‘All in good time. Here’s a quid. Go and put it in Ashlyn’s pot. Show your appreciation for old Nettie’s musical talent.’
‘She doesn’t like me. I can’t go near her or the dog will attack me.’
‘The dog is friendly and Old Nettie can’t see you.’
Kim walked gingerly up to the filthy dog, dropped the coin into the pot and jumped back. ‘You bastard. It’s full of bees. You tricked me, didn’t you?’
Jay rolled his eyes and laughed aloud.
Kim ran into a gathering of curious onlookers. They prodded her, jeered and swore. Erica was amongst them. She led Kim away to safety. ‘Come along you silly girl. I’ll take you to the café.’
‘Where were you?’ she asked, linking arms for support. ‘You abandoned me when I needed you the most.’
‘Take it easy and stop fretting … My goodness, you are soaking with sweat, so you are. Never mind. Look, I’ve bought you some sour bonbons from the new stall. Sweets for my sweet.’
‘Who sold them to you? The candyman?’
‘We’re at the café now. Sit in the warm sun. I’ll buy you cake and coffee. Oh, don’t ask me about the candyman. You will see him soon enough.’
Kim fell into a chair. Erica gave her a stern look of simmering anger. ‘Look at the poster over there. See what danger you’ve put yourself in. I shan’t be long. Stay here while I purchase some soothing refreshment.’
Kim stood up, staggered to the café entrance and fell. ‘Steady miss,’ an athletic young man said, helping her up. ‘We don’t want you to hurt yourself. We want you in one piece.’ He stood aside, pointed at the poster. The image was blurred. Kim blinked a few times and wiped grease off the window. She absorbed Kerry Halpin’s tousled black hair, blue eyes, oval face. For a moment, she saw her own auburn hair, brown eyes and freckles cowering beneath red blotches.
A thick, acidic liquid entered her throat. She smothered an impulse to turn and run.
But run where?
Now the whole town knew.
The caption on the poster read: KIM ROBINS – WANTED FOR MURDER.
Chapter Twenty-Five
‘Sir, I’m struggling with the second question,’ a student said for the second time.
Jay was pacing up and down at the front of his class, head bowed, hands in pockets.
‘Sorry, Graham. I was miles away. Which question are you stuck on?’
‘How did the Cold War affect the economic situation in the Soviet Union?’
Jay’s vacant expression caught the attention of the students. An embarrassing silence was broken by whispers and a loud cough.
‘Well now … the Cold War …’ His phone vibrated. ‘Carry on with your work everyone. I’ll be with you in a moment, Graham.’
He sat at his desk eager to see if Kim had made contact. Stuart’s name appeared. He’d sent a text asking Jay to pop round and see him. Kim had rung Lauren.
At least she was alive. He wondered what condition she was in. His concern smouldered for the remainder of his working day. When home time arrived, he made a swift exit and drove to Redburn Close.
***
‘Come in Jay and sit yourself down,’ Stuart said. ‘You’re welcome to stay for tea. Lauren should be home soon.’
‘No, thanks. I might grab a bite to eat later. My appetite isn’t what it should be.’
‘I understand … Have you had any thoughts concerning Kim’s behaviour?’
‘Not so much her behaviour. The difficulty lies in coming up with a reason why someone should want to make her suffer.’
‘Could be retribution,’ Stuart suggested.
‘I suppose so. The blonde in the sunglasses is an intriguing character. Remember the photo I told you about?’
‘A character in a film who is now a figment of Kim’s imagination.’
‘You could be right. However, the woman in the photo is real enough and could have been in disguise.’
‘To look like the blonde in Dressed to Kill?’
‘Why not? And if that’s the case, she is well acquainted with Kim or knows somebody who is or has been close to her.’
‘It sounds too obvious. I mean, wearing a disguise to scare her. And as far as we are aware Kim only saw the woman once.’
‘Kim also told me that a man was spying on her from over the garden fence. She had the impression she was being followed during one of her walks near the castle ruins. It wouldn’t be difficult to physically scare a person. Question is, how do you mess about with a person’s mind? How do you create ghostly visitations?’
‘And create enough fear and anger to make you kill your own pet.’
‘The only reasonable explanation is that she’s been taking drugs and they have distorted her perception of the world.’
‘You mentioned drugs on your previous visit,’ Stuart added. ‘Emma Larkin is selling or giving her illegal drugs. It’s the best clue we’ve got. She’s the one to blame.’
‘If she’s not the one preying on Kim, who else could it be?’
‘She could have met someone at the hotel where she worked. People are always coming and going in such establishments.’
Jay made a defeated gesture with his hands. ‘Friends. Acquaintances. Who is missing from the jigsaw?’
Stuart pondered. ‘The only other person I can think of is a woman who was with her at Merchants where we all met for Lauren’s birthday celebration.’
‘Now you mention it. Her name is, Gill. I have the impression Kim is very fond of her.’
‘And she’s been at Kim’s house. She’s the unknown factor.’
‘How long has she been visiting Kim?’
‘I’ve seen her several times over the past few months. They could have been friends for ages for all we know.’
‘True. I’d like to have a quick look inside her house, with your permission, of course.’
‘No problem. I don’t think you’ll find anything of interest in there.’
Stuart gave him the key and went into the kitchen to keep an eye on the cooking.
Lauren arrived ten minutes later, took off her coat and crashed onto the sofa. ‘Stuart, somebody’s at the door. What are you doing?’
‘Seeing to our evening meal,’ he said, gliding across the room to let Jay in.
‘You’re right,’ Jay said, handing the key back, ‘I didn’t find anything of interest … Hello, Lauren. Good to see you again. Stuart texted to say Kim had phoned you.’
‘I was on my break when she rang. We didn’t speak for very long. She was incoherent for a while and told me she was at the market yesterday. She didn’t give any details except to say she was being followed by us three and her friend, Gill. She started mumbling, and I’m sure I heard the word, “forgiveness.” She’s obviously suffering from mental strain. I tried to make her listen, to understand we want to help her. She was having none of it.’
‘Where is she?’
‘She didn’t say. I offered to take her home and she said, “Edward is protecting me from the evil one. He prays for me.” During our conversation, if you can call it one, I could hear a church bell ringing in the background.’
‘She’s staying at a house near a church,’ Stuart said. ‘A clue for you to work on, Jay.’
‘Possibly. Trouble is, she could have been speaking from anywhere in the country.’
‘Have you tried calling her?’ Lauren asked.
‘Dozens of times. No luck, I’m afraid … I’ll say goodbye and leave you to enjoy your evening meal.’
‘Good luck. Take care.’
‘I will, Stuart. I’ll have a look at the diary again, see if we have missed a clue.’
Back home, Jay ruminated on Kim’s bizarre behaviour and what she said to Lauren. The sound of a church bell and a man called ‘Edward’ who prays for Kim suggested a religious connection. Could the answer be found by merely Googling, ‘Churches in Eaton Cross’? He fired the computer, typed the question. There were three churches in Eaton Cross. The only ‘Edward’ w
as Reverend Edward Sloane, the vicar at the Church of St Mary Magdalene.
‘There we go … and a number to ring as well. Thank you very much.’
Before he had a chance to make the call his mobile rang. Kayla’s name came up. ‘What is it this time? Let me guess …’
‘You don’t sound pleased to hear from your little girl.’
‘I’m busy.’
‘You can spare me a minute, dad. I need some help.’
‘You want money from me. What a damn cheek, Kayla.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘When I last rang you one of your dumb mates told me to fuck off.’
‘Look, dad, I can’t remember what I was doing. We were drinking, enjoying ourselves.’
‘I can believe it. You and your crackhead mates were pissed. I’m your father and I want you to lead a meaningful life instead of throwing it away.’
‘I’m looking for work.’
‘I thought you were starting a new job?’
‘It didn’t work out.’
‘Don’t come running to me for money. I’m not giving in to you!’
‘You don’t need to shout at me, dad. Everything’s going well for you. Nice steady job. Good pay. Great holidays. You’ve no idea how hard it is to find a decent job. Most of them are dull and the money is crap.’
‘I studied hard to become a teacher. I put in long hours and I begrudge giving you money. You only come to see me when you want something.’
‘You think I’m worthless. And you push me aside and let some weird woman come and stay with you. How do you manage to cope with her?’
‘I haven’t seen her for over a week. Last time I spoke to her she told me you were seen on Albion Street.’
‘Who saw me?’
‘Never mind. I’ve made a few enquiries of my own. I know who you’ve been visiting and why. It’s been going on for some time.’
After a long silence, Kayla said, ‘Prove it. Who do I see there?’
‘I’m not going into any detail. A particular house is being watched,’ he lied.
‘I don’t like the sound of this.’
‘Consider what you are doing. It’s your life.’ He ended the call, took a deep breath to calm his irritation, and called the vicar.
‘Hello. Reverend Sloane speaking.’ His voice struggled to cut through the sound of organ music and chatter.
‘Sorry to bother you. My name is Jay Yeldon. I’m trying to locate a young woman by the name of Kim Robins.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad you have phoned me. Are you a relative?’
‘I’m a close friend.’
‘I was beginning to wonder if she has any friends at all.’
‘She told an acquaintance of mine that a man named “Edward” is praying for her. How is she?’
‘Well now, Mr Yeldon, you have the right “Edward.” She came to me for help of a spiritual kind. In my opinion she is mentally disturbed. I will continue to pray for her, as is my duty. I suspect her unusual behaviour is due to an underlying malady. My housekeeper is looking after her. I have to say, in all honesty, I don’t think the vicarage is the best place for her to be.’
‘Where is the vicarage, exactly?’
‘At the top of Carville Road, next to the church. It’s a detached building with a front garden and arched doorway. Might I ask what you do for a living?’
‘I’m a school teacher.’
‘An educated man. Very good. So, you are eager to see this young lady, perhaps take her off our hands and see she is properly cared for?’
‘With your permission – yes.’
‘You have my permission, Mr Yeldon. When do you intend to visit the vicarage?’
‘Right away, if possible.’
‘I don’t see why not. Speak to my housekeeper, Erica Valentine.’
Jay gave him his telephone numbers and thanked him.
***
Erica opened the door, gave him the once-over, taking in the unshaven pale face, suit and tie.
She wiped a tear from her cheek and blew her nose.
‘Miss Erica Valentine?’ Jay asked, intrigued by her bloodshot eyes. She pulled her shoulders back, said nothing. ‘My name is, Jay Yeldon. I recently spoke to the vicar, Edward Sloane. You have a young woman staying here by the name of Kim Robins. He gave me permission to come here and speak to her. I’m a friend.’
His presence disconcerted her. She wondered if Edward had revealed her guarded agenda to him. ‘Did he send you here?’
‘I wasn’t sent. If you don’t believe me, ring him.’
She shook her head.
‘I’m sorry if this is inconvenient. It’s important I speak to her.’
She walked into the hallway. Jay followed her inside and was struck by the interior elegance. He caught a whiff of furniture polish. A recording of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 caressed the ambience of the place.
‘Have you known each other for a long time?’ she asked, eyeing him with mistrust.
‘A couple of months. She’s not well and I’m worried for her safety.’
‘Only a few months and you are worried for her safety. How can that be?’
‘I’m not here to answer questions. My thinking tells me you’ve only been recently acquainted with each other. What right do you have to keep her here?’
She looked to the floor, raised her head slowly. ‘Kim came here of her own accord. I am seeing to her well-being.’
‘Are you medically trained?’
‘I am not. The fact of –’
‘Where is she?’
‘Upstairs in her room. Are you here in an official capacity?’
‘I’ve already told you, I’m a friend.’
‘You can’t see her. She’s resting. I assure you she’s in capable hands and is making a recovery.’
‘Hang on a second. If you refuse, I will come back. Kim Robins shouldn’t be here and the vicar said she needs medical attention.’
Her eyes narrowed. ‘I wouldn’t take any notice of what he says. He’s ignorant and has no knowledge of any kind of illness.’
‘I doubt he’s ignorant, Miss Valentine.’ He closed the gap between them, invaded her personal space. ‘Give me a few minutes with her and I’ll leave you.’
The muscles in her face tightened. ‘Very well. You can see Kim for a few minutes and no longer.’
She led the way upstairs, tapped lightly on the door. ‘Kim, a man wishes to speak to you. He says he’s a friend of yours.’ She entered the room, stood by the bed and waved Jay to come in.
Kim was in bed, propped up by a pillow. Sandwich wrappers and empty plastic bottles were scattered over the floor. The room was in darkness. Jay stood at the foot of the bed. Kim gave him a vacant stare. Panic and fear billowed inside her chest. She clutched the bedsheets, pulled them up to her chin. ‘Stay away,’ she cried. ‘I don’t want to see you … Erica, please take him away from here.’
She sobbed uncontrollably. Erica nodded towards the door. They stood facing each on the landing. ‘You frighten her, Mr Yeldon,’ she said, an accusing look on her face. ‘I wonder why?’
‘She shouldn’t be here,’ he said, voice raised. ‘Can’t you see she’s ill and needs treatment?’
‘Keep your voice down, please. You’ve seen her and you can go.’
‘I didn’t expect her to react so violently towards me.’
‘Neither did I.’
She showed him to the door.
‘Look here, Miss Valentine, I can’t go into any detail. Kim is under the influence of a dangerous drug. It has affected her mind and she’s in danger. You can’t let this go on.’
‘Nonsense. The girl’s depressed and lonely. Love and kindness is all she needs. I ought to tell you, she’s taking medication for her depression.’
Jay’s attention switched from Erica to a lone woman on the other side of the road. ‘Do you know that woman across the road?’ he asked, turning his back to her to avoid being seen.
Erica glimpsed h
er as she entered a house. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Have you seen her and Kim together?’
‘I’ve seen Kim go inside the house with her.’
‘When did you first notice them in each other’s company?’
‘Why all these questions?’
‘Please, try to remember.’
‘Let me think … A month ago. Perhaps longer. I’m not sure. People come and go.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Those houses have been converted into flats. Well, most of them. Anything else? I haven’t time to stand yapping all day.’
‘Who’s the landlord?’
‘I don’t know his name. He goes there on a Saturday evening at seven o’ clock. He collects the rent, so I believe. Ask him yourself.’
She slammed the door.
Jay pulled his collar up, kept his head down and rushed to his car.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jay scanned the classroom. His students were absorbed in their work. He dredged his memory, examined all the fragments in Kim’s life over the previous two months. Had he misjudged Emma Larkin? Had her drug addiction been a temptation Kim couldn’t resist? And now Erica Valentine and Gillian Ward loomed large as unknown factors in the skein of mystifying events. Was it a coincidence they lived so close to each other?
Dinner break arrived. He sat at his desk, warm coffee within reach, and a half-eaten sandwich destined for the bin. He browsed the text messages, began deleting the redundant ones. One message from Kim grabbed his attention: ‘Hi Jay. Smarty is back with me. Gill was walking near the play area in the castle grounds. Karen, who works at Markham’s, was with her at the time. She spotted Smarty roaming around on his own. He’s been bitten by another dog but he’s okay. I’m relieved and happy to have him by me once again xxx.’
***
Jay slammed the car door shut and walked over to Tesco Express. He joined the queue, bought a packet of cigars and enquired if Karen worked at the store. The girl behind the counter nodded the direction. Jay walked down one aisle and turned into another. Karen was loading the shelves. Jay called her name. Her expression revealed he had the right person. ‘Sorry to interrupt your work,’ he said. ‘Can you spare me a minute?’
All Your Fears Page 18