by D. S. Butler
Wendy felt if she brought it up now, in the meeting, in front of the practice manager and the other doctors, Dr Farquhar wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss her.
Dr Farquhar turned his hooded eyes on Wendy. “Yes. What would you like to share?”
Wendy wasn’t certain, but she thought there may have been a warning in Dr Farquhar’s tone.
But the subject was too important to ignore.
“I’d like to discuss one of my patients. Brendan Maynard.”
Dr Farquhar gave a subtle shake of his head. “But Wendy, we’ve already talked about that patient, and he’s been moved over to my list, hasn’t he?”
Wendy tried to control her irritation. Dr Farquhar knew as well as she did that even though Dr Farquhar was now his named GP, when Brendan visited the surgery, he would see whichever Dr was free, and that included Wendy, especially as Dr Farquhar now only worked three days a week at the practice.
“I still believe my concerns about Mr Maynard should be addressed.”
“I see,” Dr Farquhar said in a tight voice. “In that case, please continue.”
Wendy cleared her throat. “I believe Brendan has mental health problems, and—”
Before she could continue, Dr Todman intervened, “Oh, I know who you mean. The hypochondriac.”
Wendy gave a small nod and continued. “I think it’s more than that. He’s convinced there’s something wrong with him. I believe he has delusional parasitosis. He thinks he has parasites living beneath his skin, and when I wouldn’t give him antibiotics, he got extremely agitated and was… threatening.”
“Was he violent?” Claire, the practice manager asked, shifting in her seat so she turned to face Wendy.
“He slammed his hand against my desk and shouted, and I felt…afraid,” Wendy admitted. “I don’t know whether he would ever be violent towards me or anyone else, but I know at that moment, when he was in my consulting room, I was scared.”
“I see,” Claire said. “You are absolutely right to bring this up in the meeting. We’ll need to make a full report and have a separate meeting just on Brendan. I think we’ll go back over his files, consult with Dr Farquhar and the other doctors, and decide how to proceed.”
“I really don’t think that’s necessary,” said Dr Farquhar. “But I think it’s best if we say going forward, Brendan can only see a male doctor.”
Dr Melling narrowed his eyes. “I can’t say I’m happy with that. I agree with Claire. We need to have an in-depth meeting, go through Brendan’s records, and decide how to proceed.”
“Absolutely,” said Claire. “We don’t want to put any of our doctors at risk, or any of our other staff, including the receptionists and practice nurses. There could be liabilities for the practice, Dr Farquhar.”
Dr Farquhar narrowed his eyes and gave a little huff. “If that’s how you all want to proceed, then fine. I think it’s an overreaction, but better safe than sorry, I suppose.”
Wendy smiled with relief. She was glad the doctors and practice manager were taking her concerns seriously. Whether Brendan would ever be violent towards anyone wasn’t the main point. He needed help, more help than his GP could offer, and he had to be referred to a mental health unit.
Dr Farquhar ended the meeting and dismissed the doctors. As Wendy got up and left the room, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was the practice manager.
“Could you tell me more about this delusional parasitosis?” Claire asked.
“Oh, yes. I’ve never seen a case before now. But it’s when a patient is convinced they’re infested with parasites. Usually there are some physical manifestations like an itch or a rash. It could manifest in multiple ways, but the patient puts it down to a parasite. Fortunately, it’s not very common.”
Claire nodded. “And you think Brendan Maynard is suffering from this condition. Does it usually associate with any other mental health conditions?”
“It can do. In fact, I’m quite worried about Brendan. He seems very angry, and he really needs help. More help than we can give him.”
Claire smiled. “Thanks, Wendy. If you could dig out your notes and his records and give them to me this afternoon, I’ll see about preparing the final report, and then we can arrange a meeting.”
“Absolutely. Thanks for taking my concerns seriously.”
“Of course, I do. It’s my job. I hope you always feel you can come to me with any issues that arise,” Claire said.
Wendy walked to her consulting room feeling like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Finally, Brendan Maynard would get the help he needed.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When Tammy Holt woke up, she was disorientated. At first, she thought she was at home in her own bed, but she couldn’t work out why her shoulder and hip hurt so much and why it was hard to breathe.
It took a few seconds for the truth to sink in. She wasn’t at home in bed. She was still stuck in the loft space of that maniac, Brendan—if that was even his real name.
Her head felt like it was filled with rocks, heavy and bruised. It even hurt to move her eyes. Breathing through her nose was her only option because he’d gagged her. She forced herself to look around, making sure he wasn’t there, but she was alone.
The last time she’d woken, it had been stuffy and hot. Now the air was cool, frigid against her bare arms and legs. He’d taken her clothes, muttering something about experiments and leaving her in her underwear. She shivered and stayed still, straining to hear any sounds, like traffic from outside or neighbours talking, but it was silent. She couldn’t even hear Brendan moving downstairs. Had he gone out? Maybe this was her chance to escape. But how would she get out of here with her hands bound with cable ties?
She rolled onto her side, and as she did so, her stomach flipped in protest. She felt bile at the back of her throat and panicked. She couldn’t throw up, not now. She still had the gag in her mouth; she would choke to death.
She fought to control her rapid breathing, to focus on anything other than the sickness rolling around in her belly. It had to be a side-effect of whatever drug he’d given her. She tugged at the gag until it lowered to her chin and she could take a deep breath.
Tammy whimpered. She was terrified and furious at the same time. Why had she agreed to meet a man she’d only communicated with over the Internet? What was wrong with her? Hadn’t she read the horror stories of young girls doing the same and getting murdered and raped?
She took another deep breath and tried to sit up. It wasn’t easy. Her muscles felt weak, and she couldn’t get a good grip on anything with her hands bound together. When she managed to sit up, she took a few shaky breaths and tried to clear her mind. She needed to focus. Somehow, she needed to come up with a plan to get out of there.
Why hadn’t she waited instead of rushing ahead to meet him? She’d mentioned the meeting to her sister, but she’d only given Julie Brendan’s first name. What good was that? They’d never track him down with only a first name to go on.
Pushing herself onto her knees, she shuffled against the bare wooden boards and looked around the attic space. Where were her phone and bag? Were they still downstairs? How would he explain that to his mother when she got home? Maybe he’d hidden them. Perhaps that was her chance. She just had to wait until Brendan’s mother came home, and then she could scream and raise the alarm.
Tammy frowned. What time of day was it? Perhaps his mum had already been home and gone back to work. She had no idea if it was daytime or the middle of the night. The only light in the loft came from a single light bulb.
She tried to rotate her shoulder. It felt dead, as did her hip from where she’d been lying on the hard boards.
She blinked in the gloom and looked into the corners of the attic. A few boxes and black bin bags were stacked in one corner but nothing that looked useful. Perhaps there was something in one of the boxes she could use as a weapon against Brendan. She could take him by surprise, overpower him and get out.
She shu
ffled towards the bags closest to her.
What did he want from her? How long had she been there? At least since last night… or was that yesterday?
She shook her head. There was no point trying to figure it out. It was impossible.
She’d been terrified when he’d come up to the attic last night. It was hard to believe she’d just gone willingly with him only a few hours before. Now it was clear he was completely deranged. She could see the madness in his eyes. How could she have missed it before?
She’d fought back when he’d got too close, and it’d made him angry. But she would do it again. If he killed her, they would find his skin cells under her fingernails, and his blood contaminating her body when forensics found it.
She shivered at the thought. He wouldn’t get away with this no matter how it ended. He would pay.
She shuffled forward painfully, her knees scratching against the rough wood. The small movement left her out of breath and her mouth dry by the time she reached the first black bag. She pulled it forward, and the contents spilled out.
For a moment, Tammy didn’t move. She just stared down at the things that had been stored in the black bag.
A shiver of terror ran down her spine. The objects might seem innocuous enough to everyone else, but to Tammy, they told her something she really didn’t want to accept.
There were clothes and a handbag, but they didn’t belong to Tammy. One was a short denim skirt from Topshop, and the pink bag was from River Island. Something a young woman would wear… items someone Tammy’s age would wear.
Tammy didn’t want to think about it, but the idea pushed its way into her head regardless.
Tammy wasn’t the first woman Brendan had kept up here.
Tammy whirled around when she heard a noise behind her, too fast, and she slid painfully onto her hip.
Her heart was thudding as she heard wood sliding against the boards.
It was the hatch. He’d come back.
It was Brendan.
Her mouth was so dry she couldn’t swallow, and her gasping breaths made her panic as she raised the gag to her mouth, scared of Brendan’s reaction if he saw she’d removed the gag.
Her skin crawled as Brendan’s dark head appeared in the hatch opening.
He smiled at her. “Hello, Tammy, I hope you’re in a better mood today.”
Tammy just stared at him. She wanted to be strong and tough, but she was shaking and couldn’t stop.
“I’ve got something to show you,” Brendan said. He lifted a large box through the hatch. It was covered with dark red material. He easily lifted himself into the loft, all the while keeping that sickening grin plastered on his face.
“Well, don’t you want to know what it is?”
Tammy shook her head fiercely. No, whatever he had in that box, she did not want to see it. As he stepped closer, she recoiled, pushing herself back along the wooden boards.
“I hope we’re not going to have a repeat of last night, Tammy. It won’t get you anywhere. You’re my partner now. I’m afraid you don’t have a choice, but I hope you’ll realise as time passes just how important your role is.”
Tammy glanced at the other woman’s clothes that had spilled out along the wooden boards.
Brendan followed her gaze. “That was your predecessor, Tammy. Let’s hope you cooperate, and you won’t end up the same way.”
Tammy felt her breathing quicken, and her heart was beating so fast, she thought it was going to explode. He came closer and closer until he reached out, his fingers grazing her cheek.
Tammy froze as he tugged the gag away from her mouth.
“That’s better. Now we can have a proper conversation. I’m sure you have a lot of questions for me.”
“Please let me go,” Tammy said.
“I can’t do that yet,” Brendan said. “But I want you to know you’re really important to me. We’re going to be working together, as a team.”
“Working on what?” Tammy asked, looking behind Brendan to the open hatch.
Could she get over there before Brendan stopped her? Could she get down the ladder and to the front door before he caught her?
No, even if she hadn’t been drugged and suffering the after-effects of a sedative, she still wouldn’t have been able to beat Brendan. She’d need to disable him somehow first, find something to hit him with.
“What are you thinking about, Tammy?”
Horrified that Brendan might be able to read her intentions, Tammy rapidly shook her head. “Nothing. I don’t understand what you want from me.”
“I know, it’s a bit overwhelming, but in time you will realise I’m doing this for a good reason.”
Tammy looked at him in horror. He genuinely thought he was in the right here. He thought abducting someone was just fine, a normal, everyday occurrence. There was no chance she would get out of this by reasoning with a madman.
“I just want to go home. Why can’t I help you with whatever it is you’re doing but still live in my own house and sleep in my own bed?”
Brendan pondered that for a moment. “I’d like to do it that way too, Tammy, but I’m afraid I can’t trust you yet. You won’t always be locked up here in the attic. Once we get to know each other a bit better, then maybe you can sleep in my mum’s room.”
Tammy blinked in confusion. “Your mum’s room?”
Brendan nodded. “I don’t see why not.”
“But isn’t your mum using it?”
“Sadly, my mum passed away a few months ago. She left this place to me. She adored me.”
Tammy stifled a sob. So much for trying to raise the alarm and alert Brendan’s mother. She should have paid attention to her instincts when she’d first walked into the house. She’d smelled the damp neglect in the stale air. She should have realised the house didn’t have anyone living there.
“Right, if you’re feeling a bit better today, perhaps we’ll move onto the first part of the experiment.”
“Experiment?”
Brendan carefully walked over the wooden boards and picked up the box before bringing it back over to Tammy. He set it down beside her, and with a flourish, he removed the red cover.
Inside the box, there were hundreds of small, brown insects scurrying around the glass.
Tammy screamed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Brendan stalked down from the attic, fuming. Tammy had completely overreacted again. He was well aware that this would be a shock to anyone’s system. And he was prepared to give his assistants a little leeway.
Tammy was acting like a spoilt brat. This time, she’d come at him so fast he had had no chance to react, and her fist had connected just below his eye.
Of course, Brendan would never hit back. She was a girl after all, and his mother had taught him never to be violent towards women. But he’d been severely tempted. No doubt, he’d have a black eye by this time tomorrow. He put the glass insect cabinet back in the living room and threw the red cloth over it.
Just for once, he’d like someone to appreciate the work he had planned. Perhaps that was where he was going wrong. He’d thought people suffering from diseases that doctors couldn’t name or diagnose would be more willing to understand, but perhaps he should have taken a scientist or doctor. At least they’d have some basic understanding of the scientific method behind Brendan’s plan.
He shrugged. Well, if Tammy didn’t work out, next time he’d get someone with more than a basic understanding of science.
He was practically shaking with rage as he left the living room and went into the kitchen, pouring himself a long glass of water.
He’d intended to give Tammy some water and to make her a nice breakfast, but he wouldn’t do it now. She didn’t deserve it. There really was no excuse for violence.
He gulped down the water and looked outside at the yellowing lawn. It looked like it was going to be another hot day. Tammy would soon regret her actions. It would be hot up there, and she’d be very thirsty soon.
/> Perhaps that would teach her to be nicer to him next time.
His plans for the day had been completely derailed by Tammy’s outburst. He’d intended to gradually introduce her to the theory behind his science, but he could tell he wouldn’t get any sense out of her now. There was nothing for it. He would have to leave her until tomorrow and hope she saw sense then.
In the meantime, he had plenty to keep him busy.
He left the kitchen and entered the small dining room downstairs that his mother had kitted out as a study for when she worked from home. The computer was still there, as well as a printer, a comfortable computer chair, and a large desk. Brendan settled himself in front of the computer and opened up a file on the desktop.
He selected the image and clicked on 'Print’ from the file menu. He’d go for a hundred today. That was a nice round number.
He closed his eyes as the printer hummed into life.
He’d been excited to get Tammy on board when her reaction was disappointing, but he needed to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and this kind of experiment took time.
Besides, his income had been dwindling over the past few weeks, especially after Ashley.
He frowned when he thought about Ashley. She was a total failure. He could only hope Tammy would be better, although going by the start, it looked like he may have picked another dud.
He plucked one of the printouts from the printer tray and looked at the leaflet. In full colour, it had the name of his company: Express Pest Control.
Beneath the logo, it had some nice pictures of mice, bedbugs, and fleas and underneath that, his slogan and his contact number.
He pulled some white envelopes from the drawer and began to fold the leaflets in half, stuffing the leaflet into each envelope.
Most people would just put the leaflet through letterboxes. They wouldn’t bother with an envelope, but Brendan liked to do things differently. He had a very important reason for using an envelope.
When the printer had spat out the last leaflet and he’d stuffed the last envelope, Brendan gathered them all together and carried them back through to the living room. He set the envelopes down on the coffee table and then went to his bedroom to get a pair of gloves and a pair of tweezers.