The following morning began earlier than expected.
Adeline arrived at the temporary media centre carrying a notebook and camera.
Emma was already waiting outside.
"So…"
Emma began.
"I've got good news and bad news."
Adeline smiled.
"Which first?"
"The bad."
"I'm going back to London."
"What?"
Emma nodded.
"Richard called late last night."
"They need me at headquarters."
Before Adeline could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Which means you'll be stuck with me."
Both women turned.
A tall man carrying a messenger bag approached with an easy smile.
He extended his hand.
"Malcolm Carrington"
"Investigations."
"I joined The London Chronicle last month."
"Richard thought you'd need another pair of hands."
Adeline shook his hand.
"It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
Emma folded her arms.
"He's annoyingly good at his job."
Malcolm laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't."
The three of them shared a laugh that eased the tension.
Emma looked at Adeline one last time.
"You'll be fine."
"I know."
With a quick hug, Emma climbed into the waiting car and began the journey back to London.
Adeline watched until the vehicle disappeared from sight.
For the first time since arriving…
She truly felt alone.
coupled with the priest's death the previous day, she was horrified
"I don't know if I should tell Dwayne about this "
She shrugged off a petrifying thought and swept the goose bumps off her arms
"he'd be so sad "
—
Not for long.
"Mrs. Davies?"
She turned.
A familiar face stood a few metres away.
"Jarvis?"
He smiled.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"What are you doing in North Yorkshire?"
Jarvis lifted a laptop bag onto his shoulder.
"Work."
"Our company has a meeting with a local supplier."
"I'll probably be here for a few days."
"What a coincidence."
"I thought the same thing."
Adeline forced a smile.
"It'll be nice knowing someone familiar is around."
"It works out perfectly."
"If you need anything…"
"I'm nearby."
She smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry Jarvis"
A tear finally escaped her eyes
"Its fine, I saw the news yesterday "
"Dwayne will be just fine"
As they walked toward the entrance together, neither noticed the man watching from the upper floor of a nearby hotel.
Dwayne stood behind partially drawn curtains.
He had seen every second of the conversation.
Relief settled over him.
Jarvis had done exactly what they had agreed.
Adeline believed he was simply there for work.
She didn't know Dwayne had followed her across the country.
He rested one hand against the window.
"I'll tell you everything."
His voice was barely a whisper.
"But not yet."
Not until he could protect her from the truth that had been waiting for them for years