of the aneurysm. She’s just as shocked as we were when we tell her. I shouldn’t be surprised, keeping secrets from her was my father’s speciality. I leave Josh with Mum, so I can head back to the hospital to collect Jade. I’m itching to see her. Being with her last night wasn’t enough—we have a whole week of missed time to catch up on. Although I was absent, I made sure the boys were looking after her. I was in no place to care for her myself, but at the same time I wouldn’t have been able to cope not knowing if she was okay.
My heart rate accelerates as I travel in the lift to Rupert’s ward. These feelings Jade ignites in me still freak me out, but at the same time I love them. She’s my drug.
I find myself smiling as I approach Rupert’s room. I feel lighter than I have in days. I know it’s because of her. Sure, I still have misgivings about what happened in the moments before my father’s death, but I’m relieved to know I wasn’t the cause of it. Like the coroner said, he was a ticking time bomb. He was surprised my father lived as long as he did, given the size of the aneurysm.
My excitement turns to confusion when I step into the room and find Jade and Rupert crying. What the fuck? ‘Jesus, Jade,’ I say, crossing the room.
‘Oh Brock,’ she cries, wrapping her arms around my waist. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘What’s happened?’ I frown as I look at Rupert. He looks just as devastated as Jade, if not more.
‘You’d better sit down,’ she says, wiping her eyes.
Fuck. I’m not sure if I can take any more bad news. Things were just starting to get normal for me again. Once I’ve taken a seat next to the bed, I pull Jade onto my lap. I hate seeing her upset.
‘Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?’ I ask, when nobody speaks.
She looks at Rupert. ‘We think M killed Rupert’s daughter.’
‘What? Hold on—what?’ I didn’t even know Rupert had a daughter.
‘Rupert’s been working for M because he was trying to find his missing daughter. Her name is Sasha. I remember her, Brock. I remember what happened. It was not long after I came to live with M.’
It’s two in the morning by the time we arrive back at Jade’s apartment. It was after midnight when detectives finally left the hospital. Jade insisted that we stayed with Rupert until he was settled. My heart went out to them both. Especially Rupert. Poor guy. I had no idea he’d been through so much. It also explained a lot about Jade and M’s relationship. No wonder she was so frightened of her.
Jade said she’d covered her eyes when M started choking Sasha. A few minutes later she heard a loud thud, so she peered through her fingers. That’s when she saw Sasha lying on the floor by M’s feet. She explained how she’d stayed on the landing, too frightened to move. That would’ve been a tough thing for a kid to see. My heart bled for the little girl she once was. I don’t even think Jade realises now just how amazingly strong and resilient she is.