The Truth We Chase

by Carl Richards

  ‘It was; although the cop leading the investigation this time seems alright.’

  ‘Who is it?’

  ‘Detective Myddlewood, he was second in command last time, but seems to be leading the investigation this time.’ As soon as I say his name my Aunt is distraught and my Uncle looks angry.

  By now tears are running down my Aunt Shelagh’s face as she pleads with me. ‘Don’t trust him, Joe, he’s evil, corrupt and to make things worse, he’s very close to your Dad.’

  I interrupt, ‘that person you call my Dad, can we call him “lowlife”? I can’t stand to be associated with him.’

  Shelagh nods then carries on. ‘Myddlewood turned a blind eye when you and your Mum were both beaten black and blue. He knew everything... and did nothing.’ She leaves the room, sobbing.

  Bill takes his glasses off and stares at me. ‘Can I offer you some advice?’

  I could tell this was a rhetorical question.

  ‘Walk away Joe, that whole sordid affair has done nothing but bring trouble and strife to our family, I’m genuinely sorry about the loss of your real Dad and your half-Sister, but it’s been a curse to us, and now to you.’

  I sit down opposite him at the table. ‘So, you know all about Mick and Jill then?’

  ‘We do, there is nothing to be gained by all this. Let the Police do their investigation, but you should steer clear. You are innocent, and you’ve been proven innocent, walk away. Go back to the States, settle down, enjoy your life away from all of this.’

  If there is one thing I have learnt in my life, it’s who to trust and who not to. Bill couldn’t be higher on my trust list. I thank him before going through to the lounge to comfort my Aunt.

  We return to the kitchen; I make the three of us a coffee and join Shelagh and Bill at the table.

  Bill leans back in his chair. ‘Lowlife, that’s what you call him? Very apt! So, when did you find out he wasn’t your real Dad?’

  ‘On the day of Jill’s murder, he visited me at the hotel in the morning. He thought he could shock me with this revelation; he failed because that revelation was one of the best things that had ever happened to me.’

  Bill continues. ‘That was some morning, you lost the person who you thought was your Dad and gained a Sister!’

  ‘Jill was always like a Sister to me anyway but yes, it was nice to have confirmation.’

  Shelagh joins the conversation, ‘...and now the lowlife has done a runner to Spain by all accounts?’

  ‘He has, he was on his way to the airport on the morning he visited me, but he didn’t make it due to a little accident he had in the toilets at the hotel; he slipped on the wet floor...’ I wink, Bill and Shelagh know as well as I do that it was no accident, ‘but yes, I believe he is over there now, he should get used to the heat because when his day comes he’ll find that there is a special place in hell set aside, just for him.’

  Shelagh continues, ‘do you think his visit in the morning had anything to do with what happened in the afternoon?’

  ‘I’m not sure, I recognised the face of the killer and I’ve run his face through my mind thousands of times but I can’t fathom where I know him from. I thought it might have been one of the lowlife’s associates, but I really can’t place him.’

  Bill changes tack, ‘so what’s next Joe, will you go back to the States?’

  ‘Hopefully. I think my residency status is being reviewed as a result of the case, plus, at the moment I have no passport, but as soon as I can I’ll head back there to be with Luciana. In fact, I’ll contact my solicitor later and find out how things are going.’

  Bill leans forward toward me. ‘...and then, when you get back to the States?’ Shelagh hits him on the arm, ‘just ask him outright!’

  ‘Okay. You and Luciana, can we expect...?’ I interrupt him, ‘NO! Please don’t expect anything.’

  They look taken aback.

  ‘I’m sorry, that was a bit abrupt. I struggle, a lot, with relationships.’

  Shelagh looks puzzled. ‘From what we’ve seen, you don’t seem to be struggling?’

  ‘Oh, if you only knew.’ I take a mouth full of coffee and put my cup down. ‘Right are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. Remember Lisa?’

  ‘Yes’ they reply simultaneously, ‘we thought you’d be together for life.’

  ‘Lisa finished with me because I was too overbearing, I was so desperate for a family, for love and affection, that I smothered her. I was too wrapped up in what I wanted to see how it was affecting her. Then I met Mia. I had learnt my lesson from my relationship with Lisa, so my relationship with Mia was far more relaxed. We were good together we had a lot of fun, but that was all it was, fun, there was no substance to it, so as a result when we got to the States, she ended up back with her first love and I ended up single again.

  Now it gets complicated.

  Luciana, her best friend Ana, and myself; the three of us live together. Ana and I were in a relationship.’

  Both Shelagh and Bill reel back in surprise.

  ‘I know how bad it sounds, but hear me out. I had been single for a year before Ana and I got together.

  The three of us had known each other for a year and we had shared an apartment for five months before I started dating Ana. In fact, we’d only started going out with each other a couple of days before this disaster of a trip.’

  Bill plunges his head into his hands, he stays there for a few seconds before removing his hands from his face. ‘So let me get this right, you started a relationship with Ana, two days later you fly to England, spend three nights in a hotel with another girl... who turns out to be your Sister, you get dumped by your girlfriend, your sister gets murdered, you get accused of her murder and then you end up in bed with your other flatmate, who happens to be your ex-girlfriend’s best friend?’

  ‘I know... I know... I know that’s how it looks, honestly, it wasn’t like that.’

  Bill now looks livid. ‘It looks a lot like that. I’m sorry Joe you need to go, the newspapers are already talking about you and the murder, if this gets out, they’ll have a field day. I can’t afford to have that at my door.’

  Shelagh turns to him.

  ‘You can’t just throw him out on the street.’

  ‘He won’t be on the street he’s got a Council flat to go to.’

  ‘But still...’

  ‘Alright, I’ll see what I can do, but no promises. You still need to pack your things; I suggest you do it sooner rather than later whilst I make a few phone calls.’

  I make my way upstairs sheepishly and enter the bedroom, Luciana is still asleep. I sit down on the edge of the bed, leaning over I stroke her hair as she starts to wake up.

  ‘Morning!’

  Luciana turns over onto her back and focuses on me.

  ‘You’re up and dressed already, what time is it?’

  ‘Seven-thirty. Did you sleep?’

  ‘I did, I had the best night’s sleep. I love it here it’s so quiet.’

  ‘Excellent, I’m glad to hear it, but something has come up and we need to move on.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Long story.’

  ‘Where are we going to go?’

  ‘Back to the Council flat for the time being.’

  Luciana looks bitterly disappointed. ‘But your Aunt and Uncle said we could stay here until we found our feet.’

  ‘Like I said it’s a long story, they will help us, but we need to move on.’

  She rolls back over on to her side with her back to me.

  ‘I’ll go and get you a coffee.’ She hears me but doesn’t reply. I make my way back downstairs and into the kitchen.

  A soon as I enter the kitchen there is a more conciliatory atmosphere.

  ‘Right Joe, let’s get a grip of this situation, do you need money?’

  ‘Please, it’ll only be a loan for a few weeks, just until they release my frozen assets.’

  ‘How long?’

  ‘The Police said it
will be about seven weeks from now, I promise I’ll pay you back every penny with interest.’

  Bill puts his hand up to stop me in order for him to continue.

  ‘So, you need money, and a job to tide you over?’

  ‘I suppose.’

  ‘So, you need money, a job, and accommodation.’

  ‘I feel humbled.’

  ‘Give me a ring this afternoon Joe and I’ll let you know where I’m up to.’

  I look down at the tabletop.

  ‘You don’t have a phone?’

  ‘I do, but it doesn’t work here.’

  Bill walks over to the far side of the kitchen and starts to rummage in some drawers. Eventually, he turns, walks back to where I’m sat and hands me an old mobile phone. ‘It’s Pay As You Go and locked to a network so make sure you get the right top-up.

  So that’s, money, job, accommodation and phone... anything else?’

  ‘Can I make Luciana a coffee before we go?’

  ‘Don’t be daft Joe, of course you can and you’re welcome to stay for breakfast.’

  I make a fresh coffee for all of us and take Luciana’s up to her.

  I put the mug down on the bedside table, from under the duvet I get a muffled ‘thank you’ from her.

  ‘I know things don’t look great at the moment but everything will work out I promise.’

  Her head appears from under the duvet.

  ‘I just don’t understand what has happened overnight that has resulted in us having to leave.’

  I pause, then I do something I never do, and that is, I lie.

  ‘I just can’t stay here, it’s just too much. Remember me telling you that after my Dad beat my Mum half to death when I was nine, I moved in with my Aunt and Uncle? Well this is it... this is my childhood home, this is my childhood bedroom, this probably is my childhood bed... we need to go.’

  I get the silent treatment again, so I head off back downstairs. An hour later Luciana appears, we have breakfast and then my Aunt Shelagh calls and pays for a taxi for us.

  We arrive back at the tower block where my temporary accommodation is, we unload the taxi of our possessions, the taxi leaves and we make our way to the front door. I swipe the fob over the security panel to release the entry door... nothing happens... I try again... nothing. I press the intercom, a distorted voice comes back, ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hello,’ I reply ‘my fob doesn’t seem to be working.’

  ‘What’s your flat number?’

  ‘127.’

  ‘And your name?’

  ‘Joseph Ryebank.’

  ‘Yeah, it won’t work, you need to speak to a Housing Officer in the offices at the top of the estate.’

  We walk the quarter of a mile back to the Housing Office.

  After a brief wait, a door next to the reception desk opens and we are invited in.

  A very stern middle-aged man tells us to take a seat as he closes the door behind us.

  ‘How can I help?’ he asks.

  ‘I need to reactivate the fob for the security door, it doesn’t seem to be working.’

  He leans forward on the desk with his hands together.

  ‘There’s a reason it’s not working, it has been deactivated, we also need the keys to the flat back, if you would be so kind.’

  ‘I’ve been evicted?’

  ‘No, you can’t be evicted from a property you have left.’

  ‘I haven’t left it.’

  ‘According to the Homelessness Team, you have removed all your personal belongings and you haven’t been staying there, we class that as you leaving the property.’

  ‘So that’s it?’

  ‘I’m afraid so. I don’t think you realise the pressures we’re under here, there are over six thousand people on the long-term housing waiting list in this borough, in addition, we have countless numbers of truly homeless people, you need to either be there or not. As you are not, you will need to make your own arrangements.’

  I hand the keys in and we go back to the reception area.

  ‘So, what now?’ Luciana asks.

  ‘Do you still have your hotel room?’ I feel sick to the stomach as I ask the question.

  ‘Really’ you want to do that?’

  ‘No, not really, but what can we do?’

  ‘Swallow your stupid pride you ass and go back to your Aunt and Uncles house.’

  ‘We can’t Luciana, I’m sorry.’

  ‘Do you know what day it is Joe?’

  I take a moment, ‘it’s Thursday.’

  ‘Exactly, which makes tomorrow Friday... the day I go home... I need to be at the airport for six in the morning. I was hoping we could do something nice tonight, a meal, a few drinks then spend the night together before I go?’

  ‘We can still do that.’

  ‘What, then go back to the same hotel where you and Jill spent her final three days together? I’m sorry Joe but, no, I can’t do that.’

  ‘Okay, let’s go back to my Aunt and Uncle’s and see where we are up to. If they can lend me some money we could book in to another hotel.’

  I put my arm around her shoulder, she shrugs it off. I change to a more conciliatory demeanour and tone. ‘There’s a nice hotel at the airport, it’ll save on travelling in the morning, meaning more time together. I promise, you will not be disappointed, we’ll start with a three-course meal with wine, then a chilled bottle of pink champagne and strawberries just as you like. We’ll take the champagne and strawberries back to our room, a little bit of indulgence... four poster bed... just say yes and I’ll make it happen.’

  ‘Okay, you make it happen and maybe, just maybe I’ll forgive you for everything that’s happened today!’

  Chapter 29

  We arrive back at my Aunt and Uncles house; Shelagh answers the door and looks down to the bags at our feet.

  ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘It’s a long story, we’ve had one of those mornings.’

  ‘Your Uncle Bill has been trying to contact you, he says you’ve not switched your phone on.’

  I slap my forehead with the palm of my hand, ‘I forgot to get the top-up for it.’

  Shelagh stands silent for a moment at the front door with her arms folded then turns to go back in to the house. ‘You’d better come in then,’ she says over her shoulder as she walks away.

  We follow Shelagh into the house then into the lounge, she picks up the phone to call my Uncle Bill, then passes it to me to speak to him.

  It rings a couple of times then he picks up.

  ‘...No, it’s Joe... it’s not switched off, I’ve just not had a chance to get a top-up yet... It’s just been one of those mornings... the Council have taken the flat back... because I collected my things and didn’t stay there... I know, but they said I now had to make my own arrangements... good news? I could do with that... honestly, I can’t thank you enough... yes. I know it, at the top of the village... does he know everything about my circumstance... both, job and accommodation?... Okay, what time?... Tomorrow, 10 am is ideal... thanks again, I’ll speak to you tomorrow... yes, I’ll put her on...’

  I hand the phone back to my Aunt and she walks off into the kitchen still talking to my Uncle. After a few minutes she returns, puts the phone back and hands me a credit card.

  ‘Use this credit card to tide you over, you’ll need to sign the back.’

  ‘You have blank credit cards in the house?’

  ‘Ask no questions, Joe, you might not like the answer! I’m kidding, the bank issued two cards linked to our business account, but as your Uncle is the only one who uses it, we have one spare in the drawer and don’t worry, he’ll have some money for you by tomorrow afternoon.

  So, you’ve been kicked out of your flat, where are you staying tonight?’

  ‘I’m going to book a hotel at the airport as Luciana is flying home early morning tomorrow.’

  ‘Which hotel?’

  ‘The Georgian Manor House Hotel.’

  ‘Nice... and expe
nsive, you have good taste.’

  Luciana looks a little out of sorts. ‘Joe, I told you nothing too expensive I’ve only brought casual clothes with me.’

  Shelagh’s face lights up, she snatches the credit card from my hand. ‘Come on girl, we are going shopping! Joe, you need to sort out that mobile phone, the supermarket on Heaton Moor Road sell top-up cards.’

  ‘I need to book the hotel first.’

  Shelagh reaches for the phone and throws it to me.

  ‘I’ll need a credit card to secure the booking...’

  Shelagh hands me back the credit card and I dial 192 to get the Hotel’s telephone number. A few minutes later Luciana and myself are booked in. I hand the card back to Shelagh and she hands me a spare key to the house.

  ‘How are we both going to use the card with one signature?’ I ask.

  Shelagh picks up a pen and pad from the side of the telephone, ‘here, do a squiggle on this pad and I’ll see if I can copy it, keep it simple, then we can both use it as our signature.’

  I do a simple signature style squiggle and Shelagh copies it perfectly first time.

  She hands me the credit card and I replicate it on the signature strip, then I hand it back to her.

  ‘Can you get some more milk when you go to the supermarket and then, when you come back, make yourself at home... we may be some time.’ She winks at Luciana.

  The three of us leave the house together, Shelagh and Luciana drive off towards Manchester and I set off walking, after a few minutes I take a left through a passage at the side of the park towards the shops. As I pass by the play area, I can hear the laughter and shrieks of happy children playing without a care in the world. Now, more than ever, I miss those days of innocence, when nothing really mattered.

  A few minutes later I arrive at the row of shops and the supermarket. After getting a top-up card and a large bottle of milk I take a seat on the benches outside.

  I switch the phone on to call the top-up line... ‘No Network’ shows on the screen. The phone hasn’t been used for so long that the SIM Card has been cancelled. I walk back into the supermarket and with my last few pounds I purchase a new SIM card, which ironically comes with credit pre-loaded. I make my way outside again and sit back down on the bench opposite the front door.