“In which case, we’d moved it to the other side. Covered by a dust sheet. Is that what you want? Is that what this is all about, the dresser?”
“Shut your mouth. What did he hide in there? What lies did my sick excuse of a brother leave behind for you? Did he blab about what happened here that summer?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There are some Polaroids of your family and his friends, a camera and film and books, nothing more. You can check if you like. They’re still in the cupboards.”
“Liar.”
“Why would I lie? See for yourself.”
Matthew stood stock-still. His mind appeared to be working, his hands and the barrel of the gun shaking slightly. Once again his eyes flicked to the dresser. Leonard realised then that Matthew had not thought everything through, something he might be able to use to his advantage.
“Did you kill him?” asked Leonard.
Asking such a direct question might run the risk of provoking Matthew, but he reasoned that if he could keep Matthew talking, maybe Adrian would return and notice something amiss. Did Matthew bring his motorcycle with him, and if so, would he have left the machine visible in the lane? Leonard hadn’t heard anything. And the last thing he wanted was Adrian walking in unaware and stepping into the firing line. Perhaps he could distract Matthew somehow and then try to alert Adrian.
“Did you kill Luke?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Luke took his own life. He hanged himself. Another of his sins, the sin ofdesperatio, the rejection of God’s mercy, because when he choked himself he would have been unable to ask for repentance. Not that a heathen like you would understand.”
“But why, Matthew? Why did he hang himself? Surely not because he was gay?”
“Homosexuality is also a sin. My brother was an abomination, a sinner and a pervert. Just like you. Yes, my mother told me. And just like him, you will be going straight to hell.” Matthew thrust his chin out with pride. “I was the one who caught him, you know? Caught them both. That dirty, evil paedophile who molested my brother.”
“Max Williams?”
Now hidden beneath the drawer, the beautiful monochrome photograph Leonard had uncovered showed a clearly besotted Luke being cradled in the arms of Max Williams.
“In our house, in our bedroom, lying there with my brother, kissing and touching each other. Disgusting. Not only was it a sin, it was against the law. He tried to deny everything when I confronted him. But I took an instant photo of them without either of them knowing.”
“And Luke denied it?”
“Not Luke.Him. I went to see Williams. On the farm. Told him I would go to the police if he didn’t do what I asked. Get him thrown into prison. And I would have, too. But then he got all crazy and tried to grab me, take the photo from me, and I screamed back at him, told him not to touch me with his filthy, corrupting hands. I didn’t mean to push him so hard, but he slipped in the mud and fell into the water.”
“You pushed Max Williams into the pond?”
“I didn’t—it washisfault. I never meant him to fall. I wouldn’t have even told anyone, as long as he’d agreed to give me the money I asked for. But when he tried to grab me, totouchme with thosedisgustinghands, I had to fight back. After that I ran back to the house to tell Mother. She told me not to worry, that it was God’s retribution.”
“Your mother knew and did nothing? Did Mary know?”
“What do you care?” said Matthew, frowning, but then an eerie, calm expression settled on his face. And then he smiled. “No, just me and Mother. And, of course, we had to tell my brother. That’s how she finally got him to agree to enlist, to become a real man and exorcise the sickness from him. Except he managed to weasel out of that by taking his life.”
Poor Luke. From what Leonard could tell, he had only just carved out a life for himself, a happy ever after, only to have everything ripped away from him by his family. Being coerced into join the army must have been the final straw.
“You tried to blackmail Max Williams?”
“I needed money. I still need money. Some of us have—debts—to pay. And then you go and steal this house from me, this house that should rightfully be mine. I’m the oldest male member of the family, not you.”
Right at that moment, Leonard’s phone rang. When he looked down, the name Mary appeared on the display. Leonard leant forward, began to move his hand towards the device.
“Don’t!” shouted Matthew.
Leonard turned at the sudden movement of Matthew striding forward, ramming the handle of the shotgun into Leonard’s head. Knocked out of his seat and sent sprawling across the floor, agony flooded his temple. Black spots swam before him, dotting his vision. After a second or two, the ebb of warm liquid began to pool in his hair, with each heartbeat, each agonising throb of pain. He touched the spot gingerly with his hand and pulled away to find his palm covered with blood.
When he looked up, Matthew had cradled the shotgun in the crook of this arm, and had picked up the device to silence the call. After that, he put the phone into his pocket. Returning his attention to Leonard, he pointed the gun at him again and stood back a couple of steps.
“I warned you.”
“Whatever it is you’re thinking,” began Leonard, cold dread filling him, “you don’t need to—”
