Annalise is too focused on the police to look at her husband, but my eyes are glued to him. That’s why I’m on hand to see the colour drain from Simon’s face at the mention of Alexa’s disappearance.
CHAPTER 32
As Sharon leads the police to the front of the hall, I stare at Simon’s pale face, until Sharon clears her throat, pulling my focus.
‘Can I have everyone’s attention please?’ she calls.
The room falls silent, all eyes on Sharon and her new acquaintances. DS Mullins scans his audience coolly, his expression blank. As his attention slides across the room to where I’m standing, I move further behind Annalise, accidentally nudging Lola as I do.
‘Sorry,’ I whisper. She flashes me a smile before looking back to Sharon.
‘The police are here to speak to us about Alexa. As some of you might know, she has been reported missing.’
I can’t be the only one who feels nervous electricity surge through the crowd, because a man in front of me rests his hand on his partner’s shoulder to comfort her.
‘Anyone who joined Families United for the first time tonight and doesn’t know Alexa is free to go. Everyone else, I urge you to stay behind and assist the police with their enquiries. Alexa is our friend, and right now she needs our help.’
A low rumble of conversation spreads out, then everyone looks around the room to watch those who are leaving. Terror takes hold as I realise that means me. The newcomer who stupidly used a fake name, a move so odd that any police officer worth their salt would find it suspicious.
My eyes dart to DS Mullins. I know he finds my presence in Otis’s life strange enough without finding me here, too. Gulping, I follow his gaze. He’s still surveying the crowd, but thankfully he’s looking towards the other side of the room.
‘See you next time,’ I say to Annalise, slipping away before she can respond.
With my head low, I weave through the watchful huddles. I imagine DS Mullins’s sharp eyes following me. It feels like his stare is penetrating my back, but I keep my focus fixed on the exit, never once turning around to see if he’s noticed me.
The door looms closer, freedom in sight, but right as I’m about to reach for the handle, someone on the other side swings it open.
Terrified, I stumble backwards. For one awful moment, I picture DS Rani looking back at me, but relief engulfs me when I come face to face with a uniformed officer instead.
‘Sorry,’ the officer says, holding the door open. Muttering ‘Thank you’, I scurry through it and dash to my car, setting off before there’s another surprise to throw me off.
The entire drive home, my attention is only fifty percent on the road. Another bad slip of judgement considering it’s a rainy night, but all I can focus on is the events of the night. Namely, meeting Simon.
There’s no denying his expression was one of guilt, but guilt over what? A secret friendship? A passionate affair? Being involved in Alexa’s disappearance?
My body convulses at that final thought, my unease made even more sinister when I imagine Annalise’s devastation at learning Simon might be cheating on her.
Pushing my foot on the accelerator, I fight to reach the comfort of home as quickly as I can, but my drive is interrupted when the radio cuts out. Glancing at the dashboard, I see that Gabby is calling.
‘So?’ she asks as soon as I answer. ‘How did it go?’
‘The police were there, Gabby,’ I croak. ‘I thought they were going to see me. I thought they were going to ask what I was doing.’
‘If they did, you could’ve said you just started attending the group. You’ve gone through the same thing Alexa has. It wouldn’t be weird for you to be there.’
‘I guess,’ I reply, choosing to omit the part where I didn’t use my real name.
‘Did you find out who “S” is?’ Gabby asks, drawing me back into the conversation.
‘I think so.’
On the other end of the line, I hear Gabby inhale sharply. ‘Who is it?’
‘I can’t be certain, but there was a man called Simon. When Alexa’s name was mentioned, he acted strangely.’
Gabby’s groan rings out over the car speakers. ‘I knew it. This is going to kill Otis.’
‘Gabby, we don’t know they were having an affair.’