In Harm's Way

by Owen Mullen

‘Yeah! The car Mackenzie got into was the same as yours. I saw it.’

  Blair reacted. ‘The same as mine. But not mine. There’s a big difference.’

  Derek’s fists balled at his sides. ‘Of course you deny it. Wouldn’t expect anything else, especially in front of your wife.’

  Adele’s cheeks burned. Having their marital problems publicly discussed by someone else mortified her, but it was what she already believed.

  Blair said, ‘Leave Adele out of this. It isn’t true and I object to you claiming it is. If you thought the car was mine why wait ’til now to challenge me about it? Wasn’t the guy in Buchanan Street supposed to be Mackenzie’s lover? They’re queuing round the block according to you.’

  Derek grabbed his brother-in-law by the throat, threw him to the floor and started hitting him. ‘You bastard! You barefaced lying bastard. She got into your car. I saw her! Where is she?’

  Gavin prised his hands free, one finger at a time, forcing him to release his grip. In the middle of the room Derek snarled and panted, eyes blazing. ‘We all know how you feel about her. She’s with you. Tell the truth, Adele deserves that much.’

  Blair got to his feet; there was blood on his shirt. ‘What the hell’s got into you, Crawford? Mackenzie’s left you. And not before time. I don’t blame her. Try asking yourself why. You saw her getting into a car? Well it wasn’t my car.’ He shot an angry look at his wife. ‘I should be so lucky.’

  Adele burst into tears, in the next room Alice started crying too, and Gavin realised his family had taken dysfunction to a new level. There was no way they could recover from this.

  He said, ‘Fighting amongst ourselves won’t get us anywhere. Let’s all calm down and figure this thing out.’ He appealed to his brother-in-law. ‘Blair, please, we’re worried sick. If you know where Mackenzie is, for God’s sake tell us.’

  Blair rubbed the bruise already forming on his throat, scanning the faces waiting for his answer. These people were his family yet their minds were made up: Monica, frank blue eyes fixed on him; Derek, tense, poised to attack again; and Adele – his wife – refusing to look at him, convinced he was involved in her sister’s disappearance.

  He lifted his jacket. ‘Even you, Gavin. Even you.’

  Day Ten

  The Baxter House

  Lowther Hills

  Eventually she had to sleep, she couldn’t help herself. And in her dreams Mackenzie saw the little girl she’d been, smiling and carefree. Her parents were there, forever young, her mother laughing, her father holding her hand, lending her his strength. He spoke but the words were lost. They didn’t matter; he was close and she was safe.

  Something touched her breast – once, then again. Reluctantly, she felt herself lifted through the subterranean plateaus to the surface.

  The rat on her chest didn’t run away. It wasn’t afraid. Unfamiliarity made it bold enough to explore her through the tracksuit top, sniffing the flesh beneath. For half a second they stared at each other and she saw the rodent’s pink ears and black eyes. Mackenzie screamed and felt the claws dig into the cloth before it leapt from the bed and disappeared behind the wall with the others.

  The dream was over but the nightmare was still going on.

  When the shaking finally stopped she stared at the ceiling. Apart from her ragged breathing, the silence in the cellar was absolute. But they were there. Waiting for her to become weak. Then it would take more than screaming to make them run away.

  Ring a ring o’ roses

  a pocket full of posies

  Coughing was agony and already a fever was taking hold. Mackenzie accepted her situation was hopeless – nobody was coming to rescue her. She’d been a fool to believe otherwise and an even bigger fool to blame everybody else for the mess she’d made of her life. Derek and Gavin and Adele weren’t responsible. She was the one who’d refused to face the facts. And the facts were undeniable.

  She was an alcoholic, had always been an alcoholic; would always be an alcoholic.

  She’d been angry at Derek for trying to control her drinking. And yes, he’d taken decisions which could only be made by her, but she’d allowed it. Her agreement was intended to placate him and, more importantly, it meant she wouldn’t have to give up completely. Two glasses were better than none. Except, of course, they weren’t and never would be, she could see that now. All they’d done was feed the craving, keeping alive a need that couldn’t be satisfied. Her illness had progressed to the point where she lived for the next drink and the one after that. Everything and everyone came second. Mackenzie was addicted.

  Her behaviour had estranged the people who loved her. She’d lost their trust. Adele, especially in the early days, had encouraged her to get help, even offered to take her to an AA meeting. Mackenzie was appalled at the suggestion and wouldn’t consider it. She liked to drink and occasionally took too much. Didn’t most people? She didn’t have a problem. Or if she did, so did half the world.

  Adele didn’t raise the subject again.

  Gavin had never pressured her, apart from once when he’d taken her for coffee and a ‘chat’. “Did she know she could come to him any time?” Well-meant but naïve. Would Monica welcome him bringing his sister’s problems into their lives? Like hell! Not a chance. And it would end in a lecture, these things always did. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?

  One by one, as the promises to quit were broken, Adele had given up. Her drunken performance at the birthday party – stupidly claiming the man following her was her lover and screaming she was leaving Derek – had shocked and embarrassed them. Now they’d assume their little sister had carried out her threat and go on with their lives. What else was there for them to do?

  It had taken being abducted to reveal the truth.

  Thank God her parents weren’t alive to see how far their youngest child had fallen; she’d hurt them enough.

  Derek would survive. In time he’d marry again, someone better suited to him, a partner who didn’t disappoint him like she had, who lived up to his expectations. Maybe the new woman would make him happy. Maybe there would be children. Derek had wanted a family, she was the one who’d been against it. Now, in this dank dungeon, she understood why – she’d been afraid to commit to the marriage. Somewhere deep inside she’d known she wasn’t fit to be a wife, let alone a mother.

  So many amends to be made. So much to apologise for.

  None of it would happen because she was going to die in this awful place. They would never learn what had become of her. Mackenzie sobbed herself to sleep, crying for the new life Alec had talked about, for the people she’d hurt and the child she would never know.

  A noise startled her and she imagined the rats were coming back. She was wrong: it was the cane chair scraping on the flagstones. He was there. In its own way worse than anything. Mackenzie had no idea how long he’d been in the basement and braced herself for another attack.

  But it didn’t come. He just sat there in his black coat, staring at her for the longest time. After a while he got up and left.

  * * *

  DS Geddes spoke to the women the manager had identified as knowing Mackenzie Crawford best. They were around the same age and both agreed Mackenzie had been lovely to work with. ‘So cheery. You’d never guess she had money. Not a bit flash and didn’t mind mucking in.’

  The detective asked about outside of work. Sylvia said, ‘No, she didn’t come out with us. I reckon it was because of her husband. We were sure she wanted to but she always seemed to have a previous arrangement.’

  The next question was delicate. Geddes met it head-on. ‘What about her drinking? Did it cause problems?’

  Angela answered. ‘Not really, though you could understand why Mr Morrison had to let her go. I got the impression things weren’t great at home.’

  ‘Did she ever mention anybody watching her?’

  ‘She was a good-looking girl. Lots of men tried to chat her up. She’d have none of it.’

  ‘So she did
n’t complain about being harassed?’

  ‘Not to me. How about you, Sylvia?’

  Sylvia shook her head. ‘Mind you, we do get some creeps in here. Is she okay? Why are you asking these questions?’

  Geddes stuck to his line. ‘Routine enquiry.’

  Ten minutes later, he was done. Mackenzie’s former colleagues had added little to what the manager had told him. She’d been as much of an enigma to them as she was to her family. Except, unlike her family, they didn’t disapprove. The consensus: she’d been pleasant enough but for reasons she hadn’t shared wasn’t interested in being friends and politely turned down their social overtures, coming and going without giving herself away. They were pressed to say anything more illuminating than that she’d been ‘“ – lovely to work with – ”.’

  Whatever that meant.

  A picture was coming together of a woman who hadn’t kept in contact with old friends and avoided making new ones. Geddes had hoped he’d hear something he hadn’t as yet been told and was disappointed.

  Back in the city he picked up PC Emily Lawson from the station. Lawson was delighted. She’d been a fan of DS Andrew Geddes long before she ever met him. His reputation in the CID was well-known. He’d put away serial child-killer Richard Hill and helped bring down Jimmy Rafferty, the head of the infamous East End gangster family. Why he was still a DS was a mystery.

  The constable had worked with him once before, when Glasgow councillor Tony Daly was found hanging from a bridge in Kelvinside. They’d visited the dead man’s sister and Lawson was impressed by the detective’s empathy. Behind the sometimes gruff exterior was a decent guy.

  In the car, he explained where they were going. ‘Could be a wild goose chase. Probably is. Derek Crawford’s wife has dropped out of sight. The family hasn’t heard from her and they’re worried.’

  The name rang no bells for the PC. ‘Crawford. Should I know him?’

  ‘Know of him, maybe. Crawford Cars. Showrooms all over the place. More likely than not she’s done a runner with another man. Signs are there. Even admitted there was someone else.’

  ‘So, with respect Sir, what’s that got to do with us?’

  Geddes cursed at the driver dawdling in front, keeping within the speed limit. ‘Come on, come on. Hurry up or get out and fucking walk.’ Lawson stopped herself from laughing out loud.

  He shook his head. ‘Makes you wonder what some of these people are smoking.’

  She repeated her question. Geddes answered. ‘Didn’t take anything with her.’

  ‘Nothing?’

  ‘Far as her husband can tell, not a stitch. And in the weeks leading up to her disappearing Mrs Crawford claimed she was being followed.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Wish I did. But throw in a drink problem and a history of attention-seeking and you’ll understand why nobody believed her. Nevertheless, it deserves looking into.’ He flashed a grim smile at the passenger seat. ‘Alkies are people too, eh?’

  There was no answer to that.

  ‘We’ll see what her sister makes of it. That’s why you’re here.’

  They turned off Great Western Road, parked and got out. Gavin Darroch’s wife would be expecting them. The first thing the detective noticed was the contrast between the grass here and at Crawford’s house – these people didn’t spend their Sunday afternoons in garden centres. Geddes liked them already.

  The DS knocked the door and waited. It opened and a dark-haired woman cradling a baby in her arms stared at him with tired eyes. The detective didn’t have kids, not something he regretted; he doubted he’d have enjoyed the experience.

  ‘Mrs Darroch. DS Geddes – Andrew. This is PC Lawson.’

  ‘Monica.’

  Inside, the living-room smelled of ‘baby’. Apart from a pile of nappies on the couch it was neat. Monica said, ‘Alice’s almost asleep. She’ll go down in a minute and we can talk, though I’m not sure what I can tell you. Would you like tea?’

  Geddes declined. ‘Gavin’s told you why we’re here?’

  ‘Yes. How do you two know each other again?’

  ‘From the five-a-sides.’ He grinned the grin Lawson had seen in the car. ‘Last time I played against him he tried to break my leg.’

  Monica smiled and Geddes said, ‘Just a few questions, if that’s okay?’

  ‘He’s worried and I think it’s my fault.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Hold on.’ She left the room and came back a minute later without the baby. ‘Best time of the day. I sleep when Alice sleeps.’ She made an exasperated face. ‘At least, that’s the plan. Doesn’t always work out.’

  ‘Sorry. We’ll make it quick. You were telling me why Gavin was worried.’

  ‘It started when Derek told him he was as sure as he could be Mackenzie hadn’t taken anything with her. That just didn’t ring true to me. Mackenzie loved clothes, especially if they had designer labels. Everything she wore had a designer label.’

  ‘I’ve seen her wardrobe.’

  ‘More than I have. We’ve only been in their house once, three years ago when they came back from honeymoon.’

  ‘So you weren’t close?’

  Monica directed her reply to the constable as if she would understand. ‘They’re not the kind of couple you can get close to.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘A few reasons. We don’t fit Derek’s idea of socially acceptable – not upwardly mobile enough for him, and Mackenzie’s drinking got in the way. But, and this is where I disagree with Gavin, he believes something bad has happened to her. And while I was the first to say that leaving without taking her clothes was odd, I absolutely don’t.’

  ‘Why so sure?’

  Monica got up and started folding the nappies. ‘Gavin has a selective memory when it comes to his younger sister.’ She paused. ‘Mackenzie’s a drama queen and always has been. I suppose she discovered creating a scene got her what she wanted when she was a child.’

  ‘And what did she want?’

  Monica didn’t have to think about it. ‘What all drama queens want. Attention.’

  Geddes made no comment. ‘Tell me about her drinking. In your view does she have a problem?’

  ‘Derek and Adele are best placed to answer that one. We don’t see much of them. Anytime we do she overdoes it. Everybody in the family’s convinced Mackenzie has a problem with alcohol. Although, now and then when she stops, she’s a completely different girl. All I know is she’s too fond of the bottle.’

  ‘Gavin said the birthday party was a disaster.’

  Monica frowned. ‘One way to put it. Don’t feel great about my part in it. All I seem to be able to talk about these days is babies. Drives Gavin mad.’

  ‘What’s wrong with that?’

  ‘It’s a sore point with Mackenzie and I went over-the-top. Deliberately.’

  ‘Why?’

  Her reply was frank. ‘Derek and Mackenzie left the christening after the service. Couldn’t get away quick enough. You’d expect an aunt to show some interest in her only niece, wouldn’t you? Mackenzie’s been to see Alice once, in the hospital.’

  ‘You resented that?’

  ‘I did, yes. I wish I’d kept my mouth shut because that’s what set her off. Gavin wasn’t pleased with me.’

  ‘What did she say?’

  ‘Christ! What didn’t she say? Derek was telling us about the row they’d had in Buchanan Street. She’d announced she was leaving him. Apparently, that’s a regular thing. A guy waved at her. Derek saw him. Mackenzie claimed he was following her.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘Mackenzie overheard and went mental. Lost it completely. Screamed the bloody house down and admitted he was her lover.’

  DS Geddes clarified the point. ‘She definitely said he was her lover?’

  ‘Oh, yes, she said it all right. Added some comment about having to fuck to get a baby, like she wanted to hurt Derek.’ Monica shook her head. ‘It was vicious and humiliating. Everybody felt for hi
m.’

  ‘Could’ve been the booze talking?’

  ‘Pretty convincing, though.’

  ‘Sounds like a marriage made in hell.’

  ‘Does, doesn’t it?’

  Geddes had a final question. ‘Why did Derek put up with it?’

  She shrugged. ‘Loves her, God help him. Mackenzie only has to mention she’s interested in something and he buys it. Gavin thinks he’s too old for her, too set in his ways, and it’s true he likes things the way he likes them. But her carry-on…doubt a younger man would stand for it.’

  Geddes gave her his card. ‘Still got her sister and her husband to speak to.’

  ‘That should be interesting.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Adele’s very much in Derek’s camp and Blair…’

  ‘What about him?’

  She hesitated. ‘Let’s just say, he isn’t.’

  * * *

  DS Andrew Geddes had been on the force for more than twenty years. He liked being a policeman. Catching criminals wasn’t difficult, more often than not they caught themselves. Even the smartest eventually made a mistake. His job was to be there when they did.

  ‘Domestics’ were something else again, complicated and unpredictable, married couples especially. On Friday night a wife accuses her husband of assault, calls 999 and has him arrested. By Monday morning she remembers the whole thing differently, claims it was all a misunderstanding, blaming her black-eye on falling over the cat. Geddes had seen people who’d been tearing the face off each other three days earlier leave court hand-in-hand, like young lovers reunited.

  Blood was thicker than water, even when it was running down the wall.

  Geddes turned the ignition off. ‘You’ve got brothers and sisters, Lawson, if I remember right.’

  ‘Two of each.’

  ‘How do you get on with them?’

  ‘Fine. I’m the runt of the litter. They all feel responsible for me.’

  Geddes nodded. ‘Hear about the Irish girl who couldn’t understand why her brother had three sisters and she only had two? Never mind.’