Friends and Enemies

Suspicions

Sebastian

It had been an hour since Mike had called me to tell me Emily was missing. Four hours since she was last sighted. I was frightened for her. Rebecca had sat and eaten with me; I hadn’t eaten much. Ever the “supportive friend” was Rebecca. And by much I meant I hadn’t eaten at all. I wasn’t hungry, I was scared. I’d pushed the food around the container much to Rebecca’s dismay. I knew from the look on Rebecca’s face after Mike’s phone call she was behind it. After “eating” I sealed the food back up in its container and got up and went back to my desk. I expected Rebecca would excuse herself, but she didn’t. She remained seated on the settee in my office. I had taken to ignoring her. Finally, Rebecca decided to pipe up.

“Why don’t you call her? I mean, this is just like the car accident all over again. She’s clearly attention seeking. Maybe she has just gone to visit her family?” I could hear the gloating in her voice. Rebecca knew as well as I do that Emily has no family. Her mother had died of cancer the year we met. The diagnosis was why Emily had gone into nursing. Picking up my phone I followed Rebecca’s advice. It rang for a while. I was starting to think it wouldn’t be answered when the call connected. Holding the phone to my ear I said nothing and just listened. I could hear a road and cars but not much else. Finally, someone spoke.

“Mr Kavanagh.” The guy’s voice set my teeth on edge. I could see Rebecca smirking in my peripheral so I cut him off before he could make his demands. I knew what this was. Rebecca was getting rid of her competition. No matter what was said here the outcome would result in Emily’s death if I didn’t find her in time.

“Look if this is another stunt for attention from you Emily I’m not interested. I’m not signing those papers; you are MY WIFE.” I was letting out my anger on the wrong person. I had to make them believe Emily wasn’t of consequence to me.

“Mr Kavanagh, your wife is in a very delicate situation, we have her hostage here and we will not release her without ten million pounds transferred to our account. I’ll send you the account details shortly. Once received Mrs Kavanagh will be released safe and sound to your care. Failure to send the money to me within the next 72 hours and Mrs Kavanagh will be returned in pieces to you.” My heart skipped a beat. Then I heard Emily. She was laughing hysterically. I guess she was beginning to feel as hopeless as I was. And then she spoke. The first time I have heard her voice in 6 months and every word she said caused another fracture through my heart.

“Ten million? My life is worth ten million? Well once you idiots start chopping bits off me to return to my husband, I guarantee he will re-negotiate the ten million.” She genuinely thought I hated her. I could hear it in her voice. My beautiful wife had lost all hope for our marriage.

“I want proof that this is not another attention seeking episode from Emily first.” I stated emotionlessly. Although on the inside I was dying, I knew with Rebecca overhearing every word if I showed I cared she would have them kill her quicker.

“Mr Kavanagh I can assure you the situation with your wife is dire. We will send you proof and leave it to you.” And with that, the guy hung up. A moment later a photo came through to my phone which showed my beautiful Emily bound to a chair, drenched and dirty. Her long blonde hair around her shoulders and she was still in her scrubs. They had taken her straight from work. No wonder Mike hadn’t seen her leave. Rebecca sauntered over to me. I could see the gloat in her eye. I could feel my anger rising with each step she took.

“Sebastian, what’s going on?” The mock concern she had in her voice for my wife’s life just aggravated me further. I have never felt hate this deeply before. Defeated for now I collapsed into my chair and blew out a breath. My hand had automatically gone to ruffle my hair for the millionth time today. I didn’t know if I could do this. Could I sit with the woman who has ruined my life and “lean” on her for support like she wanted. I knew her end game here. She would play the doting friend following Emily’s murder and I would fall helplessly in love with her. My fist clenched around the arm of the chair, and I felt Rebecca place her hand over the top. She had moved from the settee to perch on my desk in front of me. I needed her away from me.

“It’s nothing Rebecca, you shouldn’t worry.” My jaw was clenched so hard from anger, I’m sure my teeth would be turned into dust. Rebecca leaned over to hug me, and I leaned back. I couldn’t betray my wife further and have this woman’s arms around me. She looked at me hurt that I’d pulled away from her.

“Sebastian, you can tell me anything. We’ve been friends since we were children.” Rebecca raised her other hand to try to touch my face. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t allow her to touch me. I stood abruptly and paced to the window in my office.

“Rebecca, I think you should go home now. I have work to do.” I sounded monotonous. I was grateful I did because any moment now I felt like I would break down and cry. I wasn’t sure I could live without Emily. The last 6 months had been so hard. Fortunately, I was able to bury myself in work and sleep in the office.

“Sebastian, are you coming home tonight? It’s already late and don’t you think you’ve wasted enough time on Emily? She’s obviously got herself mixed up in something she shouldn’t have again. You should just sign the divorce papers and be free of her. I’m sure she would be OK.” Rebecca should honestly win and Oscar for her acting. The concerned friend routine was unquestionable.

“Please Rebecca, just go home. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.” I placed my hands on the glass and leaned my head, so my forehead was touching the glass. I needed to speak with Richard and Mike soon. I couldn’t do it with Rebecca hanging around. I heard her get up and begin to move and breathed a sigh of relief. I glanced over to Rebecca gathering the food containers back up. Her lips were pursed. She obviously had more she wanted to say but she knew she wouldn’t win with me tonight.

“Right then, I’ll just go. I’ll speak to you tomorrow Sebastian.” She had a reassuring smile on her face. One I would not return. As she turned leaving my office, I watched her pull her phone from her bag and dial a number. I watched her walk down the corridor and once I was confident, she was out of sight I sent a message to Richard and Mike:

Watch Rebecca. She’s behind this, I’m certain.