Faraway Eyes_A fast-paced romantic murder mystery

by Evelyn Harrison

  The year flew by and her time in England was coming to an end. The day she pleaded with him to come home with her and leave his wife was not a genuine desire; she just loved toying with his emotions and making him squirm. So, with her bags already packed for home, she was stunned to find Daniel standing on the doorstep of their studio flat.

  “I’ve left her Nancy, I’m coming with you to New Zealand,” he announced. “Your face, you look shocked.”

  “Yes Danny, I can’t believe it, I thought …”

  “You thought I wouldn’t have the guts to leave her, didn’t you? But I did. We can be together forever now,” he said, taking her in his arms. “Forever, you and me.”

  Chapter 15 – The Old Farmhouse

  New Zealand, Sunday 28th May

  Sam had spent most of the night tossing and turning, finally falling asleep just after four. All she could think about was Alex and Ana’s wedding; she just couldn’t get it out of her head. She hoped it had been a wet day … what did it really matter whether it had rained or not? She’d lost him and that was the end of it.

  “Wake up sleepy head,” urged Kate, standing over her with a mug of tea. “Bad news I’m afraid, the Internet’s down. I’ve talked to Mrs. Manning and she said it often happens here, it could be down for several days.”

  Secretly Sam was relieved – it meant she wouldn’t have to see the pitiful expressions on the faces of her loved ones, who knew exactly how she felt about Alex. Today she couldn’t cope with their sympathetic looks. Tomorrow would be different though, she was sure she would be able to handle it then, but not today.

  “What’s the time?” she asked, peering at Kate through her encrusted eyes.

  “It’s gone eight. I know you didn’t sleep well, I heard you going to the bathroom several times in the night. It’s Alex isn’t it?” she probed, sitting down on the edge of Sam’s bed.

  “Yes, I can’t get him out of my head.”

  “It’s over now Sam, he’s married, you’ve got to get on with living and not dwelling on what could have been. I know it’s hard, believe me, I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. One day, I’ll tell you about Joshua.” Kate looked sad for a brief moment before continuing. “I thought you probably wouldn’t want to speak to your mum or Polly in case they mentioned Alex, so, I’ve sent a text home. I explained about the Internet and that we’d ring them tomorrow, if the Internet is still down. I also mentioned we’d talked to Lorraine and that we’d be seeing her again later.”

  “Thanks, you were right about me not wanting to talk to them today. Well, I’d better get up and then after breakfast we’ll give Lorraine a call.”

  ***

  A young child answered Lorraine’s phone.

  “Mummy’s in the bath, I’ll take the phone to her.”

  They could hear the breathing sound of the little one running through the house and presumably into the bathroom.

  “Hello, Lorraine speaking.”

  “Sorry to bother you, Lorraine, it’s Sam Adams, remember we talked yesterday about Daniel Brennan? Only you said to call you this morning to arrange to meet up again.”

  “Yes, yes, of course. I think it best we meet out of town, if that’s OK with you. If you drive about four miles west you’ll come to the beginning of another lake, there’s a restaurant and a large car park to your right, you can’t miss it. I’ll meet you there about eleven-thirty?”

  “Fine thanks, we’ll see you then.

  ***

  It didn’t take them long to reach the restaurant. As there were no other cars in the car park, they decided to stay in their vehicle until Lorraine arrived.

  “Why do you think Lorraine wanted us to come all the way out here?”

  “I’m guessing because of the Baxters,” said Sam, gazing out onto the vivid blue water. “Do you think Alex thought of me, when he said ‘I do’?”

  Kate reached over and took her hand. “Please, stop torturing yourself … look there’s a car coming, it could be Lorraine.”

  Getting out of her vehicle Lorraine made her way towards them. “Hi, sorry I’m late, I had to wait for my husband to come home to look after the kids. Shall we go in?”

  Not surprisingly, they were the only ones in the restaurant. They ordered coffee and cake and took them out into the covered decking at the side, which in its elevated position had a great view overlooking the lake.

  “We love to come here in the summer and take a boat out,” began Lorraine, “it gets quite busy then.”

  “Tell me why you dragged us out here Lorraine, is it because of the Baxters? Don’t you want people to see us talking together?” asked Sam.

  Lorraine took a sip from her coffee. “Yes, I feel safer here, with no one around. I’ll be honest, I’m only talking to you now because my family and I are finally moving to Auckland tonight. We can’t wait to get away from this nightmare.”

  Sam could see the anguish on her face. Was it a coincidence that she and her family were leaving the day before the Baxters were due back from their trip to Queenstown? She doubted it.

  “It was lucky for us that we found you before you left. Why don’t you tell us what you know about Nancy and her family?”

  Lorraine took a deep breath. “My husband Mason and I were both born and grew up in Jacob’s Rest. He’s a qualified car mechanic and works in Baxter’s garage. Just about everyone in town works for the Baxters in some way or another. A few weeks ago, Mason had a serious falling out with Jim Baxter’s son Lucas, who manages the garage, that’s when we both decided we can’t stay around here any longer, it’s too dangerous.”

  “Too dangerous?” repeated Kate.

  Sam noted Lorraine’s hands were shaking slightly. “Yes, too dangerous. People in the town seem to disappear overnight. I’ve lost count of how many. Even Big Jim’s wife Margie, was in the salon having her hair done one day and then in the same week I heard she’d packed up and left, this was just after Nancy came home from England. In fact, thinking about it, it was around that time when it all started.”

  Sam looked thoughtful. “Is that what happened to the café owner, Julie Arnold, did she disappear too?”

  “Julie? Yes, they say she went to live with her sister in Wellington, but I’ve known her since I was a small child, and she’s never ever mentioned a sister. Everyone in the town is running scared, they won’t admit to it, but they are.”

  “If it’s so bad, why don’t people just leave?”

  “Most of them are up to their eyes in debt to the Baxters with loans for this and that.”

  “I see … I’m curious, how does Jim Baxter make his money?”

  “Apart from rents from both houses and establishments, he owns several small aircraft, flying tourists over the mountains or into Queenstown, and then of course there’s Baxter’s Construction. Big Jim started the company up about the time Nancy went off to England, that’s where the majority of the men in the town are employed. From what people have said, he struggled for a long time to make any money. When the earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011, there was suddenly plenty of work about, the disaster turned everything around and saved him from bankruptcy.”

  “Interesting. Do the Baxters have a house in Jacob’s Rest?”

  “Oh yes, you might have noticed it as you were driving out, it’s the last and grandest building in the area. Mason said Big Jim built it there so he could keep an eye on anyone who’s thinking of leaving. He was joking of course … although I do wonder if he’s right. The family didn’t always live there though, Jacob Baxter, Big Jim’s great-great-grandfather, the founder of the town, farmed the land in the beginning, his original farmhouse is still standing. Obviously, it’s derelict, but they keep it as a sort of shrine.”

  “Where is this farmhouse?”

  “It’s up a dirt track, just before you reach town from Christchurch. There are several ‘keep out’ signs along the grass verges to deter visitors. As I say, no one goes there anymore.”

  “And Nancy, you sa
id she moved away?”

  “Nancy has always been trouble, she even tried to break me and Mason up by trying to seduce him, it took me a while, but I managed to get over it. I knew, you see, the type of girl she was. When she went away to England, Jacob’s Rest almost became a nice place to live, but when she came back with Danny, well, everything went back to how it was before – if anything it was worse.”

  “In what way, ‘worse’?”

  “Big Jim was completely put out when she turned up with Danny. He was pleasant enough to his face at the start, but behind his back … Mason heard him on more than one occasion ranting and raving about him to his son. Big Jim was in a fighting mood around then, I think it must have been because of the worries over his company, and woe betide anyone who had stood up to him. I’m guessing that’s why Danny and Nancy left for Christchurch in the end, he made it too difficult for them to stay.”

  “But you said Nancy came back alone.”

  “Yes, she did, knowing Nancy’s track record I wasn’t too surprised, in fact, I was more surprised their relationship lasted so long. Danny was nice enough, but he was a lot older than her, I honestly couldn’t see the attraction. She said he’d got a teaching job and she didn’t want to talk about him anymore, he was out of her life. So that was that … Sorry, I really should be getting home, I’ve still got some packing to do.”

  “Yes, of course, thank you for giving us your time. I hope you have a wonderful life in Auckland.”

  The minute Lorraine was out of sight, Kate turned to Sam.

  “After hearing what Lorraine had to say, do you still think it’s a good idea to talk to Jim Baxter?”

  “I don’t think we’ve got any other choice. I mean, surely he’s not going to flip over a few questions.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Kate forced a smile. “I know what you’re going to say next, we’ve got to go and have a nosey around Jacob’s farmhouse.”

  Sam grinned. “Correct. Come on, let’s go.”

  ***

  Kate drove slowly back into Jacob’s Rest; they were both interested in catching a glimpse of the Baxter’s dwelling. There it was in all its glory. A stunning, two storey grey brick building, set back from the road. An ‘in and out’ gated driveway, was dominated by a high wall, preventing inquisitive eyes from seeing any further. Attached to the wall, a large black plaque, engraved in gold lettering, said ‘Oaklands’. Picking up speed, they continued motoring east through the town, finally reaching the outskirts and the turning to Jacob’s farmhouse.

  The ‘Keep Out’ and ‘Trespassers will be dealt with’ signs, certainly had a sinister tone. Undeterred though, they turned left onto the track. The mile or so journey along the rutted trail was a difficult one. To the sides of them, a small forest of trees had grown up over the years, adding to the mystic and the anxiety, at least to how Kate was feeling. Leaving the wooded area behind, they came upon a large expanse of open land and there in front of them, just like Lorraine had said, stood a dilapidated wooden building. Evidence of pre-war farm machinery, was scattered here and there, together with what was left of a post and rail corral, which presumably had held livestock. Bringing their car to a halt beside the corral, they sat for a few minutes taking in the surroundings.

  “Are you ready, Kate? Shall we have a look around?”

  “I don’t know what you expect to find? Obviously, no one’s lived here for more years than either of us have been alive.”

  “I don’t know what I’m expecting either, but we’re here now, so come on.”

  Stepping gingerly through the long grass towards the house, they came to a standstill at the foot of a rickety step structure, rising with purpose to a veranda encompassing the entire building. Sam placed her foot on the first rung before turning and looking around for Kate.

  “Are you OK?” she called out.

  Kate had left her side and was standing by an old wagon, with her back towards Sam.

  “Help me move it!” she cried.

  Sam sprinted towards her. “What’s the matter? What can you see?”

  “I can’t see anything, but voices in my head have told me there is something under the ground. Please, please help me move it!”

  Struggling for some time, trying to shift the neglected wooden cart, it was with some relief when the wheels began to turn slowly, creaking under the pressure of finally exposing the hidden ground beneath it. Sinking down to the earth, Sam joined Kate as she started pulling at the undergrowth. Peering now at the space they had cleared, they were both surprised to see a circle of metal.

  “We’ll need a crow bar to lift it, I don’t suppose you bought one with you?” Sam quipped.

  “I bet it’s covering a cesspit,” said Kate, ignoring Sam’s effort at humour. “We’ve got one at the bottom of our garden.”

  “Yes, it could be. Why do you think you were brought here?”

  Kate’s next comment made the hairs on the back of Sam’s neck stand on end.

  “There’s a body down there.”

  Stunned by her friend’s disclosure, Sam didn’t have time to discuss it further. Straining to hear a familiar sound, she cried out.

  “Listen, I can hear a vehicle, get back in the car! Come on, Kate, get back in the car now!”

  Chapter 16 – A Confession

  England, Thursday 25th May

  Alex stretched out his arm and gazed at his phone – five o’clock, time to get up. He had a long day in front of him, an early shift then an evening to celebrate his last few days of being single. He gazed down at Ana. She was certainly a good-looking woman; it meant so much to him that she was carrying his child. Growing up, he’d missed out on a proper family life, so having a family of his own had always been his dream. His parents had both been in the army, and from an early age he’d been packed off to boarding school. ‘It will make a man of you, son’ his father had told him as they sat in the head teachers study. Tears had already been gathering in his little eyes and when his parents walked towards the door to leave, he’d rushed at them clinging to his mother’s leg sobbing, drenching her clothes, much to her disgust. He remembered the head teacher pulling him away, telling him ‘don’t be silly young man, you’re going to have a lovely time here’. Of course, he didn’t – he hated every second.

  During the school holidays, if his parents were stationed abroad, which happened more often than not, he would be sent to his grandparent’s farm in deepest Devon. It was there though he was at his happiest, running through the fields and playing with the sheep dogs his grandfather always kept by his side. He got more love from his grandparents than he ever did from his mother or father. When his parents were blown to pieces, riding in a convoy in Iraq, during the Gulf War, he did shed a tear or two, but he didn’t miss them because he didn’t really know them; they hadn’t been part of his childhood. He would never abandon his own child like his parents had abandoned him. His child would know how much he or she was loved and wanted, even if … even if he didn’t love their mother.

  There was a big part of him that regretted the night he was introduced to Ana at the New Year’s Eve party. His kiss with Sam had been wonderful and totally unexpected, making it even more frustrating to be around her. He still believed Michael was very much part of her life, how he wished it wasn’t so, because it hurt. Not once had Sam given him any indication they could ever be anything other than friends, certainly not lovers, and to be honest, to be loved and to be able to give love, was exactly what he craved in his life. When Ana appeared in the hall and made ‘come on’ eyes in his direction, he couldn’t resist in his intoxicated state and followed her outside into an alleyway.

  “Do you have a light,” she had asked, her back resting against a brick wall.

  “Sorry, I don’t smoke, never have, dirty habit.”

  “Hmm, a man with principles, I like it … was that your woman I saw you dancing with?”

  “Sam? Not exactly, we’re just good friends.”

  “I saw you kissing, if
you kiss your friends like that, how do you kiss your lovers?” she mused, her nipples skimming his shirt as she moved closer.

  Towering over her, he leaned forward and placed his hand on the wall. “Are you telling me you would like to find out?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you, now kiss me like a lover and do to me whatever else turns you on.”

  It had been exciting to be with her at first, to have someone who desired him and had no inhibitions as far as sex was concerned. Although it had been an erotic few weeks, it wasn’t what he really wanted – he looked on it as just a bit of fun. Two consenting adults enjoying each other, with no strings attached. What he really desired was someone who he had convinced himself he couldn’t have, that someone was Sam.

  The day Ana turned up on his doorstep, to tell him she’d been turfed out of her flat, was the very day he had decided to end their relationship. There she was crying all over him, her suitcases already packed. What could he have done any differently? He told her she could have his spare room, until she found another place to live. Of course, that didn’t happen. The night she moved in, she appeared naked in his bedroom, pulled back his duvet and slid in beside him. How he wished he had resisted then, but he didn’t.

  ***

  Alex eased himself out of bed, trying not to wake his future bride and made his way to the bathroom. Standing in the shower he closed his eyes as the warm water and soapsuds spread over his body. He ought to be excited about Saturday, so why wasn’t he? Ana had been the one who’d made all the arrangements, deciding on the church, the venue for the reception, even what he and the best man should wear. There had been no stopping her since he’d proposed after he’d found the positive pregnancy test discarded in the bin. She had even arranged for her best friend to come over from Russia to be her bridesmaid. It was over breakfast yesterday morning, when the air between them had become considerably chilly.