The Forgotten Mother: A spine chilling crime thriller with a heart stopping twist (Detective Arla Baker Series Book 3)

by M. L Rose

  Arla gripped the handle on the chair. “That’s how she died. Accidental death from diazepam overdose.”

  A shadow of sadness clouded the doctor’s features. “Such a sad end.”

  “Where was she getting the diazepam from?”

  “Not from me. Or from any of the other doctors here. I only diagnosed her as having withdrawal symptoms when she came in asking for more.”

  “I see,” Arla said. “She didn't disclose her source to you, did she?”

  Dr Griffiths shook his bald head. “Nope. I had to admit her into hospital the first time she came in. She had the shakes, and I was afraid she might have a full-blown fit. That’s what happens when an addict suddenly stops diazepam,” he explained.

  “Must’ve been bad.”

  “Very bad. I couldn't believe it in fact. In the space of a few months, a normal, healthy woman was reduced to diazepam addiction.”

  “What do you think brought it on?”

  “I have no idea. It was bizarre. I mean, she was clearly getting it from somewhere.”

  “Where from, that’s the question,” Arla spoke in a low voice, almost to herself.

  “These days anyone can buy stuff on the internet. There’s this dark web thing, where you can buy any drug you want. Like Silk Road, which got shut down last year.”

  “The dark web,” Arla whispered, eyes suddenly wide. “CX.”

  What if this CX person had supplied Laura with diazepam?

  “What?” the doctor appeared confused.

  “Nothing. Did you see anything else that was odd about Laura?”

  “As I mentioned she was depressed as well, which came on gradually before she got addicted to diazepam.”

  “What caused it?”

  “I don’t know. But that’s what clinical depression is. There doesn’t have to be a cause.” His brows came together, meeting in the middle. His eyes lost focus, like a sudden memory had occurred to him.

  “What is it?” Arla asked.

  “Just before she got depressed, I remember Laura telling me something about David. She said David had a past that she knew of. She said she hated him for it.”

  Arla narrowed her eyes. Like a veil lifting slowly, a shape was slowly revealing itself. But it was vague, blurry, just out of her reach.

  “Did she ever tell you what it was?”

  “No. But I do remember she was never the same after that. Then came the diazepam, and she became a different person.”

  “What about her relationship with David?”

  Dr Griffiths stared at Arla for a while. “Because both these people are dead, and you are a detective, I have provided you with confidential information. I hope you can appreciate that. Under no circumstance would I have done it otherwise.”

  “Of course. Believe me, your help is invaluable. If you can tell me anything more about them, I would be grateful.”

  He nodded. “I don’t know much about their relationship after that. She was clearly unhappy. After she died, so was he. It’s what you made me realise today. They both led happy lives, but in the end, both died miserable; sad. Shame, really.”

  Arla gazed back at his face for a while, digesting what she just heard. They both died unhappy. But they had remained married all these years. Something had changed. Laura had come to know something about her husband’s past she couldn't forgive. Or maybe she always knew, and couldn’t bear it any more.

  Well, she owed David, didn’t she? He still made a home with her despite Laura bearing the son of his friend. It took a certain type of man to do that. For the first time, Arla had the inkling that David Longworth hadn’t been the innocent man she had imagined. Maybe he had something to hide, too. Something that Laura knew.

  Each had their own secret. What did Laura tell David? I might be pregnant with your friend’s child, but if you let me keep him, I won’t tell the world about your past?

  Was it a marriage of convenience between two guilt laden souls? Yet, they had acted like the perfect happy couple all these years, pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. But in the end, it had come apart. Some event had been the trigger to start that process.

  What was it? What was she missing?

  Arla stood, her mind in a trance. Thoughts ran helter-skelter in her brain, a racing car roaring down a narrow, winding road.

  “Are you alright?” Dr Griffiths asked.

  Arla returned from her thoughts. “Yes, I’m fine. Listen, doc, can I be in touch with you again? You’ve been very helpful. If you think of anything else about these two, will you please let me know?”

  “Sure. Glad I could help. I liked the family but I guess there was a lot about them I didn’t know.”

  “Yes,” Arla said. “I’ll be in touch.”

  As soon as she was outside, she was on the phone to Lisa.

  Lisa didn’t answer and Arla had to go through the switchboard to get her. She waited impatiently while that call too, ran out.

  “No answer from DS Moran,” the switchboard operator said. “Shall I page her?”

  “Yes, and also try Rita, please.”

  Rita didn’t answer either.

  Fuming, Arla arrived at the black BMW in the GP surgery car park. Just as she slid into the driver’s seat her phone began to ring. It was Lisa.

  “Guv sorry didn't answer but things have gone bonkers here.” Lisa’s voice had a stressed, almost emotional edge to it. Arla checked herself.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “It’s awful, guv. Harry’s sister’s been abducted.”

  CHAPTER 80

  “What? Where?” Arla gasped.

  “Last night, quite late. She went out from her apartment to the supermarket. She didn’t come home and she’s not answering her phone. She walked there. Several witnesses have come forward. They saw a black van stop, a man get out and grab her, shoving her inside the van. Then they drove off. One of the witnesses called us.”

  Arla gripped her forehead. “Oh God. Where’s Harry?”

  “He’s gone to the site with a uniformed squad. Do you want the address?”

  “Yes, can you text it to me?”

  “OK.”

  “I’m going there now, and then we’re coming back. Gather everyone in the incident room. Arla hung up and started the car. She put the address in West London on her GPS, then hit the road. Traffic was building, and she was forced to turn the siren on when she got stuck.

  Arla rang Harry several times on the hands free, but he didn't respond. She saw the yellow and black striped tape and the police cars blocking the street as she got to her destination. Curious bystanders stood staring. Arla cut the siren and pulled up on the kerb.

  She flashed her warrant card to the uniformed officer who was manning the tape lines. She ducked and entered as the man lifted the tape for her. She saw Harry immediately. He was speaking to a man, taking down notes. Their eyes met, and she saw the tension in his eyes soften. Arla got up close to him. She nodded at the witness.

  “I heard just now.”

  Harry nodded without saying a word, but the pain was evident in his eyes. The skin on his face was stretched tight between cheekbones and jaw. He concluded interviewing the witness, then just stood there, his normally square shoulders stooped for once. The supermarket entrance was behind them, people going in and out, staring at them.

  Arla pulled at this coat sleeve. “Come with me, please.”

  “No.”

  “There’s nothing you can do here, Harry. Let this team do their job. Just come and sit inside the car. Tell me what happened.”

  Harry stood his ground, staring around, avoiding Arla’s eyes. She stepped forward and softened her voice. “Don’t make this hard on yourself. How many times do you tell me that?”

  Harry looked at her, his face haggard. “Come on,” she said. “Just for a while, OK?”

  She would love to give him a hug, but it wasn’t the time or place. He followed her stiffly to her car. In the passenger seat, his head sank to his chest. She
held his big hand, rubbing it gently.

  “It’s my fault,” he said eventually. “I shouldn’t have got her involved in the Crimewatch shoot.”

  Arla said, “You’re sure this is related to the case?”

  In response, he took out his phone and passed it to her. Arla stared at the text message.

  “I have her. Punish the real criminals. Leave me alone.”

  It was followed by a photo of Smita. She was tied to a chair, hands bound by rope. Her mouth was gagged and she looked terrified.

  “Oh my god,” Arla said, hand to mouth. She felt like she had been punched in the gut. “What do they want?”

  As if in response, Harry’s phone began to ring. He snatched it off her hands. No caller ID flashed on the screen.

  “It’s him,” Harry said, teeth clenched.

  He put it on loudspeaker. Apart from the hiss of static they heard no sound.

  “Who is this?” Harry asked.

  “You will know my name soon. First of all, answer my question.” There was a pause. Then the even toned, male voice said, “Is she there?”

  Harry frowned, then his eyes burned. He locked eyes with Arla. “Who do you mean?” he asked.

  “Your girlfriend.”

  Harry clamped his mouth tightly shut. Arla’s went lax. Breath left her chest in a rush, replaced by the sudden curl of nausea in her guts.

  Harry breathed heavily, then said, “I don’t know what you're talking about.”

  “Oh really? You can fool those idiots you work with, but not me. You two are attached at the hip.”

  Harry’s was staring ahead, grim faced. Arla was frozen. She couldn't think straight. It was Harry who spoke eventually.

  “Where is my sister?”

  “Right here, with me.”

  “Listen, you won’t get away with this. I promise you…”

  “Shut up and listen. I want Arla Baker. Do you understand. Send her to me, and I’ll think of handing over your sister.”

  CHAPTER 81

  Arla gestured to Harry to keep him talking. She took her phone out and gently opened the car door. She planned to call Lisa and see if she could get a fix on the line.

  The voice said, “I’ll let you know the time and place.” The phone went dead.

  “Hello?” Harry shouted. “Hello?” He slammed his fist into the side of the car, making the vehicle shake. “Damn!”

  They sat in silence, breath fuming in front of their faces. Arla turned the engine on.

  She said, “He’s been following us. He knows...maybe Cherie was right. Maybe we do have a mole.”

  Harry’s face was made of granite. “He must’ve got my number from Smita’s phone. Unless of course, we’re missing someone on the inside.”

  “Any details on the van?”

  “Acton station are looking into the CCTV images as we speak. Let’s hope they can get a registration number.”

  “What did her friend say?”

  “Smita left the apartment at 10 pm to get some milk. She was dressed in black coat and blue jeans and wore a beanie hat.” Harry glanced at Arla. “The swine must have followed her from the shoot to her address.”

  He continued. “I’m going to be at the Acton station. Call me if you need me.”

  “Harry let them do their job…”

  “What would you do if this was your sister? If this was Nicole?” Harry’s eyes were blazing with intensity, face lowered to within inches of hers. She didn't move. She didn't look away.

  But a small corner of her heart crumbled and fell to pieces. Harry was right. She had searched for Nicole for more than sixteen years. Her lost sister. Now, by a cruel trick of fate, it seemed Harry was in the same position.

  “Oh, Harry.”

  His head lowered in pain again, like he had been hit from behind. Arla reached out and pulled him towards her. He folded, his large head coming to rest on her chest. She could smell his hair, aftershave and faint cigarette smoke. He shivered like he had a fever.

  He raised himself after a while. She stroked his hand, wishing she could do something to take this nightmare away.

  “If it’s me he wants, I’ll go,” Arla said softly.

  Harry’s mouth twisted in agony. “Can’t you see what he’s doing? He’s torturing us. Just like he did to Stanley and David.”

  Arla frowned. She hadn't thought of it that way, but it made sense. Whoever this guy was, he was twisting the knife. The pain of others seemed to be his pleasure. Arla felt a cold chill encircle her heart. Fear numbed her insides. She had wondered who was going to be the next victim. She couldn't bear the answer that was now staring at her in the face.

  She steeled herself, swallowing the heavy weight at the back of her throat. “I mean it Harry. Just find out where he wants me to go, and I’ll be there. At least you’ll get Smita back.”

  “Will I? What if this mad man decides to keep both of you?”

  Arla massaged the back of her neck. “I still don’t see how he’s going to pull this off. But Harry,” the tone in her voice made him look at her. “What I’m saying is, I don’t want this on my conscience.”

  Harry started to say something, but she put a finger to his lips. “Just listen. We’ll plan something, OK? Don’t do anything hasty without talking to me first. Like trying to rescue Smita on your own. Promise?”

  Harry nodded in silence. “I’ll see you back at the station.”

  “Don’t be long,” Arla said, and watched nervously as he got out of the car. He walked around the police van and disappeared from sight. Her phone rang suddenly, and the ringtone made her jump. She hadn't realised that she had turned it on loud.

  It was Lisa. She answered immediately. “What is it? Did you find anything about Smita?”

  “No,” Lisa’s voice was hesitant. “But I did find something strange going through the case history of Mason. Sixteen years ago, he was the judge in the case of a 17-year-old girl who was killed in a house. Her dead body was found floating in the swimming pool. Coroner put the cause of death due to a drug overdose. He also found signs of forced sexual activity in the autopsy. No one was convicted.”

  “Why not?”

  “No one was found to be living in the house. It belonged to a company. This is where it gets interesting. The company does not exist anymore. But I rang Companies House and got the details of the directors. Guess who it was?”

  “There’s no time to play games Lisa,” Arla snapped. “Just tell me.”

  “Mike Simpson. His new company Blue Horizon now owns all his previous assets. This house was one of them.”

  Arla frowned. “So who called the crime in?”

  “There was a 999 call at the time. Caller ID was unidentified, but he said he was the brother of the victim.”

  “The brother?”

  “Yes. I dug out the transcript. It’s a harrowing read, guv. The boy actually says, my sister is lying there and not moving. Two men attacked her. Come and help. I think he saw the whole thing happen in front of his eyes.”

  Arla closed her own. “That sounds horrible. The poor boy actually witnessed this.”

  After a pause Arla asked, “So what happened to the case?”

  “It got thrown out due to lack of evidence.”

  “What about the witness and the girl’s parents?”

  “The boy’s evidence was regarded as unreliable. He confessed to following his sister around many places and seeing her take part in similar activities. He was also caught once for glue sniffing in the classroom.”

  Arla frowned. “Sounds strange. Where were the parents?”

  “The boy and girl were living in a foster home. Father unknown, mother was a drug addict.”

  “You got names?”

  “Yes, and I’m digging up the rest of their history.”

  “Good, I want a full report when I get back. That boy is now a young man if he’s still alive and he would have one hell of a grudge against Stanley, wouldn't he?”

  “Definitely.”

/>   “Get hold of Cyber Crime again and see if they have any updates on this CX chap who sent the emails to Stanley. I also want to know if this guy ever contacted Laura Longworth.”

  “Right.”

  “And, I want a team to go up to Kent and get statements from those who knew Laura or saw her last.”

  Arla hung up and started driving. She stopped to pick up some food and was back in the station by midday. The office was a hive of activity. Lisa came up to see her the second she stepped in.

  “Johnson’s in your office. I said you were on your way back.”

  “Arla?”

  They both looked up to see the massive figure of Johnson waving at them from her office. They stood in her office, and Lisa shut the door.

  Johnson had heard. “How is Harry holding up?”

  “Not badly under the circumstances. He’s still on site.” She wanted to tell him more, but bit her tongue. If the killer wanted Arla, then it was best kept secret for now.

  She asked Lisa, “Did you get the name of the girl in the Mason case?”

  “Yes. Sadie Cross. Her brother was called Jonathan Cross.” A light began to dance in Lisa’s eyes. “He’s still alive. I managed to track him down. He works in the film industry at Pinewood Studios. Not sure what he does, but his CV is on a job site. I got his address as well. And he’s served a prison sentence for GBH. His ex-girlfriend accused him of domestic violence.”

  Excitement clutched Arla’s guts. “It could be him. He’s trying to avenge his sister, hence he killed Stanley Mason.”

  Lisa said, “And maybe David Longworth and Simpson were the men who killed his sister? They escaped but he obviously saw them.”

  “So now he comes back to take revenge.” Arla bowed her head, perching her bottom on the desk. “But why now? Why wait all these years?”

  “Wait,” she said. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This could all come to nothing. We need to get hold of this guy first.”

  Johnson was looking confused. “So, who is this guy?”

  Lisa explained, just as there was a knock on the door. It was Rob, and he was waving a piece of paper.

  “A background check on Jonathan Cross.”