‘I swear to you, I have absolutely no interest in your activities. I was driving down Walker Road when I saw you. It’s obvious, even to me, what was going on.’
Square Chin walked towards him, his features tinged with contempt. ‘Walker Road, eh? Carry on. I’m listening.’
‘I’m convinced my daughter is obtaining drugs, probably cannabis, though I can’t be certain. I’m interested in Albion Street and somebody called, Pritchard.’
‘Why Albion Street?’
‘My daughter was seen coming out of a house on Albion Street. I’m trying to find out which one.’
‘You’ve followed us all this way for a door number? You’ve gotta be off your head, mate.’
‘I’m desperate. Please tell me.’
‘How the fuck should I know? He folded his Herculean arms. ‘Why don’t you ask the person who saw your daughter?’
‘The person who saw her isn’t answering my calls. Her whereabouts are a mystery.’
‘You must be bloody desperate. You’re lucky we haven’t beaten you up and left you in a field for Butcher to finish you off. I admire your guts. My outfit could find a use for you. What do you do for a living?’
‘I’m a history teacher.’
‘Good for you,’ he said in a condescending tone. ‘You could have ended up being history yourself … What makes you think cannabis is available in the street your daughter was seen?’
‘It would take too long to explain and I don’t have the time.’
‘We have all the time in the world.’
‘Look, I’m trying to find a certain person who needs my help.’
‘You could be lying. You might not have a daughter.’
Jay slid a photo out of his jeans pocket. ‘This is her. I questioned residents in Albion Street. Nobody recognised her.’
Square Chin squinted at the photo, licked his lips. ‘She looks a bit like you. Not as ugly.’ He turned around. ‘Recognise her?’ The two accomplices stepped forward, gave the photo a cursory glance. Staffy Man nodded.
‘Give me the number,’ Jay pleaded. ‘I have money. I’ll pay you. And who is Pritchard?’
‘Douglas Pritchard’s a scumbag. You might meet him one day. Watch your back, though.’
The three dealers got into the car. Disappointment and relief swept over Jay. At least he was in one piece. No broken bones. Bollocks intact.
The BMW reversed, stopped next to him. Square Chin activated the window, looked up at him. ‘Number Two,’ he said, pointing a warning finger. ‘Listen up, Daniel Craig – don’t make me come looking for you.’
Chapter Twenty-One
Erica was kneeling in a corner of the kitchen, paint brush in hand. Edward drifted into the room dressed in readiness for the morning’s service in black suit and shirt, clerical collar. He sat down to his tea and cold toast.
‘Erica, why are you painting at this time of morning?’
‘I have to finish this job. This cupboard looks drab and I can’t stand the sight of it. Manky thing. Anyhow, the jobs are usually left for me to do, aren’t they? If we waited for the odd-job man to turn up we’d be waiting till doomsday. He’s lazy and unreliable, so he is.’
‘Oh, he’s not such a bad chap.’
‘I’m not saying he’s bad. You can’t trust him to finish anything.’
‘Come and sit with me. Drink your coffee.’
Erica groaned her way to the table, lit a cigarette. Edward rolled his eyes.
‘You’ve had a shave this morning, haven’t you?’
‘A mere skimming. I detected a few minute hairs.’
‘You’ve cut yourself.’
‘Dearie me. Does it look bad?’
‘A small cut. Nothing to bother over. Dab it with a tissue and nobody will know it’s there.’
She blew smoke rings, watched him peck at his toast.
‘It’s half past seven,’ he said. ‘Miss Robins is asleep now. I looked in on her. I suspect she’s been awake all night so she will need to rest. She crept into my study last night. You were asleep in the lounge … The girl has no sense of propriety.’
‘In what way?’
‘She was wearing one of your flimsy nightdresses. I could see …’
Erica drummed her knuckles on the table. ‘Spit it out, Edward. We haven’t got all day.’
‘I was able to see her … nipples. I was flushed with embarrassment.’
‘Why does it bother you? You’ve seen me naked.’
‘Indeed, I have. You should always cover your naughty bits when you come out of the bathroom.’
‘Cover your naughty bits,’ she repeated mockingly. ‘For goodness’ sake, Edward, we’re living in the twenty-first century, not the bloody Victorian era.’
‘There’s no need for bad language.’
Erica gave a breath of irritation. ‘Well, at least she’s opening up to you. What did she say?’
‘Her mother passed away and she’s been sacked from her job. I would say she’s depressed. She rambled on about this and that. I’m sure her mind is unbalanced. Some terrible incident has occurred in her life. She can’t bring herself to discuss it. Too distressing, you see.’
‘Goodness me. You’re a psychologist and a vicar.’
He rose to his feet. ‘I don’t appreciate sarcasm. Perhaps you can talk to her. You may be able to solve the mystery of this poor girl’s distress. She is frightened. There is darkness in her soul. I will pray for her. I can’t do anything else but pray.’ He finished his meagre breakfast, stood and leaned against the table. ‘My initial concern over the presence of the young lady in this house has subsided. I have sympathy for her. She strikes me as being a delicate creature, lonely and vulnerable. However, this house is not an orphanage. I cannot allow her to stay longer than is necessary. If you had your way, she’d end up living here … I am well acquainted with your nature and I’ve been patient with you. I have forgiven you. Don’t let me down, Erica. Do you understand?’
Erica was facing him, shoulders pulled back in defiance. ‘I will not allow Kim to leave until she is feeling better. As you say, she is vulnerable and I don’t want her to suffer further distress. I’m not taking orders from you.’
She hoped he would back down as he had done in the past. The obvious anger burning inside him perforated her hostile composure.
‘Be warned,’ he said, pointing a finger. ‘I am human after all. Forgiveness has its limits.’
He marched out of the room. Erica returned to her painting job.
‘You old fool,’ she muttered, convinced he couldn’t survive without her. After all, she was the cook, cleaner, clerk, general dogsbody. She had no intention of taking orders from him.
An hour later, she put the paint brush in white spirit and scrubbed her hands. She turned around and was surprised to see Kim seated at the table, looking refreshed and attractive. She had made an effort to look presentable. Her glossy hair was combed to perfection. Mauve lipstick and mascara-brushed eyelashes enhanced her plain features.
Erica dried her hands, reached around to untie her apron. ‘You look pretty,’ she said smiling. ‘The vicar tells me you have been awake most of the night.’
‘I managed a couple of hours’ sleep. I tossed and turned most of the time and my neck is aching. I must have slept at some point and in an awkward position.’
‘I’m sure we have some pain killers somewhere.’
Erica found the tablets and made a simple breakfast. When Kim finished eating she complained about the smell of paint.
‘Take your tablets and we’ll sit in the garden, breathe in some fresh air.’
‘I can’t go outside. Someone might see me.’
‘You are safe with me, Kim. You came to us for help, remember? And help is at hand, so don’t fret.’
‘You won’t deceive me, will you?’
‘Whatever do you mean? Don’t be daft. Come with me to the lounge.’
Kim managed a smile and was relieved to escape the overpowering smell.
Erica sat erect in the chair. Her smooth, pale skin shone white in the intense sunlight flooding into the room. She remained motionless for a few seconds. It seemed a lot longer to Kim who thought she had gone into a trance. ‘Erica, you’re doing it on purpose,’ she said, drawing her knees up to her chest and locking her fingers around them. ‘You’re scaring me. I don’t like it.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You were staring into space.’
‘Forgive me, my dear. Something the vicar said is playing on my mind. He believes I want you to stay here for longer than is necessary.’
‘Is it true?’
‘Only until you are well enough to go home.’
‘Does he not want me here?’
‘Oh, he doesn’t mind you being here. He’s a very busy man and can be demanding at times. I must stand up to him. I can’t allow him to impose his will on me … He’s a clever man in some ways. I often wonder if he can read my mind.’
‘If he can read your mind, he can look inside us and see what we are thinking.’
‘Yes. If he seeks, he will find. You and I are similar in many ways. I sensed it the moment I saw you.’
‘It was meant to be,’ Kim murmured. ‘You have given me hope, Erica, but wherever I go they will be waiting for me.’
‘You are wary and frightened. All your fears are here in this town, so it seems. I have my own fears, Kim. I’m happy to say, fate has brought us together.’
‘You were expecting to see me?’
‘The inhabitants of Eaton Cross can expect to find what they are looking for. I have found a treasure, at last. There is hatred in your heart, and you have fallen into sin. I will not betray you.’
Kim’s mouth fell open. Her growing fondness for Erica was suddenly tarnished with doubt. She wrestled with her thoughts. Had Erica slipped into her psyche and glimpsed her innermost secret?
‘I have to go out, Kim. I shan’t be long. Is there anything you need?’
A wave of unanticipated pleasure swept over her. ‘I would like a bag of sour bonbons. I haven’t had any for ages.’
‘I don’t think they sell them at the corner shop.’
‘You can buy them at the market.’
‘Not on a Sunday.’
***
Jay slammed the car door shut and threw a glance at the row of drab terraced houses. He headed down the street and paused. A scruffy, ginger-haired kid walked up to him. ‘We’ll keep an eye on your car for a fiver,’ he said, and wiped his snotty nose with the back of his hand. ‘Me and my mates over there.’
‘I’ve no money on me. Why should you need to keep an eye on it?’
‘It ain’t safe round here, mister. Stuff gets stolen and damaged.’
‘I’ll take the risk.’
‘You’re the boss.’
The kid joined his mates. They ran up and down the road, shouting and jeering. Jay walked in the direction of the descending house numbers until he came to Number Two. The intercom buttons were cracked and loose, except for one that responded with a crackle when he pressed it. The scruffy kids and his rowdy mates loitered near his car. He was about to order them to move away when a tinny, female voice came through the rusty speaker. ‘What do you want, Mark?’
‘It’s not Mark. I’m trying to find a young woman called Kim Robins.’
‘Who are you?’
‘A friend of hers. I’m not sure if I’m talking to the right person.’
The electric hum of the intercom stopped. He waited a short while, trepidation riding high, and a disquiet brought on by the rowdy kids who took delight in testing his patience. He pressed the buzzer again. The door swung open. A skinny young man scowled at him. His eyes were dark pools of suspicion on a pale, ravaged face. ‘What do you want?’ he said. His mouth stayed open, revealing a set of teeth like the Ten Commandments – all broken.
‘I’m looking for Kim Robins. I believe she’s been here. Heard of her?’
‘Are you a detective or something?’
‘Do I look like a detective?’
‘Whoever you are you’re not coming in. We don’t like strangers coming here so piss off.’
He slammed the door shut. Jay struck it until he got a response.
‘Why do you have to bang so hard?’ the old man from the ground-floor flat said.
Before Jay could reply, Broken Teeth pulled hard on the fellow’s shirt. ‘Go back inside, Bert.’
‘I was only –’
‘Fuckin’ do it – now.’
The old fellow shuffled off to his room. Jay stepped inside the hall. Broken Teeth jumped up and down, spoiling for a fight in his immature way. Jay’s adrenaline rush prepared him for the big punch. He knew he could end the fight before it began.
‘What’s going on, Doug?’ Emma shouted from the stop of the stairs.
‘I’m gonna sort this bloke out. He’s no business being here.’
‘I haven’t come here to cause trouble,’ Jay said. ‘I only want to ask a few questions.’
‘What kind of questions?’ Emma asked.
‘I’m looking for Kim Robins.’
‘She’s not here, mate,’ Broken Teeth yelled. ‘Who are you? Who told you we lived here?’
‘Drug dealers told me. I mentioned Albion Street and someone called, Pritchard.’
A hush descended over the trio. Emma motioned Jay to go up the stairs.
‘I’m going,’ Broken Teeth said. He pushed Jay against the wall. ‘You’d better not be here when I come back or I’ll slit your throat … I’ll be back later.’
‘Charming man,’ Jay said. He climbed the stairs. Emma waved him to go inside the squalid flat. Her little son, Samuel, was playing happily in a corner. She swept toy cars and crayons off a chair for Jay to sit in. They exchanged names. Emma asked if he was from the social.
‘No, and I’ve no connection with the police either. I want to ask you some questions in relation to Kim Robins.’
‘You sound official. If you’re not a copper, I’ve nowt to worry over.’
‘I’m not a copper. I promise you, I’m not here other than to find out where she is. When did you last see her?’
‘A couple of weeks back, in the market. Could have been a bit longer.’
‘How did she seem?’
‘She didn’t say much. I think she’s had enough of living in Eaton.’
‘Did she say why?’
‘I can’t remember. We only talked for a minute. She might have gone to live somewhere else. I could tell she wasn’t happy.’
‘You genuinely care for her, don’t you?’
‘Course I do. Were you going out with her or what?’
‘I was for a while … Tell me – and I want a truthful answer – has Kim been taking drugs?’
‘She was on the weed at one time. As far as I know, she’s kicked the habit.’
‘Has she been here recently, or contacted you?’
‘No. I told you, I saw her in the market a couple of weeks back. What’s happened to her?’
‘I wish I could tell you. I came here because of something she said concerning my daughter, Kayla. Does the name mean anything to you?’
‘Yeah, yeah, Kayla comes to see me once in a while … Who are the drug dealers that gave you this address?’
Jay shrugged. ‘I couldn’t tell you their names. They had a Staffy. Vicious animal. I risked my life following them. Who’s Pritchard?’
Emma smirked. ‘Doug Pritchard, the guy you just met. I know who the dealers are. I’m surprised they gave this address. You’re lucky they didn’t skin you alive.’
‘No doubt … Kayla comes here for drugs, doesn’t she?’
‘I don’t want her to get in trouble, nor me.’
‘She won’t and neither will you, at least not as far as I’m concerned. Does she come here for cannabis?’
Emma nodded.
‘Is it the only substance you deal in?’
‘I shouldn’t have let you in. You’re gonna t
ell on us, aren’t you?’
‘I’m not interested in what you do. Do you deal in any other drugs, anything lethal?’
‘We don’t deal in dangerous stuff.’ Emma became fidgety. ‘You’d better get out of here before there’s trouble.’
Her son ran across the room and threw a broken toy fire engine onto her lap. ‘Yes, Samuel, you’ve broken it. Your dad will go mad at you.’
Jay sensed his time was up. He opened his wallet, put a tenner on the chair arm. ‘Thanks for talking to me. Buy Samuel a new engine … Don’t tell Kayla I’ve been here. It would be appreciated.’
A few minutes later, he stood by his car and ran his finger along a deep scratch. ‘Little bastards,’ he said, with venom.
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘Is it possible she could have run away with Jay?’ Lauren asked.
Stuart pulled a face and lowered the TV volume. ‘Are you serious? He’s a teacher. They don’t run off with young women.’
Lauren chewed a fingernail, then said, ‘It has been known.’
‘You’re supposed to be watching a film. You’ll lose the gist of it if you don’t stop talking.’
‘It’s been over two weeks since I saw Kim. She wasn’t in good health.’
‘So you keep saying. She could be with her family and friends, or Jay.’
‘Do you mean, staying at his home?’
‘Where else? She doesn’t have to tell you everything. They could be hard at it even as we speak. I wouldn’t be surprised.’
‘Surely they wouldn’t be having sex so early in the relationship? And I’m sure she wouldn’t be up to it.’
‘Don’t be naive. You haven’t forgotten the incident in the garden, have you? She strikes me as being the type of woman who – after being with a bloke for an hour – would be willing to drop her slacks, open her legs and say, “Welcome aboard.”’
She grinned. ‘You can be crude when you want to.’
Stuart smirked and increased the volume. Lauren lost interest in the film.
‘Remember me telling you about the digging in her back garden?’ she said.
Stuart switched the TV off, folded his arms and gave her a hard stare. ‘I give up. Forget the film. I’m all ears.’
All Your Fears Page 15