That was what ruined my life all those years ago. And that is what’s going to ruin your life as well.
Until we meet again.
Maggie’s hands shook as she read through it once more. Who the hell had sent this?
2
Maggie closed the apartment door behind her and leaned against it, taking deep breaths. She’d practically run home from the café, her heart pumping in fear as she imagined all kinds of scenarios. She frantically thought through the cases she’d investigated in the past, trying to remember them. Who the hell had a grudge against her? That was easy to answer – almost everyone. She’d helped put away many criminals over the years, it could be any of them. But how the hell did they get her address? No one she knew would have given it out. Had they followed her?
She pulled the chain across, locking herself in, then suddenly a thought struck her. What if they were there now, inside the apartment, waiting for her? Her hands slipped on the chain, clammy with sweat, as she slid it back and opened the front door, leaving it ajar. The corridor outside was empty. She had to check the apartment, make sure no one was there. Heart thumping, she walked through the living room and into the kitchen. Everything seemed normal, the usual silence greeting her. The narrow hall couldn’t hide anyone, and there was no ominous shadow behind the shower curtain in the bathroom. She popped her head around her bedroom door and relaxed when she saw the room was empty. No one was hiding in the wardrobe or under the bed.
She gave a sigh of relief and went back to close the front door.
‘What are you doing?’
She squealed and jumped backwards, her arms up in front of her face to defend herself. ‘Christ, Laura, you almost gave me a heart attack!’
‘I saw your door open, I thought I’d take a look. Is everything okay?’ Laura furrowed her brow. ‘You’re really pale. Look, why don’t I take you indoors and make you a cup of tea?’
Maggie hesitated, then nodded. ‘All right. Thank you.’
Laura put her arm around her shoulders and led her inside, shutting the front door behind them. Maggie’s legs trembled as they went into the living room.
‘Sit here on the sofa, I’ll put the kettle on.’
She didn’t have the energy to argue as Laura helped her sit down. ‘Stay there, I’ll find my way around the kitchen.’
Maggie pulled a nearby blanket over her, then rested her head against the sofa and wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. She closed her eyes and let the sounds of Laura making the tea fade into the background.
‘Ooh, fancy kettle,’ she heard her exclaim. ‘Love the red.’
Maggie winced. In an attempt to brighten up her spartan one-bedroom flat, she’d gone crazy one day and bought a few accessories to add a dash of flair. She loved the soft, fluffy cushions she’d put on the sofa, but felt the blood-red kettle had been a step too far. Still, it was better than all the chrome, grey and white there’d been before.
‘Here you go.’
She opened her eyes to a mug of extremely milky tea placed on the coffee table.
‘I thought this was appropriate,’ Laura said with a grin.
Maggie saw it was the mug Mike and Chloe had given her a few weeks earlier for her birthday, the one with ‘World’s Best Journalist’ written in neon letters on the front. She reached out for it, aware her hand was shaking.
‘Thanks.’ She took a sip and made a face.
‘No arguing, just drink. I put three sugars in it, you need them to pick you up. You’re as white as a sheet.’
Maggie frowned but did as she was told, surprised that she enjoyed the tea, after the initial shock of the sweetness passed. After a couple of minutes she stopped shaking and started to feel more human.
‘What happened, Maggie?’ Laura’s voice was full of concern.
Maggie thought quickly. She didn’t want to tell her about the letter, not until she’d spoken to Sally about it.
‘I went to meet some friends this morning, they told me another friend isn’t too well. It hit me hard.’
Laura nodded understandingly. ‘Is it the big C? So many people are getting ill, it’s not fair. You’d think they’d have found a cure by now.’
Maggie finished off her tea and put the mug back on the coffee table. ‘Yeah, well, I just need to have a rest, get over the shock.’
‘Yes, take it easy. Is there anyone you can call?’ Laura carried the mugs into the kitchen and gave them a quick rinse under the tap before going back to Maggie.
‘My girlfriend, Sally, will be here soon.’
‘Okay. Good.’ Maggie had to admire Laura’s poise; she’d hardly blinked at the mention of a girlfriend. ‘Don’t stay alone too long. I’m going, but I’m just across the hall if you need me.’ Laura picked up a nearby notepad and pen and jotted down her number. ‘This is my mobile, call me if you need anything.’
‘Thanks, Laura. For everything.’
‘No problem. Tatty-bye, then.’ She took a couple of steps, then turned. ‘Oh, I’ll close the door behind me. Don’t leave it open like before, you never know who’s around. Better to be safe than sorry.’
Maggie lay down on the sofa, smothering a giggle. Tatty-bye! Who spoke like that? She gave a sigh of relief as she heard the front door click shut. She was grateful for Laura’s help, but now all she wanted to do was rest. She’d call Sally in a moment…
‘Mags, is everything okay?’ Sally crouched beside her, stroking her arm. ‘I saw your neighbour out in the corridor, she said you had a funny turn after getting some bad news about a friend. Did something happen to Jane?’
Maggie blinked, trying to focus. Sally’s familiar face loomed into view, light-brown hair swept back into a severe bun, pale-blue eyes staring worriedly at her, still wearing her police uniform that Maggie found strangely sexy… ‘Oh Christ, I meant to phone you, but I fell asleep.’
‘It’s okay, I’m here now. Take your time, wake up properly first.’ Sally stood with a groan, stretching her legs. ‘You gave me a fright when I saw you like that. I thought you’d collapsed. I was about to call an ambulance.’
Maggie sat up, yawning. ‘You always exaggerate. No, I just fell asleep. What year is it?’
‘Well, I guess if you’re making jokes, there’s nothing much wrong with you.’ Sally pursed her lips. ‘And I don’t exaggerate, I worry about you. That’s completely different. What’s happened? Is it one of the kids?’
‘No, no, nothing like that. I had to invent something to tell Laura, she likes to know everyone’s business, so I told her a friend was ill, that’s all. The kids are fine. Jane’s doing a lot better, apparently.’
‘That’s a relief. I thought for a moment…’ Sally squeezed her hand.
‘I’d never forgive myself,’ Maggie said with a shudder.
‘You feel too much responsibility for those kids,’ Sally said. ‘But I know what you mean. You went through so much together.’ She frowned. ‘But if it’s not them, what is it? Something’s wrong, I know it.’