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EPISODE FOUR: Silence of the Liars

CHAPTER ONE

Emma and Laurel were both supporting Jordan as they arrived back at the flat. "You know, I'm not crippled,"he reminded them.

"I know,"Laurel replied with a grin. "Just looking for any excuse to put my arms around you."

Emma coughed slightly, reminding them of her presence, and stepped away from Jordan. "You're lucky you weren't more seriously hurt."

"Good job my head's so thick,"Jordan replied. "I just wish we knew who did it."

"Don't worry, we'll find out,"Laurel answered. "Emma's already on it."

Jordan looked quizzically at Emma who was suddenly awkward. "Well, we've looked into it,"she admitted. "But we haven't really found out anything. And given how long it took us to notice something was up with Thayer, I can't promise we'll get an answer any time soon."

"She's just saying that,"Laurel replied, brimming with confidence. "You'll see. Ethan's doing some digging around for her right now."

"What are you doing?"

The voice broke Ethan's concentration and caused him to look round. Jacob had entered the reception where he was in the middle of looking through the log books. Ethan considered telling a lie but then realised that the truth wasn't exactly unreasonable. "I was looking at the members and guest lists for the evening Jordan was attacked. The person who did it might have come in here."

"The police have already looked over those lists,"Jacob pointed out.

"I know,"Ethan admitted,"but I know Jordan better than they do. I thought maybe I'd spot a name that they wouldn't notice, someone who might have a reason to hurt Jordan that they don't know about."

Jacob looked at him, his opinion of the idea unreadable from his expression. "Have you found anything?"

Ethan sighed and closed the book. "No."

"Then perhaps you could get on with the work you're supposed to be doing."

Kristin looked around the coffee bar until she picked out the person she'd been called there to meet: Peter. She waved at him before making her way to the table. "Do you want a coffee?"he asked. Kristin nodded and Peter gestured for a server to bring the drink over.

"What's this about, Peter?"Kristin asked.

Peter steepled his fingers, pondering his answer. "It's about Char. I know letting her come back here was the best thing. I tried to be there for her after her mother's breakdown but…I guess I'd been away too long. Then there was all that business with Rebecca and I knew she wanted to be with her friends. But it's just increased the distance between us."

"I know that she's glad to have you back in her life,"Kristin noted. "But what do you think I can do?"

Peter gestured to her. "Just that. I know you've always kept an eye on her. I…I want you to tell me about my daughter."

Kristin smiled. "She's a good-hearted girl. A loyal friend. And maybe a bit insecure deep down, I don't think she's ever had a boyfriend that's lasted that long. But really, if you want to get to know her, you need to…get to know her. To spend time with her."

"Well, maybe I'll do that. But there's a few other things I need to do first."

Char knocked on the door of her father's room and waited. And waited. And waited. She checked her watch.

"He's not there,"announced Justin, who was standing in the doorway of his own room. "I saw him go out a couple of hours ago."

"Oh,"Char answered in surprise, unable to think of anything else to say.

"Did you have plans to meet?"

"No, I just thought he was going to be here today. Didn't think he had anything else to go." She thought for a moment about what to do next. "Well, I'll go now,"she decided at last.

"Char!"Justin called after her, causing her to stop. "Are you still friends with the Mercers?"

"Ah, yeah."

"I…" Justin paused, as though considering whether to say anything further. "Do you want to go out some time?"

"Oh!" Char looked at him. She'd thought him attractive when he first came to town but then he'd started going out with Laurel and she'd forgotten about it. "Yeah, that'd be quite nice." She looked at him in sudden confusion. "Did you mean now?"

"No, but soon though. Give me your number and I'll give you a call."

Ethan stood outside the club, checking his watch. He was meant to be meeting Emma after work but there was no sign of her. Had she been held up doing something?

He didn't know the rock had been thrown at him, let alone see who was responsible. He just felt it impact with the back of his head, then everything went black.