“We were out on thebay all day. We were with several others. They can corroborate ourwhereabouts.” Todd answered, anticipating the reason for theenquiry.
“You surely don’tthink we had anything to do with this. Why would I burn down my ownhouse? You’re crazy …” Chloe stopped as Todd wrapped his handaround her upper arm and gently squeezed.
“They’re just askingroutine questions. No one is accusing us of doing anything. Isn’tthat right, detective?”
“So you think he cameback here? And when you weren’t home, he broke in to wait. Is thatwhat you’re telling me?” Detective Blake raised aneyebrow.
“That is the onlyexplanation I have. I expect you will check his ID. If it is indeedwho we think it is, the officers who attended the house after mytriple-0 call can testify how furious and obnoxious he was lastnight. He made threats, as I have already explained. The policeofficers would endorse that fact.” Todd said.
Chloe laid her head on Todd’schest. “What am I going to do?”
“You’re coming homewith me tonight. Let’s take this one step at a time, okay.” Heturned to the detective. “Do you need anything further from us?Miss Armstrong has had a shock and I think we should go back to myapartment.”
“Leave your detailswith the officer over there. I’ll call you in the morning. Someoneis going to have to identify the body.” Detective Blake looked fromTodd to Chloe.
“I think it’s best ifI do it, don’t you?” Todd looked at Chloe, who nodded, her reliefevident in her expression.
Todd pulled out his wallet andhanded the police officer a business card. He kept his arm aroundChloe’s shoulders as he walked her to the car. The evening hadtaken on a surreal quality. His body continued to go through themotions, but his mind had trouble coming to terms with the finalityof the house fire, and what this would mean for Chloe. What thiswould mean for them both.
It had been no surprise to learnPaul had been the cause of this dreadful act of arson. Breaking inhad backfired badly. He had paid for it with his life.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
The sun crept over the balcony,warming the solitary figure huddled on the lounge chair in thecorner. The cotton blanket had seemed like a good idea at 5 am, buthad done little to protect Chloe from the early morningchill.
Sleep had eluded her.Worry and fear for the future had caused her to toss and turn allnight. Exhausted, she had given up the struggle and decided thecity view might be better than staring at the ceiling in Todd’sbedroom. Her gaze fell on the lights blinking on in the buildingsaround her. Neighbours were going about their business; startingtheir day. What will I do now? Should Ireturn to Paris?
The balcony door slid open andTodd appeared with two cups of coffee and another blanket under hisarm. He put down the cups and tucked the blanket around herlegs.
“I wondered whereyou’d disappeared to. Here, this’ll warm you up, you look a littleblue.” Todd held out the mug of steaming coffee.
“Thanks. You must’veread my mind.” Chloe wrapped her hands around the cup and sippedthe contents. “I couldn’t sleep. I keep going over the scene of thefire in my head. I can’t believe it’s all gone. Even if we findanything in the ruins, I can’t think anything will be worth saving,with the smoke and water damage.”
“What about importantpapers? Birth certificates, passports etc.”
“They were in thesafe. Do you think they will allow me to retrieve it? Hopefullythey will still be intact?” She leant forwards and cast him ahopeful look.
“We can ask at thepolice station. If they say it’s okay, we can go and take a looklater. Patrick can bring his ute to transport it back to theoffice, and we can attempt to open it. I presume it wasfiresafe.”
“I have no clothes, nopossessions, other than what I had with me yesterday. I’ll have togo shopping to buy something else to wear.
“Chloe, I’m here foryou. I presume you have your credit cards in your wallet, but ifyou need cash just let me know. Whatever you need, just tell me andit’s yours. You still have your car. Unbelievable when you thinkabout it. Lucky it was parked down the street yesterday. You knowyou have a home here. I want you to stay. The Portsea house will beready soon so you can start work on furnishing it. That will keepyou busy.” Todd sat on the side of the lounge and reached out tolift her chin so that he could look into her eyes. “So that’sclothes, a car, a roof over your head and a job taken care of. Whatelse do you need … oh yes … someone to love you … that would beme.”
“I know you’re tryingto make me feel better, but I just feel lost. I can’t believe it’sgone. It seems like everything has gone wrong since I came back tolive in Australia. My father died, I had another fall, myex-boyfriend assaulted me and now my house has been burnt to theground, and he’s dead.”
“You’re dwelling onall the negatives. What about the positives?”
“Thepositives?”
“I’d like to think Iwas a positive in your life.” Todd said quietly. “Then there isSamantha and Malcolm, and Patrick. We have all come into your lifein the last year. We all love you.”
“You must think mevery ungrateful. I didn’t mean to dismiss you all, especially notyou, Todd. I just never thought that at my age I would have nothingbut the clothes I am wearing.”
“Correction. Those aremy shorts and T-shirt. “ Todd plucked at the cotton fabric. “I’mtrying to lighten the mood. Not buying it, are you?” He moved alittle nearer to her.
“I was thinking thatmaybe I should go back to Paris.” Tears welled up in her eyes, andfell, leaving streaks of silver on her cheeks in the early morninglight.
“What! Why would youdo that?” He brushed each tear away with his thumb. “Chloe, I loveyou and I want you to stay here with me and give us a chance. Am Iso hard to live with? Tell you what, give it another month … that’sall I am asking … one month. Then if you still
