Watching the Dead

by Wendy Cartmell

  ‘Please sit down so we can talk,’ said Jo.

  ‘No, let me get rid of these first.’

  Jo and Byrd nodded. Jo figured Suki needed time to pull herself together after the shock of seeing them on her doorstep.

  ‘What’s this all about?’ said Suki coming back into the room. ‘Only I don’t know that I can face another discussion about the case. To be honest I’m not feeling the best at the moment, not since I lost the baby.’

  ‘Baby?’ Echoed Jo.

  ‘Lost it?’ asked Byrd.

  ‘Oh, didn’t you know? The bastard got me pregnant. I was trying to decide what to do when I had a miscarriage. It was awful, the worst thing ever. But it’s over now and I’m trying to come to terms with the whole bloody thing. Oh and I’ve given up sex work as well. I guess I’d rather be poor. Anyway what did you want?’

  ‘Please sit, Suki,’ said Jo gently. They all found spaces to sit and Jo continued. ‘We’re here to ask you if you’re sure that John Holt was your rapist? Is it possible that there was another client after John and you’d confused the two?’

  Suki looked at them, with tears building in her eyes. ‘You don’t believe me,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, Suki, of course we do. But we need to ask you. Are you sure John Holt was your rapist?’

  ‘Positive. No question. Why are you asking me? Don’t you believe me? Do you think I’m lying?’ Suki was shouting and crying, and tears were tracking down her cheeks.

  ‘No, no, sorry, of course not.’

  ‘What is the matter with you people? I suffered horrendously at the hands of that… that… bastard!’

  Jo handed Suki a tissue from her pocket. ‘Here,’ she said, ‘dry your eyes.’

  Suki took the tissue but didn’t wipe her eyes, instead she said, ‘I’m sticking with my story, it was John Holt that attacked me, but he changed during the act. Became someone or something else. Afterwards I couldn’t get away from that ‘thing’. He wouldn’t leave me alone. I felt like I was being watched all the time, no matter where I went in town or at Uni.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘Since I lost the baby, nothing. He’s gone. And all I want now is to be left alone.’ Suki finally dried her eyes and stood. ‘And that includes by you two. So I suggest you go and harass someone else.’

  Chapter 35

  After Jo and Byrd had climbed in the car, he turned to her. ‘What did Suki mean? About being watched?’

  ‘You know what she meant, Byrd.’ Jo ran her hand through her hair. ‘You know as well as I do.’

  He shook his head. ‘No. No. No!’ He banged his fist on the steering wheel

  She took his hand and was relieved when he didn’t pull away. ‘Yes! Look Suki said as much when we first found her. That John Holt changed somehow. Became something else. And ever since then that ‘being’ was watching her. Dad says you’ve talked to him and to Keith. You’ve seen Judith. Hell, you were watching when we confronted Odin. So don’t ask what she meant. You already know the answer to the question. Now let’s go and see Storm.’

  Byrd shook his head, but started the car, nevertheless.

  It was only a short ride to Storm’s flat. They still hadn’t spoken when Storm opened the door at Jo’s knock.

  Once inside, Storm stood and looked at them. ‘Well?’ The question was a challenge as well as a query and Storm crossed her arms across her chest. She was wearing jeans and a tee-shirt, her bare foot tapping on the rather dirty carpet. Jo was glad she had shoes on. Who knew what was hiding in the fibres? Still, it took her back to her own student days.

  Pulling her attention back to Storm, she said, ‘We just wanted to see if you were okay.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And what?’

  ‘This isn’t a social call, that’s not what you people do. So why are you really here?’

  Jo could feel the anger emanating from Storm, who appeared to be living up to her name. ‘Why don’t you sit down so we can talk.’

  ‘No. You’re not staying.’

  Jo sighed. ‘Very well, we just wanted to clarify if you are sure that John Holt was your rapist?’

  ‘Of course he was, you had the evidence to prove it!’

  ‘Yes, I know, but is it possible that there was a client after John and before you called the police?’ Jo wished Byrd would join in the conversation, but he remained implacable. He seemed as angry as Storm; he just wasn’t vocalising it. But she could see the muscle in his jaw ticking. ‘Perhaps because of the attack you became confused?’

  ‘You really believe that? All I know is that John Holt raped me because he turned into something or someone else. I’ve been watched ever since the rape. That prickling at the back of the neck as though you’ve been stung by nettles.’ Storm was calming down, her anger burnt out. ‘It was worse around the Cathedral. That was really freaky. I always felt someone watching me around there. As though they were above me, you know? Looking down. But the only thing up there is gargoyles. They really freaked me out. I could have sworn one of them was following me with his eyes.’

  ‘A gargoyle?’ Jo wasn’t liking the sound of this.

  ‘Yeah, bloody horrible creepy things they are. Anyway, as I was saying, after the abortion, nothing, gone. He, it, has left me alone ever since, thank goodness. And I intend to keep it that way.’

  ‘Abortion?’

  Storm nodded. ‘I told you he refused to wear a condom. That was my worst nightmare. Getting pregnant. You know? Anyway it won’t happen again.’

  ‘Are you giving up the work?’

  Storm nodded. ‘I’ve gone virtual.’

  Jo smiled.

  ‘All it took was one video of me being provocative and pretending to masturbate, which they sell over and over again and I get commission every time it’s watched. Not bad, eh?’

  Jo grinned, ‘And safer too.’

  ‘Yes, much.’

  Chapter 36

  Abbey had finished her new design at last. She sighed with relief as she put down her sketch pad. The dress was for a particularly demanding client who was going to a fancy-dress party and probably had more money than sense. She had a clear idea of what she wanted, rather than what Abbey thought she should have. Abbey wasn’t happy about that way of working, but to be honest she needed the money. She’d scan the designs later and send them over so the woman could choose which one she wanted.

  She stood and stretched and patted her flabby tummy, which was nearly back to normal. It was just that the last few pounds were proving harder to get rid of than she’d imagined. But she didn’t mind, it was a reminder of her beautiful baby, Damien. Thinking of Damien, where was he? She looked at her watch. Edith had taken him for a walk over 2 hours ago now. Abbey had been so engrossed in her work that she hadn’t noticed the time. Prickles of alarm ran down her spine. Then she admonished herself for being stupid. Edith was a wonderful friend. Damien would be safe with her. Wouldn’t he?

  Abbey grabbed her mobile and rang Edith’s number. Unobtainable. No such number. Abbey looked at her phone as though she didn’t recognise it. It wasn’t possible. Surely she must have misdialled. Perhaps rung someone else by mistake. But there were no other ‘E’s’ in her contact list. Nevertheless she tried Edith’s number again. And got the same message. Unobtainable. No such number.

  She paced the room and tried to remember what Edith had said. Something about taking him for a walk to the park to feed the ducks. That was it! Grabbing her coat she left the house and ran all the way to the park. Gasping for breath she rushed to the duck pond. Nothing. No Damien. No Edith. In fact there was no one there at all. She jogged all around the park, calling for Damien and for Edith, but her only reply was the cawing of birds hiding in the trees.

  Calm down, she admonished herself. Think. Had Edith said anything else? She felt as though the park was spinning around her head, like some sort of slide show. Going faster and faster. Abbey gasped for breath but couldn’t get any oxygen into her lungs. The park spun faster. Abbey began to scr
eam until there was nothing left inside her, and she collapsed on the grass.

  She came round to see a worried face looking down at her. ‘Are you alright?’ the woman said. ‘Can you get up? What’s happened?’

  Abbey sat up, put head between her knees, taking deep breaths. The woman stayed beside her, but didn’t touch her. Didn’t hold out a helping hand, so Abbey struggled to her feet under her own steam. She swayed slightly, then the park came back into sharp focus and she remembered. ‘Damien,’ she gasped. ‘Have you seen an elderly woman with a baby in a pram?’ She reached out to grab the woman’s coat but it seemed to slip through her fingers and she couldn’t get a purchase on it.

  ‘No sorry.’

  Abbey couldn’t see anyone else in the park. Her and the woman were the only two people. ‘Who are you?’.

  ‘Oh, sorry, my name is Judith.’

  Abbey nodded but the name didn’t mean anything to her. She didn’t know a Judith. Had never actually met one. Who was she and why was she there? Had she had something to do with her child? She felt fear curdling in her stomach. ‘My friend took the baby out for a walk and she hasn’t come back. Are you sure you haven’t seen her?’

  ‘No, I’m sorry I can’t help. Maybe you’ve missed her and she’s waiting for you at home.’ Judith raised her hand and gave Abbey the lightest push.

  ‘Oh, God, you’re right. I should never have left the house,’ and Abbey sprinted off. Realising she hadn’t thanked Judith, she looked behind her, but there was no one there. Abbey thought that strange and then for a brief moment Judith came back into view, but it was a different Judith. One that looked as though the whole of her back had been burned. And her hair was a frizzy mess. Abbey hadn’t noticed that before.

  Who the hell was she?

  But that was a question for another time Abbey thought and put all her effort into getting back home as quickly as she could.

  Chapter 37

  Storm had just closed the door behind them when Jo’s phone rang. Annoyed, because she’d wanted to speak to Byrd, she spat, ‘Yes?’

  ‘Boss, it’s Jill. We’ve a missing child. Sykes said we are to take the case. I’ve told Bill and uniform are on their way. I’m sending you a text with the address. Young mother, single parent, name of Abbey.’

  ‘Thanks, Jill. You and Ken meet us there. Is Sykes on his way?

  ‘No,’ said Jill. ‘He said his presence wasn’t necessary.’

  Sykes was definitely a ‘hands off’ and not a ‘hands on’ boss. She cut the call and told Byrd. They’d not had a chance to speak about Byrd’s denial of all things supernatural and now that conversation would be shoved to the back of the queue. Again. Oh well. There were more important things than their tiffs. Far more important. And a child in danger was at the top of that list.

  Byrd drove as Jo read out the address and they pulled up to find marked police cars and an ambulance already at the scene. Tape was in place, Bill and his team were getting ready to go into the house and the mother was sat on the steps of the ambulance wrapped in a blanket. Her teeth were chattering and she pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.

  ‘How is she?’ Jo asked Bill.

  ‘When uniforms arrived, she was hysterical, unable to stop sobbing. She confessed she’d fainted in the park when she couldn’t find her boy and I gather she still feels faint. That’s why there’s an ambulance here, everyone was very concerned about her.’

  ‘Thanks, Bill.’

  Now she had a little information, Jo sat one step down from Abbey at the back of the ambulance. ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘My name is Jo and I’m a police officer. I’m going to do everything I can to find your baby. Now, can you tell me what happened?’

  ‘Um, yes,’ Abbey hesitated as her voice broke on just those two words. She cleared her throat and tried again. ‘It was just a normal morning. I was working, the baby had been asleep when Edith came over. She took Damien for a walk and they never came back.’

  ‘So the last person you saw was this Edith?’

  Abbey nodded. ‘She went out to give Damien some fresh air and to give me a break and hasn’t been seen since. What am I to do? Where is my baby? What’s happened to Edith? I can’t believe she would have done anything to harm Damien.’

  ‘Has anyone been in touch with you since then? Phone calls, visitors, anything?’

  ‘Just that piece of paper shoved under my door.’

  It took all Jo’s restraint to keep the excitement out of her voice and ask calmly, ‘What did it say? Do you still have it?’

  ‘It was quite long, a load of rubbish if you ask me, but I gave it to that bloke over there,’ and Abbey pointed to Bill. ‘The one with the funny suit on.’

  ‘Perfect, Abbey,’ said Jo. ‘Well done. Now just hang on and I’ll be right back. Oh look, here’s Jill, she can sit with you for a while,’ and Jo motioned Jill over. ‘I’m just going to see Bill about a note pushed under Abbey’s door,’ she whispered. ‘Stay with her.’

  Jill Sandy nodded and took Jo’s place on the steps.

  Jo and Byrd rushed over to Bill.

  ‘We hear there’s a note?’ said Byrd.

  Bill nodded. ‘Here,’ and he handed Byrd a piece of paper in a clear plastic evidence envelope.

  Byrd read out loud: And they became pregnant, and they had great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and devoured mankind.’

  Jo and Byrd looked at each other and said, ‘Osian Price.’

  As they entered the Cathedral, they heard the music soaring through the huge building, A volunteer helper directed them to the organ.

  ‘We’ve got to interrupt him,’ said Jo. ‘We can’t possibly wait until he’s finished.’

  ‘Hang on,’ Byrd said and climbed the stairs.

  Jo was left alone and shivered. The Cathedral seemed huge, but not welcoming, rather cold and implacable. Maybe it was just the vestiges of how she felt in the gardens when they were looking for Osian. She’d looked up at the gargoyles and remembered Storm’s warning that the gargoyles were menacing, and she’d felt eyes following her. That was just how Jo had felt and she hadn’t recovered from it yet. She still had goose bumps on her arms.

  Moments later the music came to a crashing halt, then Osian and Byrd appeared.

  ‘Is there a quiet spot where we can talk?’ Jo was very aware of tourists and residents and they needed to have a very private conversation. Osian led them through a maze of rooms to the clergy offices. They entered an empty room and Jo showed him the latest message.

  ‘A young child has been snatched and this was left behind. What the hell does it mean, Osian?’

  ‘What’s the mothers name?’

  ‘Abbey… Sorry can’t remember her surname. Why? Does the name mean something?’

  Osian groped behind him for the desk and leaned against it. He’d gone white and his hand was shaking. Osian nodded. A muscle worked in his jaw several times before he managed. ‘It means the Watcher has Abbey’s child. I think he always was going to take him. He must be his son, a part God, part human child who will be brought up with the Watcher’s teachings.’

  ‘You know them? Abbey and her son?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve kept an eye on her, just from time to time.’

  ‘A lost bird you took under your wing?’ Jo guessed.

  Osian smiled, ‘Yes, you could call it that.’

  ‘Did you notice anything different about the child? Was he like the description in the messages? This one and the previous one?’

  ‘Factually speaking the last description in the list of three messages you showed me, is thought to be of Noah. Others think that’s what the hybrid children looked like. So put the two together and some people think Noah was the product of a Watcher. The one thing I noticed was how big the child was. Which would fit with the message left with Abbey.’

  ‘Big?’ asked Byrd. ‘What exactly are we deal
ing with here, Osian?’

  ‘Damien is growing faster and faster and he could already be mistaken for a toddler. He is crawling and sitting up and pulling himself up. It’s scary what he can do! Abbey knows he is different but can’t acknowledge why. She has no recollection of having slept with anyone who could be Damien’s father.’

  ‘And you never thought to tell anyone?’

  ‘Who? Why? Should I have come to you and said there’s a baby born who could have something to do with the Watchers and the Book of Enoch. Would you even have believed me? What could you have done? Nothing. So no, I didn’t say anything. Didn’t tell anyone. Tried to forget.’

  ‘It’s alright, Osian,’ said Jo.

  ‘No it isn’t,’ Osian said. ‘It very much isn’t alright. Did you know the child, Damien, was born at 11.55pm on the 31st October?’

  Jo thought back to that night. 11.55? Of course, that was it. The feeling she’d had when in the hospital with Storm. A disturbance. Oh crap. This was turning out to be a hell of a day. One wrong move and they would lose the child forever. It was imperative they find him, and fast. Before the Watcher had a chance to disappear with him.

  Osian brough her down to earth with his question, ‘What happens now?’

  Jo changed gears and instantly became a police officer, not a psychic.

  ‘A snatched child alert is going out and we’re going back to see Abbey.’ Byrd looked at Jo for confirmation and she nodded her agreement.

  ‘In that case, can I come with you? I will be able to comfort Abbey if nothing else.’

  ‘Of course you can, Osian. Come on, let’s go.’

  Chapter 38

  Once back at Abbey’s house, Osian joined Jill. Byrd brought out mugs of sweet tea and offered one to the priest, but Osian didn’t think he could get anything past the awful blockage in his throat. He was distraught for Abbey but also disgusted with himself for being so afraid. Afraid of speaking out and making a fool of himself. And that fear could have stopped Damien being snatched.