Chapter 61

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

T he vigil for Laine Lees was held on the playing field. Ana was stunned at the number of people who turned out. It saddened her when they spoke of their hate for The Vigilante, and she had to force herself not to look over at Tim.

She'd gone over all the scenarios as to why someone would want to kill Laine, and each time, she came to the same conclusion, which terrified her.

The playing field was a flood of grief. Most people were wearing black and holding red roses. It was a unique and moving sight. A bleak atmosphere hung over the village like a dark shroud had draped itself over everyone. The unnatural stillness was unnerving. The gloomy mood affected everyone, and the air of suspicion touched them all. In their mind was one thought. Was The Vigilante standing next to them?

Candles and torches lit the dull night. The rain had been predicted, and people had brought umbrellas. The fragrance of the numerous bouquets placed at the entrance to the woods could be smelt as far back as the village green.

Matt and Ana watched everyone, trying to catch an expression that might indicate guilt. But all they saw was grief etched on people's faces.

Sajid looked down at the red string bracelet Laine had given him. He stroked it several times before taking a deep breath and strolling across the field to where Needles stood beside Jim in his wheelchair. Before Needles could speak, Jim said, ‘Hello, lad. How are you? Javid, isn't it?'

‘Sajid. I'm okay, Jim, a bit sad.'

Jim shook his head in disbelief. ‘It's the end of the war. Why is everyone sad? It should be a party. Be glad. Those Nazis have lost.'

‘Yeah.' Sajid smiled, aware of Needles' eyes on him.

‘I didn't know you knew Jim,' Needles said suddenly, his tone stern.

Sajid nodded. ‘My mum makes him curry sometimes.'

‘Sajid doesn't like it when the Nazis come, do you, lad?' said Jim. ‘Well, it's over now.'

Sajid took a deep breath, felt the pain in his ribs, and let out a small groan before reaching into the pocket of his jeans. Before Needles had a second to react, Sajid had pulled out a pen knife.

Needles stepped back. ‘I'm not fighting with you today.'

‘No, no more fights,' replied Sajid.

Needles watched, fascinated, as Sajid tore the blade through his own flesh. He held his cut arm out for Needles to see. ‘Look, my blood is the same colour as yours.'

Needles couldn't speak. It was all too much: the vigil, the memory of Laine in her lovely dress and now this.

‘My heart beats just like yours,' continued Sajid. ‘It's broken like yours too. My family are mourning Laine just like your family are. I love football just like you do. I like music. Laine once told me you liked the same music as me. We're the same, except my skin is darker than yours. Otherwise, we could be brothers. What Laine wanted most of all was for us to be friends. Can we not give her that? If only tonight?'

Needles struggled to stop the tears, but he couldn't. It was as if a dam had burst inside him. He swiped at his eyes, but more tears followed. They wouldn't stop; it was like an overflowing river, and he could not stop it.

‘Here,' said Sajid, handing him the knife.

Without hesitation, Needles cut his left arm above the tattooed words ‘Laine'. Sajid then held his bloody arm against Needles'.

‘Blood brothers,' he said.

People held their candles and torches high as Jassy walked to a makeshift platform. The silence was eerie. Jassy tried to smile, but Ana could see it was a considerable effort. She hesitated for a moment as if weighing up her words.

‘Thank you for coming tonight. Seeing so many people coming together to remember Laine is wonderful. As you can imagine, her parents and brother are devasted, so I will talk about Laine on their behalf.'

She took a deep breath.

‘Laine was my best friend. She wasn't perfect, but none of us are. Laine was too young to die. She had so many dreams and plans.'

Jassy broke down then, and Ana wanted to hug her but knew she couldn't.

‘She used to love dancing and having fun, and we're all still trying to understand why anyone would want to kill our lovely Laine.'

Jassy took a deep, trembling breath. ‘Laine's parents ask that if you know anything – anything at all, or noticed a stranger that night, or anything odd – that you please get in touch with the police. Help us find this vigilante and stop him from doing this again.'

Ana and Matt looked around the crowd. Matt was looking for The Vigilante, and Ana was looking for the murderer. Matt nudged her in the ribs and nodded over at Will Moulson and Hale. It looked as though Hale was passing a brown envelope to Will. Will looked around as if to check that no one was watching.

Their attention was turned back to Jassy, who had started speaking again. ‘One of Laine's favourite songs was "Before You Go" by Lewis Capaldi, and I think it's fitting, so we're going to play that now.'

There was applause as she stepped down tearfully from the platform, and Ana felt herself tear up.

‘You okay?' asked Matt, putting his arm around her shoulder.

‘Just my jaw hurts,' she said, covering her emotions.

The music began playing, and Ana saw Beth Harper and Tom Miller approach Will and Hale.

‘I'm just going to speak to Jassy,' said Ana.

There was no need for words. Ana hugged her briefly and then handed her a card with her number. ‘If you ever need to talk.'

Ana looked around at the vast gathering, remembering the night of the fair. Jonny said he couldn't make the vigil as he had a deadline. It then occurred to her he hadn't been at the fair either. Ana realised then that Jonny had been absent on the two nights that involved Laine.

An arm hooked itself into hers. ‘You okay, Ana?'

Ana turned to see Frankie, who immediately pulled her into her arms. ‘You're special, you know,' whispered Frankie.

It felt like being home, and Ana knew at that moment that soon it would be over, and she could go home.