The door slowly inched open. Sofia stood there, still wearing her tailored work suit, but her usual smart composure had been replaced by round-shouldered dejection. Her eyes looked red and swollen, her skin puffy and mottled. Andy could imagine how confused and desolate she must be feeling.
“Oh God, Sofia, I’m so sorry,” he began, as he moved to pass her and edge his way inside.
She lifted her right hand in a half-hearted attempt to impede his progress but then stepped aside, her gaze drifting to the floor. He reached out and placed a soothing hand on her shoulder, pulling her gently towards him. She wanted to resist, but the warmth of human contact overpowered her initial instinct and she gladly accepted the reassurance of his touch. He held her tight.
“Everything’s such a mess,” he continued, “but I promise that whoever is responsible will not get away with it.”
He leaned back, lifted her head and repeated, “Enough is enough! It’s time these guys stopped wrecking lives!”
“Where’s Anna?” whispered Sofia, as if all strength had been drained from her. “I thought she must be with you.”
Andy stepped back and looked Sofia straight in the eyes.
“I’ll tell you everything I know. There must be no more secrets. Too many people have suffered. Our only hope now is if we work together on this and try and salvage something of this nightmare that has become our lives!”
He led her into the living room and made sure she was seated comfortably in readiness for his revelations. His eyes automatically swept to the spot on the carpet where he had last seen David’s body. He shuddered at the recollection. The forensic team had done its job and thankfully the room had been tactfully restored. At least Sofia had been spared that sight. His poor daughter had been less fortunate.
Sofia listened as Andy gradually imparted his knowledge of past events. Her expression was a strange mixture of relief and bewilderment.
“I’m glad the police think Anna is with me,” said Andy, rising to his feet. “Guys like Rondel don’t appreciate police interference!”
“The detective in charge feels sure it was simply an attempted robbery that went horribly wrong. They are patrolling the area until they are satisfied that there is no further danger,” Sofia said.
“That’s fine,” Andy replied. “It’s far better for everyone that they don’t know the truth.”
He was about to offer Sofia a medicinal brandy when his phone rang.
“Marcus! What have you managed to find out? Where ..”
“Shut up and listen – I haven’t got long,” interrupted Marcus Rondel. “All I can tell you is that she’s being held in a warehouse on the outskirts of town somewhere. My brother wants his money so he’s prepared to give you a bit longer but ..”
Silence.
“Bloody phones!” snapped Andy. “Sofia, can you show me where David kept all his files? I need to know names, places, anything and everything connected to this syndicate. There has to be a clue somewhere!”