Chapter 48

‘That brings us to our penultimate Passenger,’ began Fiona. Heidi’s image dominated the centre screen.

Aside from her glistening eyes, she offered no obvious expression of emotion. Fiona gave her the once-over and tutted. ‘I’m at a loss as to know what I can say about her. If I was her brief, I wouldn’t put her in the stand because I’d struggle to persuade a jury to warm to her.’

‘I find her every bit as deceitful as her husband, if I’m being honest,’

said Muriel.

‘That’s as maybe, but can you even begin to imagine what it must’ve been like to discover something like that about your husband?’ said Matthew. ‘Having an extramarital affair is one thing, but marrying another woman behind your wife’s back requires an extra level of deceit. God knows what he put her through.’

‘Oh good Lord,’ sniffed Jack from his side of the room. ‘Can we put this into some kind of perspective please. The idiot fell in love with two women at the same time, more fool him. It happens. In fact, didn’t it happen in your precious Bible, Muriel? Lamech, if my memory serves correctly. He was married to two women.’

‘He was also a murderer and his two wives deserted him before he was made an outcast by society,’ said Muriel. ‘If you’re going to use the Bible to help make your case, at least get your facts right. And I would like an explanation as to what the Hacker meant when he said Heidi had blackmailed her husband.’

‘Don’t hold your breath,’ said Libby. ‘It’s another vague accusation where we’re left to fill in the blanks.’

‘But what do we actually know about Heidi?’ said Fiona. ‘I don’t have any idea what makes her tick or why I should give her my support.’

‘This is becoming repetitive,’ Jack yawned and shifted in his seat.

‘There are two Passengers left. Either you offer Mrs Cole your vote or throw it away on a vagrant who was planning to top himself anyway.’

Libby shot him a glare. ‘Have I said something that’s factually incorrect?’

‘I’d have liked to have heard more passion from her; begging us to save her life so that she can see her children again,’ said Muriel.

‘You sound almost disappointed,’ said Jack. ‘If one didn’t know better, one might assume you enjoyed playing God.’

‘That’s not what I mean,’ she protested. ‘I can only base my judgement on appearances alone because that’s all she’s given us.’

‘Have any of you given thought to what kind of wife she was?’ asked Jack. ‘Perhaps she drove her husband to an affair.’ He looked to Matthew.

‘Sometimes one person isn’t enough to satisfy all your needs.’

‘Then leave the marriage,’ said Matthew. ‘How many times have you done that now, Jack?’

Jack laughed. ‘Do you really want to go there, Matthew? At least I haven’t driven a spouse into the arms of another man.’

Matthew’s expression soured as he pushed his seat back to rise. Libby took hold of his arm before he could get to his feet. ‘Leave it,’ she said quietly but firmly. ‘This is what he wants.’ Matthew remained where he was.

‘Do as she tells you, there’s a good dog.’ Jack smiled with narrowed eyes. ‘Now let’s return to the ice maiden. Perhaps if she’d displayed a little more femininity it might have helped her cause.’

‘Is it all women you have a problem with, or just strong women?’ asked Libby. ‘She’s a full-time working mum of two and whatever she’s done to bend the law or torment her cheating husband, well, I think there will be a lot of people out there who’ll identify with her and back her.’

‘Including you?’ Jack asked. ‘Surely your conscience dictates that you should give someone like Mrs Cole your vote over Mr Harrison? Or are you going to follow your heart and condemn her to a somewhat grisly death by voting for a dead man walking? It’s not too late to reconsider your position with Mr Cole either. He might be lacking when it comes to integrity, but you cannot deny the man has passion and something to live for. Mr Harrison has what? By his own admission, nothing. Not even the attention of the nation’s sweetheart is enough for him to want to remain on this mortal coil.’

Libby felt the heat from her reddening face. In that moment, she had never loathed anyone like she loathed Jack Larsson.

‘You know what?’ interrupted Fiona. ‘You’ve just swung it for me, Jack. I don’t care what Heidi did or didn’t know, I’m voting for her. And you can roll your eyes as much as you like, it makes no difference to me what you think.’

‘All you’re doing is splitting the votes between husband and wife. Side with me and their children will at least see one of their parents return.’

‘Why do I have to change my vote? Why can’t you?’

‘Mrs Cole has two children. Her husband has four.’

‘If you are so concerned about kids then why didn’t you support Shabana – a mother to five?’ asked Libby.

Jack sighed. ‘Here we go. More diatribe from a bleeding-heart liberal

…’

‘More bullshit from the bleeding heartless racist.’

‘Enough!’ warned Fiona. Her raised voice took Libby by surprise. ‘This is not a playground! Please remember we are being watched by the world.

We have just twenty minutes left to make our decision. Now, is there anyone else who will join me in supporting Heidi?’

‘I will,’ said Matthew suddenly.

‘Heidi is now in the lead with two votes, Sam has one and Claire has one.’

Libby’s heart both raised and sank, a second apart. It meant that unless the public sided with her too, Jack would be correct. Jude was a dead man walking.