I was aware of Caroline pulling me into her arms. We sat huddled together on the grass.
“I hope you haven’t snotted all over my jacket,” Caroline said, after a few minutes of silence.
I smiled and wiped my eyes. “We’d better get back. They’ll probably be finishing soon.”
She got to her feet and helped me up. “Come on, then. Do you feel better now?”
“Much better. Thanks so much, Caz.”
As we rounded the front of the chapel, the doors opened, and people emerged from the building. We stood to the side and waited for Agnes and Fred, who appeared a few minutes later with a handsome dark-haired man, who had red-rimmed eyes.
The man ruffled Caroline’s hair and extended his hand to me. “Hi, I’m Jim. You must be Maggie. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Me too. I mean, I’ve heard a lot about you, not about me.” I stumbled over my words and felt myself blush. Jim was Agnes and Fred’s son, and they’d often talked about him.
He winked. “I know what you meant. Do you fancy a drink? We’re all heading ten minutes down the road to the wake.”
I nodded.
“We’ll follow you, James,” Agnes said. “Don’t go too fast, mind, we don’t know this area like you do.”
33
As we piled back into the hire car, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from Rachel asking if I’d called the agency.
Sorry, Rach. Didn’t have time. Will call them as soon as I get a minute.
I’ll come over after school.
Ok
I should have made time to call the agency earlier, but I’d refused to let Caroline know what was going on. I had enough to contend with without her rabbiting down my ear about everything as well.
While having a glass of lemonade, I mingled with the other mourners, but I didn’t know anybody. One woman asked how I knew Matt, and I stuttered something about being a friend, rather than saying he was my solicitor. I was relieved when the buffet was opened, and the woman scurried off in search of a vol au vent or two.
I slipped out of the side door and sat on a chair at the entrance while I called the rental agency. The phone was answered by a cheerful-sounding receptionist, and when I told her who I was, she put me through to a man.
“Kelvyn Wightman speaking. How may I help you?”
“Hi, Kelvyn. My name’s Margaret Simms. I own a property you have on your books – eleven Junction Road.”
“Ah, yes. What can I do for you, Miss Simms?”
“I have an issue with the tenants. Is there any way I can have them move out?”
He cleared his throat. “Erm, not without making a whole lot of trouble for yourself. A twelve-month lease has been signed, and unless the tenants have violated the terms of the lease, then it’s pretty difficult, to be honest. Can I ask you what they’ve been doing?”
“They haven’t actually done anything. But I’ve just discovered they are the sisters of my abusive stepfather, and I really don’t want them living in my family home.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Simms, but unless they either stop paying the rent, use the property for anything illegal, or violate the terms of the lease, I’m afraid you’re pretty much stuck with them.”
I buried my head in my hands when I hung up. Of course that would be the case – they’d have made sure they were safe and secure before letting me know they were living there. They wouldn’t take any chances of being kicked out.
I messaged Rachel.
Agency said I’m stuck
with them for 12 months
FFS! So there’s
nothing you can do?
Not a thing. Did you ask your
dad to join us later?
Yes. He’ll be there.
Ok. Message you
when I get home.
I headed back inside and found Caroline sitting with Agnes and Fred. They all had plates full of food in front of them.
“Oh, here she is,” Agnes said, placing her plate on the table. “Do you want Fred to get you something to eat, love?”
I shook my head and slid into the booth. “I’m not hungry, thanks.”
Agnes put her arm around my shoulders. “We’ve just been talking. The weather’s meant to pack in tomorrow, so we’re thinking of leaving tonight.”
“Oh, really?” I glanced at Caroline, who was clearly as disappointed as me.
“Never mind,” Fred said. “I’m sure Claudia will be out of hospital soon, and you’ll be able to get back to school.”
“Yeah. I hope so.”
We stayed for a little while longer. Jim and a few of his and Matt’s mates told several hilarious stories, highlighting the side of Matt I’d never known. Although I laughed along with the rest of them, I felt a crushing emptiness every time I thought about his crooked smile and twinkly brown eyes. I jumped to my feet as soon as Agnes made the suggestion of getting on the road.
We did a detour to their hotel to collect their belongings. Then, they dropped me off at number thirteen.
“Are you coming in for a cuppa while Caroline gets her things together?”
They glanced at each other, and Fred nodded. “That would be lovely. We’d need to be quick, mind.”
I showed them through to the lounge while Caroline ran upstairs for her bag.
Caroline reappeared, and leaving her things by the front door, she came into the kitchen where I was busily making the tea.
She closed the door leading to the hallway. “You didn’t get to tell me what’s been happening. You promised.”
“There’s no way I can tell you now – it’ll take too long. I’ll call you tomorrow night and tell you all about it.”
She squinted at me as though she thought I was just fobbing her off.
“I swear, Caz, I’ll call. So long as you promise not to tell Agnes. She’d only worry.”
“Are you sure you’re all right? I don’t like the thought of leaving you alone if something’s happening that would make Agnes worry.”
“I’m fine. And anyway, I’m hoping it’ll all be over by tomorrow.” I picked up two mugs and nodded at the other two on the worktop. “Grab them for me, will you?” I went back into the lounge with Caroline close behind me.
Twenty minutes later, I was alone again. Tears had pricked my eyes as I hugged them all goodbye on the doorstep, but I rapidly blinked them away for fear of Agnes noticing.
As I turned back to the house, I saw the curtain twitch in number eleven. I scowled and stomped inside.
34
I watched as the bitch and her visitors said their goodbyes. It would have been an emotional scene if I gave a flying fuck. She waved at the car until it turned the corner and then headed back through the front door.
I tidied the cups away, and my phone buzzed.
Are you home yet?
Sorry, Rach. Yes, I am.
Will come to yours soon.
Dad will meet us there when
he finishes work.
Cool, see you soon x
I washed up the cups and tidied away the previous night’s dishes from the draining board. I was walking back into the living room as there was a knock at the front door. I could hear raised voices, one of them Rachel’s, and my stomach dropped. I ran to open the door. I was startled to see Rachel and Kenny’s two sisters standing on the pavement.
“Go on, get inside with your snivelling mate,” the older of the sisters snarled at Rachel, raising her arm as though she was about to strike her.
“You fuck off back where you belong, you fat bitch,” Rachel retaliated, turning on the woman like a Rottweiler.
“Just ignore her, Rach. Don’t stoop to her level.” I grabbed my friend’s arm and dragged her inside, slamming the door behind us.
“What the hell was that all about?”
“They started it,” she spat. “Nasty pair of bitches have picked on the wrong person.”
“Okay, okay. Calm down. What time’s your dad getting here?”
She took several deep breaths and glanced at her watch. “He shouldn’t be too long.”
“Should I call the police, then?”
“No. Dad said it’s best if we go to the station. That way, we’ll probably get somebody other than Jake.”
“Did you tell him?”
“I told him the bare minimum. No point him stressing until he has to.”
A series of bangs sounded from next door, and I gaped at Rachel. “What the hell are they doing in there? I hope the police believe me this time. Maybe there’s some way they can get me out of the lease.”
“If they’re being abusive, like they were just now, then surely they can’t expect to stay. Even if they don’t believe all the other stuff, I’m witness to their aggression.”
“I hope you’re right.”
A car horn tooted outside, and Rachel ran to the window. “It’s Dad. Are you ready?”
I felt sick. “No.”
“Come on, you’ll be fine. You have me and Dad in your corner.”
I winced. “You, at least.”
She grabbed my arm and led me from the house. Rachel got in the front seat and me in the back.
“Hi, Mister Mendoza.” I smiled.
He nodded and indicated to pull away. “Now, I guess you should tell me what’s been happening.”
“I told you, Dad,” Rachel cut in, flashing her father a disapproving glance. “Somebody has been doing horrid things to Maggie, and we just found out it could be the new tenants at number eleven.”
“I’d rather Margaret tell me the unedited version herself please, Rachel.”
I cleared my throat, preparing to explain everything from the beginning.
“No, Dad. She’s already shitting herself. You’ll hear every detail when she tells the cops. Please don’t make her have to do it twice.”
He sighed and shrugged. “Watch your language, young lady.”
Nobody said a word for the rest of the fifteen-minute journey.
We didn’t go to the small station closest to us, as it was rarely manned and was Jake’s nearest base, so we went to the larger one in the city instead. Inside the cold, intimidating building, we approached the uniformed officer at the desk.
The officer didn’t make eye contact with me, choosing to acknowledge Rachel’s dad instead. “What can I do for you, sir?”
Mr Mendoza cleared his throat. “Can we speak to somebody about an issue with a neighbour?”
I quickly turned to look at him. I would have opened with, I want to report a murder. Yeah, a little over dramatic, but I wanted them to take me seriously.
“Certainly, sir. Can I take a few details?”
“My name is Franklin Mendoza, but the complaint is regarding Margaret Simms.” He pointed to me.
The officer nodded. “Take a seat, and I’ll get somebody out to you shortly.”
We sat in silence for the next ten minutes. A young, dark-haired detective appeared and introduced himself as DC Duncan Jones. He ushered us through to a teeny grey room.
“So, maybe you can tell me the reason you’re here. All I’ve been told is that you are having an issue with your neighbour.”
“It’s a lot more complicated than that,” I said, unsure where to begin and feeling self-conscious with Rachel’s dad being there.
“Maybe, if you give me a brief summary so I know which page you’re on.”
I nodded. “Basically, I was arrested for killing my stepdad a few months ago.”
That caught his attention. “Go on.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, and I glanced at Mr Mendoza before continuing. “Kenny, my stepfather, raped me on the day of my mother’s funeral and made it clear he intended to make it a regular thing. I had no choice – I needed to stop him in some way.”
“So, was this reported at the time?” The officer appeared confused.
“Oh, yes. It went to court and everything. The judge agreed it was self-defence.”
“I see.”
“The thing is, the night before the court appearance, the detective in charge of my case died. She was run off the road in her car.”
The detective tapped his pen on his lips.
“Then, a woman who was a witness for me died in a fire.”
“Okay. I really don’t know where you’re heading with this, but–”
“I know it sounds all over the place, but I need to tell you from the beginning, Detective. Please listen to me.”
He tossed the pen to the table and leaned back in his seat – nodding for me to continue.
“My solicitor arranged for my family home to be rented out, and I went to a new school in London. While I was away, Claudia Green, my next-door neighbour, the woman who had taken me in, was found in a coma after falling down the stairs. I came back to be here for her, but since I got back, Matt Pierson, my solicitor, and his girlfriend were stabbed to death.”
“So, we have three dead bodies and one person in a coma. Are you going to tell me you know who’s responsible?”
I nodded. “Since I’ve been back, somebody took Claudia’s dog and left him on the back doorstep, stabbed to death.”
Mr Mendoza jumped to his feet. “What the…? Rachel, you didn’t tell me all this. You said she was having issues with her neighbour and Jake Stuart.”
“And you are?”
“I’m Frank Mendoza, Rachel’s dad. Rachel and Margaret are friends.”
The officer turned back to me. “Can I ask you why you didn’t report any of this before now?”
“I tried to. I called the local station, and they sent Detective Jake Stuart, who made out that I was the killer. You see, he was a friend of Kenny’s, my stepdad, and he’s angry I hadn’t been convicted for killing him.”
“Are you trying to say DS Stuart didn’t do his job properly?”
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying he’s too close to it and is angry his best mate is dead. He thinks I deserve everything I get.”
The detective arched one eyebrow and wrote something on his pad. He placed his pen down and looked directly at me again. His piercing blue eyes made me feel uncomfortable.
“Anyway, yesterday, I found out who was actually living next door in my old house.”
“Go on.”
“Kenny’s two sisters. They threatened to make me pay for killing their little brother, in front of plenty of witnesses in court, and now, they’re living in my house – next door to where I’m staying.”
“And you think these sisters are responsible for all the things you’ve mentioned today?”
“I’m fairly certain. It has to be. I mean, who else would want to punish me like this. And I’m terrified for Claudia too. Whoever shoved her down the stairs will want to finish the job, because when she wakes up, she’ll be able to name them.”
“Understandable. Now, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to get a colleague in as this is a little extraordinary. Would you mind going through it once more?”
I shook my head. “Of course not.” I was just relieved he seemed to be taking me seriously.
The detective left the room in search of his colleague.
“You guys can go, if you like,” I said, conscious of keeping Rachel and her dad any longer.
“No way. We’re going nowhere, are we, Dad?”
“If Margaret would prefer to be alone, then I think we need to do as she asks.”
“That’s not the reason. I’m very grateful you brought me, but the officer seems to believe me, and Jake’s not about, so there’s really no reason for you to stay.”
Mr Mendoza got to his feet. “Fair enough. How will you get home?”
“Dad!” Rachel squealed. “We can’t just leave her.”
“It’s fine, Rach. Honest.”
“No, it’s not. You go, Dad. I’m staying to support my friend.”
Mr Mendoza dug in his pocket and brought out a ten-pound note. “Here you go, then. I’ll pay for the cab.” And with that, he left.
“Tosser,” Rachel
muttered when the door had closed behind him.
“It’s fine. At least he came. But did you see his face when he heard about what’s been going on?”
A sudden smile lit up her face. “I thought he was gonna bust a blood vessel. He’ll give me shit when I get home.”
I nodded. “Only because he cares. You’re lucky, you know?”
“I know, babe. I must seem like a total selfish bitch to you, but they’re just so fucking stifling.”
The door opened, and the officer returned with a woman dressed in tight fitting, black trousers and a maroon blouse. She had coarse blonde hair and a ruddy complexion, but she had the kindest brown eyes I’d ever seen.
“This is Detective Inspector Ashley Kent,” he said. “I’ve given her an outline of what you just told me, but maybe it would be best if you go through it again.”
35
“Intriguing,” DI Kent said, when Maggie and her friend had left.
“So, what should we do?” Duncan asked excitedly. As a junior detective, he wasn’t used to getting any meaty cases.
“We?” She grinned.
“Aw, come on, boss. Give me a chance.”
She gazed at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Okay, why not. But keep shtum and let me take the lead.”
“Yes, boss. So, what shall we do?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m heading off home. We’ll pay a visit to the sisters first thing in the morning,”
Deflated, he returned to his office. If she wasn’t going to let him go around and arrest the Simms sisters tonight, he intended to do some research of his own – give himself some brownie points for the next day.
He read up on the death of Kenny Simms, and then, he read the notes DS Stuart had entered into the system regarding the double murder of Matthew Pierson and Penelope Judd. On an impulse, he placed a call to DS Stuart’s mobile.
Maggie: a gripping psychological thriller Page 14