“Between God and my aunt, I managed to restore my dignity and build a new life for myself.”
“Doesn’t seem to have you got you very far.”
“Even your own mother hated you. Because she was your mother, though, she couldn’t find it in her heart to report your actions. She believed, as I did, God would deal with you. What she didn’t realize was how far your debauchery would take you. None of us did. I hope you burn in hell for what you did!”
Summers stepped forward. “I’ve had enough of this. If you were going to do anything to me, you would have done it by now. I don’t have time to waste bandying words on you so, take yourself and this wizened old crow,” Summers pointed to Anei, “out my house before I do something you’ll both regret. Like I’ve said, you’re no match for me.”
“Maybe not,” said Gardener, “but we are.”
Summers bristled, and an expression of such evil crossed his features as his eyes narrowed and his teeth bared, Jacqueline may as well have been dealing with the devil himself. Her stomach convulsed.
But her father didn’t even turn to see where the words had come from. Instead, with a speed that defied his age, he feinted to his left, slipped around the back of the chair, forced his left elbow around Aunt Anei’s neck and lifted her body out of the chair, holding the paper opener to her throat.
Chapter Eighty-two
The tension in the room was palpable.
Gardener and Reilly descended the steps in a hurry and the SIO stood between Summers and Jacqueline. Reilly remained at the bottom of the stairs.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Mr Summers.”
“It’s a bit too late for that, Mr Gardener.”
Jacqueline stood by Gardener’s side. “Let her go.”
“What would I gain by that?” asked Summers.
“You’ll gain nothing if you don’t, sunshine,” said Reilly.
“You’re really not making life any easier for yourself, Mr Summers. You’re facing charges of perverting the course of justice, kidnapping, abuse of a minor…”
“I’ve abused no one.”
Gardener glanced at Jacqueline and then back at Summers. “I believe this lady will say otherwise. Historical sex abuse, Mr Summers, not something you can get away with these days.”
“It’s her word against mine, and she’s a murderer; you heard her admit as much.”
“And she’ll no doubt face charges as well.” A burst of pain shot through Gardener’s ribcage, but he managed to hold it together.
“Doesn’t look like you’re much of a match for me, either.”
“He’s got me,” said Reilly, “and we both know how capable I am.”
“Not while I have the old woman in my grasp.”
“Let’s be honest here, Mr Summers,” said Gardener, “once you’ve played your ace what are you going to do? Let’s say you stab Anei, what are you going to do next? You won’t be quick enough to do anything else, and there is no way out of here. You may as well put the knife down and give yourself up now.”
On cue, Gardener heard the sound of sirens pulling up outside.
“Game’s up, sunshine,” said Reilly.
With a sudden scream that took everyone by surprise, which no one saw coming, Anei lurched backwards pushing Summers into the wall behind. Shock made him drop the paper opener. Even before it clattered to the floor, Anei brought her right arm up, forcing the syringe she had concealed in her pocket straight into Summers’ neck.
Chapter Eighty-three
Summers immediately let go of Anei and slid down the wall. He brought his right hand to his neck.
“What the hell have you done to me?”
Neatly sidestepping Gardener, Jacqueline stepped over to her father as an expression of mortal fear crossed his features.
“I’m afraid you underestimated us, Father, dear.” She pressed the plunger in her left hand. The clear liquid caught Summers in the face. “Pure water in mine. Looks like you chose to attack the wrong person.”
Shouts and footsteps throughout the house meant that more of Gardener’s team had arrived.
“My aunt had the syringe that will do the damage. Merry Christmas… Daddy.”
Jacqueline turned and faced Gardener with her hands outstretched, as if waiting for handcuffs.
“Jacqueline,” said Anei, standing near the stairs with Reilly, “don’t admit anything.”
“What have you given him?” Gardener asked the minister.
“Same as the others,” she replied, without remorse.
“Is there an antidote?”
“No.”
Gardener pushed her out of the way and bent down to Summers, whose hand still covered the syringe dangling from his neck. He was hyperventilating and perhaps going into shock.
Gardener glanced at his partner, but Reilly was already on the phone. He’d asked for an ambulance, but Gardener didn’t hold out much hope of it arriving in time, nor being able to do anything when the medics arrived.
Frank Thornton and Bob Anderson appeared in the film studio. Behind them, Colin Sharp.
Thornton asked if there was anything he could do.
“Can you take these two upstairs and keep them in the study?” Gardener asked of him, pointing to the two women.
At that moment, Summers let out an ear-piercing scream and the foul odour of blocked drains permeated the room.
Gardener turned to face Summers, knowing he wouldn’t have long now. His face had puffed up and his eyes were reddening. A stain had appeared around his genital area. The next step would be hideous, and he was most anxious not to watch it, having already seen what it did to Harry Clayton.
“You two,” shouted Gardener to Jacqueline and Anei, “I’d like you upstairs and out of the way, now.”
“What do you want me to do?” asked Sharp.
“There’s not much we can do, Colin. If you go with Frank and Bob, Sean and I will stay with Summers till the ambulance arrives.”
By the time Reilly had ushered everyone back
