by June Tate
This was a private laundry, not part of the prison itself, and the gates were open with no one standing guard. Percy placed the stethoscope around his neck and walked quickly away. He turned the first corner he saw and stopped. Leaning against a wall, he waited until his legs stopped shaking, then he felt nauseous. He fought the sensation, not wanting to draw attention to himself. In the distance he saw a small park and putting the stethoscope in his pocket, he wandered over.
Sitting on a bench, he lit a cigarette and tried to calm down. Well, he was free, but what now?
Chapter Eighteen
It wasn’t long before the unconscious figure of the nurse was discovered and it was realised that Percy was missing. The hospital was searched and the laundry van that had taken the linen away. A couple of pillowcases were found on the floor of the van, which led everyone to surmise this had been the way the prisoner may have escaped. The guard was sent before the prison governor, being severely reprimanded for leaving his post during the collection.
Policemen searched the area, but to no avail. Stanley was not to be found. Southampton police were advised in case Percy tried to contact his brother. Everyone was on high alert and it was decided to keep the fact of the escape away from the press for a few days.
Later that afternoon, two policemen walked into the market and chatted to the stallholders as was their habit, not causing any undue concern from the traders. Eventually, they wandered over to Ben’s stall. They quietly told him what had transpired as they chatted to him. He looked shocked.
‘Keep an eye on Arthur,’ he was told. ‘We’re keeping tabs on the house in case Percy tries to get back. As yet, the news of the escape isn’t public knowledge, but we can’t hide the fact for too long as the public could be at risk.’ Then they sauntered off.
As the police left the market, Arthur wandered over to Ben. ‘What did they want? They usually come and give me a bit of stick, but not today. Not that I’m bothered.’
‘Oh, it was their usual walkabout; you know, keeping an eye on everything.’
‘But when they spoke to you, you looked surprised, what was that about?’
Ben grinned and said, ‘Apparently there’s a stray dog causing a bit of havoc. He went into the butcher’s down the road and ran off with some meat. They were just warning me to be careful if I saw him.’
This seemed to satisfy Arthur and he wandered back to his stall. But Ben was thinking about Phoebe and her reaction whenever Percy was mentioned and when he used to be around, her nervousness bordering sometimes on fear. He’d never got to the bottom of this mystery, but his gut told him that if she knew of Percy’s escape, she’d be devastated. He wandered over to her stall.
‘Wait for me tonight. I’ll help you put your stall away and walk you home.’
‘That’s nice of you. What brought that on?’
‘I just thought we could spend an hour together away from here. I’ve hardly had time for a chat today, we’ve been so busy.’
Marj sauntered over. ‘’As ’e proposed yet, love?’
‘Oh, Marj, how you do go on!’
She put her hand on Phoebe’s arm. ‘The boy’s in love with you, it’s obvious. Surely ’e’s given you some ’int about the future?’
Phoebe hesitated but Marj was such a good friend and she needed some advice, so she told her friend about Ben saying he couldn’t say anything at the moment, but that he was going to be around for a long time.
Her friend looked puzzled. ‘I wonder what ’e’s keeping back?’
‘I don’t know, but he asked me to trust him.’
‘Then you must! Whatever it is, ’e must have a very good reason. That young man has integrity. ’E wouldn’t lead you up the garden path. I’d stake my life on it!’
Phoebe hugged her friend. ‘Oh, Marj, I do hope you’re right, because I am in love with him.’
Percy Stanley had been busy. He’d wandered into the men’s department of a large store in Winchester and, mingling among the crowd of shoppers, had managed to steal a jacket and a cap. He’d then gone into a public toilet and changed out of his white coat, putting it into a bin in one of the cubicles. Putting on his cap, he pulled it down to cover his face as much as possible. He had a little money with him, which he’d taken out of the nurse’s pocket, and went into a small cafe for something to eat, in case he didn’t get another meal for a while. He’d seen several police walking around and surmised they were looking for him, but he avoided them. He was anxious to get back to Southampton to collect a stash of money he’d hidden in one of their secret lock-ups. This would enable him to get far away and avoid detection. Arthur had the key, that was the only problem. It was almost a certainty that his home would be watched, which made things difficult, but he had to try to get in touch with his brother somehow. That money was his way to freedom.
Arthur was having the time of his life. He was now enjoying the sexual favours of Ivy, his girlfriend who was only too happy to oblige as she was hoping to persuade Arthur to let her move in permanently. She even took some food with her and cooked him a meal one evening, just to show him she was as adept in the kitchen as in his bed.
Putting down his knife and fork, Arthur belched loudly. ‘That was really tasty, Ivy love, I don’t remember when I last ate dumplings.’
She smiled coyly. ‘I’m not surprised. Men living alone can rarely look after themselves when it comes to food. A good meal is good for the soul. It makes for a happy man.’ Getting up from her chair, she wandered around the table, slipped her arms around him, kissed his neck and playfully nibbled his ear, before sitting on his knee.
‘Do I make you happy, Arthur?’
He fondled her breast. ‘You do, Ivy, you do.’ He slipped his hand up her skirt, but she stopped him.
‘Not on a full stomach, love. You’ll get indigestion!’ She got up, gathered the dirty plates and, with a sly smile, took them into the kitchen.
Meanwhile, in Winchester, Percy Stanley went to the railway station and, after checking that there were no police hanging around, bought a platform ticket. He stood with his back against the wall, waiting for the next train, glancing around to see if anyone was looking at him. Then in the distance he could hear the sound of a train approaching. It pulled into the platform with a squeal from its breaks, then let out a cloud of steam, which gave Percy cover to climb on board. He stood in the corridor instead of taking his seat in a compartment, thus allowing him to look out of the windows at the following stops to see if the police were standing by. He eventually alighted at the small station at Otterbourne, handed the guard his platform ticket, pretending to talk to the lady in front of him as if he’d been there to meet her and then he headed for the exit and walked quickly away.
It was three days after Percy had escaped from the prison hospital. It was obvious to Ben that Arthur was unaware of this through his daily conversations, which consisted only of Ivy, her cooking and his sex life. But Ben knew that the report of the escape would soon be common knowledge, as the police would have to consider the safety of the public. If Percy, known for his brutality, was to come in contact with someone who might recognise him or get in his way, it could turn into a major incident.
Saturday was the usual busy day in the market and at lunchtime Tim went for his weekly order of fish and chips for him, his sister and for Ben, before sitting on the steps with his friend Laura to have their lunch break together.
Phoebe had invited the girl around for tea on the previous Sunday and watched her and Tim do their homework together, ready for school the next day. She was delighted with this new friendship, for her brother’s only other friends were the boys who lived along the road, but they were often off with their father and mother. She knew that made him sad and only emphasised the fact that he was now an orphan. She did her best to fill the role of mother and sister, but she too had her own moments of great loss, although she hid these from Tim.
Toward the end of the day when the evening edition of the local paper came out
, somebody had handed a copy to Marj, who put it down to read later. It was just before closing when, in a quiet moment, she looked at the headline. She let out a cry and hurried over to Phoebe.
She handed the paper to her. ‘Will you look at that! The bugger ’as done a runner!’
With a frown, Phoebe wondered what on earth she was talking about … then she read the headline. MAN ESCAPES FROM WINCHESTER PRISON. Beside it, a picture of Percy Stanley.
Phoebe felt the blood drain from her body – then she fainted.
Marj yelled for Ben, who, seeing the prostrate figure on the ground, rushed over. He bent over Phoebe and held her in his arms, calling her name. He felt for a pulse as he did so. Tim, his face pale with worry, stood and watched.
Marj soaked a cloth in a bucket of water she had, and Ben put the cloth on Phoebe’s forehead, talking to her all the time. ‘What the hell happened?’ he asked her friend.
She showed him the headline. As she did so, Phoebe started to come round. She was confused but as she opened her eyes, she saw Ben’s face.
‘What are you doing?’ she asked her voice trembling.
‘You fainted,’ he said.
With a frown she tried to remember. ‘I did?’
Ben helped her to her feet and sat her on a chair that Marj brought over from her stall. One of the other stallholders handed him a glass of water and he gave it to her, holding it steady while she sipped it.
‘You all right, Phoebe?’ asked Tim, shaken by events.
She gave a wan smile. ‘I’m fine, I don’t know what happened.’
‘You read the headline in the paper that Marj showed you,’ Ben told her. ‘It was about Percy Stanley.’
Her eyes widened and she stiffened. ‘Oh my God! It said he’d escaped. Is it true?’
Ben kneeling beside her, took both her hands in his. ‘Yes, I’m afraid it is. He’s been on the run for three days.’ Again he saw the look of fear he’d seen before. But Phoebe said nothing more.
Getting to his feet, Ben said, ‘Right. I’ll put my stall away and, after, Tim can help me with yours, then I’m taking you home!’
Phoebe began to argue but Ben just looked at her, daring her to argue further, then he walked to his stall and started packing up.
Marj stood beside Phoebe. ‘What’s wrong girl, because something certainly is? No one don’t faint for nothing!’
‘It was just such a shock. That’s all.’
Her friend stood in front of her and with a hard stare spoke. ‘You and me is best mates, you can tell me anything, you knows that. Right?’
Phoebe put her hand on her friend’s arm. ‘I do know that, honestly I do.’
Marj waited a further moment but when nothing else was forthcoming, she just grunted and walked back to her stall, but all the time watching Phoebe closely. She was no fool, there was something going on that just wasn’t right but she’d no idea what – and it worried her.
Ben and Tim put the stall away, then collected Phoebe, returning the chair before leaving the market. Not a word was said as Phoebe, walking in the middle, her arms through those of her two men, headed for home.
In the meantime, Arthur had overheard the conversation about his brother escaping and rushed off to buy a paper. He was now a worried man. Percy had escaped custody. That could put an end to his freedom! He was livid. For the first time in his life, he was free, able to please himself. He had a woman who warmed his bed and cooked for him occasionally. He had a real friend in Ben, for the first time in his life. All of which his brother would have denied him. Well, he wasn’t going to lose all that! Then, when he calmed down, he realised he’d be watched in case Percy tried to come back to the house or get in touch with him. The police would probably watch his house and him, scrutinising his every move. Already Percy was interfering with his life! He kicked the side of his stall in his anger, then packed up and went home.
Chapter Nineteen
When they arrived home, Ben insisted that Phoebe sit on the settee while he boiled the kettle and made her a cup of tea. He then cooked them bacon and eggs with mushrooms on toast.
Phoebe thanked him and sat quietly eating, saying nothing more. When they finished, Ben cleared away the dishes and, through the window, spotted the boys from along the road outside, playing football. He suggested that Tim might like to go and join them. The boy was delighted to do so and rushed out of the house.
Ben sat beside Phoebe on the settee and, putting an arm around her, said, ‘We need to talk.’
Frowning, she gazed at him. ‘Talk? What about?’
‘Percy Stanley.’ He felt her stiffen within his hold. ‘It’s time to tell me why this man frightens you enough to make you faint when you heard he’d escaped.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Yes, you do. When first I came to the market, you were just wary of him, as were others, but then something happened and you changed. I want to know what that was.’
‘I can’t tell you!’ she exclaimed. ‘Please don’t ask.’
Her bottom lip started to tremble and he drew her closer. ‘I’m not leaving here until you give me an explanation. Phoebe, darling, how can I protect you if I don’t know what’s going on?’
All her pent-up emotion spilt out. The murder, the fear of Percy finding out that she was a witness, her concern for Tim’s and Mum’s safety if he did, and now his escape. It was all too much and she burst into tears.
Ben held her and let her cry, wondering what on earth had caused such anguish, until eventually she stopped. He held her face and stared at her. ‘It’s time to share this, whatever it is. Now tell me, so I can help you.’
She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she dare share her secret, but knowing that now she couldn’t cope alone any longer. ‘I saw him kill a man!’
Ben was shocked, but his expression didn’t change. His training in the force stood him in good stead. ‘When was this, and where, Phoebe? Just take your time.’
She explained why she returned to the market to check if she’d locked her stall away safely. ‘I heard raised voices coming from Percy’s lock-up. I was about to leave when he and another man started fighting and tumbled outside. I hid behind a pile of cardboard boxes, but I could see what was happening through a space between them.’
‘So what did happen?’
‘Percy knocked the other man down and was holding him by the throat. He couldn’t breathe very well but he managed to get up and turned towards Percy.’ She stopped and her voice broke as she said, ‘Percy brought out a knife and stabbed him!’ She started crying and between sobs carried on. ‘He picked the man up and put him in the lock-up, then was about to walk away when I moved and one of the boxes fell.’ Her eyes widened. ‘I thought, I was going to die too but before he could come looking, a cat jumped down, crying, and Percy walked away. He thought it was the cat, I suppose. All I knew was that I was saved and needed to get away.’
‘Oh, Phoebe. You must have been terrified.’
‘I was. I was violently sick in one of the boxes, then I rushed home.’
‘But why didn’t you go to the police?’
‘Percy didn’t know I’d seen him, no one else was around. It would be his word against mine, because the next morning, the brothers went to their lock-up and opened the doors as wide as usual to collect their gear, so obviously the body was no longer there. They could deny it! Who would believe me? I had no proof of what I saw. Then I would be a danger to Percy. I had to think of Tim’s safety. I couldn’t tell anyone. I think it must have been the person whose body was found much later in the cemetery.’
Ben needed time to think of the implications of all this before he made a decision, but he was now aware of the burden that Phoebe had been carrying alone. He had to reassure her.
‘You still don’t need to tell anyone. Only the two of us know. We’ll wait until he’s captured before we decide what to do. The police will be watching the area closely. Percy won’t dare come anywhere near here, s
o you’ve nothing to worry about.’
He saw the relief reflected in her eyes and he kissed her softly. ‘I’m here to take care of you and Tim, so please will you stop worrying? I’ll walk you home each night, if that would make you feel better?’
She clutched his arm. ‘Oh, would you, Ben? I’m so afraid he’ll turn up, because that one time he suddenly appeared and picked up some fallen stuff when I was packing up in my lock-up, I screamed. He grabbed me and asked me why I was so scared of him. What if he realises I was there and it wasn’t the cat that made the noise?’
‘Why would he, Phoebe? He didn’t see you. The police didn’t come looking for him the next day. He’s probably forgotten the incident.’
‘If only I could be sure.’
‘You’ll just have to trust me. Now, are you going to be all right if I go home?’
‘Yes, I’m fine. As you said, he’d be foolish to come around this area and he is no fool.’
Ben gave her a hug, kissed her goodbye and left. He didn’t go home, but walked to the police station and spoke to Detective Inspector Jack Bentley and told him what he’d just heard.
‘I knew that bastard was guilty! But you did the right thing. We’ll leave your young lady out of it for the moment until we catch Stanley. His brother obviously helped him to move the body. Arthur is a weak man. Knowing the facts, we’ll soon break him, but we have to have his brother in custody first. Just watch over her until we do.’
Percy was feeling fraught. He’d slept rough the last few nights in Otterbourne, once in a derelict shed. Then he found a bicycle left outside someone’s house and rode it to Southampton Common, where he dumped it among a load of bushes. He used the public toilet to freshen up, but even so he looked dishevelled, with several days’ growth on his chin. But at last he was nearer to Arthur and his goal. He walked towards the town.