Naive Retribution

by Dawson, H A

  A sound outside disturbed his thoughts. He glanced through the window, noted the building traffic, and looked to the clock. Since there was little more to be done until he had spoken to Kath, he made a decision to leave. He closed the files and shut down the computer. Whilst he waited for the action to complete, a photo of Ava Rose caught his eye. Soon it would be the weekend and he would have her all to himself, but he need not be alone. He plucked his phone from his pocket and selected Crystal’s number. His heart fluttered.

  At Kath’s front door, Luke paused and turned to Imogen. ‘I hope she’s in a better mood today.’

  ‘It didn’t affect the interview. In fact, it may have helped. We were able to use it to loosen her up.’

  ‘You were.’

  ‘Okay, so I was.’ She looked to him and raised her eyebrows. ‘You’d be lost without my feminine charms.’

  ‘It’s a good job you have something to offer.’

  She pocked him in the ribs. ‘Watch it mister.’

  Luke grinned and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, it opened. Distress flashed onto Kath’s face, but was quickly replaced by a stolid expression.

  ‘We have a few more questions to ask if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Sure. Come in.’

  Kath guided them to the kitchen. The living room floor was scattered with plastic toys and dolls, and the girls were both sat amidst the mess. One of the girls turned her head and caught his eye. He responded with a gentle face, before stepping into the kitchen and sitting at the table, readying his notes. Chatting amiably, Imogen followed Kath into the living room, introduced herself to the girls, and then accompanied him moments later.

  ‘What’s this about?’ Kath asked.

  ‘We’ve spoken to Joe Dobbs.’ Luke waited, checking her impassive expression. ‘The gardener you spoke of.’

  She did not answer.

  ‘How well do you know him?’

  ‘I don’t . . . not really.’

  ‘Now that’s not true. You spoke to him yesterday . . . on Hollins Road.

  Her eyes darted. She looked to Imogen, searching for compassion or understanding. His assistant was straight-faced.

  ‘How long have you been friends?’

  ‘We’re not.’ There was tension in her voice. ‘It was the first time I’ve seen him for years. My in-laws live over there. They spend a lot of time looking after Chloe and Lily so I can look for a job.’

  ‘So you just happened to bump into him.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell us this before?’

  ‘I didn’t think it was important.’

  ‘You said you couldn’t remember his name.’

  ‘Yes, that’s right. We’ve only just been re-acquainted. I haven’t seen him for years.’

  ‘Does he confide in you?’

  ‘No.’ Her eyes darted, suspicious of his question.

  ‘He was yesterday,’ Luke said.

  ‘No he wasn’t. It may have looked that way, but he didn’t actually say anything other than he was in trouble. I didn’t want to get involved. I have enough problems of my own to deal with.’

  ‘So he never told you about his argument with Dylan?’

  ‘No he didn’t. If you had taken more notice you would have seen he walked the girls and me to their gran’s house, and then he left. I don’t know him that well anymore and I don’t want to. I’m married, or have you forgotten?’

  ‘Why do you think he turned to you?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Her voice was frantic and high-pitched. ‘I was there – it was convenient.’

  Luke flipped over his notes.

  ‘It’s probably because I was with Dylan,’ she said.

  ‘You must have known they were related.’

  ‘No I didn’t.’ She searched for reassurance. ‘Dylan walks his dog there most days, and one day he introduced himself. He’s very likeable . . . very friendly.’

  ‘What do you know of the troubles he has with his mother?’

  ‘I don’t.’

  ‘So you chat about yourself.’

  ‘No . . . ’ She gripped her necklace. ‘We chat about other things – the dog, the weather, stuff like that.’

  ‘Never about yourself?’

  Kath held her gaze, her anxiety deepening.

  ‘Does Dylan know about your family troubles?’

  ‘I . . . I wouldn’t say anything.’

  ‘You sure?’

  ‘Okay, so I may have said something, but it wasn’t important.’

  ‘Was it about Jade?’

  Kath held a stiff pose.

  ‘So it might have been.’

  ‘I told him Dad started the fire. He wasn’t that interested. I’m not sure he was even listening. He was wound up in his own troubles. His glasses were broken and he had a bruise on his face. It looked as though he’d been in a fight.’

  ‘What else did you say about the fire?’

  ‘Nothing!’

  ‘Did you tell him Jade started it?’

  ‘No!’ Kath gawped. Her heat was gathering on her face and neck and there was a definite tremble in her fingers. ‘She didn’t . . . I wouldn’t . . .’

  ‘Because it’s a lie. Jade didn’t start the fire.’

  Her gaze flitted between them, displaying her confusion.

  He did not respond.

  ‘Dad started it,’ she said, ‘we’ve been through this.’

  ‘Yes, your father.’

  ‘Why don’t you believe me?’

  Luke waited for a moment. ‘Let’s get back to Dylan. Was the fight he was involved in anything to do with his mother?’

  ‘I don’t know. I didn’t ask.’

  ‘So,’ Luke said, ‘let me get this straight. You burden a teenage boy with your own problems and you don’t ask about his bruise.’

  ‘I didn’t have the opportunity.’

  Luke held a concentrated stare.

  ‘Why are you investigating me? I haven’t done anything wrong. I thought this was about Jade.’

  She was staring it him, questioning his actions, when one of her daughters appeared forlorn in the doorway. Kath scurried her into the next room. For a few moments, he listened to the mumbled chatter. Then he drifted, and lifted the pencil to his lips and started to chew. Kath’s anxiety was obvious. It was the same during their previous interview, and she flitted from one extreme to the other, especially regarding Jade. It all seemed a little suspect, especially since she hadn’t wanted to mention her relationship with the Dobbs family.

  ‘Go easy on her,’ Imogen whispered.

  He narrowed his eyes.

  ‘Just a feeling. I’m not sure she’s the guilty party here.’

  ‘Don’t you think she’s involved somehow with Joe?’

  ‘I don’t know. I suppose they could both be involved in the stalking.’

  ‘Then I have to keep pressing her for information.’

  Luke scanned through his notes and the list of questions he had intended to ask. He had barely touched the surface, and yet he sensed time was slipping away. Most people would only tolerate the questions for a short time before they insisted they had things to do. Kath could be nearing that point, especially given her defensive behaviour.

  She returned moments later. ‘How long is this going to take?’

  ‘We’ll try to be quick.’ He glanced up from his notes. ‘Remember, we’re doing this for Jade.’

  Kath pulled out a chair and sat down.

  ‘Have you seen her recently?’

  ‘No, I was going to go over later today, after Liam gets home.’

  Luke gave an approving nodded. ‘Can we go over your relationship with Joe again?’

  Kath frowned. ‘I’ve told you everything. We’re not in touch anymore.’

  ‘I’d like to know about his past, his family life.’

  Kath ran her hand through her hair, leaned back into the chair, and gazed vacantly at the wall. ‘He was bullied a lot. Not just from the other kids, bu
t from his dad too. He used to fight back, but he always came off worse. His dad beat him to a pulp. I saw his bruises once. He was black and blue. It was horrible. I told him to get treatment, but he insisted he didn’t want to. He told me if he did his dad would turn on him even more.’

  ‘Didn’t his mother try to stop it?’

  ‘His mother was an alcoholic.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Once, as a punishment, his father put his hand in hot oil and held it there. He screamed so loudly that it awoke his mother from her stupor. He had to stay in hospital for a couple of days. She wasn’t best pleased.’

  ‘That sounds horrid.’

  ‘It was, although it was a turning point. He met Dawn, his wife-to-be, and it gave him the courage to leave home.’

  ‘I thought that’s when he met Jade.’

  ‘Did he? I wouldn’t know about that.’

  ‘Did he leave home before or after the fire?’

  ‘It was before. I think he carried on working in the gardens a bit, but he wasn’t as regular.’

  ‘What was Dawn in hospital for?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea. From what he said she’d been in a while, so I think it must have been serious. I don’t think she was an in-patient though. I think she was returning for a check up.’

  ‘Was it a burn injury?’

  Kath shrugged. ‘I really don’t know. I never asked.’ She stood up. ‘I won’t be a minute.’

  She headed into the living room and checked on her daughters, leaving Luke to scan his list of prompts. Within a couple of minutes, the interview resumed.

  ‘You must have been close to Joe, for him to tell you all this,’ he said.

  ‘We both suffered in similar ways, and since I’d spent a lot of time on the streets and he helped with the gardens, we saw quite a bit of each other.’

  ‘How much of you family situation did you share?’

  ‘I told him about my father.’

  ‘What about Jade and your mother?’

  Kath displayed a stony glaze. ‘It’s a long time ago, I can’t remember everything that I said.’

  ‘Did you used to be angry towards Jade?’

  ‘Not really. We had fights, but my troubles were more related to Dad. He didn’t understand me.’ She looked up, caught his eye. ‘You already know this.’

  ‘We do.’

  ‘Is that it? I really have to get on.’

  Luke nodded, thanked her for the interview and swept away his belongings. Meanwhile, Imogen asked her about the work situation.

  ‘I’ve not found anything. I just can’t see it happening.’

  ‘It will. Don’t give up trying.’ Imogen slung her bag over her shoulder. ‘Have you thought anymore about suing them for unfair dismissal?’

  Her face clouded over.

  ‘It can’t be nice being accused of something unjustly.’

  ‘It’s not.’

  ‘Then you should do something about it.’

  Kath opened the door, guiding them outside. Her posture was stiff and her expression stony.

  ‘You know where I am if you want any advice,’Imogen added.

  They arrived back in the office. Imogen agreed to do a background check on Dawn Dobbs, whilst he said he would make notes on the interview. It seemed a suitable split. She enjoyed the investigative part and prising information from strangers, whilst he enjoyed the mulling over and sorting out.

  ‘There’s a message on the phone,’ Imogen said.

  He looked towards her. She had lifted the phone to her ear and was listening to the message. ‘It’s Crystal, for you. She wants you to ring her.’

  Luke frowned. ‘Why didn’t she call my mobile?’

  ‘She didn’t say.’

  He pulled it from his pocket, and seeing the battery was dead, he strode across the office and plugged it into the charger. ‘Idiot,’ he mumbled.

  ‘So what have you done to deserve a call from her?’

  His eyes gleamed. ‘I rang her yesterday. She wasn’t in.’

  ‘She was visiting family,’ Imogen said, ‘What did you want?’

  ‘None of your business.’

  ‘I’ve course it’s my business.’

  Luke grabbed the cordless phone and hurried from the room.

  ‘I’ve sharp ears,’ she called.

  He shut the door, headed into the next room, and called Crystal. Upon hearing whom it was, her voice changed, springing into life. He thanked her for returning his call, and asked her about her family. Eventually there was a pause in the conversation. He held his breath, searching for courage.

  ‘What you doing this weekend?’ she asked.

  ‘I was just about to ask you the same thing. I’m looking after Ava. I was wondering if you fancied dropping in.’

  ‘Sure, what time?’

  ‘You will? Great. I’ll have her from about three, so anytime after that. I can make you a bite to eat if you fancy.’

  ‘Sounds good. Sorry, but I have to go. Work calls. Good to hear from you Luke.’

  ‘You too.’

  Luke clutched the phone in his hand, his expression dreamy.

  ‘So she said yes then?’ Imogen said.

  He spun around. She was leaning against the doorframe. ‘You were listening in!’

  She tottered back to the office and perched on the edge of her seat. ‘I knew she would.’

  ‘Have you spoken to her about me?’

  ‘Might have.’

  ‘You told her I was looking after Ava at the weekend, didn’t you?’

  Her expression was smug. ‘I’m saying nothing.’

  ‘You should learn to stay out of my business.’

  ‘Why? You love it. It’s about time you made a move on her.’

  He weaved around the desk to his chair. ‘It’s not a date. I’m with Sarah.’

  ‘Sarah . . . yes.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  She moved her head ever so slightly, holding her self-satisfied expression.

  ‘Crystal knows where she stands,’ he said.

  ‘She does.’

  ‘Yes she does, and anyway, she’s not interested in me like that.’

  ‘What if she was?’

  ‘She’s not.’ He jumped to his feet and hurried to the doorway. ‘We’re friends, that’s all.’

  He headed to the bathroom and stood by the sink, as images of Crystal flashed into his head, her bouncy red curls, shimmering eyes, and attentive manner, projecting towards him with clarity. His skin tingled and his breathing was quick, remembering each sideways glance, each touch, and each carefully selected word. There was something there, something secreted behind her eyes, guiding her movements. Could it be that she was interested in him? Dare he wish?

  He washed his hands, remembering Sarah and his promise to be with her, and reminded himself of the last twelve months and how his desperate need to be part of her life again had driven his every breath and every action. He had acquired what he had so craved, and he should not be thinking about Crystal. It was wrong.

  Having removed the moisture with a towel, he headed out of the bathroom, and wondered if their meeting was such a good idea after all. Maybe he should give her a ring and admit to his error. He strode into the office and glanced at the phone. It didn’t take him long to decide it was not an option.

  Imogen turned to him. ‘I’ve found something out . . . about Dawn.’

  ‘What about her?’

  ‘She was a registered midwife.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘It gets better, but I’ll need to pull a few strings to confirm it. In fact, I might have to go undercover.’

  ‘Not again.’

  Imogen grinned. ‘Know where I can get a nurses uniform?’

  Chapter 27

  Jade believed the only incident to have occurred during her night out on the streets was a mysterious dream; no one disturbed her, and her handbag and supplies were untouched. It provided her with much relief, and havin
g scanned straightened out her hair and clothing, she retraced her steps back to the car. Her head was swimming and her legs wobbly, still intoxicated; nevertheless, she still drove home, careful in her actions.

  She pulled into the drive and tension spread across her body. William was back. He wasn’t supposed to return for another day. What was she going to say? She snatched her bag from the rear seat, pulled out a cotton wool pad and dabbed on a little cleanser, and swept it across her face. Then she brushed her hair. First from the back of her head, hoping she would give it a little lift, and then forward. Next, she applied the body perfume. She lifted her top and sprayed her stomach and armpits. Hoping she looked and smelled a little better, she left the car and forced confidence into her stride.

  William opened the door, his relief vivid in his face. ‘Where’ve you been? I’ve been worried sick.’

  She slinked past and climbed the stairs. ‘Just to the shops. Why are you back so early anyway?’

  ‘I tried to ring you several times last night. Why have you not been answering your phone? I even asked Kath to call in and check you were okay.’

  ‘What! Why? You know I like to switch off my phone. It’s not that unusual.’

  She flung her bag onto the bed and removed her jacket. ‘Look, if you don’t mind, I’m going for a shower. I didn’t have one when I got up, and now I regret it.’

  ‘Where’ve you been?’

  ‘I told you, to the shops.’

  ‘So where are your purchases?’

  ‘I’m an idiot, okay? I forget my cards so I just walked around for a bit. I couldn’t sleep.’

  William glanced to her bag. She swept it onto the floor, hiding it from his view, and removed her clothes. As she flung them into the washing basket, she saw a dirty stain on the rear. He must have seen it too. She wasn’t about to say anything, and avoided eye contact, whisking it from view.

  She entered the shower room.

  ‘Have you been with . . .’ he held a worried gaze, ‘. . . a man?’

  ‘Give me some credit. I wouldn’t do that.’ She glimpsed at him. He didn’t look as though he believed her, and she wondered if he had found out about Joe. Not that it mattered; it was over.