Stretched Horizons

by Ross Richdale

  "What did you say to him?" Bree hissed.

  "Not a lot, just general stuff about Ray and you..."

  "Ray and me?" Bree retorted. "What did you tell him about Ray and me?"

  Emily's hand shook. "Only what you and Ray told me, how you met earlier, had that holiday together..."

  "How long, Emily? How long did you say I'd known Ray?"

  Emily shrugged. "A year or so. I may have said two years. Does it really matter?"

  Bree gave an audible sigh. "No, Emily, it doesn't matter. It helps to explain something, that's all."

  "Did I do wrong?"

  Bree managed a smile. "No, Emily, you did nothing wrong. How could any of us have guessed Colin would turn up at this end of the world?"

  Emily smiled and was about to say more when Ken appeared. "So what's all the big discussion?" he said.

  "Colin called into our place that afternoon we went to the beach," Bree said. "Emily never realized who it was until she saw his photograph."

  Ken stared at her. "Now that is a coincidence," he said but his expression showed he knew it wasn't one at all. He reached out and brushed her arm. "We're going home in the morning but there is something I want you to do, Bree," he said.

  Bree nodded but said nothing.

  "You're both invited to stay at our place before you leave New Zealand. It'll be an early morning flight out, won't it? Bring Ray, too."

  Bree smiled. "Oh, Ken," she said. "I'll love to come," She turned to Emily, "And don't you worry about Colin. It makes no difference anyway, does it?"

  Emily smiled. "No, it's poor Linda who has the burden now, I suppose." She shook her head in wonderment. "I'll never understand this present generation."

  "GOD, IT'S HOT," LINDA exclaimed when they finally arrived back at Ray's place. "Coming from mid-winter to this is almost too much."

  Bree glanced at her companion. She thought Linda had come through the traumatic afternoon well but it appeared the bubble of adrenaline had burst. Linda was hollow-eyed, with streaks of mascara dissolved in perspiration making her face gaunt. Her lips trembled and her hands shook.

  "It's over now," Bree said with empathy in her tone. "Come inside, have a hot bath or shower and rest." She glanced at her watch. "It'll be the middle of the night in England now. You must be exhausted."

  Linda managed a smile. "It's been the longest day in my life," she said. "Literally. I didn't know how you'd react but I never expected this kindness from someone I hardly know."

  "Just by reputation," Bree cut in and immediately chastised herself for being blunt.

  Linda, though, didn't appear concerned. "Colin gave the impression you were a cold, old maid of a school ma'am only interested in your work and little else." She wiped the perspiration off her brow. "You know the ex-wife syndrome. He wouldn't have said anything nice even if he felt it."

  "I know," Bree said. "But what the hell, let's go inside and relax."

  AFTER A SHOWER, LINDA appeared more refreshed but still looked tired. She accepted Ray's offer of the bed in Jenny's room. Emily clucked around and, within moments, the mother-to-be was fast asleep. The others sat around the kitchen table and discussed the day's events. Linda's condition was the hot topic and Emily almost lectured the others on the declining morality in the twenty-first century.

  Bree though, said nothing but sat looking melancholic. Ray slipped an arm around her. "Come on, my sweet. It's a beautiful evening. Let's go for a walk. I haven't shown you the park I take Pattie for a walk around, have I?" Ray chuckled. "My God, she's been tied up in her kennel all afternoon. She hates being left out there. I won't be a moment."

  Bree walked down the drive but was soon meet by an excited tail-wagging dog that ran up, circled around, brushed her legs and darted back to Ray.

  "Oh, Pattie," Bree laughed. "How could we forget about you?' She knelt down and tickled the dog's ears. "We're going to the park."

  Pattie ran her nose in Bree's face, barked and tore ahead down the footpath, around the corner and out of sight.

  "She'll be back," Ray said. "The park's only a block from the hospital. That's why I wasn't concerned when she disappeared after we first arrived. This is her home turf." He slipped his hand into hers. "So what's wrong? The funeral, Linda or her condition?"

  "You noticed?" Bree replied.

  "I noticed how kind you are to a woman barely able to cope, how tolerant you are with a well-meaning but gossipy middle-aged lady, and I love you for it all."

  Bree squeezed his hand but her eyes watered.

  "What is it, Bree?"

  "Linda's pregnancy."

  "I thought as much. It made you think of your own, am I right?"

  Bree nodded. "The last time, I was careful. The doctor was excellent and everything went well... until... " She stopped and stared ahead at Pattie who had just reappeared. "Colin came home drunk and screamed how fat and ugly I was. I replied it was his child I was carrying and he..." She squeezed Ray's hand until her muscles hurt. "He attacked me. I fell and he kicked me...." Ray slipped his arm around Bree's shoulders as she continued. "I was rushed to hospital but my little girl was stillborn," she wept.

  "So you noticed Linda's bruises, too?"

  "He never changed, Ray. He was arrogant and violent and deserved to die. I hope the bastard rots in hell." Her voice was venomous. She glanced up. "But I feel so, so sorry for Linda. Colin had nothing, you know... financially, I mean. Oh, he was well off at one time. In fact he inherited quite a large amount when his father died a decade ago, but blew it all on stupid business attempts and hot tips on the share market. Gambling never helped, either." She patted Pattie with her free hand and glanced at Ray. "I think Linda tricked him into getting her pregnant; perhaps it was to keep him with her."

  "And would it have worked?"

  "No, he was never interested in children." Bree replied. "Perhaps one reason he came out here was to use me as an excuse to move on." She chuckled. "My God, it must have cut his ego to threads when he thought we'd been having an affair for two years."

  "Two years!"

  "Yeah, that's what Emily told him."

  "When?" Ray said in amazement.

  Bree glanced up. "Didn't she tell you?" Ray's expression showed he knew nothing so she told him everything.

  "And one little white lie grew?" Ray laughed. "Emily always exaggerates."

  "Yeah. Knowing Colin, he would have flown into a rage and decided on instant retribution."

  "So we now know the motive."

  "We do," Bree replied. "I'm fine but poor Linda..."

  "But you aren't responsible for her," Ray said. "She's a grown woman, just one of millions who find themselves alone in the world with a baby due."

  "She's barely older than Jenny."

  "So? Jenny has her head screwed on. In fact, she's probably more mature than Linda."

  "That's what I mean," Bree replied. She held Pattie by the collar until they crossed the road. The dog bounded ahead into the park with its wide expanse of grass, children's playground and line of shady trees. Bree relaxed until she saw the sign, No Dogs Permitted.

  "Don't worry," Ray replied in a deadpan voice. "Pattie never learned to read"

  THEIR LAST WEEK IN New Zealand went far too quickly. Bree insisted that Linda travel back with her and Jenny and had their tickets changed. Their own fares incurred an extra charge from the original bookings but Linda had paid the full price anyway so the transfer was made without difficulty.

  Ray flew up to Auckland with them and everyone stayed with the Prestons. Now, they were at Auckland International Airport waiting for the final minutes before their departure.

  Emily walked over to where Bree stood. "Bree," she said

  "Yes, Emily?"

  "All the best, my dear. I thought nobody could replace our Maxie in Ray's eyes but I was wrong. Do you have to return home so soon?"

  "I'm afraid so," Bree replied. "My headteacher's job is waiting for me."

  Emily twittered her fingers. "I mean permane
ntly, Bree. You're the best thing that has happened to Ray. Come back to him if you can." She reached out, squeezed Bree's hand and walked away.

  "I intend to," Bree murmured, the turned as Ray moved up beside her. "Well, Ray," Bree said. "It's back to winter."

  Ray nodded and leaned his crutches against a nearby wall. "Come here," he said.

  They kissed with passion before Bree wriggled away and wiped her eyes. Ray swallowed and handed her a receipt. "Something for you from the duty free shop," he said. "You pick it up in the exit lounge." He squeezed her one last time, grabbed his crutches and stood back.

  "Come on," Jenny said. She hugged Ray and urged Bree after Linda and the other passengers along the exit corridor.

  At a right angle corner, Bree turned. Ray was still there. He smiled and blew a kiss. Bree waved, swallowed and headed out.

  "Your gift," Jenny reminded and led Bree to the duty-free shop counter.

  The gift was tiny but Bree gasped when she was finally aboard and pulled the wrapping away to discover a velvet jewellery box. She unclipped the clip and opened the box. Inside was a gold and diamond bracelet. The tiny card had a short message in Ray's handwriting.

  Until we meet again. We both love you, Bree. Ray and Pattie.

  "Oh my," Bree said and burst into tears.

  "Shit," Jenny said. "That would have cost the mint."

  "I can't take this," Bree sobbed. "Ray can't afford it."

  It was Linda who replied. "And how do you propose giving it back, Bree?" she said. "Jump off the 747 as we taxi along the runway?" Bree glanced up and saw Linda also had moist eyes. "I wish someone cared as much for me as Ray loves you."

  "Someone will one day, Linda," Bree whispered. "I'm sure of that."

  CHAPTER 17

  The third Wednesday in March was an even more than hectic time at Sunset Grove Primary School. It was the time of spring conferences; school closed at midday and throughout the afternoon and evening parents arrived at their allocated times to see the teachers. Jenny had just finished a particularly tough discussion with a parent who had the strange idea her son could do no wrong. The reason he was behind in math and reading was because Sunset Grove in general, and Miss Dench in particular, were not teaching the subject correctly.

  Jenny sighed and glanced at her timetable. Oh thank God, she had a twenty-minute break before the next parent arrived. Her relief turned to a frown when there was a tap on the classroom door.

  She placed the last child's records in the filing cabinet and tidied her desktop. "Come in," she called.

  A young woman walked in carrying a baby wrapped up in a shawl.

  "Hi, Jenny," she said. "One of the other teachers said you were free for a while."

  "Linda!" Jenny cried. "My God, you look grand. And your baby!"

  Linda beamed. "This is Casssandra, born only three weeks past."

  Jenny smiled at the baby. "She's beautiful! What are you doing here in London? Have you seen Bree? Damn, why didn't you call or send a text message? It's been ages..."

  "Questions, questions." Linda laughed. "I'll try and answer them."

  "Can I hold Cassandra?" Jenny said.

  "She's got wet napkins."

  "God, I don't care," Jenny replied and cuddled the little girl in her arms before looking up at Linda. "Well?"

  "I'm back permanently," Linda said. "Mum convinced me to come home." She screwed her nose up. "It's only for a while until I get settled. How's Bree? I haven't seen her yet."

  "Fine," Jenny replied. "Works too hard, though."

  "And Ray? Do they keep in touch?"

  Jenny grinned. "Yeah. He rings her a couple of times a week and sends emails on the other days. They've got it bad."

  "So what are they going to do?"

  Jenny shrugged. "I've no idea. Bree's shut up on that one. Just mutters, 'We'll see' when I ask her." The pair chatted on until there was another knock and the next parent appeared.

  "Am I early?" the woman asked.

  Jenny glanced up. "No, come in Karen. I'm just talking to a friend." She turned back to Linda. "Bree's around. If you go downstairs you'll find her office across the hall. She'll be there somewhere."

  "Sure," Linda replied. "That's if she's not too busy."

  "She won't be."

  THE LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE glowed to show the call was an internal one.

  "Bree speaking," she said.

  "Bree," Jenny couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. "Linda's here with her baby. I've got another interview so I've sent her along to you."

  Bree's heart leapt. "Linda here... in London? And..."

  "Yeah, that's what I said. But must go. See you."

  The telephone went dead and the intercom buzzed.

  "A Ms. Rouke wishes to speak to you, Bree," said the office assistant. "She hasn't an appointment but insists it will be okay."

  "Give me a moment then send her in, Anne," Bree replied.

  She stood, straightened her skirt and walked over to the window. Her mind was awash with emotions. The baby. How would she handle that? She knew Linda planned to name the baby Cassandra Ashworth. And why not? Colin was the father. Still, Bree couldn't stop wondering about the small Ashworth she, herself, had lost. She wished Ray was there to support her. God, she missed him...

  "Hi, Bree," said a quiet voice.

  Bree turned and saw Linda holding the baby. Blue eyes stared out from a shawl.

  Bree's heart melted. "My God, Linda," she whispered. "What a thrill it is to see you! And this must be Cassandra. She's gorgeous."

  "You caught her at a good time. Wait until she's hungry. She'll howl the house down."

  "Oh, Linda," Bree continued. "You look wonderful. I was just saying to Jenny the other day we should go and visit you, and here you are. Tell me, how is everything?"

  Linda shrugged. "It's been difficult," she admitted. "Oh, I'm not too badly off. As you know, Colin left the house in Birmingham to me. By the time I sold the house and paid the mortgage there wasn't enough to buy here, hence my time at home with Mum. But how are you?"

  Bree raised her eyebrows. "If it wasn't for Ray, it would have been as if I was never away. You know, you have exciting things happen and come back on a high, expecting everything to be different somehow." She shrugged. "But it wasn't. The school is still here with the ongoing hassles. I must admit Patricia, my deputy, did well those few days I had leave. She had all the records done and even solved a couple of ongoing problems I'd forgotten to deal with."

  "So you could have stayed in New Zealand longer?"

  Bree laughed. "Yes, nobody's irreplaceable are they?"

  "But we are better off without some."

  "Colin you mean?"

  Linda nodded. "He wouldn't have stayed," she said. "Being a family man wasn't in his makeup. I clung to a fantasy that once our child was born he'd change." She sighed. "So, here I am back home with Mum and the new boyfriend."

  "You've got a new boyfriend?"

  "No, silly," Linda said. "Who wants someone with a newborn on her hips? My mother has a new boyfriend. Oh, he's pleasant enough sort of guy but I can't see myself staying with them too long."

  THREE WEEKS LATER, Linda moved into a small flat with Jenny. It was an arrangement that worked well for them both. Linda had companionship and an amazing amount of help with her baby, while Jenny came home after a hard day at work to find a warm and friendly atmosphere and, often as not, a meal simmering in the kitchen.

  Bree immersed herself in schoolwork and arrived back home every night to find an email message from Ray waiting for her. His messages were long and detailed with information about his work and news about his conservatory plantings and Pattie's latest exploits. Every Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon in New Zealand, they'd talk on the telephone, two people still in love but separated by half a world.

  Bree told Ray everything except one secret she shared with nobody. However, it was quickly coming to a point where her information would have to be disclosed.

 
CHAPTER 18

  Ten days later, DS Robert Lueker phoned the school and asked if he could have an appointment to see Bree. "We've made some progress," he said. "And could Miss Dench be there as well?"

  Bree frowned. "We'll be free at eleven," she said. "Jenny can be here but I'll need to ring Linda."

  "Thank you," the detective said. "I thought it would be easier to meet at your school rather than my grubby little office. I'll see you at eleven."

  At eleven, almost to the minute, Lueker walked in with DC Margaret Blackburn, the detective constable who interviewed Bree and Jenny after the classroom attack.

  "Margaret's been assigned to help on the case," Lueker said.

  "Which one?" Bree asked.

  Lueker glanced up without even a hint of a smile. "We believe your late husband was behind the attacks and also that aeroplane crash in New Zealand."

  "What!" Bree gasped. "Wasn't that an accident?"

  DC Blackburn smiled at Bree. "Do you remember that we took skin and blood samples after your attack, Bree?" she said.

  "Of course, but what has that to do with the aeroplane crash in New Zealand?"

  "Initial investigations by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority found that a small explosive device had been attached to the Cessna's engine. They handed the matter on to the local police."

  Jenny gasped.

  "There's more," Lueker said. "They found some fingerprints on a section of the engine that survived the crash and the results were handed on to us."

  "Why?" Bree asked.

  "They belonged to the same man who was seen by witnesses hanging around the school on the day you were both attacked."

  "What!" Bree gasped.

  Lueker looked pleased with himself. "He's a local criminal known who goes by the name of Brad Selby." He glanced at Bree. "Have you heard the name before?"

  "No."

  "I have," Linda cut in. "Colin mentioned the name. I think he was a business partner."

  "Oh he was more than that, Ms Rouke. Brad Selby is a thug who specializes in strong-arm tactics. He usually works alone but has connections with organised crime both here and across in Birmingham. We believe he was employed by your husband to have you killed, Mrs. Ashworth."