Private Oz (Private 7)

“Any … way,” Geoff started to say, thought better of it and stood up to refill his glass. Back on the sofa with another half-full tumbler, he took a gulp. “Anyway, because I helped, Al Loretto is cutting me in for a percentage.”

“Darling,” Pam said evenly. “Don’t you think that’s dangerous?”

Geoff’s expression darkened. “What d’ya mean?”

“It sounds dodgy … well, it’s blackmail, actually.”

He screwed up his face. Pam took a gulp of wine, eyeing her husband over the rim of the glass. Her mind was racing. She had quickly put two and two together. The camera scam had netted someone big.

“Geoff, I know what you’re talking about. And I know Al Loretto is more than a businessman.”

“Oh?” He gave her a nasty look. “You do, do you?” He pulled himself up.

“Sit down, Geoff!” Pam snapped and emptied her glass.

“No. I won’t sit down! Who the hell do you think you’re talking too?

Pam stared him out.

He refused to acknowledge her for several moments, twirled the contents of the tumbler, then slowly sat down.

“What’s got into you? I know about the brothels. I know you’ve upset Loretto. But you won’t let it go, will you? Now you tell me you’re blackmailing someone?”

“Not just anyone,” Geoff spat. “Only Ken Boston!”

Pam glared at him. “Are you insane? You’ve become obsessed with money.”

Hewes closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath. “I’m obsessed? Obsessed! Of course I’m obsessed, you stupid bitch! How do you think I find the money for the private schools? How do I pay for your clothes, your fancy shoes, your $2,000 handbags … the holidays in Phuket?”

“I work.”

“Hah!” he spat.

“Geoff, I …”

He was up again, his whiskey tumbler flying through the air, its contents spraying across the floor as it went. It shot past Pam’s right ear missing her by an inch. Before she had time to recover, Geoff was round the coffee table.

She managed to half-rise, half-slide along the sofa, but her husband was too fast for her. He was on her in a second. “You fucking ungrateful bitch!” he yelled and slammed a fist into the side of her face, sending her sprawling. She pulled up a cushion to protect her face and curled up in a ball. Geoff’s fists rained down. “Bitch … Stupid, stupid bitch!”

There was a noise from the doorway. It cut through Pam’s muffled cries and Geoff’s profanity. He spun round. Their seven-year-old daughter, Sophia, was standing across the room, screaming. Next to her stood her nine-year-old brother, Sam, his face ashen.

Chapter 119

GEOFF STRAIGHTENED AND walked across the room to the doorway. The children shrank back in terror and he felt a momentary pang of guilt and hurt. Then his anger welled up again. He heard Pam pulling herself up from the sofa and he grabbed the children, shoving them into the hall.

“Come on, kids, we’re going away for a little while.”

“But Mommy!” Sam protested, jerking back toward the room.

Geoff ignored the boy. “Mommy needs some time on her own,” he said, maneuvering the kids across the hall.

Pam reached the doorway. “WHAT ARE YOU …?” she was yelling. “WHERE …?”

Geoff and the children were at the front door. He yanked it open and herded them out. Pam was across the hall in seconds, but the door was closing. She reached out for the gap. Her husband pulled on the handle, hard, trapping his wife’s fingers.

They could hear Pam’s scream of pain from outside and both kids started to cry uncontrollably. Geoff had his car keys in his pocket. He clicked the remote and pushed the children into the backseat of the Audi. Sam was protesting. He went to hit his father as Sophia scrambled across the seat to the far door.

“Don’t,” Geoff Hewes snapped. Then more gently … “Look, Mommy’s okay, but we have to go away.”