The Vine Cross (The Vine Series Book 1)

by S P Dawes

  Martin squeezed Jesse’s shoulder and then walked out of the room, leaving them alone again.

  “Jesse, what’s wrong?” Repeated Hayley, feeling the desperation in the air.

  “Dmitri,” he answered. “I should have asked.” Jesse told himself, he could kick himself for trying not to pry earlier, it could have saved all this.

  “What about him?” She asked, still trying to fathom the change in atmosphere.

  After they had gone back to the interview and completed Hayley’s statement. Jesse drove her home, they hardly spoke. He could see she was furious with him and he didn’t blame her. But he now had two cases involving one person, and his girlfriend being the one and only thing linking them together. She was right in the centre and he knew he couldn’t stay on either case now. It would make for a difficult discussion with his supervisors, but he really had no choice. If they found out, he wouldn’t have a leg to stand on and plausible deniability was out of the question.

  Pulling up, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Watching her disappear around the back of the house, he slammed his palms on the steering wheel and swore to no one in particular.

  Chapter 17

  On entering the house, Hayley decided she needed to rid herself of the scent from the police station. Stumbling upstairs, she ran herself a bath, needing to soak and unwind; her entire body had been tense for hours. Closing the door behind her, she stepped in the warm water. Laying there crying until it felt too cool to manage, she climbed out of the bath, realising it hadn’t worked. She felt just as tense, only now she was heartbroken too.

  Wrapping a towel around her chest, she tied her hair up in another. Standing in her temporary room, she looked through the wardrobe for some fresh clothes. The ones she had had on at the station were sodden with sweat and betrayal. Pulling a T-shirt out, she placed it over her head as Caitlyn walked in.

  “Sorry, I didn’t realise you were in here.” Caitlyn searched while Hayley carried on pulling her jeans up. “Have you seen a gold earring?”

  Hayley shook her head. She hadn’t really looked, but she’d not spotted one, and she was not in the mood to help find it. “Caitlyn, did you want something else?” She asked while tying her hair up, feeling as though she was hanging around for more than just an earring.

  “I think we got off on the wrong foot.”

  Hayley stared back at her. Was she for real right now? Not understanding what Caitlyn was expecting from her, she just stood, waiting for more.

  “I think we probably need to get to know one another better.”

  Hayley shrugged, getting to know Caitlyn wasn’t at the top of the list for her priorities right now.

  “Well, I’ll let you get dressed,” said Caitlyn, leaving Hayley to finish.

  Just when Hayley was trying to work out her visitors’ intentions, her phone rang. Running back to the bathroom, she retrieved it. “Hello.”

  “Hi, the flat’s ready now. I’ve had a burglar alarm installed; the instructions are next to it. You must turn it on and get it operating as soon as you get back in. Just let me know the pin, so I don’t wake up the neighbourhood if I pop in.”

  “Oh! That’s brilliant, thank you so much, and I’ll move my stuff over today,” Hayley said, excited to get back in her own space. Maybe she could walk away from the nightmare of today? No more bumping into Jesse on the landing. She knew that thought alone should fill her with joy after today’s debacle, but somehow it didn’t. She’d miss him, miss what they had, even if it had been completely fake. Just the thought of him made her chest hurt.

  “No probs take care of that key,” her landlord warned.

  “I will,” she promised.

  Running downstairs, she saw Marie unpacking shopping. Telling Marie she was moving back out, was heartbreaking; she looked totally deflated. Marie told her it had been nice having a fellow female around the house for a bit. Hayley disappeared upstairs to pack her suitcase. Ordering a taxi because she couldn’t go through the nightmare of the bus again. She left her belongs in the kitchen while she ran out to the local shop around the corner, grabbing a bunch of flowers out of the water-filled plastic bucket and a box of Cadbury’s milk tray off the shelf near the till. She paid for them and then made her way back.

  Entering the kitchen, Hayley noticed Caitlyn talking to Marie about wedding arrangements. Hayley noted how much more enthusiastic she was than Marie, and smirked.

  Handing Marie the gifts and a hug, she thanked her again before pulling her suitcase onto its wheels.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” exclaimed Marie.

  “I did, you’ve been a lifesaver, and I can’t thank you enough.” Marie just smiled, smelling the flowers. Caitlyn turned and walked into the living room. “Can you say bye to Jesse for me?”

  Marie looked concerned and confused.

  “I just mean for leaving without telling him, it’s just that I’m back at work tomorrow so I’d rather get settled in.” She lied; this was the best time to leave after today’s fiasco at the police station. No awkward goodbyes, but she didn’t want to have to tell Marie she wanted to cut Jesse’s balls off right now.

  “Of course, don’t be daft. It’s not as though it’s the last you’ll see of him.”

  Hayley smiled a hollow smile before making her way to the waiting taxi. Grabbing her suitcase, she pulled it out and walked up the path. The driver opened the boot and Hayley flung it in, before climbing in the passenger’s seat. Looking back at the house as the driver pulled away, she wiped a tear away. She’d had some good times in that place and didn’t enjoy knowing she wouldn’t be returning.

  Caitlyn watched her from the living room window until she heard Marie enter, dropping the net curtain as she moved away.

  On walking into her living room, Hayley stood shocked at just how nice it was. Freshly painted in a pastel coral colour with a deep rich red carpet and almond glossed skirting and frames, it was delightful. A beautiful picture of a pink orchid hung above the fireplace which replaced a teak style with a white surround. The cabinet that had been a tatty wooden retro style was now a white shelving unit, and he had replaced the wooden television corner unit with a cream one. The coffee table had gone, but three white nest of tables with glass tops sat under the windowsill. A peach chenille comfortable looking settee sat centre stage with peach velvet curtains framing the window, giving it a warm cosy feel.

  Turning to her bedroom, she opened the door. Re-decorated; it was now a pale mint colour with a forest green set of curtains with three differently sized and coloured bands at the bottom. The place looked fresh and airy. She was actually a lot calmer here now, Hayley thought she might feel worried, even trapped after what had happened, but she didn’t. It felt like a fresh start, even if her love life had taken a turn for the worst. She had an overwhelming feeling to show Jesse, share it with him. No more skulking around his Mum and Dad’s place. He could have stopped over whenever he liked. Now she was alone again, and the feeling weighed heavily in her chest.

  How could one day change so much? Yesterday she had been sure they had a future, and today he’d thrown her under the bus in order to convict someone. His case had meant more to him than she had, and she had to get over it and move on. Tears spilled from her eyes as she remembered their time together.

  Hayley’s phone rang. Grabbing it from her pocket, she saw it was an unknown number. Denying the call, she placed it on the arm of the settee and dragged her suitcase into the bedroom. She couldn’t speak to a sales assistant right now, or go through the palaver of having an insurance claim for an accident she hadn’t had. Opening the suitcase up on the bed, she pulled all her clothes out before putting them back in the wardrobe and placing her vanity pieces back in the bathroom.

  Her phone rang again, but ignoring it, she continued to move herself back in. She didn’t want to speak with anyone, she just wanted to be home with no interruptions. It felt like a lonely wine, chocolate, and chick flick night.

  Jesse had b
een mulling it over since they had handed him the photograph, but no matter what scenario ran through his head, it always came to only one conclusion. He’d have to tell the DCI what was going on, and then he’d have a decision to make. The case or Hayley? He’d never be able to have both. He’d been staring at a blank screen for the past ten minutes, when he should have been looking into the electoral database.

  “I’m gathering you’ve not said anything yet then?”

  Jesse looked up to see Martin. “Don’t,”

  Martin looked at him with sympathy this time, but that just made Jesse feel worse. “You spoke to her yet?” Whispered his friend.

  Jesse just shook his head.

  “I’ve been thinking about Leon. Strange how he dropped her name in at the last minute. She’s the only thing linking the two cases together.”

  Jesse rubbed his chin, he’d been having the same thoughts, but he had got nowhere with it. “Why would he drop her name now though, especially if this Gleeson guy was getting closer to her? Giving us her name, knowing he was close to—” Martin stopped. He didn’t need to finish that sentence, and he could see how much Jesse was struggling.

  “Only it’s not Gleeson, is it? It’s Demy and I’ve no idea,” said Jesse, rubbing his head. “If it is the same guy, then he’d know that we were onto him, or he’s so far up himself it wouldn’t cross his mind. But why go after someone in the middle of what looks like a big deal, just to what? Scare her? I just don’t get it. Gleeson was at Rob’s house, so it’s got to have been him looking for Hayley? It was him she must have seen.”

  “Did she actually point him out?” Asked Martin.

  “She did to my brother, and he said he came back, but that was Gleeson.” Jesse remembered back to the time he had shown Rob a group of photographs and he had decisively picked Paul Gleeson, but then there had been four men in that taxi, and he only knew the identity of one other. Had he done the unthinkable and not covered all bases? Could they have both been present?

  “Then the guy’s either working for him or he was with him.” Martin concluded, looking at the ceiling. “Maybe this really is personal; maybe he just can’t help himself.” Martin immediately regretted speaking his thoughts out loud when he saw the look on Jesse’s face. “If she’s genuinely a victim of this guy, then she will want to help. You can salvage this.”

  Martin tapped him on the shoulder as he stood back up, and Jesse turned to see the DCI enter the room. They shared a glance; Jesse took a deep breath and stood up. No time like the present.

  Caitlyn sat in the car; she didn’t want to be here. She didn’t even want to be doing this, but if she was to repay the debt, she didn’t have a choice. Especially with Leon quickly losing the plot, he would end up getting them both killed. Exiting the car, she gently closed the door. Walking over to the front door, she took a deep breath, noting her shaking hands. She tried to compose herself first or she would never get through it. Tapping on the door, she waited. When there was no response, she thought about going back. Relieved, she didn’t have to go through with it. Until it opened.

  “Hi,” said Hayley, looking around, confused. “Everything OK?”

  “I need you to come with me.” Hayley frowned. “It’s Jesse; he’s been in an accident.”

  “Oh, my God! Is he OK?” As mad as she was right now with him, she didn’t wish him hurt. Then suddenly remembering she had no idea what they were to each other anymore, she stopped. Maybe he wouldn’t want her there?

  “We need to go,” resolved Caitlyn.

  “I’m not sure he wants me,” admitted Hayley solemnly.

  Caitlyn, mildly shocked, refrained from getting into a conversation about it. “Hayley, whatever’s happened, he needs you. He’ll want you; I promise.”

  Hayley stuttered but then ran up the stairs to collect her belongings.

  “We need to go,” panicked Caitlyn.

  “Two seconds,” hollered Hayley before running back downstairs, slamming the door closed behind her. Having not had time to read through the manual, she didn’t set the alarm. Rushing towards Caitlyn’s car, she jumped in as the other woman slammed the driver’s door shut. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. I just got told to pick you up, everyone’s meeting us there.” Caitlyn could see Hayley fidgeting. She was clearly worried about Jesse’s safety, and the thought made her feel even more guilty. Caitlyn pulled out and made her way to the A1.

  “Where are we going?” Hayley didn’t recognise the route. The closest hospital to them was Mansfield. They had an urgent care in Newark, but she already presumed he wouldn’t be there.

  “The hospital,” smiled Caitlyn trying to look more content than she felt. She’d never get her the entire way without her working it out. Spying Hayley holding onto her phone, she had to think quick. She needed to get rid of it.

  Ten minutes along the A1 stood a petrol station. Caitlyn pulled in. “Would you mind getting a couple of bits? Save us coming back out later.”

  “What do you need?” Asked Hayley, unbuckling her seat belt.

  “Just grab a few bottles of drink, a magazine for Jesse, anything you think he might want.” Caitlyn handed her a twenty-pound note and Hayley took it. “You might as well leave them here; you’ll not be able to carry them, anyway,” she said, referring to her keys and phone in her hand.

  Hayley looked down at them before placing them on the seat and rushing into the shop.

  Caitlyn grabbed the mobile, wound down her window and threw it out. Grabbing the keys, she tossed them on the back seat.

  Hayley returned a few minutes later with a bag of things for the hospital, before looking around for her belongings.

  “I’ve chucked them behind, I’ll find them when we get there,” explained Caitlyn.

  Hayley nodded. She didn’t enjoy being away from her phone, but she supposed if it rang, she’d hear it; it would be easy enough to find.

  Carrying on up the road, they drove past two slip roads to take them off the A1 leading to Grantham.

  “Shouldn’t we have taken one of those?” Asked Hayley. She knew of a hospital in Grantham, although she’d never been there, but now they were heading in the wrong direction. The pit of her stomach swirled with anxiety. Caitlyn was silent, and she was trying to put it down to the fact she must be equally concerned, but something was niggling in the back of her head. Hayley looked at her surroundings. They were on a straight road, nothing around but traffic.

  “Caitlyn, where are we going?” Asked Hayley, trying to mask her fear. Caitlyn didn’t answer, so she leant over the middle section of the car trying to find her mobile. There was a black coat on the rear seat and as she moved it around, she heard her keys jingle. Retrieving them, she carried on looking for her phone. “Caitlyn, where’s my phone?”

  “Hello?” Said Marie, answering the phone.

  “Hi Mum, can you get Hayley for me?” Asked Jesse. He needed to speak with her before he made any drastic decisions.

  “No, sweetheart, she’s gone home,” explained Marie.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She said she got a call just after she got back to say it was ready. She sent her apologies for not letting you know, but I think she wanted to get settled in.”

  Jesse looked around the office. People were milling around as usual, as though nothing had changed. Except for him, the room closing in.

  “Jesse, everything OK?” Asked Marie, sensing something was wrong by his silence.

  “Yeah, sorry, just thinking… did she take her phone?” Asked Jesse, panicking. He’d rang her mobile six times, but she hadn’t picked up or replied to any of his messages.

  “I’ve not seen it, but then she got a taxi, so she might have dropped it?” Offered his Mum. “Have you tried phoning Caitlyn?”

  “No, why would I?” Asked Jesse, growing in anxiety.

  “Just that she told me her and Hayley were going out today,” explained Marie, happier for knowing Caitlyn was trying.

  “Re
ally?” Replied Jesse.

  “Yeah, I know. I think she might want to build bridges.” Jesse was unconvinced. Caitlyn had never struck him as someone who believed she made mistakes, let alone rectify them.

  “What time did Caitlyn leave?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  “OK, Mum thanks, I’ll call her.” Jesse hung up the phone.

  Something felt wrong, but what? Was he just being over sensitive because he knew Hayley had a madman on her trail?

  Jesse rang Rob at work; they put him through to the kitchen from the switchboard. “Hi, is Rob there?”

  “Who is it, please?”

  “It’s his brother.”

  Ten seconds later the ringing stopped again, Rob answered. “Jesse, you OK?” He asked, wiping his hands on the tea towel hung from his waist, whilst holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder.

  “Did you know Caitlyn was going out with Hayley today?” Quired Jesse, straight to the point.

  “No, why?”

  “OK, nothing, I just can’t get hold of Hayley.”

  “Well, Caity’s gone out with her family for the day. Told me not to expect her back till late, so I doubt she’s with her.”

  Jesse was losing patience; none of this was making sense. Someone was lying, and his instincts were pointing in one direction.

  “If you hear anything from either, can you call me back?” Asked Jesse, not wanting to concern his brother or give him any invalid details.

  “Sure.”

  Jesse hung up and dialled Hayley from his mobile again. Still no answer. The voicemail clicked in after six rings, just as it had before.

  “You look stressed,” remarked Martin as he walked up to his desk, hitching his hip on the corner.

  “I can’t get hold of Hayley,” explained Jesse.

  The look on his face must have relayed his fears as Martin suddenly paled. He didn’t want to be thinking the worst, but he couldn’t help it. “Do you want to drive round hers?”