‘I have help at hand.’ Amelia stood up and began pacing the stage. ‘I have set up an organisation to help protect you. It is called Amelia’s Haven. There is a small fee to join, but in return, you have a protection force ready to step forward for you at any time. You have a vetted database of providers I will personally vouch for, who will only employ approved members of staff. Imagine knowing your children were in safe hands, knowing their nursery or school would not hire anyone infected.’
There was another murmur around the room, but it quietened. People shuffled forwards, chairs scraping against the polished wooden floor, straining to get closer to Amelia.
Several waiters in black and white entered the room with piles of leaflets. They spread around the ballroom, distributing pieces of paper while Amelia talked.
‘Join my Haven. Protect your children. Protect yourselves and take care. Stay away from anyone who is different and report anyone who acts strangely. This is everyone’s responsibility. We can only be safe if we call out every danger. Join the only group of people who can keep you safe. Join the only group who can keep the Soul Snatchers at bay.’
Silence.
Beth looked at Jonan. His face was dark, furious.
Amelia was at the back of the ballroom now. She walked up the aisle slowly, reaching out and taking people’s outstretched hands as she went.
‘It breaks my heart to say it, but the ringleader of the Soul Snatchers is in this room.’
One by one, people stood up, turning around, eyes narrowed. Nobody stepped forward, nobody seemed guilty.
Amelia brought the microphone close to her mouth and breathed into it, her voice husky. ‘Jonan McLaney is more than a kidnapper. He’ll turn your children against you so they go to him willingly. It’s all about free will with Jonan, but he will twist it until they no longer know what they’re choosing.’
‘For pity’s sake, who is he?’ a man yelled.
‘Jonan, step forward please.’
Jonan stepped out from behind the bar, wiped his hands on a towel, and then put it down on the oak surface. He walked slowly up the aisle through the seats, his presence growing with every step.
‘I am not the enemy,’ he said, addressing the people who drew back as he walked near them. ‘There are no Soul Snatchers. Amelia is whipping up fear in order to control you. She would create a threat, and then provide you with a solution you have to pay for dearly. It looks as though she intends for me to pay dearly too. She has you by the throat. She has you under so much threat you can’t think. Try to clear your minds. Try to find a way back to your normal thought processes. Does she really sound plausible?’
‘Well you would say that. You’re protecting yourself.’ The woman in blue edged away from Jonan. ‘Keep back.’
DC Ainsworth stepped forwards, smoothing down his already slicked-back hair. His lips were pinched, but a glint in his eye told Beth he was enjoying himself.
‘Jonan McLaney?’
A shiver ran down Beth’s spine.
‘How can I help you, DC Ainsworth?’ Jonan said without flinching.
The policeman’s mouth widened into a sneer. ‘Jonan McLaney, you are under arrest. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’
Beth swallowed. She stepped forwards, head held high. ‘Why? What are you charging him with?’
There was a low chuckle from the stage. Amelia flicked her hair over her shoulder. ‘He is under suspicion of being the ringleader of the Soul Snatchers.’
‘That’s not even a thing.’ Beth’s voice hardened. ‘It doesn’t exist. It’s not a crime. You’re making this up.’
‘And you are obstructing an investigation.’ DC Ainsworth stepped closer to Beth. He was half a head taller than her, and tilted his head back to peer down his nose at her with narrowed eyes. His breath stank of red wine and cigarettes. She stepped back.
DC Ainsworth smirked. ‘You should know that the police are fully supporting Amelia’s Haven. All intelligence will be taken seriously.’
Beth frowned. She looked from DC Ainsworth to Amelia, who was almost holding her poker face. Only a twitch at the side of her mouth showed any chink in her composure. ‘So Amelia can say whatever she wants, about anyone, and you will arrest them without hesitation?’
The man nodded. ‘All intelligence will be taken seriously.’
‘Why are you doing this, Amelia?’ Jonan’s voice was rough. He swallowed. ‘You know I’m innocent. I used to mean something to you.’
‘Yes, Amelia, what is your plan?’ The voice from the door was hushed like the wind. It filled the packed ballroom with a deep in-breath and an exhale that released some of the tension at last.
‘Miranda,’ Amelia breathed. She was pale now. She grasped the back of the stool, her hands shaking.
‘Mother.’ Jonan took another step forward.
DC Ainsworth shoved him backwards.
‘Let him go to her,’ Amelia said, her voice choked. ‘Just for a moment.’ She lifted her gaze, and then clapped her hands once as though breaking a spell.
‘Go my children, go. Protect your families. Lock your doors. Make sure you know who surrounds you and stay away from anyone who might put you and yours at risk.’
‘But the man, the ringleader, what about him?’ a woman’s voice called from the audience.
‘He will be dealt with.’ Amelia clasped her hands in front of her, nodding her head. ‘You can put your trust in me. Sign up to the Haven and I will keep you and your loved ones safe. If you have your forms ready now, please give them to my staff in reception, otherwise, post them to the address on the form. Do your bit and I will do mine.’ She raised her arms and tilted her head back. ‘Now you are armed. You are empowered to go to your children, to your parents and your friends. Go to them and keep them safe. Now, go!’
Amelia’s voice rose in volume as she spoke. With a detached part of her mind, Beth knew someone must have been turning up the PA, because she didn’t sound as though she was shouting. As she uttered the final ‘go’, people gathered their things and there was a rush for the door. A wave of sound swept the room, engulfing Beth in chaos. She swayed on her feet. Fear pounded through her system with a pulse of its own, grabbing her by the chest and weakening her knees. She reached out, steadying herself on a nearby table and forcing herself to remain upright.
People were trying to push their way through the bottleneck at the doors. A man towards the back punched his neighbour in the face. Someone yelled across the room. Beth’s head was pounding. She couldn’t tell what anyone was saying.
The room felt like poison. Fear dripped from the walls and infected everything. Only Amelia was unfazed.
Jonan and Miranda stood at the far side of the stage. She clasped him so tight her hands went white. Her body shook as he held her head cradled to his chest. His eyes were closed, his breathing ragged. They seemed oblivious to the chaos, but the air around them glimmered.
As the last person rushed through the door, Amelia allowed her arms to drop. Her jaw was tight as she turned to the woman standing next to Jonan. She stepped off the stage and walked towards them, back straight, fists clenched. ‘What are you doing here, sister?’