Don't Turn Around: A dark, thrilling, page-turner of a crime novel (Detective Jennifer Knight Crime Thriller Series Book 1)

by Caroline Mitchell

  ‘Jenny,’ a low voice whispered in her ear, its icy breath raking her skin.

  Jennifer yelped as if she had been slapped, throwing the spoon to the floor. Every fibre of her being told her to run, but she forced herself to stand her ground. She wasn’t just scared. She was angry. Charlie’s face came to mind. Had it been like this for him? The voices driving him mad until he died? She balled her fists in anger. ‘Well, come on then! Show yourself!’ Her eyes darted to the door, ready to bolt any minute. The atmosphere became thick and heavy as her heart pounded in her chest. Closing her eyes, she sensed oppression, hate, and … death. It was coming too fast, it was too powerful, and she wasn’t strong enough to fight it. A voice whispered in her consciousness.

  Let it go. It’s too strong. It was a voice she recognised from somewhere beyond reach. She gripped her hand around the door handle to leave, but the metal refused to budge. ‘Get out of my home,’ she said, rattling the door handle for release. ‘You don’t have permission to be here.’ Suddenly, the door flew from her grasp, banging against the adjoining wall and cracking the plaster. Fumbling in her jacket pocket for her keys, she took the stairs two at a time, escaping outside into the fresh air.

  Slamming her foot onto the clutch, she shoved the car into gear. It lurched forward, jerking in protest. She pushed her foot further on the accelerator, swearing as she did so. The car sped forward. She fought to control her breathing, telling herself not to panic. Whatever it was, it was gone. But she could not shake off the feeling of helplessness that enveloped her. She had to communicate to find out who it was, and what it wanted. Yet its presence was so strong, she knew she could not deal with it on her own. But who would help her?

  Steph was rushing out of the office just as Jennifer walked in that afternoon. ‘No time to talk,’ she said, brushing past her.

  ‘What’s going on? Where is everyone?’ Jennifer said to Will, who sat with his chin in his hands, his brow furrowed.

  ‘I’m really pissed off with the way we’re treated in here. I’ve a good mind to put in for a transfer.’

  ‘No one else will have you, sick note, now stop complaining and tell me what’s going on.’ Will gritted his teeth at the sound of his old nickname. Pulling too many sick days was what had got him transferred to Haven, and he hoped he could turn a corner and put it all behind him.

  ‘There’s a big drug bust running in Lexton.’

  ‘Oh, right.’ Jennifer sighed and picked up the paperwork left on her desk.

  ‘Bloody hell, what’s wrong with you?’ Will said.

  Jennifer blinked a couple of times. ‘I’m not with you.”

  ‘I thought you’d blow your top when you heard we were being knocked back again. People that have come on to the department long after us have been requested to attend. Even Susie and Ethan were asked to go, and they’ve only just joined this department.’

  Jennifer flicked through the paperwork, avoiding eye contact. ‘Whatever, I don’t care. How about you make me a coffee so we can make a start on these robberies?’

  ‘I’m not making anything until you tell me what’s wrong.’

  Jennifer looked around the stark office and her computer monitor flickered in silence. ‘You’d only laugh.’

  Will forgot all about his bad mood as he took on Jennifer’s troubles. ‘Try me.’

  Jennifer paused. Perhaps it was time to confide in Will, to give him some credit for being her friend. She took a deep breath. ‘There’s been some weird stuff happening in my house.’ She examined his face for a change in expression, a grin, a flicker of amusement. Nothing. Will stared in stony silence. Jennifer took a deep breath and gathered her courage ‘You know how I told you I heard whispers in my head? I thought I had it under control, but now I’m getting headaches every time I try to block them out.’ Jennifer looked around the room, making sure they were alone. ‘But now it’s in the house. At first I thought there was a break in, or at least someone messing around, moving things, making noise. But it’s not.’

  Will frowned. ‘What do you think it is?’

  ‘I can’t make sense of it. Sometimes I hear the faintest whisper, like someone calling my name. Not in my head, I can actually feel their breath on my face. I’m not imagining it.’

  ‘Blimey girl, that is weird.’

  ‘I’m not going mad if that’s what you’re thinking.’

  ‘I didn’t say that, but you have been through a hell of a lot.’

  ‘Will please don’t try to turn this back on me. I’m asking for your help here and all you can suggest is that I’m going mad.’

  ‘You’re being paranoid. I never said anything of the kind. I’m just trying to get my head around it. I think we should go back and check the place out.’

  ‘What about work?’

  ‘We’ve got plenty of time to deal with that. C’mon, we’ll be there and back in under an hour.’

  Will was silent on the journey to her home, his face a picture of consternation. Jennifer peeped across, trying not to make it obvious. For once she wished he would rattle on, the comforting tone of his voice talking about ‘the injustice of it all’ as he put the world to rights. But not today. Today his thoughts were hidden, secretive.

  He braked at the traffic lights and stared at the road ahead. ‘So, how long has this been going on?’

  Jennifer rolled her eyes. ‘Here we go … you do think I’m losing it, don’t you?’

  Will raised his hands from the steering wheel. ‘Jesus, did I say that? You said you’ve heard voices and I asked how long. You’re so defensive, I’m only trying to help here.’

  Jennifer nodded at the road ahead. ‘The lights are green. And I’m not schizophrenic. I’ve heard whispers. There’s a difference.’

  The car lurched forward as he put his foot down.

  ‘And quit muttering, I can hear you.’

  ‘Sorry, Mum.’ Will’s mischievous grin warmed her from the inside out.

  She sat back and tried to relax. At least he cared enough to check it out. Surely it meant he believed her? The tick tock of the indicator signalled they were home.

  The front door creaked as they opened it, and Will mouthed the words, ‘me first,’ as he placed a hand on her arm. She stood back with an amused smile, wondering what he would do if he heard something. Will checked out the living room and kitchen before walking into the dining room.

  ‘Is it OK if I check upstairs?’

  ‘Knock yourself out. Just keep out of my knicker drawer.’

  Will blushed. ‘Spoilsport.’

  Jennifer tiptoed up the stairs behind Will, feeling silly. The house looked less threatening in his presence and she knew nothing would happen while he was there.

  ‘Has anything else happened up here?’ Will asked, standing on the landing with his hands in his pockets, a stance that suggested he didn’t expect anything to jump out anytime soon.

  She shook her head, then clicked her fingers as she remembered. ‘The spoon, it should be in here on the floor.’

  She strode into the bedroom and dropped on her hands and knees on the carpet, looking for the bent cutlery.

  ’It’s gone,’ she said, looking under the bed. She turned back to see Will staring dreamily at her backside. ‘Do you mind?’

  ‘Sorry,’ he coughed. ‘You mentioned a spoon?’

  ‘What’s the point? Let’s just go.’

  ‘Maybe you should think about indoor CCTV.’

  ‘I’ll be fine, just forget I said anything. Honestly, don’t worry.’

  ‘If it’s any comfort I can’t see any signs of disturbance. It was probably some kids playing outside, you know what it’s like.’

  ‘Yeah,’ she said, brushing the carpet fibres from her clothes. A dullness sank into her. The concern in his eyes reflected that he’d been pacifying her all along. She vowed to keep her problems to herself in the future.

  She returned to work and won a minor victory in the form of a charge for two robbers, who had stolen a day’s taking
s from a newsagents shop. She sat back at her desk and stretched as Ethan breezed in. ‘There you are. I was looking for you.’

  ‘Sorry, I’ve been busy with some robbers. They had a plastic gun. Quality stuff.’

  He swayed with his hands in his pockets, a smile creeping onto his face. ‘Fancy coming out for that drink tonight?’

  Ethan’s very expensive aftershave called for a closer inspection and Jennifer smiled. ‘It’s Friday night. You should be out clubbing with girls your own age, not listening to war stories from a washed up detective.’

  Will would have made a joke about it, but Ethan was not Will. He perched himself on the corner of her desk. ‘You’re not washed up and you know it. And besides, I like war stories. How about it?’

  Jennifer sighed. Ethan was nice, but he was starting to chase her around like a puppy when she had other things on her mind. All the same, she found herself agreeing.

  ‘Great,’ he said, jumping onto his feet. He whistled as he strolled down the corridor. She just could not figure him out. Just what was his game? Was he just looking for friendship or something else? Her attention was drawn to Will, drumming his fingers loudly on the desk as he leaned forward and stared at his computer.

  ‘All right there, mate?’ Jennifer asked.

  ‘Sure. Just finishing this file and going home.’

  That evening, Ethan was waiting as promised. As they walked into town, Jennifer was grateful that the rain had decided to stay away. She felt a pang of guilt for not asking Will along, but he had skulked off without saying goodbye. ‘So where are we going?’ Jennifer asked, following Ethan’s long stride. He walked with his jacket flung over his shoulder, immune to the night breeze. ‘The King’s Head. It’s not too busy in there. Everywhere else is full of kids.’

  ‘Oh, hark at you, just what age are you again?’

  Ethan smiled. ‘I’ve been around a lot longer than you give me credit for.’

  The walk was short and Jennifer kept her hands busy rifling in her purse. ‘I owe you a drink after that nice lunch you made me.’

  ‘No, you don’t,’ he said. ‘You’re paying me in war stories remember?’

  The glow of an open fire and low-beamed ceiling made the pub a cozy haunt as soft music played.

  Ethan glanced at the wine menu. ‘I think you are a Shiraz lady… am I right?’

  ‘Yes, how did you know?’

  ‘Lucky guess.’ Ethan handed the barman some money. ‘A bottle of Shiraz and a Jack Daniels and ice, please.’

  ‘I hope this bottle isn’t for me, I only came out for a glass.’ Jennifer said. She took out her purse, but Ethan waved it away.

  ‘Please don’t offend me by offering to pay tonight. I asked you out, remember?’ He poured the wine and handed her a glass.

  The wine was smooth and tasted delicious. A warm glow spread through Jennifer as Ethan topped up her glass. ‘I’m driving, Ethan, I can’t have any more than one.’

  ‘Don’t be silly, I’ll just have one drink and drop you home later. Enjoy yourself. When do you ever get out?’

  The fact that Ethan knew about Jennifer’s lack of social life surprised her. He had only been in the office a short while and already knew she was a virtual recluse. Smiling weakly, she took another sip. He was right. What else had she to go home to?

  Half a bottle of wine later, she had warmed up nicely. The open fire crackled and Jennifer leaned in, breathing in the scent of pinecones.

  She relaxed into his company, enjoying the normality of it all. The hours passed as they swapped stories, the focus mainly being on her experiences in the criminal investigation department. Ethan was easy company and she felt a connection with him, although confused at where their new friendship was heading.

  ‘So tell me, have you ever come across anything really weird in your investigations? Something completely out of the norm?’

  Jennifer took another sip of her drink and smiled. ‘They’re all weird.’

  ‘No, that’s not what I meant.’ Ethan shifted in his seat. ‘You know I’m into the supernatural, right? Have you ever experienced anything you couldn’t explain?’

  Jennifer felt her defenses rise. She didn’t know him well enough yet to share her recent experiences, and she wasn’t sure she trusted him either. ‘Is this about the Charlie Taylor case? Because that’s quite recent and I don’t think I should be discussing it with anyone.’

  Ethan’s face fell. ‘Sorry, no, I just meant in general.’

  Jennifer folded her arms. ‘I’m bored talking about me. Tell me about your travels instead.’

  Ethan picked at his beer mat as he told Jennifer of the places he visited, and she sensed his disappointment at her reluctance to open up to him.

  As they drove to Jennifer’s home, she wondered if she should invite him inside, the wine quietening her inhibitions. She pointed out her house and he pulled up outside. Nerves bubbled up inside her as she pulled together the courage to ask him in. ‘Thank you for a lovely night,’ she said, noticing he was keeping the engine running.

  The corners of Ethan’s eyes wrinkled as he smiled. ‘I really enjoyed it. I’ll see you tomorrow then?’

  ‘Yeah, good night,’ Jennifer said, as she got out of the car. She pushed her key in the front door as he drove away, heat rising to her cheeks. It was her own fault she felt humiliated. Why on earth did she think that someone like Ethan would be interested in her? Throwing her keys on the dresser, Jennifer undressed for bed, wondering what the last few hours had really been all about.

  16 Chapter Sixteen

  Will’s fingers clacked furiously on the keyboard. It was a mean feat, given that he could not touch type at all. The quick turnover from a late shift to days was never a welcome one, and his grumpy expression suggested he would have preferred to stay in bed.

  ‘Have a good night?’ he asked, barely lifting his eyes from the computer monitor.

  ‘It was OK. I don’t suppose you’ve got any painkillers?’ Jennifer said, with an apologetic smile.

  Will scanned the computer screen and jabbed the backspace button several times. ‘No, and I don’t have much sympathy either.’

  Heads turned in the office as Jennifer’s voice rose an octave. ‘Bloody hell, Will, you spend weeks laughing at my pathetic social life, then moan at me when I go out! What am I meant to do?’

  ’No mate, you go out all you want. You’re obviously far too good for the likes of me.’

  A pang of guilt washed over Jennifer, and she rested her jacket on the back of her seat before sitting next to him. Lowering her voice, she leaned over his desk. ‘If I’m honest, Ethan’s a bit flash for my liking. Why don’t we go out tonight just you and me? I hear there’s a good comedian on at The Crown.’

  A smile played on Will’s lips, as he jabbed at his keyboard.

  ‘C’mon, it’ll be a laugh. What about it?’ Jennifer said, folding her arms. It was the classic sign of shutting down. Either he agree now or she wouldn’t ask again.

  ‘OK, just don’t bin me off again.’ He noticed the fresh puddle of coffee on his desk, and quickly wiped it with his suit sleeve before Jennifer started attacking him with wet wipes.

  The day consisted of investigating burglaries, visiting pawnshops, and processing prisoners. Ethan was working with another team and for that, Jennifer was grateful. Her phone beeped to signal a text. Fancy coming to The Ivy tonight? I have a spare reservation. Ethan

  She blinked at the screen. How the hell did he get reservations for The Ivy? It was wasted on her. She was just as happy with fish and chips and a bottle of plonk. She texted a reply. Sorry, can’t. Going out with Will. She quickly turned off her phone and slid it into her pocket. She jumped as Will shouted from across the room.

  ‘Oi, rat face, I’m going to the sandwich shop. Want your usual?’

  ‘Yes please, and a can of Coke.’ Jennifer smiled. Will knew her little habits. It was a shame he didn’t believe the stuff going on in her head. To be fair, sometimes she wasn’t sure if
she believed it herself.

  Jennifer was on hold to the CPS when Will returned as promised with a sandwich and a box of pain killers. Such calls to the Crown Prosecution Service could take up to an hour to process. Pressing the mute button on the phone, she cast an eye over his salad on rye. ‘No sausage and egg then?’

  Will flicked the metal ring pull from his diet coke. ‘I’m on a diet, as it happens.’

  She blurted a laugh. ‘You? A diet? Bloody hell, the next thing you’ll be telling me you’ve joined a gym.’

  He reddened, and Jennifer stifled a giggle.

  ‘You have, haven’t you? Which one?’

  ’I’m not telling you so you can take the piss out of me, now eat your lunch and shut your gob.’

  ’I think that would be a bit tricky.’ Jennifer snickered.

  A rolled up ball of paper came winging her way.

  PC Samantha Hanlon was new on the prisoner processing team. A dedicated officer, she squeezed as much as she could out of prisoners before allowing them out of custody. Jennifer was one of the few intelligence trained officers on duty and the minute she saw Samantha walk in, she knew she would not be going off duty on time. Samantha turned her doe eyes on her as she made a request for an intelligence approach, twiddling the ends of her soft blonde hair. Jennifer hadn’t the heart to turn her down, especially now they had targets to reach.

  Bradley Morris, known as ‘Bacon Bradders,’ sat in the stuffy interview room, wearing a custody issue tracksuit, bobbing his crossed legs in an impatient dance. A sixty-five year old man with a weather-beaten face, barely a month went by before he was hauled into the custody block for one petty crime or another. His usual M.O. was stealing packets of bacon from supermarkets, which had earned him his nickname. Such activity funded his alcohol addiction, and all the rehabilitation in the world would not change his ways. The custody tracksuits were changed from grey to bright red in the hope that they would become less popular with the local clientele, who never returned them. The garish colour also had the bonus of making them very easy to spot when they were out in the town. Bradley had no such concerns of fashion, and was glad of something warm and clean to wear.