The Poisonous Biscuit

by Paul Edwards

  Chapter Eleven

  Helen was now back at home with her husband and daughter, after another journey, which involved stopping at the supermarket for the toilet, because of drinking all that coffee and then tea. Nevertheless, they would no doubt do it again if ever there was an opportunity. Being back at home, they all crashed on the couch, not even thinking about what they would have for tea after having been filled to the brim with all that cake and scones.

  Helen thought back to what was said before and then opened her mouth.

  "Sally, earlier on do you remember what you said? You had me worried for a second, I thought you was going to say something out loud you couldn't take back."

  "What do you mean Mum, when?"

  "You said to Hannah 'No, I'm sorry' and that got me worried you was about to say something or imply something. What must have been going through her mind?"

  "You just can't stop thinking that I'm the murderer of three people, can you? My own mother, and you think I'm a killer, and a child killer of my own family, to make matters worse, and a serial killer all in one!"

  "No, it's just that, it's just...you've done a number of things, like last night for example?"

  "I don't know what you’re talking about Mum. I'm going to my room; I've got important things that need doing."

  All hell had broken loose again, with suspicions in every corner. On the one hand, they were her siblings, but on the other, her parents knew about all the bad things she had done in school, from biting a girls ear, to drawing on the carpet, cutting down a display board, pulling chairs from under people, nearly braking someone’s arm and putting pencil shavings on someone’s head. These were only the things which they knew about, goodness knows the number of things she really did.

  In their house, things were starting to get a mess. The walls needed plastering and painting, also the ceiling was brown in one corner, because of leaking water due to the bath upstairs which occasionally managed to come through. As well as that, there was many other things, including needing to buy or hire a carpet cleaner due to the state of their carpet. This prompted Helen.

  "We might as well start this decorating soon. We have no kids to look after, and our lives are different now. Sadly, we need to face that fact."

  "Bit soon isn't it dear, you sure you’re not pushing yourself to hard. Why not wait until after the funeral?"

  "What else can I do? Sit here feeling sorry for myself and reminding myself that my kids are gone?"

  He gave her a hug and they watched the T.V. while waiting for Sally to come down, once she'd finished her presumably justified sulking.

  John Adersall replied to Hannah.

  "It's not what I've done, it's what I'm going to do."

  "What do you mean?"

  "You'll see."

  John had opened a massive can of worms, the worms of suspicion in Hannah’s mind. One thing after another was going through. She thought this was possibly a confession, and now he was planning on doing something it turns out. John was unpredictable, always doing things out of the blue. Very compulsive and very flirty, but always trying to get what he wanted at all costs, so it seemed from what he said. He was a sweet man nevertheless, but this was a scary thought. What did he mean?

  "What's for tea?" John said cheekily.

  "Staying for tea are you?"

  "Yeah, why not, seen as your offering."

  Talk about going a step to far, there seemed to be no limits at all. He was staying for tea; she'd just found out in her own house!

  "You'll have to ask my Grandma, she's been cooking." John went and found her, being the charmer that he was, and no doubt would get a positive response. Only Hannah could see through him, or so she thought she could at least. John strolled through the house, into the hallway and into the kitchen, to find the top cook standing there.

  "Hello, I remember you from the party, you’re the lady who’s the youngest looking grandma if I heard right?"

  "Oh, I don't know about that love."

  "I also hear you’re the world’s best cook, is that right? I tried some of that cake before as I was bringing it in, very naughtily, and I must say, I've never tasted cake that good. What's that your making there?"

  "Well thank you, I didn't realise my cake was that good. Well, I think you should stay for tea! It's a large salmon, and with it is roast potatoes and rosemary. Desert? That'll be a surprise."

  John dashed back in with a large grin on his face, much to the disdain of Hannah. Next, he was back on his feet and in the study talking to her Grandad. They were in there for a good while, and Hannah could hear laughter coming from both of them. She pulled faces towards the wall, sticking her tongue out and holding her fist up. What could he possibly be up to? He was like a child in a fully grown man’s body sometimes, something everyone seemed to like about him, apart from her.

  "Dinner is ready."

  They all sat around the table, an exceptionally large table for only four. Nevertheless, it used to be just two people around it sometimes, and soon maybe it could even be one, unless John had something to do with it. The Salmon in the middle of the table was exceedingly long, probably about the size of someone fingertips to their elbows. The potatoes were all around it on the large oval shaped dish, and the vegetables were in a separate large dish, which seemed like a soup tureen. Everything else was set out perfect, the knives and forks were laid out properly, the glasses were all in their proper place and the tablecloth was clean, much to Hannah’s astonishment. Thank goodness for Grandma, who wasn't even used to the posh lifestyle but still knew what she was doing. Johns favourite cook made an announcement with a beaming smile on her face.

  "You first John, take a nice large piece of a Salmon." Hannah went next, passively looking at him without smiling, and then passed it around the table. The whole evening basically involved Hannah staring into thin air while pretending to be cross and John having the time of his life being fed and constantly entertained. Hannah was just acting as if she never existed. After the main course was finished, Grandma stood up and took the plates, to return with a nice big cake.

  "It's your favourite John, I've made this one because I knew you liked it. You can take the other unfinished one home with you, that's if you’re going home tonight, after all, there's loads of spare rooms here as you know."

  This caused Hannah to wake up from her trance and her eyes darted across the room at them, and then at the wall. Next, out came a nice bottle of wine from Grandma.

  "White wine with fish, assuming you like white wine and don't prefer red, or are you driving John?"

  "Erm, I don't think I need to drive tonight, white is great, thank you." Hannah then immediately interrupted the conversion.

  "Not driving tonight are you? That is nice! Hope you enjoy it. That is a robust elegant wine, so don't choke!"

  Chapter Twelve

  At the police station, Pc McDermott was working on the murder case, in his office, looking at all the evidence. Not being a typically patient man, he would often jump to conclusions. Hopefully, this would not mean one which resulted in the arresting of an innocent person, especially considering how child killers are often treated in prisons. Picking up the bag which contained the remnants of the poisonous biscuit, alongside bits of other biscuits which his colleague had put into a bag, he picked up the phone to discuss the matter with his chief. After this, he picked up the bag and sent it off to have its contents forensically checked in a lab. This would be to confirm that the hospitals suspicions were true and remove any doubt that the poison came from another source if so, considering that everyone who was a at the party was a suspect. Next, he rung the mortuary to check on the results of the bodies. They confirmed that all three bodies contained the same kind of poison. Next, he phoned the hospital, which told him that Sally had survived.

  Consequently, Pc McDermott decided to pay Sally a visit. He set of together with Pc Sandra Eucalyptus in the car, thinking Sally might feel less intimidated with a female presence. He kn
ew that it was necessary to be completely careful what he said and how he said it because this was a child he was talking to.

  "We will ask no direct questions and try not to make it to obvious why we are here" he said to Sandra. On the way they stopped and had sandwiches, while Sandra joked at the suggestion they might get fed at the house.

  "I hope we don't get poisoned" she said, to which he laughed. Despite being s serious character, he could take a joke McDermott. One of the things which made him look so serious was his moustache, something everyone could not help but notice. However, it also made them respect him, at least to his face. The public loved him, but the staff would joke about him and his moustache when his back was turned, even though they also loved him really.

  Helen was planning on going out for a drive with her daughter and husband, they were packing things like sandwiches which she'd made and putting them in boxes and bags. Back and forward to the car they went, nice and slowly. Little did they know who was on their way, or maybe they would have set off a lot earlier to avoid them? It was a nice Saturday morning and they was looking forward to a nice day out, as a form of distraction from reality.

  "Put those in the car Sally" Helen said, passing her a big bag of six packs of crisps in one hand and a box of tissues in the other. Then went in the bucket and spade, which they were used to putting in for their younger two, the newspaper for Dad which had been delivered and a book for Helen to read while her and her Dad were doing their own thing. Time was ticking, the police were nearly there, they put the last item in the car and started to lock the door. Sally got in, then Helen got in, and finally her husband. Doors shut, engine on, seatbelts on, gear in, and they started moving forward. Suddenly they stopped. A policeman stepped in front of their car, so Helen winded the window down.

  "Hello officer, is there a problem?"

  "No, not with your vehicle, I'm here about the case, you know? Can we go inside and talk about it before you leave?"

  "OK, sure." In they went, to discuss whatever he could possibly want to discuss about the death of their children.

  "Make yourself comfortable, officer" Helen said, continuing "How can I help you?"

  "We'd like to speak to Sally actually if that's OK." Next, the other officer spoke up.

  "Hello Sally, I'm Pc Sandra Eucalyptus, we need to ask you a few questions if that's alright."

  Sally looked worried, why would they want to question her? She had already been practically accused of murder by her mother in so many words, which prompted her to look at her mother with dagger eyes, thinking she'd called them. "Did you call them Mum?" "No Sweetheart" her mum replied, making the two officers look at each other in suspicion.

  "Sally, that's not the reason we are here" Sandra continued, "we are here because of speaking to the hospital and because we want to know how this poison made you feel?"

  "Awful, I felt awful."

  "Ok, I'm trying to imagine what it must've been like. Sally, is there anything you would like to tell us? The reason I am asking is that Hannah Adersall is looking guilty of murder and likely to be charged of what is a serious crime for an adult to be prosecuted for. Meanwhile, you are still alive, we notice naturally, and we are curious about why you might have survived, naturally. It's great that your still here, but is there anything you would like to tell us, which might make things right?" Sally looked distraught, what were they suggesting? Did it even merit an answer? Furious, she spoke up.

  "What do you mean? Basically, I would be better off dead and shouldn’t have survived? At least then I wouldn't be subject to all this interrogation!"

  Sally’s Dad, who was often quiet and unknown, stood up and spoke.

  "If you've anything to say to my daughter, just say it. I know for a fact that she didn't do anything." Pc McDermott stood up.

  "We are not suggesting that she did, just wondering if there's anything she could tell us to help our case. Listen, this is our contact card. Call us day or night if you have anything worrying you Sally. Right, we will be of now, have a nice day wherever you were going."

  Poor Sally, she didn't even want to go out now, not after being accused of murder, and by the police this time. Children have the impression that police are always right, but now Sally was growing up and had decided that police were not always right after all it seemed.

  "Thanks for sticking up for me Dad, but that's the second time you've said you know I didn't do it, and this time for a fact, do you realise how suspicious your making yourself look? Be careful Dad!"

  Helens eyes were wide again, she told Sally to get in the car and then said a combination of words to him very slowly.

  "Have. You. Done. Anything. To. Our. Little. Children?"

  "No, certainly now! Never in a million years! I say I know because I know what my daughter is like! I know she could never kill anyone."

  "Sorry dear, but it's the way you come out with things. Let’s just hope the police don't see it that way then, because police in this country have a habit for noticing every word someone says and using it."

  Driving away they were all miserable, wondering whether there was any point in going out. Tensions were high, and two put out of three were potential suspects, at least for now.

  "Next they'll be accusing me, a haha a aha aaarrr" Helen said, smiling while driving, like she'd gone mad, then asserting, "although they have no evidence on me, so that's one thing. Haharrrrrr."

  "Mum, calm down, if I could drive for you I would. Maybe you need more sleep tonight?"

  Chapter Thirteen

  It appeared John was having the time of his life at Orangely Hall, Hannah did realise when coming down the stairs, to see him with a fully cooked English breakfast in front of him.

  "How do you do it?" she asked him, to get the reply "I'm charming aren't I."

  "That's what other people think, yes."

  Hannah then went and got herself a bowl of cereal, out of the cupboard, sitting in the kitchen to avoid him while he was in the dining room. In popped Grandma.

  "Morning."

  "Good morning, where's my cooked breakfast?" she said with a smile on her face, then adding "just messing with you."

  In popped her Grandad, asking her how her night had been. She went to bed early in the end, while John was taking over her house as it seemed. Her head had been banging, and she had been receiving those strange phone calls again through the night, which didn't help her sleep at all. There was even a thought about completely unplugging the phone from the socket things were that bad. Nevertheless, she wouldn't let it get the better of her, she decided after eating her breakfast to phone the police and tell them all about it, after which she did disconnect the line in preparation for the next night.

  It had been a private number that was ringing, so dialling one four seven one was not good enough to find who it was, but surely the police could find out? Hopefully that would be the case, but in the meantime she carried on trying to live a normal life, as much as was possible. Later on, she decided to go shopping in the town, and take her grandparents for a tour around the area, before they went back home to where they lived. Her Grandad had to get back for bowling, which was not long after that day, something which he loved playing. When Hannah was younger, he would take her with him to the bowling green, they would sit and watch the bowlers as they played, and he marked the scores down. After that, or sometimes before, it was her grandads turn to play and get scored by someone else. While he was playing, she would play around the area, exploring, and she would sit in the cabin buying a 20p cup of tea, often one cup after the other. They used to even call her tea belly as a nick name at the bowling green.

  "One day I'll have to come back to the bowling green with you and see if everyone remembers me" Hannah said to her Grandad, adding "when I'm back visiting after all this is over."

  "Make sure you come over as soon as you can, we can't wait to have you around" he replied. Back at home at last where she was brought up, that lovely thought kept running through her he
ad, especially since there was nothing to hang around these parts for anymore.

  "Last night the phone calls were worse, I actually heard a voice, slightly disguised."

  "What did it say?" her grandma asked.

  "Well, it said 'killer....killer...child killer...I'll get you for this...murderer" in a very light voice. Anyway, don't worry, I've phoned the police."

  "I don't think we should go anywhere while this is happening, even if your Grandad has to miss bowling."

  "No, please go tonight as planned, I'll call you and let you know how things are getting on, I promise."

  Their minds were suddenly full of worry, what if this person came around and did something? Next thing, John comes from around the corner with a big smile on his face.

  "If it makes you two feel any better, I'll stay here with Hannah. I won't let anyone hurt her."

  While they were out, Helen and her family bumped into another woman who was at the party.

  "Hello, I remember you form the party, your children got ill if I remember right."

  "Yes, hi, that's me. Who are you if you don't mind me asking?"

  "Oh sorry, pardon me, I am Moira. I was Jacks teacher at school. How is he getting on? I'm currently staying with another former student who lives in these parts."

  Helen didn't know how to break the news to her, what could she say? Suggesting that they all go and have a coffee in a cafe they did so.

  Moira was a strong woman for her age, who often walked around in what seemed like a fur coat. Seeming like she was the type who'd heard of every kind of tragedy before through her life and like she could take anything, she sat ready for the news.

  "So, how is Jack?" A big beaming smile on her face, how could they tell her? As a distraction, she asked her what coffee she wanted, and if she wanted any cake or a sandwich.

  "Let me get these" she said, "especially after what's happened to your children, and considering I'm on a teachers pension with more money than I need. How are your other children by the way?"