‘What do you want?’
‘I rang Markham’s and a lady told me you had left the café and come to work here. I’m looking for a woman called, Gill. I think she works at Markham’s.’
‘That’s right. I was quite friendly with her. Why don’t you go to the café and speak to her?’
‘I can’t say. Will you be seeing her again?’
‘I doubt it. Not unless she comes in here to buy something.’
‘Do you know anything about her?’
‘Like what?’
‘Her interests, friends, what she does in her spare time …’
‘Do you fancy her?’
‘No, no …’ Jay shook his head, gave a bashful smile. ‘I caught a glimpse of her. She reminds me of a person I once knew.’
‘Gill’s a nice person. Good worker. I can’t tell you much else. She’s a relatively new starter, hasn’t been living in Eaton for very long.’
‘Where did she live before?’
‘She did mention it … Gren … Grenthorpe. I think that’s the name.’
‘Thanks for your help. Much appreciated. Bye.’
He made a swift exit. Once inside the car, he called Stuart, gave him the rundown on what little he had learned.
‘Which means Gillian was living in Eaton Cross in March or April?’ Stuart said.
‘Correct. We can rule Gillian in, so to speak, as a suspect.’
‘What’s your next move?’
‘I’m working on it. What are you up to?’
‘I’m waiting for Lauren to put her makeup on. We’re going into town for drinks and a meal.’
‘Enjoy. See you soon.’
Jay drove home, settled down with a can and cigar. He gave a restful sigh, happy with the arrival of the half term holiday. He swallowed a mouthful of the refreshing nectar and answered a call from Stuart.
‘Hello again, Jay. Lauren gave me a look of surprise when I told her Gillian is from Grenthorpe.’
‘Why the surprise?’
‘Kim is also from Grenthorpe.’
‘Interesting. Thanks for letting me know.’
Jay pondered what connection there could be, if any, between Kim and Gill. A loud knock shattered his thoughts. He opened the door. His bleary-eyed daughter lumbered past him, raindrops dripping from her soaked clothes. She stood next to the writing desk, her pale face glowing in the dim lamp light. Mascara trailed down her cheeks.
‘You received my message?’ Jay said.
‘Obviously. Why else would I be here? You’ve gone soft on me. I didn’t’ think you would after being sworn at by one of my friends.’
‘Go upstairs and dry yourself. There’s some clothes in the bottom drawer of the spare bedroom. There’s a hair dryer in the cabinet next to my bed.’
‘Right. Put the fire on, will you? I’m freezing.’
‘Will do. It is a bit cold. Sort yourself out and I’ll make you a hot drink. I want to have a talk with you.’
Jay switched the fire on. Five minutes later, she walked into the room and grinned. ‘Clever dad. These clothes are too tight. I’m a big girl now.’
‘Sorry. I never thought to replace them. No need.’
‘So, where is your fancy piece?’
He detected mockery in her eyes. ‘I don’t appreciate impertinence, Kayla.’
‘Yeah, right. You said you had some money for me.’
‘I will give you some money when the time is right.’
‘You lied to me. You’ve had me traipsing all this way in the rain for nothing.’
‘You would have come here sooner or later. One of your nicer friends – Nancy – rang me. I was surprised to hear from her. Apparently, the girl you’ve been sharing digs with is going to be evicted and she’s been caught thieving in one of the town centre shops. Most of the group you associate with have done a runner. It’s not difficult to work out why.’
‘I haven’t stolen anything, dad. Honest.’
‘You’d better be telling me the truth … I’m asking you to live here until you find your feet. It would make me happy if you settled down and looked for a decent job.’
She gave him a cold, hard stare. ‘I can make it on my own. I’ve managed to survive up till now. I don’t often ask for money.’
‘True enough. Anyway, you’d be happier living with me. I would even consider paying for you to take a course on a subject of your choice. I could assist you with your studies.’
‘No chance. I don’t want to study, and I’m not going to live by your rules, so forget it.’
‘Sit down.’ He waited to see if she had anything else to add. Her face remained cold and stern. ‘Look at yourself, Kayla. You’re in a pitiful state.’
‘I’m a bad girl. So what? The town’s full of crackheads and scum. I’m part of it.’
‘Isn’t it unfortunate how a town as beautiful as this is deteriorating round the edges? Drugs are a widespread problem, a vile culture spreading from city to town. Unfortunately, we have it here.’
‘It’s happening all over the world … Who was it saw me on Albion Street?’
‘The suspense is killing you, isn’t it? All in good time. Albion Street is under surveillance. Stay away from there, Kayla. You’ve been cautioned by the police twice. If you are stopped and searched again …’
‘I get the drift, but I’ve no money.’
‘I refuse to fund your drug habit.’
‘Did Nancy really call you?’
‘She did. There’s no safe place for you to go – except here.’
Her features softened. ‘I’ve been a little bitch. Some of my friends don’t even know their parents and the ones that do never get any help from them. I do care for you.’
‘I’m sure you do, deep down. I’m throwing you a life jacket. Come back to me before you land yourself in trouble.’
He waited for the silence to drag a response from her. ‘Okay. I’ll stay here for a bit. I suppose you want me to clean and make the meals. Well, for starters, I ain’t much of a cook.’
‘I can sort the meals out … Kayla, I have an important job for you.’
‘Spit it out, then.’
‘I want you to enquire about a flat on Carville road.’
‘A flat for me?’
‘No. I’ll order a couple of pizzas and garlic bread and after we’ve eaten I’ll tell you the full story.’
***
Kayla thrust her hands deep into her pockets. Thick, black clouds sailed across the sky, threatening another downpour. She cursed inwardly, wishing she had refused Jay’s request, whilst at the same time acknowledging she was the only person suitable for the task. She waited for another ten minutes. Seemed like an hour. A man came out of a house and dashed across Carville Road. A car beeped. Sidelights flashed.
‘Excuse me,’ Kayla called out, running towards him.
‘What do you want?’ he said. He was mid-fifties. Bald. Fat belly pushing against shirt buttons.
‘I’m looking for a flat round here.’
‘I’ve got vacant flats on the other side of town. Are you in work?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Where do you live?’
‘I’m living with my dad. He’s not far from here. I need to be close to him, see, but I want my own space.’
‘I haven’t any available flats in this area.’
‘What about the house you came out of?’
‘Sorry. Occupied.’ He got into the car, started the engine, activated the window. ‘Hang on a sec. The ground floor flat will be available next week.’
‘What day are they leaving?’
‘The tenant is leaving next Friday. The rooms won’t be ready straight away.’
‘Okay. Is a family vacating the flat?’
‘A woman. There’s a bloke in the upstairs flat. He’s lived there for years. Harmless bloke. He wouldn’t cause you any problems.’
‘I’ll give it some thought. Thanks for your time, mister.’
He drove off. Kayla rang Jay,
told him a woman was vacating the flat on the following Friday. He sank back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head. He pondered the new development.
Was Gillian preparing to put another plan into action?
***
Edward Sloane switched the bedside lamp on, pulled the thin blanket over her clammy chest. Kim shook her head in spasmodic bursts. She spoke words tainted with anguish, words and sentences separated by cries of despair. He leaned forward, held her limp hand, careful not to wake her. ‘What happened, Kim?’ he said soothingly, hoping to connect with her. ‘What are you trying to say?’ He gently squeezed her hand. ‘It’s me, Edward. Please speak to me. I am listening. I want to understand what is troubling you.’
‘He is there,’ she said, her voice soft and breathy. ‘She is trapped. Can’t escape …’
‘Where are you?’
‘In the cottage, all damp and falling apart. There’s bricks and stones everywhere …’
‘Who else is there?’
‘I have found her at last. He has returned. I can hear his footsteps … She isn’t moving … She’s gone, wiped out … I should have been there … I am responsible, guilty as charged … They are searching for me …’
‘Tell me, who are “they”?’
‘Police. Tell them to leave me alone. They will come here to take me away. They want my blood. They won’t give up searching until I’m caught … They’re blaming me … Please do something to stop them.’
‘What are they blaming you for, Kim? I will protect you, but you must tell me.’
‘I shouldn’t have been there … The devil is inside me …’
She turned on her side and spoke a line from, ‘Faces in a Mirror.’
Edward went to his study and came back clutching the Bible. He knelt beside her, bowed his head. ‘St Michael, Archangel, Glorious Prince,’ he began, ‘protect the body and soul of Kim Robins from the Evil One, his followers and anyone who would approach her with malicious intent. God in Heaven, may you fill the lonely places in the heart of this dear child with your guidance and love. Thank you, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘Did you sleep down here all night?’ Jay asked.
Kayla wriggled into a sitting position. ‘I couldn’t sleep properly. The bed’s all loose and creaks. Will you buy me a new one, dad?’
‘Of course, I will. No problem … Don’t talk bloody stupid.’
Jay breezed into the kitchen, took Kayla’s clothing out of the washing machine, went back to his writing desk and rummaged for a photo.
‘I don’t feel like doing much today,’ Kayla said. ‘I suppose you’ll be chasing round town following up clues.’
‘I wish there were clues to follow up. I wonder if the blonde in this photo is in disguise? What do you think?’
She gave it a quick glance. ‘I don’t know. Could be anybody. I know what you’re thinking – it could be Gill.’
‘The thought had occurred to me.’
Kayla lifted a diary off the table next to her. ‘This yours?’
‘It’s one of Kim’s diaries. That one had slipped down the side of her sofa, otherwise it would have been ripped up and buried.’
‘Wish I could write as neatly.’
‘The writing is illegible in some parts.’
‘I don’t know why you’re so interested in her. For starters, she’s scared of you and it sounds like she’s easy meat for any bloke who fancies a bit. Somebody’s making her life a misery because she’s a bad girl.’ She read a couple of entries, looked at the inside of the back cover. ‘Look, she’s written down some names and numbers.’
Six phone numbers written in pencil. Three of the numbers had names beside them. Jay recalled the night at Merchants and the call Kim mistook as coming from her mother. He sat at his desk. Slowly, the word association he had selected to memorise the number came back to him. He transposed the phonetic sounds into numbers, checked it against those in the diary and came up with a match. He described what had happened on the night in question.
‘Why is the number so important?’ Kayla asked.
‘The name “Jenny” is written next to it. I tried ringing it once. The recipient cut me off.’
‘A woman?’
‘Yes. It could have been Jenny, whoever she is. I think I’ll give it another go.’
‘Let me try. I’ve a better chance of keeping her on the phone if she answers. A man’s voice might put her off.’
‘Good thinking. You need to be careful. Saying the wrong thing might annoy her or arouse suspicion. It’s a delicate situation. Give me a moment to think.’
Kayla reached for her tin of tobacco and made a thin roll-up. Jay scribbled sentences, scored some out, added more. He anticipated what questions Jenny might ask, if she answered the call and if she was the person who rang Kim.
He waved cigarette smoke away from his face. ‘Stub it out and read this until you are sure you know what to say.’
She pulled a face and read the notes three times. ‘Give me the phone. Read the number to me.’
‘What, now?’
‘Yeah, before I forget what to say.’
She made two calls that weren’t answered, waited twenty minutes, read the notes again, and made a third call. ‘At last,’ she mouthed. ‘Hello. Is it Jenny I’m speaking to?’
‘Yes. Who am I talking to?’ Her voice was soft, friendly.
‘My name’s, Kayla Yeldon. I’m Kim Robins’ friend.’
‘Kim Robins … I haven’t seen her in ages.’
‘Is she a close friend?’
‘Yeah. We were inseparable at one time. Is she all right?’
‘She’s not well at all. I thought she was going to die. She’s gone weird, crazy.’
‘I’m sorry to hear it. In what way has she gone crazy?’
‘She thinks people follow her and spy on her. She was nearly run over a couple of months back. Someone drove a car at her. It was deliberate. I think she’s being poisoned as well.’
‘Was she hurt?’
‘Scrapes and bruises. Nothing serious. I’ve a feeling she’s had a bad experience in her past life. I want to help her but don’t know what’s gone wrong.’
A long silence was broken by a baby crying in the background, then Jenny’s quavering voice. ‘Oh, no … I think I know what’s going on. Something terrible happened. You wouldn’t be comfortable with the truth.’
‘You’ve got to tell me. She’s only half a human being. I’m very worried.’
‘Did Kim ask you to ring me?’
‘No. I found your number in the back of her diary.’
‘All right, I’ll tell you what happened, but not over the phone. I’ll speak to you and nobody else.’
‘Thank you so much.’ She motioned to Jay for pen and paper, wrote down some details.
‘Got it. Thanks again. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.’
‘Well done, Kayla. What did she say?’
‘Later. I need a smoke.’
He shrunk back, exasperation dampening his optimism. ‘A spliff. You’re impossible. Go on, do what you must.’
‘You’re wrong. I’m going to smoke this stump … Her name is Jenny Powell by the way. She lives in Stonewick. Have you got a satnav?’
***
Eaton Cross to Stonewick. One hundred and thirty miles according to the satnav. The journey took two hours and thirty minutes to complete. They’d set off in the early afternoon. Kayla said nothing, except to moan over the price of drinks and food at a motorway service station.
Stonewick was borderline between village and town. Jay drove across sprawling housing estates with hardly any sign of life. Kayla badgered him to look for a shop where she could buy cigarettes or rolling tobacco. The search was fruitless, much to the frustration of Kayla whose relaxed mood was at odds with Jay’s growing apprehension.
The new houses along Ketteridge Road were the result of a regeneration project. Neatly trimmed lawns with flowery
borders were punctuated by smooth driveways. The houses were identical in appearance, each one with its own playful colour.
‘This is it – the moment of truth. You worried, dad?’
‘I’m dreading the outcome.’
‘I’ll see you later. If she’s not in, we’ll look for a pub – if they have pubs here.’
Jay watched her amble to house Number Eight. Her knock was answered by an overweight, round-faced woman with short, mousy hair and a body the same shape from top to bottom.
‘I’m Kayla Yeldon. I spoke to you yesterday.’
‘Come in.’
She stepped inside, glanced around the room. The flimsy furniture was gleaming and white-painted. Two wall recesses held photos, some black-and-white and faded with age. A baby was happily playing with an activity centre, oblivious to Kayla’s arrival.
‘Have you had far to travel?’ Jenny asked.
‘Over a hundred miles.’
‘Sit down, will you? I haven’t been able to stop thinking about things since you rang me. You’re not going to like what I’ve got to say, but it’s only fair you should know. From what you told me, it sounds as if someone wants to hurt Kim. Do you know where she is?’
‘No idea.’
‘I tried ringing her yesterday and got no answer.’
‘I won’t give up until I find her. Tell me what you can remember. Go back as far as you can.’
‘I’ll certainly try … Two thousand and thirteen – a year I’ll never forget. It’s still clear as ever. No amount of time can take away the shock and the doubt.’
Kayla prepared to remember as much as possible. It would have been better if Jay was there to hear her story. The idea flashed up and she dismissed it instantly. A one-to-one chat was the only option available.
‘How long had you known Kim?’
‘We were at school together, left at the same time. We even worked at the same factory, a food packaging company. We did lousy at school, couldn’t concentrate in lessons, always pissing off the teachers. We couldn’t have cared less. We ended up in detention more times than all the other kids put together. The teachers had to split us up. It was all my fault. Kim was shy and withdrawn. I was a bad influence on her and made her do bad stuff.
All Your Fears Page 19