Madness Lies

by Helen Forbes

  The ape laughed, a high-pitched sound that echoed round the room. ‘Pardon me, Ma’am. But you’re leaving one way or another. What’s it to be? On your own two feet or over my shoulder?’

  Christopher gave her a weak smile. ‘Go on, Sharon; I won’t be long.’

  ‘Run along, doll,’ Dino said. ‘And ape, no touching.’

  As the door was closing, Sharon was certain she heard Dino mention the name Katya.

  They were standing in the downstairs corridor and the way the ape was looking at her was winding her up. She glared at him. ‘Less of the drooling, eh?’

  ‘What’s that, Jock?’

  Fucking Jock? See if he touched her, she’d rip his balls off. Sharon hadn’t felt this hyped up since…she couldn’t remember when. This ape might have evil in his eyes, but she’d die rather than let him touch her. ‘Think you’re smart with the comments, do you?’

  He laughed and moved closer. Sharon was right up against the wall in a very narrow corridor. And he was huge. As her bravado slipped away, she could smell his excitement.

  ‘I like a bird with a bit of fighting spirit. Turns me on.’

  ‘I expect most of your birds have no choice but to fight back.’

  He winked. ‘You’ve got the picture. No excitement if they’re willing, is there?’ He cupped his crotch.

  ‘You’re giving me the dry boak.’

  ‘Eh? I know what I’d like to give you.’

  ‘Dream on.’

  His hand shot out and grabbed her throat, forcing the back of her head into the wall. ‘Fucking Jock bitch. You want to learn some proper English and some manners.’ His breath was hot on her neck. With his other hand, he grabbed her breast. ‘Nice.’ He squeezed, and laughed when the pain made her groan. She felt his knee forcing her legs apart. She looked into his eyes and they were cold, dead. ‘No,’ she tried to say, as his hand on her throat squeezed tighter. ‘Please.’

  ***

  Chapter 32

  Lucy had been trying to contact Joe all day. She’d seen on the BBC website that an officer had fallen from the Kessock Bridge. He was in his forties, so she knew it wasn’t Joe, but it still worried her. In the early evening, she’d given up. She’d read up on Permanence Orders for one of Drew’s cases, then she’d watched telly. She was rinsing some dishes in the kitchen when she heard her phone ping. At last. But it wasn’t Joe.

  Lucy. Constantly on my mind. With love and apologies and hope that life is all you want it to be. Yours always xx

  What? Who? She didn’t recognise the number, and she wasn’t sure she knew anyone except Joe that wrote texts in proper English. It wasn’t Graeme Freel, was it? He had her number, and a creepy way of looking at her. No, it couldn’t be. The only thing he had to apologise for was his utter incompetence as a solicitor.

  Sebastian Moore? No way would her last boyfriend be contacting her. Too scared she’d wreck the precious marriage he’d forgotten to mention while they were going out together. He wasn’t going to risk opening the can of worms that had resulted from their relationship, was he? Unless his marriage had ended. He certainly owed her an apology. Several hundred apologies. And he was posh enough to write like this. But why wouldn’t he put his name on the text?

  She could ignore it. She could delete it and block the number. She could reply. She replied.

  S?

  A few seconds of dread while she waited.

  Yes

  Bloody hell. A car engine was running outside. Lucy went through to the living room. She peeped through the curtains. A taxi. She watched as the back door opened and someone fell onto the pavement.

  Lucy helped Joe up. There was drool running from the corner of his mouth and he had the eyes of a dead cod. She pushed him against the garden wall, rifled through his pocket, found some cash, and paid the driver.

  He thanked her. ‘Do you want a hand to get him in, love?’

  ‘Should be okay, ta.’ Was that the neighbour’s curtains twitching? ‘Where did you pick him up?’

  The driver shrugged and said nothing.

  ‘I appreciate you probably feel duty bound to adhere to some misguided Cabbies’ Code of Conduct for the Protection of the Meandering Male, but he’s not my husband or my boyfriend; he’s my brother. Does that make a difference?’

  ‘What are you – a lawyer?’

  Recognition at last. Lucy smiled. ‘Could be.’

  ‘Leachkin Drive.’

  That meant nothing. ‘Thanks.’

  Lucy prodded Joe up the drive and into the house. It wasn’t easy. His legs were like rubber and his arms like the blades of a windmill. And at least two of the neighbours’ curtains had progressed from twitching to wide open.

  When she’d shoved Joe through the front door, and laughed as he tripped over her mother’s ‘welcome’ mat, Lucy waved to the taxi driver, then both neighbours.

  *

  If Sharon could get him in the balls, he’d let go. She tried to lift her knee. The ape laughed. ‘No fucking chance, bitch.’ He pressed his full weight against her, his hand thrust between her legs.

  At the end of the corridor, the outside door opened. Footsteps. Stilettos. A squeal, and Sharon was released. She gasped for breath, and saw a manicured hand twisting the ape’s right ear.

  ‘Ape, you bastard.’ A posh voice with a hint of a foreign accent. ‘You are an animal.’

  The woman was older than Sharon, tanned and beautiful. She was wearing a tight red dress and black stilettos, and carrying a soft black leather tote that would have made Sharon’s mouth water, if she wasn’t half choked.

  Ape was trying to prise the woman’s hand off his ear. ‘Please, stop.’ He sounded as if he was about to cry. ‘Dino said – ’

  ‘Whatever Dino said, he certainly didn’t say, ‘Choke this woman and sexually assault her’.’

  ‘He told me to keep an eye on her.’

  She let him go. ‘You had more than an eye on her.’ She turned to Sharon. ‘Do you want to press charges? I’d be happy to be a witness.’

  Sharon shook her head. She just wanted Christopher to hurry up so they could get out of here.

  ‘Ape, it’s your lucky day. Upstairs. Now.’

  The ape backed off, his right ear beaming, his eyes full of resentment, and more. His feet were slow on the steps, and when he reached half-way, he turned and glared at them both.

  ‘You better watch your back,’ Sharon said, the words scratching and croaking as she forced them out. ‘He didn’t like that.’

  The woman smiled. ‘I will not lose any sleep over it. I’m sorry you had to go through that.’

  ‘Thank f…I mean, thank you for coming along when you did.’

  ‘Are you here about a job?’

  Sharon shook her head. ‘I’d have to be desperate to work in this shit-hole. Are you?’

  The woman’s laughter was loud. She took a while to compose herself. It wasn’t that funny, was it? ‘I wouldn’t work in this shit-hole either.’

  ‘I’m waiting for my…for a friend. He’s with two dodgy cu…customers upstairs. Probably nailed both his hands to the desk by now.’

  The woman was still smiling. ‘Has there been any screaming?’

  ‘No, but I was a bit preoccupied for a few minutes there. Might have missed it.’

  ‘Is he in trouble with these dodgy cu…customers?’

  Sharon shrugged. ‘Dunno. Old pals of Christopher’s, I think. I was just tagging along.’

  ‘Christopher?’ Her smile broadened. ‘Chris Brent? He came?’

  Sharon nodded and wondered. The woman offered her right hand to Sharon. ‘Elena Conti.’

  Cool name. Her nails were shellacked, her skin soft, and her handshake strong. ‘Sharon MacRae.’

  ‘MacRae? We knew a Peter MacRae. He was Scottish too.’

  ‘Another animal. I was stupid enough to marry him.’

  There was compassion in her eyes. ‘You need a drink.’

  ‘Aye, I did, and more than just drink for several y
ears, but I’m over it. Coffee would do fine for now.’ A drink would have been just the thing, but the back of her head was throbbing again, and she couldn’t risk letting her guard down with Christopher.

  Elena nodded and shouted: ‘Ape, tell Chris we’re in the lounge when he’s ready.’

  There was a grunt from upstairs.

  The club was no shit-hole. They sat in a quiet corner with low lighting, but Sharon still felt conspicuous. Though her jeans cost more than she got in Child Benefit for a month, there was no way anyone in denim would normally be sitting here. Even the staff were in dresses and suits. The handbag had a chair to itself, and it didn’t half deserve it. Elena noticed Sharon’s envy. ‘Beautiful, isn’t it? Givenchy. Dino chose it all by himself. It has only taken him twenty years to know what I like.’

  Sharon spluttered into her coffee. ‘Dino? Oh fuck.’ She put the cup down and wiped her mouth. ‘I’m sorry. I had no idea.’

  Elena laughed and patted Sharon’s arm. ‘Don’t be. You made me laugh. They are dodgy customers, but I’m certain they’re not nailing Chris’s hands to the desk. He’s a good friend.’

  ‘I’m not even going to ask. The less I know, the better.’

  Elena’s hand tightened on Sharon’s arm. ‘You should know that he is a decent man, a good man. Don’t doubt him.’

  Aye, right.

  Sharon’s stomach lurched when she saw the way Christopher and Elena looked at each other. Then the grasp of hands, a slow melt against each other, a lengthy embrace. Don’t be so stupid, she told herself. You don’t care about him; you can’t. Dino didn’t look too happy about it either, his arms crossed, dark eyes glued to his wife. Christopher was first to let go, but not before Sharon heard him apologise to Elena. And something about Katya.

  ***

  Chapter 33

  ‘Carla, I really really really love you.’ The words were croaked through dry lips.

  ‘I’m not Carla. Get up, will you?’ Lucy hauled at his arm until he scrambled to his feet. What a state, and was that lipstick on his face? Leaning against the wall, he started scrabbling in his pockets.

  ‘You looking for your phone?’

  He nodded. Lucy tried his pockets. ‘Looks like you’ve lost it. You might have to actually go and buy yourself one at last.’ His phone had been her old iPhone 4.

  His face turned the colour of chalk, and Lucy ran for a basin.

  When Joe was done throwing up, Lucy helped him through to the kitchen, then she rinsed out the basin and brought it back, just in case. He was sitting at the table with his head in his hands, groaning. ‘I need to speak to her.’

  ‘Joe, it’s too late, even if you had your phone. Is she still in hospital?’

  He shrugged. ‘Dunno.’

  ‘Why don’t you just go to bed? You can get in touch with her in the morning.’

  He looked like a wee lost boy. ‘I just need…I just want her to know.’

  ‘I’m sure she does. Come on, I’ll help you to the spare room. You’re taking your own clothes off, though.’

  He looked like he might be trying to smile, then he threw up again.

  *

  The late train was packed. Christopher kept his voice low. ‘I’m sorry for taking you into my sordid past, especially when it didn’t lead anywhere. They’re seriously pissed off with Todd. Something about him running off with one of their best girls.’

  ‘Why would he do that?’

  Christopher shook his head. ‘I…I think he’s involved in prostitution. Sharon, are you okay? Are we okay?’

  ‘Chris…is it all right if I call you that? Everyone else does.’

  ‘No, it’s not all right. I like the way you say my name, my proper name.’

  ‘Okay, Christopher; no, I’m not okay. While you were chewing the fat with the Cosa Nostra, their hired ape groped and hurt me with one hand, while trying to choke me with the other. If Elena hadn’t arrived, I’d have been raped. I suppose it’s no big deal when you move in these circles.’

  For the first time since they’d met, she saw fury in his eyes. ‘Of course it’s a big deal. I had no idea. I’m going back there. I’m going to have it out with…with Ape.’

  ‘Don’t talk shit. What do you expect if you leave me in the care of something called ‘Ape’, in a dodgy, albeit posh, club run by serious criminals that are filming underage porn? Anyway, it’s not the first time it’s happened to me. Probably won’t be the last.’

  ‘Don’t say that, Sharon. It will be the last.’ He took her hand, half-smiled. ‘Are we having our first argument?’

  Hardly. This was full-on final death throes, only she couldn’t tell him yet. A little goading might make her feel better. ‘Does Dino know how you and Elena feel about each other?’

  He looked uncomfortable. ‘It’s not like that. She’s just a friend.’

  ‘A sexy, gorgeous, elegant friend, with the hots for you.’

  ‘No way. She’s just a friend. I promise.’

  She nodded. ‘Probably best to keep it that way. Wouldn’t fancy your chances if Dino thought there was anything going on.’

  He took her hand and stared into her eyes. ‘I just want to focus on the future, on us.’

  She looked away.

  Isobel had suggested they sleep in the green room on the second floor, but Christopher wanted to stay in the lodge. It had one bedroom, a living room and kitchen, and a bathroom. And it was still posh.

  As he locked the door, Sharon wondered if he was going to do away with her in the night. Maybe Todd was here. Maybe Ryan was right; this had all been an elaborate plan to get back at Peter MacRae for something. If it was, she was too tired to worry about it. She spent ages in the shower, trying to scrub away the memory of the ape. It didn’t work.

  While Christopher was in the shower, she picked up his phone. There was a slight feeling of guilt as she swiped across the screen, but she couldn’t think like that. They had no future. She needed to find anything that might help her son. She heard the shower stop. She didn’t have much time. She went to his recent calls. He’d taken a call from someone just after midnight last night. And he’d called that number back at two, and again at four in the morning. Was it Todd?

  As they lay in bed, Christopher told Sharon he’d stayed in the lodge for a while after his accident. ‘I couldn’t bear to be in the house with my parents fussing over me, but I needed them. My father had not long retired and he was in my face all the time. At least I could lock the door of the lodge and ignore them when I wanted to.’ He put his arms round her and kissed her neck.

  She moved away from him. ‘I’m sorry, Christopher.’

  ‘No, I’m sorry.’ He stroked her face. ‘You’re worried about Ryan.’

  ‘Not to mention feeling disgusting after that bastard pawing me.’

  ‘He’s disgusting, not you. I’m so angry about that; I’ll never sleep. Can I…can I tell you something?’

  ‘If you want.’

  The curtains weren’t pulled properly. She could see the moon in a cloudless sky, the shadows of the tall trees waving. Christopher was lying on his back. He took a deep breath. ‘Sharon, we may have more in common than you know. I…I used to take drugs too.’

  ‘You what?’ Sharon got up on her elbow and stared at him. ‘Do you mean prescription drugs?’

  He shook his head. ‘Cannabis. It was the only thing that helped the pain.’

  Sharon wanted to laugh, but that was too cruel. ‘Cannabis isn’t such a big deal.’

  ‘It was for me, the amount I was using. And I wasn’t just using.’

  ‘You were dealing?’

  ‘For a while. I was sick of living off my parents and I couldn’t work. It seemed an easy way to make money. I wasn’t into anything harder. I hate that stuff; you know that. And eventually I hated the worry about getting caught, and the people I had to mix with.’

  ‘Dino and Lucas?’

  He nodded. ‘I’m sorry, Sharon. I haven’t done right by you. And I don’t just m
ean with Todd and Peter. I mean not telling you about my past, about the accident, not taking you to my house until recently, not introducing you to friends and family.’

  Sharon shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t introduce someone like me to my family either, if I was you. It’s no big deal.’

  ‘No, Sharon.’ He ran his hand up her arm, making her skin tingle. ‘Don’t say that. I would never be ashamed of you.’

  ‘Not now you’ve cleaned me up. You wouldn’t have been taking me home last summer when we met, would you? You wouldn’t even have taken me now, if your mother hadn’t been ill.’

  ‘I haven’t been home since before we met. I don’t like London and all its memories, but I’ve never been ashamed of you. Never.’

  He was probably telling the truth. He hadn’t shown any sign of being ashamed of her, even before she’d been done up. It didn’t really matter now.

  ‘So why have you never introduced me to Todd?’

  He was silent for ages. ‘I…he…I don’t like the way he treats women. And he’s probably still dealing.’

  ‘In Inverness?’

  ‘I think so, but I don’t ask.’

  ‘Does he know you’re seeing me?’

  ‘He…he knows there’s someone.’

  Liar. Todd couldn’t have got his hands on the sock without Christopher telling him where he’d got it.

  *

  Todd didn’t put on any lights in Chris’s house. Though no houses overlooked this one, or the garden, you never knew who might be out and about. Chris could come home even. Unlikely. There hadn’t been any movement in the house since he and the tart left with suitcases early in the morning, and his car wasn’t down the Ferry. Where the hell were they? Off for a romantic break?