by El Edwards
Rob reached into the bag on his back and handed me a bottle of water. “Drink this. And do please try and keep the noise down.”
I gulped the water and soon felt my breath return. “Thanks.”
“Remind me again why we’re here?”
“There’s just something about this place. Don’t you feel it?”
He shrugged. “Feels like a run down dump to me.”
“Where’s your sense of adventure? This place, it would have been stunning back in its day.”
“And now it’s just a hideaway for some missing pets? What, do you think they all escaped and decided to camp out here, like squatters?” He laughed.
“Course not. I just think it’s too good to ignore. What if it’s connected somehow?”
“And what if you’re wrong? Honestly Charlie, I don’t think anyone could live here even if they wanted to. You said so yourself, there’s no water, no electric. It’s a bit of a dump.”
“Well we’re here now so why don’t we have nose about, see what’s what? Maybe then we’ll know for sure.”
Rob nodded. “You’re the boss.”
We wandered across the hallway and I was about to push open the door that would lead us deeper into the building when Rob touched my arm to stop me. From somewhere inside the belly of the building we heard a crash. My first instinct was to rush towards the sound but Rob kept his hand on my arm.
“Wait,” he said.
TWENTY-EIGHT
I wasn’t very good at doing at what I was told. I shook Rob’s arm off and rushed through the door towards the sound with Rob close behind me. Much like the dining room, the windows in this part of the hotel were boarded up so it took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the gloom. Rob produced a torch from the depths of his pocket and I followed the trail of light it produced, keen to find out who or what had caused the almighty crash. The walls were covered in a dated looking wallpaper with trails of damp and mould running along it. I pulled at a piece that was hanging off the wall and succeeded only in taking lumps of plaster and stone off with it. The stonework landed on the floor with a thud. I stopped to listen, keen to find out if our appearance had alerted someone within, but the only sound was a far off humming sound, coming from somewhere deep in the belly of the hotel.
“This way,” Rob said. He led me across the room and through another doorway. As soon as I stepped in, the stench invaded my nostrils. I felt myself wretch and covered my face with the sleeve of my jacket.
“Is it bad?” Rob asked.
“You can’t smell that?”
He shook his head.
“Lucky you. It’s wrank!”
Rob pointed the light from his torch at the window and I nodded. Together we pulled at the boards on the windows and it was then that the source of the crash became evident. In the middle of the room, surrounded by shards of broken glass, was what once might have been a beautiful chandelier. Dust rose from the chandelier and danced in the light. I looked up at the ceiling where the chandelier had once hung.
“I may be a plumber rather than a builder, but I think I can hazard a guess as to what brought this baby down.” I pointed at the dark trails on the ceiling. “That whole lot is rotten.”
“Is it safe?” As he spoke, Rob stepped backwards and I heard a crack. His foot disappeared through the floorboard as he yelled and fell forwards.
“You okay? Anything broken?”
“Bloody hurts but no, I’m fine.”
I helped him to his feet and we carefully retraced our steps back towards the kitchen we’d come in through. “I need to see upstairs. We’ll find another way in.”
“You’ve got to be bloody joking! There’s no way I’m letting you back in there. It’s a death trap!”
“Letting me in there? Since when was it up to you where I do and don’t go?”
“You’re impossible!”
“Takes one to know one!” I smiled, keen to defuse the situation. “I do need to see the rest of it though Rob.”
“Why?”
“Because there might be clues.”
“Clues about the dog and the pigs? Really? In there?” He gestured back to where we’d come from.
I glanced over his shoulder, taking in again the state of the place, and shrugged. I wasn’t ready to give up and I’d prefer not to explore on my own.
“No sane person would choose to live in a place like that Charlie. I really think it’s time to give this up. Before someone gets hurt. Come on.”
He took my hand gently and led me back outside. His fingers burned where they touched my skin sending an unwelcome sensation to my tummy but before I knew it, he’d let my hand drop. The air seemed to spark between us and I hardly dared to look at him, unsure if he could feel it. When I looked up though, he was already halfway round the front of the house.
“Rob? Where are you going?” He didn’t answer me so I ran to catch up to him. “Rob?”
“Shhh! Listen.” He held his hand up to his ear and I wanted to laugh.
“What are we, five? There’s nothing there. What are you …”
Before I could say anymore, he grabbed me by the arms, span me around until I was up against a tree, and kissed me. I wanted to tell him to get off, to smack him and ask him what the hell he thought he was playing at, but before I could do any of those things he pulled me round the other side of the tree, his face still very firmly pressed against mine. I heard a voice shouting.
“Oi! You two! Piss off out of here will you. This ain’t no place for no funny business.” The voice was low pitched.
I froze and felt Rob do the same.
“Get outta here before I set the dogs on you!” He sounded like he meant it.
“What do we do?” I whispered to Rob.
“Give me your hand. And when I give you the sign, run down the hill and don’t stop until I tell you to.” He grabbed my hand tightly. “Ready?”
“Down the hill? What happened to finding a different way in?” Then I felt a panic rise up in me. We hadn’t agreed any sign. What if I missed it?
“No more exploring today. Ready?”
I nodded.
And before I could say anymore, Rob leapt out from behind the tree yelling at the very top of his voice. “Aaaaarrrrgggh …. !”
I felt him pull against me and together we ran down the hill with Rob still screaming bloody murder. When we eventually arrived at the bottom, we collapsed in a heap, lungs burning, his fingers still tightly round mine. I listened but couldn’t hear footsteps. When it became obvious that no-one had followed us, I let go of his hand.
“What the hell was all that about?”
“He thought we were a couple of kids sneaking up there to make out.”
“And?”
“And I did what any frightened kid would do and ran away screaming. Didn’t want to blow our cover.” He winked. “Now then sweetheart, your place or mine?”
TWENTY-NINE
I punched his arm. “Cheeky bugger!”
Rob followed me home in his car and we were soon safely back at mine, sitting across the kitchen table sipping coffee. A scribbled note from Louise caught my attention.
“Looks like we’ve been invited for dinner,” I said.
“We have?”
“Yep, with Shaun’s parents.” I rolled my eyes. “Both of us. Just in case you were having any ideas about bailing.”
“Can’t you tell them you need to spend some time with your daughters?”
“They’re coming too apparently. That’s what Louise’s note says. They must have been pretty convincing, she’s not usually one to accept dinner invitations from random strangers. Will you give us a lift over there? Would be nicer to go together.”
“Sure.” Rob smiled and I felt a return of that unfamiliar stirring in my tummy. I wanted to say something because, damn that had been a good kiss, but I didn’t even know where to start. He was simply keeping us safe from whoever might otherwise have caught us snooping round the hotel, wasn’t he?
Rob stood up and cleared his throat. “Anyway, I’d better be going.”
“Already?”
He sat down again. “I don’t have to. I just thought …” He paused. “I don’t know, just didn’t want to outstay my welcome.”
“But what about the hotel?”
“What about it?”
I took a deep breath. “Before that man arrived and, well, you know …”
“Before I kissed you?”
Oh boy, there were those butterflies again. “Um yeah. Before that. I thought you were going to help me find a safer way in.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. That’s what it looked like at least.”
Rob shrugged. “I guess I was. But it’s really not a good idea, especially not after almost getting caught.”
“You think I should just let it go?”
“I do.” His cheeks flushed with colour. “I mean, it’s almost certainly a dead end. The place is a dump.”
“I suppose so. But there’s just something not right about it. I can’t put my finger on what, but it doesn’t feel right.”
“But that’s what I was trying to tell you Charlie. You can’t always trust your feelings. Sometimes you have to stick with the facts, the things you actually know for sure. Sometimes your feelings can throw you right off.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded his head firmly. “It’s important to stick to the facts and not let yourself get carried away chasing after feelings. You’ll only end up getting hurt.”
As he spoke, something inside of me shrunk, just a little. He might think he was only talking about the hotel but any inkling I might have had about that kiss being anything more than just a cover story withered and died with every word that came out of his mouth. We were friends, colleagues sort of, and those were the facts of the matter. No need to get carried away with feelings, even if it had been a bloody good kiss!
“Message received and understood. Now what time are you picking us up?”
Beverly and Shaun were waiting for us at his parent’s house. Shaun’s arm was draped round Beverly’s shoulder and he beamed proudly as he introduced us first to his mum then his dad. I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting from the couple but having met both their scrawny sons, I hadn’t expected his mother to be the belly-laughing curvy woman that she was. She wrapped me in a warm hug and the smell of cinnamon invaded my nostrils. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“So nice to meet you Mrs …”
“Please dearie, call me Norma. And he’ll be Ted to you. Won’t you Ted.”
Ted laughed. “Yes dear.” He leaned in and whispered to me. “Thirty-seven years married and that’s the secret. Always do as I’m told.”
It was clear that both the boys took after their dad, his slight frame and slightly shaded eyes the exact replica of Shaun’s. But with added warmth, I realised. Here was a man I felt I could trust implicitly.
I introduced Grace and Louise and they too were soon on the receiving end of one of Norma’s hugs. I made a mental note to thank them later for not protesting. They had both decided to be on best behaviour it seemed.
“And this strapping young man must be Rob. Shaun has told us all about you. Come here and give us a hug.”
“Help,” Rob mouthed to me as he found himself being thrust against Norma’s ample bosom. I smiled to myself. This was going to be fun.
Half an hour later and we were all installed around Norma’s kitchen table, the conversation flowing. I noticed Beverly barely said two words, seeming to prefer to allow the conversation to carry on around her, but Shaun did his best to draw her in when he could. As much as I tried not to, I found myself relaxing in his company, charmed by his wonderful parents and a belly full of delicious home-cooked food. It wasn’t until Norma brought out a lemon cheesecake that the conversation turned to more serious matters.
“Charlie, Shaun tells me you met our Declan?” Norma said.
I nodded, keen not to say anything that might insult the woman in her own home.
“I take it from your silence the meeting didn’t go too well?” She smiled. “It’s okay, I know how he can be. You don’t have to sugar-coat Declan for me love.”
I returned her smile. “I think it would be fair to say that it wasn’t the easiest of meetings.”
“He’s a good lad really, underneath it all.” Ted shook his head sadly. “And I really believe he’s trying this time.”
That was news to me. “Trying?” I said.
“Oh yes. He’s been getting help from one of the local agencies.”
“Oh Ted, Charlie doesn’t want to hear about all of that.” Norma flapped her hand in Ted’s direction then turned to me. “Sorry dear.”
“No Norma.” Ted’s voice was sharp. “If she doesn’t know the truth, about the steps he’s taking, she won’t let him help her.”
Help me? I felt a knot in my stomach. This case was already trying enough. The last thing I needed was help from the likes of Declan.
THIRTY
“I’m sorry Mrs O’Leary, but I really don’t think that’s a great idea.”
“I told you dearie, call me Norma. Won’t you give my boy a chance? If he could only see that someone like you would take him seriously, it’d make all the difference. He really is trying.”
I looked from Norma to Ted, took in their expressions, so full of hope and love for their son. I knew what it felt like to be willing to do anything for your children but I was afraid Declan had this sweet pair wrapped round his grubby, hateful, disgusting little finger. Not that I’d say that to them of course. I looked at Rob but he just shrugged. I gave him what I hoped was my most pointed look but he just starred back at me, a confused expression on his face.
“Do you mind if I speak to my colleague in private?” I turned to Rob. “Outside maybe?” I stood up and gestured for Rob to follow me. I walked outside and started pacing up and down the pavement. When Rob eventually caught up to me I rounded on him.
“Are you crazy?”
“Me? Woah now, it wasn’t my idea.”
“But you didn’t say anything to back me up, tell them it was a mental idea. I can’t work with their son. He’s a psychopath!”
“Hold on now Charlie, I think you might be being a little unfair …”
“Unfair? I’ll tell you what’s unfair. Having to run halfway across Burry Port in wedges because you’re afraid to stop in case the bastard who called you a bitch catches up to you.”
“You didn’t tell me about that.” Rob frowned. “When did this happen?”
“Doesn’t matter. Point is, he’s not safe and I’m not working with him. I don’t care how many hot dinners his mother makes me, it is never going to happen.”
“I understand.” Rob’s voice was soothing but still I kept pacing. He reached out and touched my arm. “Charlie?”
I stopped in front of him. “What?”
“Do you trust me?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Do you trust me?” He asked again.
I shrugged.
“I’ll take that as a yes. What if we found a way to keep his parents happy that didn’t involve you working with him directly?”
I shrugged again and he smiled.
“What if he came out with me? There’s no way I’d let him try anything and besides, I look rubbish in wedges.”
Reluctantly, I smiled. “Maybe.”
“That’s better. You know what they say about keeping your enemies closest. At least if he’s with me you’ll know he can’t be sneaking up on you. That’s got to be a good thing, right?”
“What will you have him do?”
“I dunno, door to door?”
I started to shake my head but then grinned. “I don’t trust him. You might bump into a hot new lead and he’ll go squealing about it all over town. Come on, let’s get back to his parents. I know exactly what we can have him help you with …”
We wal
ked back into the family’s kitchen to find Louise with her hands in soapy water all the way up to her elbows and Grace brandishing a tea-towel.
“Who are you and what have you done with my children?” I asked.
“Ha ha!”
“Very funny Mum!”
“I was going to keep you some pudding Charlie but your girls said you’re not a fan of cheesecake,” Norma said. “I’d have made you something different if I’d known.”
“We shared your bit,” Grace said, grinning. “Hope you don’t mind.” She waggled her eyebrows at me, naughty girl.
“Dinner was lovely Norma. I don’t think I could eat another bite.” I walked over to where the older woman was sorting through the plates and cutlery. “Could I have a word? It’s about your Declan.”
“Come and sit in the front room. Looks like your young ladies have the dishes nicely under control.”
I followed her through the kitchen into a sitting room that looked like it had been decorated when Shaun and Declan were still in nappies. The wallpaper was faded and the carpet looked a little threadbare in places but there wasn’t a hint of dust. I couldn’t help but wonder what it had really cost this couple to keep going, supporting a grown-up son and his nasty habits.
Beverly and Shaun were sitting together on one sofa, huddled together deep in conversation, while Ted sat in a chair in the corner, his head low on his chest.
“I had a chat with Rob and he thinks he can use your Declan’s help.”
Norma’s face lit up. “Really? Oh that’s just wonderful.” She shouted in Ted’s direction. “Ted? Did you hear that? Charlie’s said he can help.”
Ted’s head bolted upright as he woke with a start. “Sorry love, was just resting my eyes. What did you say?”
“He can help. Declan. Charlie says he can help her.”
“Well that’s grand. Just marvellous.” He paused, as if giving the matter due consideration. “What will he be doing?”