The Other Wife by Danielle Ramsay

Author:Danielle Ramsay [Ramsay, Danielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

13

‘You’re lying to me,’ I whispered as I stared at Officer Ross’s intimidating figure. ‘Why are you lying to me? You’re meant to protect me.’

I felt as if I was losing my mind. I was frantically trying to think of a way to convince him that my life was in jeopardy.

It was evident that my husband knew how to handle the police and deflect any suspicion that something might actually be wrong.

‘If I have called the police here so many times, doesn’t that suggest to you that something is very wrong? That I am in danger and desperate to get away from…’ I furtively glanced at my husband and his housekeeper. ‘Them!’

Officer Ross nodded. ‘I understand this is a challenging time for you, Mrs Langdon.’

Challenging?

I stared at him, struggling to understand why he wasn’t taking me seriously.

‘But, I’m afraid there is nothing else we can do if your husband doesn’t see the need to have you…’ He paused, as if deliberating his choice of words. ‘To escalate the situation and have you removed for your own safety and that of others.’

‘What? Me a threat to them? I’m the one who is in⁠—’

My husband abruptly cut in: ‘I can assure you that my wife is no threat to Mrs Taylor or myself. As I explained earlier, my wife is under the medical care of Professor Walker who agreed, albeit reluctantly, to her recuperation here at Dunstrafne Castle. But I concede that perhaps we need to re-evaluate the best course of action, which isn’t, can I add, moving her somewhere strange at this time. It would be hugely detrimental to her ongoing recovery. By all means, ask Mrs Taylor for her opinion on the matter. She has spent the past two years with my wife and understands her needs better than anyone.’

Two years? You’ve only been here for forty-eight days… Or so Mrs Taylor claimed. So how can his housekeeper have known you for two years?

Confused, I shook my head. ‘No… I haven’t been here for two years,’ I interjected.

‘No… No you haven’t, darling,’ he replied, smiling at me.

Why is he patronising you? And lying to you… to the police?

He ran his hand through his thick, curly black hair, suggesting he was uneasy. Not that I could tell from his expression.

He turned his attention back to his housekeeper. ‘You agree that it would be detrimental to Mrs Langdon’s recovery to have her…’ He paused, unable to continue. Instead, he lowered his head.

His performance was very convincing. I looked at the two officers, who seemed persuaded that leaving me here under his care was in my best interest.

No… God, no… You need to tell them about… About whom?

Voiceless, I watched on, unable to remember whom I needed to tell the police about. But I found their presence too overwhelming, my husband too distracting, making it difficult for me to think.

‘I concur with Mr Langdon. Professor Walker, her neurologist, has been appraised of the ongoing situation with Mrs Langdon, and she will be returning to London.

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