Definitely Dead, Kate Bendelow [books like beach read TXT] 📗

47

Andy was at home removing some blood-soaked items which he had squirrelled away from Nowak’s house when he had attended several weeks ago. He had been instructed by Donnelly that someone would be collecting them from him later. The exhibits were what Donnelly referred to as ‘forensic insurance’ and were what he paid Andy handsomely for. That and any information he could find in relation to Operation Chrysalis so Donnelly and Nowak could stay one step ahead of the police.

To say that Andy Carr rued the day he had started working for Donnelly was an understatement. At the time, though, Donnelly had been the answer to his financial prayers. Andy had begun collecting ex-wives and partners like most people collected Tesco Clubcard points. With three children and a lot of financially dependent, angry women on his back, Andy was desperate for the means to fund his modest wage. As much as Donnelly was a bastard and terrified Andy, he paid well for his services.

Now however, he felt he was getting in over his head. Donnelly was putting more demands on him and Andy was increasingly nervous that it was only a matter of time before he was found out at work. It was common knowledge that DI Redford and DI Mitton had suspected for a while that someone was leaking information pertaining to Chrysalis. He was also concerned about why Donnelly wanted information on Maya – that didn’t bode well. Ideally, he would love to cut all ties with Donnelly, but he knew the man would never let that happen. At the moment he was too valuable to him and he dreaded to even think what would happen once he’d served his purpose.

With the crime-scene samples ready to go, Andy paced the flat, nervously waiting for Donnelly to call him with more instructions. As he paced, he noticed the light flashing on his answering machine. He played the recorded message and listened to the smoky voice of his latest conquest. That voice and accent alone was enough to make him grow hard. His ardour was soon dampened though as, eyes widened with shock, he replayed the message.

‘Darling, it’s me. Where are you? I’ve been trying to get hold of you. I really need to see you. We need to talk. I… I know we haven’t discussed this, but I love you and want to be with you. I’ve texted Piotr and have told him it’s over. Please call me back so we can talk about us.’

Still stunned, he replayed Markita’s message a third time. His bowels had turned to mush. Just when he thought his life couldn’t get any more complicated, it sounded like Markita was ready to come clean about their relationship.

What had only ever meant to be a bit of fun had now started to get serious and he was well and truly trapped. Of all the foolish, risky things he had ever done – including working for Donnelly – getting involved with Piotr Nowak’s partner had to be the most stupid. And now she was telling him she loved him and had ended things with Nowak. Once he found out Markita had left him for Andy, he was a dead man. What the fuck was she thinking?

He remembered the night their affair had started. He had arrived at her home unexpectedly, with a message from Donnelly. Initially, when she opened the door, she thought he was there to cause trouble for her. She had been drinking and was an emotional bag of nerves. He had quickly reassured her he wasn’t going to hurt her but had instructions from Donnelly. Once she calmed down, they had sat and shared several drinks together while she confessed that it had been her who had tipped the police off about the firearm at The Farmhouse.

She had confided in Andy that, at the time, she was concerned about the effect Donnelly had been having on Nowak. She was worried he was going to get her partner in trouble. She thought that if she could get Donnelly sent away for a while, she could persuade Nowak to ease off his criminal lifestyle. Her plan had backfired, though, and now she was terrified that Donnelly would find out. Andy’s reassurances and kind words combined with a lot of alcohol had soon resulted in them being entwined in her bed. And so, the affair had begun.

He should have ended it sooner. There had already been one near miss. Andy had been due at Markita’s one evening but Donnelly had arrived first. Markita had been white with shock as she told him that Donnelly had appeared unannounced and unwanted, clutching flowers and wine. Donnelly had said the gifts were from Nowak, and that he had come to talk to her about their relationship on his behalf.

Donnelly had told her how much Nowak was struggling being inside because he missed her and didn’t feel like the feeling was reciprocated. He had encouraged, no, practically threatened her, to keep his best friend happy. Markita had agreed. She would have agreed to anything at that moment. She had been so desperate for him to leave before Andy arrived, knowing there would be murder if the two of them were caught together.

Whilst Andy didn’t doubt for one second that the riskiness of their relationship added to the eroticism, he should have learnt from that night and ended it. Now, in the cold light of day he realised how irresponsible he had been. And not only that, his feelings for Markita were purely sexual. She was high maintenance and had made it quite clear she had a penchant for money, something he had a serious lack of.

Andy was sensible enough to know that if he tried to reject Markita at this point, she would become the epitome of a woman scorned. The thought of her in a rage was nearly as terrifying as the thought of Donnelly baying for his blood.