Baby Dear: a gripping psychological thriller

by Linda Huber

‘Two quid,’ said the boy, hands in his pockets.

  Anger surged up in Jeff’s head. Little bastard. But he had no choice now. He didn’t want to come down and find his tyres slashed, or his paintwork scraped.

  ‘Two quid it is,’ he said, forcing himself to sound pleasant. ‘In fact, here’s a fiver. But you have to forget you ever saw me for that.’

  ‘Done,’ said the boy, pocketing the money and leaning on the building beside the car.

  Somehow, Jeff managed to lift all his bags at once, and went up the dark flight of stairs two at a time. The baby was still asleep, thank goodness. He dumped the shopping and ran downstairs again. Now to shift the car.

  ‘Just remember,’ he said, tapping the boy on the shoulder. ‘You didn’t see me. Or else. What’s your name, anyway?’

  The boy scowled. ‘Liam,’ he snapped. ‘I didn’t see you, right?’

  Jeff relaxed. That was how little criminals were made and developed. Fact of life.

  He drove swiftly to the hospital and left the car in the Maternity car park. He’d noticed last week it never seemed to be empty, so maybe the police wouldn’t find it there for a while. Now he had to get back before the baby woke up and started howling. A taxi from the hospital to the High Street wasn’t too much of a risk, surely.

  It was after one by the time he got back to the room. The baby was lying there with her eyes half-closed, and Jeff started to put his shopping away. There wasn’t much space. He thrust the bread into the little cupboard under the cooking ring where a few more pieces of cutlery and a couple of grubby looking plates were stacked, then picked up the vegetable knife and laid it on the shelf beside the door, just in case. There. He was ready for a long siege.

  And now he was back to having nothing to do except fiddle with his mobile, and he couldn’t do much of that because he’d forgotten his charger. He should have bought one while he was out. He sat on the bed and looked at his phone. The police could trace calls made on mobiles, so it was actually better not to use it unless he had to. He would wait another day or two before calling Caro – and Sharon. Sighing, he went to the door to check it was locked, then lay down on the bed beside the baby. A nap would do him good.

  Julie

  Julie sat cuddling Amy as Sam dealt out seven dominoes each and then piled up the others at the side of the table. The little boy had made a set at school, and insisted on trying them out as soon as they arrived home.

  ‘Miss Cairns said I did a very good job,’ he said proudly, showing Julie the ragged cardboard dominoes with their crayoned dots.

  ‘They’re brilliant,’ said Julie. Oh how bittersweet this was, cuddling her baby and playing dominoes, while across town Sharon and Craig were sitting in a silent flat.

  Sam played his first domino and looked at her expectantly. Julie organised hers, fixing a happy expression on her face. Sam didn’t know yet that Jael was missing, but she would have to tell him today. The kids at school might be talking about it by tomorrow, and she didn’t want him to learn about it second hand. It was tough; there was no way to soften news like this. The bogey-man had struck. Still, they could have a game of dominoes first.

  It was difficult to concentrate and Sam won the first game very quickly. He beamed at Julie and tears welled up in her eyes. Oh, if only Sharon was able to play dominoes with Jael in a few years. Please let there be a happy ending. Two strange police officers had come earlier that afternoon to ask her about the couple of times she’d seen Jeff Horne, and it had really brought home to Julie that Jael was gone. Abducted, and no-one – except Jeff Horne – knew where she was. Lost baby.

  Sam groaned when Julie’s phone started to beep, but Julie sighed in relief. Her heart wasn’t in this game.

  ‘Always happens, doesn’t it?’ she said to Sam. ‘Tell you what, you go and find some chocolate in the kitchen cupboard while I answer this.’

  It was Max, and Julie’s heart started beating faster.

  ‘No news yet,’ he said at once. ‘Listen, why don’t we bring our dinner together forward to tonight and go to a restaurant, if you can find a sitter? I thought we could go at six and give Sharon and Craig some moral support while they watch their appeal being aired. Then afterwards the two of us could go for a pizza, and you can cook another time.’

  Julie agreed straightaway. Sharon had eaten a few mouthfuls of the pasta dish Julie had taken them at lunchtime, but she was still pale as death. The appeal had been on Julie’s mind all afternoon. Poor Sharon, having to lay her heart on the line, and have some stranger film her while she was begging for the return of her daughter. There was nothing anyone could say to help, either. It was the worst possible thing that could happen to new parents – barring the death of the baby, of course.

  ‘Good idea,’ she said to Max. ‘Dee’s not going out tonight – I’m sure she’d babysit.’

  ‘I’ll pick you up about half-five, then.’

  Sam was still occupied in the kitchen, and Julie called Dee, who offered to come round right away.

  ‘Be prepared to play umpteen games of dominoes,’ said Julie, smiling drearily.

  She called Sam back from the kitchen and finished the game quickly, allowing him to win again.

  ‘Well done you,’ she said. ‘Listen, Sam, this is important. Dee’s coming over to look after you and Amy for a while, because Max and I are going to help Sharon and Craig tonight. They’re pretty upset, because someone they don’t know very well has taken their baby away, and they don’t know where she is.’

  Sam stopped putting the dominoes back in their box. ‘Why? Who took their baby? Where is she?’ He stared at her, wide-eyed and incredulous.

  Julie hugged him with the arm that wasn’t holding Amy. At least he didn’t seem afraid, though that might come later. What kid wouldn’t dread being taken away from home?

  ‘It’s a man they know a bit. He likes babies a lot and he wanted one of his own, and he’s sort of stolen Jael. I’m sure he won’t hurt her, but of course Sharon and Craig want her back as soon as possible.’

  ‘Is Max looking for her?’ Sam pushed his hair out of his eyes, and Julie could see the worried little frown start on his forehead.

  ‘All the police are out looking for her and I’m sure they’ll find her soon,’ said Julie, amazed she was able to keep her voice level. ‘It’s a case of hanging on in there. Now, are you going to be very good and let me help Sharon?’

  Sam nodded, his face glum.

  Julie hugged him. ‘Thank you, sweetheart. And when Jael’s home we’ll all go for a big ice cream in the café on the High Street; you, me and Amy, and Sharon and Jael, okay?’

  ‘Tomorrow?’ said Sam, blinking up at her.

  Julie sighed. ‘Well, no, not tomorrow. The police have to find Jael first, and then I think Sharon’ll need a day or two’s peace and quiet before she wants to go for ice cream. But soon, I promise.’

  Was it wrong to promise? She only wanted him to be quite sure that the anguish was temporary.

  But supposing it wasn’t?

  Caro

  Caro watched Bridgehead pass by as the bus meandered along on its way to Rosie’s district. It was a longer journey from the salesroom, but it was restful, just sitting here with no one yakking in her ear. Louise had been one big question mark all day. Had Caro seen Jeff yesterday – what was she going to do now – was there any chance they’d get together again? And the killer remark, as far as Caro was concerned – maybe starting a family would help? Caro closed her eyes. Even for Lou, that was crass. A baby would definitely have helped, but that wasn’t the point.

  Her phone buzzed, and Caro opened her bag. Had the police–? It was a strange mobile number, and she made the connection, turning towards the window and speaking in a low voice. ‘Hello?’

  ‘It’s me.’ A young voice.

  ‘Liam? You shouldn’t–’

  ‘I can’t do my maths again.’

  ‘Maybe your dad can help? Isn’t he back now?’

  ‘He’s out and he won’
t be home till late. Please, Auntie Caro.’

  Caro bit her lip. ‘Okay. What’s the problem?’ She would be the one with a problem if he kept calling her for help. His father would know now that Caro had turned up at the square, because Alfie’s mother would tell him, even if Liam hadn’t. What had Pete thought?

  It was money this time and Caro sighed with relief. At least it was an easy fix. ‘Change the pounds into pence, Liam, then divide, and then change the answer back into pounds and pence. And if it doesn’t work out, ask your teacher to help you. Okay?’

  ‘Okay. I never thought of that. Thanks, Auntie Caro.’ The connection broke.

  Caro dropped her phone back into her bag, not knowing whether to laugh or feel frustrated. If only she could help herself as easily.

  Julie

  The look of admiration Max gave her made Julie forget for half a second that this wasn’t an ordinary date. But then reality hit home. They were going to watch the appeal.

  Max’s car was parked on the other side of the road, and he took her arm as they crossed over. ‘Have you told Sam?’

  Julie nodded. ‘It’s awful, when you have to shatter your child’s confidence that they live in a nice place and all grown-ups are good.’

  ‘Kids have to learn how the world works,’ he said, starting the engine. ‘I’m sure Sam knows not to speak to strangers.’

  ‘Oh yes,’ said Julie miserably. ‘But stranger danger’s the theoretical part. What’s happened to Jael is the whole horrible thing put into practice.’

  They were silent for the rest of the short journey, sad thoughts about lost babies and grieving mothers floating through Julie’s mind. It must be the worst, the most unbearable grief of all, for a child, a baby you’d carried inside you for nine months. Your own flesh and blood.

  It was ten to six when they arrived at Sharon and Craig’s flat.

  Craig let them in, his face pale. ‘I’m glad you’ve come,’ he said to Julie in a low voice. ‘This afternoon was horrific. I don’t know how Sharon’s going to react when she sees it all on TV.’

  The appeal was aired as part of the national news. Julie and Craig flanked Sharon on the sofa, with Max on the arm beside Julie. Sharon was outwardly composed, but Julie could feel the shivers that shook the other woman’s body. She gripped Sharon’s hand hard.

  The appeal started with Sharon holding a blown-up photo of Jael and Craig explaining what had happened. Afterwards they both begged the kidnapper to bring Jael back, or leave her somewhere safe.

  ‘We’ve only had nine days with her, please, please give us our baby again,’ said Sharon at the end of the film, her cheeks wet and her voice almost inaudible.

  The camera zoomed in on the photo of Jael for a few seconds and the appeal was over. The newsreader started the next news item.

  Julie couldn’t hold back her tears. Sharon was sobbing too, her head on her knees.

  Max got up and touched her shoulder. ‘That’ll help, you know. There are always masses of calls after an appeal about a child. Everyone wants to help – millions of people will be thinking about Jael now, and the calls will start coming in.’

  Sharon nodded, but her eyes were bleak. ‘Thanks. Everyone has been so kind.’

  Julie squeezed her hand. ‘You’ll get her back. Just hold on to that. Jael’s with someone who wants a baby. He’s not going to hurt her, and the police will find her.’

  She felt Max’s hand grip her arm and stopped, glancing up at him. His face was quite neutral, though, and Julie fished in her bag for a tissue to wipe her eyes.

  They left the flat twenty minutes later.

  ‘Sharon did that well,’ said Julie, as they walked down the corridor. ‘I’m sure I couldn’t have spoken as eloquently.’

  Max took her elbow again as they entered the lift. ‘If you had to, you would,’ he said flatly. ‘Everyone does. It took us a while to get the version you saw. And Brian – my boss – realised half way through that I was sort of privately involved too, through you. He thinks I should back off the case.’

  ‘Sensible, I suppose.’ It was difficult to know what else to say.

  ‘But frustrating. I’m going to do my best to stay involved. Okay – is pizza all right, or would you prefer Indian?’

  Misery closed Julie’s throat. She wanted to go home; this didn’t feel at all like an evening out with someone she was attracted to. To her dismay, Max took her hand and squeezed it as they walked from the lift to the front door.

  ‘I wish we could have some normal time together. Without all this hanging over us, I mean.’

  Julie nodded, hardly trusting herself to speak. ‘I’m sorry. I want to go home now, Max. Maybe some other time, huh?’

  His eyebrows rose. ‘Maybe some other time? What’s wrong, Julie?’

  Tears were imminent again and Julie blinked hard. She mustn’t cry here, because if she started she might not be able to stop. Then disappointment and – yes, anger, took over. Why didn’t he understand?

  ‘What’s wrong? The very thought of anything like this happening to Amy makes me feel sick. I need to protect her and Sam, and how can I be sure I’ll be able to do that? You don’t know what this feels like.’

  He held the door open for her, and she walked out, startled to see a tear run down his cheek.

  ‘Max?’

  He didn’t meet her eyes. ‘I know better than you think.’

  He rubbed his face, and Julie stood still just outside the building, waiting. What was coming now?

  ‘I was nearly a dad, two years ago. Except my ex didn’t want to be a mum, and she got rid of the baby without telling me. It was the worst day of my life.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Julie put a hand on his arm. It all made sense now. He hadn’t come to terms with his loss, and helping Sharon and Craig, and even doing ordinary things like going to the park with Sam and Amy was giving him the feeling of having a child – a baby – in his life. Poor Max.

  She searched for words to help him. ‘Some people are just – like that. There’s nothing you can do about it, Max.’

  He looked at her, his face tragic. Jeff Horne’s face looking down at Sam flashed into Julie’s mind and she caught her breath. That day… Amy had disappeared from the Internet café – Jeff Horne’s café. And he had brought her back… Had Jeff taken her, then realised he wouldn’t get away with it? If that was true, it could have been her doing the TV appeal, sitting in her flat going mad with grief and fear, not knowing if her baby was still alive. Julie’s stomach churned.

  Max was still staring at her, but somehow it was all too complicated to even start talking about now. Julie turned her head away and pressed a fist to her mouth.

  Max stuffed his hands into his pockets. ‘Maybe we should just – mark time for a bit,’ he said, and she nodded.

  This time he didn’t take her arm on the way back to the car.

  17

  Wednesday 8th June

  Jeff

  The bread was as hard as a brick already; it was the heat in this place. Jeff tossed the dried-up loaf into the bin and flopped down on the bed. The baby, shaken by the sudden movement, began to whimper. Jeff covered his ears. Please, baby, please be quiet and good again. He didn’t have the energy for another crying fit right this minute – living here was so much more difficult than he’d thought it would be. The baby-care part wasn’t too bad, he only had to keep her fed and clean and she was reasonably content, and God knows he didn’t have anything else to do. It was looking after himself that was the awkward part. He thought he’d bought enough food to last forever, but he hadn’t.

  The latest radio news bulletin informed him that a number of calls had been made to the police after yesterday’s TV appeal by Sharon and Craig, but he had no way to know if any of those calls had been about him. The police must suspect him. Jeff smiled grimly at the high, dusty ceiling. They wouldn’t be looking for him around here, anyway. They’d think he’d go further afield, to Glasgow or London, where it would be easier to be anonymous
. Or up north somewhere where no-one was around to notice a baby. Staying in Bridgehead was a smart thing to do, but against this was the fact that his was a well-known face on the High Street, and he would be forced to go out shopping again soon. Had his photo been on TV? If only the room had a TV as well as a radio, but it hadn’t, and he was afraid to use his mobile to find out what the general public had been told about him. He should have brought a laptop; you’d think he of all people… He’d taken off without thinking about anything much, except the baby. And now shoppers in the High Street could already be keeping an eye open for him, whispering his name, looking over their shoulders to make sure Jeff Horne wasn’t behind them. They would go and peer in the window of Cybersonics to see if he was there. And Caro – what was Caro doing? Did she realise he had the baby? If she did she’d be over the moon, dying to be a mum to her daughter. It was odd how she’d deserted him like this, when she was the reason he was here. He’d done what he had to, he’d got a baby, and it was Caro’s baby now. Jeff rubbed his head. A thin little voice was whispering in there, insisting this wasn’t Caro’s baby. He lifted the grizzling infant and rocked her in his arms. That helped them both. Jael, little girl, Daddy’s girl. It would all be worth it when he got her home. Don’t forget, Sharon hadn’t even wanted this baby. It would be all right in the end, it was just the lack of sleep making his brain so woolly. New babies did that to their parents, everyone knew that.

  The baby fell asleep again and he laid her down at the top end of the bed. Maybe he could slip out to the supermarket while it was still early. Undecided, he stood at the window and looked down into the square. The boy Liam was there, a tattered-looking school rucksack in one hand. Jeff had a sudden brainwave. He opened the window and whistled, beckoning frantically when Liam looked up. The boy shrugged, then trotted across the square and disappeared inside Jeff’s building.

  Jeff grabbed his wallet and went out to the landing. He started to talk as soon as Liam appeared up the stairs. ‘Could you do me favour? I’m not well and I need a couple of things from the shops. You get them and bring them back to me at lunchtime and I’ll give you a tenner.’ He made his voice as authoritative as he could while remaining pleasant.