by Nick Roteman
Half an hour later and they had arrived to join the other four police cars already blocking the narrow road of this heavily populated area, a stone’s throw from the sea’s edge.
A deep velvety voice called to them as they carefully entered the flat.
“Ahha is that you Paul, haven’t they got anyone else?”
“Hello Peter, give us the potted version will you.”
Dr Peter Bell continued, he and DI Simpson went back a long way, and each respected the other. “Been beaten to death, probably as he answered the door; before being dragged inside. Must have been someone extremely brave to tackle a brute like him.”
“Or plain annoyed! Ash...,” he called out to his sergeant, she came up to him. “Take a look around see if he’s been robbed too. You know, wallet, mobile phone... why am I telling you, go on.”
He turned back to his friend Peter Bell. “How long, do you think, just a very rough idea, anything that can help.”
“Can tell you exactly old boy, at 12.15.”
Simpson bent down enabling him to take a closer squint at the body, as Dr Bell stood up.
“Can’t do anymore here,” Bell said quietly. “But it was a savage and vicious attack, but not frenzied. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. I’ll tell you the rest at the office. Come down say late morning, ok! Oh and bring some decent coffee, there’s a good chap.”
Simpson stood up and stared back at Bell. “So how so bloody precise time wise?”
“Easy, look at his watch, smashed into several pieces and promptly stopped at 12.15, bye love!”
He walked over to the front door and beckoned to a young constable on duty just outside.
“Will you tell them they can remove the body to the mortuary, and I want samples of the blood on the carpet, and the walls, right jolly good...”
He stepped out and was off, he had done his preliminary examination as was expected of him, and he was ready for bed. It had not been that easy an examination as the body had been beaten almost to a pulp in some parts; someone had taken great pleasure in killing him.
A few hours later and Auburn was up, it was 6am, and she was ready and waiting for her driving instructor to arrive a full hour before he was due.
A knock on the front door heralded the start of a new adventure for Auburn.
She jumped into the driving seat of the red and white coloured Fiat 500, and sat there staring ahead through the windscreen.
Her instructor John got into the passenger seat, and turned his head to the right to face her. Freddy had warned him of her condition but he was far from fazed by this.
“Right Auburn, may I call you that? My name’s John by the way.”
Auburn resisted the impulse to say that he had a peculiar surname and simply nodded back enthusiastically.
John spent the next fifteen minutes defining in broad terms the responsibilities of driving, before actually explaining how to start the engine, and the use of the clutch, the gearbox, and most importantly the roll of the brakes.
Another ten minutes passed by before Auburn put the car in gear, and was nervously pulling out into the traffic. After stalling the engine only twice, they were off, and within fifteen minutes it was Auburn with her right foot hard down on the accelerator, versus John with his heavy right foot on the brake pedal.
Sadly for Auburn the hour was up far too quickly, and they were back outside her house.
John gave her an appointment card with the next four lessons already booked, and clutching this in her left hand as if it were a £50 note, she reluctantly got out the little car, said goodbye and a ‘thank you’ most politely, and went inside.
As soon as John saw she was inside he grabbed his mobile and rang Freddy as agreed.
“Go on then, give me the bad news,” Freddy said, sitting down to listen.
“For a first lesson, she was far more skilled than most of my students are after having had about five or six lessons; she’s a natural!”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“No seriously, it’s not my job to joke.” He assured Freddy.
“But she does have one problem...”
Freddy laughed into the phone, “Only the one matey!”
“She has what we politely term a heavy right foot.”
“What?”
It was John’s turn to laugh. “She drives far too fast Freddy. Several times, she actually tried to overtake. I feel perhaps she is looking at her driving as if she is playing some computer racing game, it could be a problem, we’ll see.”
“Phew!” Freddy exclaimed exhaling loudly. “Thanks John, you’re a star. Has she rebooked?”
“Yes thank you I have another four on my card for now!” Auburn uttered as she entered the living room and stood near the doorway staring straight at Freddy.
“One every day in fact, so what has John reported back as saying about me?” She demanded.
“Look thanks John. Tat-io, better go!” He looked around at Auburn expecting her to be grimacing, but no, she was actually grinning and still facing her attention straight at him.
“Shall I put the kettle on?” she said at length, already leaving the room.
“Well done darling, John says you’re a little star!” he called out, shaking his head in disbelief. She was amazing and never failed to surprise him; what a great idea it had been inviting her down to stay with him. He made to stand up and grimaced as a sharp pain shot up his body; that Tom wanted too much. Pete was right in the fact that Tom had charisma in bucket loads, and was simply gorgeous, so he would just have to put up with a few more bruises if he wanted to be with him and sadly in spite of everything he still did.
Of course this was one conversation he would not be having with Auburn knowing how she hated the man, but she wasn’t having great sex with him.
Perhaps that what she lacked right now, a good old-fashioned rogering! He would have to set up this Oli character with her, could be the perfect match, both were freaks, or did he mean geeks, either way he really didn’t mean it in a nasty way.
“Tea!” Auburn shouted out from the kitchen, interrupting his mucky thoughts.
Tom was in the pub, The Black Sheep, which was local to his flat being on the corner, when he got the call.
He picked up his mobile. “Hi Alice was just thinking about you!” he grimaced.
Almost hesitantly she said, “Oh Tom, I needed to hear your voice, how are you?”
Something was up, alarm bells sounded in his head, so he asked gently. “What’s up darling, you sound strained?”
“It’s Phil my brother, someone mugged him and beat him up, he’s in hospital.....” she stopped unable to speak further, and he could hear her sniffing.
“What hospital, and how is he Alice, tell me?”
“He’s bad, really bad... I don’t know if he’ll make...” she broke down unable to contain herself any longer and openly wept over the phone.
Tom listened, the panic rising in him, had Phil said something, was he about to, could he link him to what had happened, or would it be treated as a violent mugging, just a coincidence that he happened to be in Bournemouth?
So many questions popped into his head while she sobbed her heart out. He deliberately hadn’t wanted a full report from Big Jim in case he later let something important slip, but now he wished he had, just to be prepared.
After what seemed an eternity she managed to control herself and whispered so softly that he had to strain to hear her words.
“I don’t understand Tom, why he was down in Bournemouth, why?”
Shit, damn it he had not asked her where Phil was, he had almost given himself away, he must think before speaking.
“Bournemouth, why Bournemouth?” He decided to ask, praying she did not know why.
&nbs
p; “I don’t know darling, business I suppose. We aren’t that close, so I really don’t know,” she replied. She was sounding more in control.
“Where are you now darling?” he tentatively asked, should he have sounded more surprised?
“I’m at Bournemouth General. He is in their ITU department. It’s horrible he looks so small, lying there, tubes and machinery all about him. God I can’t ...”
She broke down again, which gave him precious seconds to think.
“I am so sorry Alice, I wish I was there with you...”
“I need you, can you come, meet me here, please?”
“I can’t, well not at the moment... umm I’m up in London actually, yes... er... business trip, possible new client. I’m staying here for a couple of days. Oh I wish I could be there with you, poor you my darling.” He stopped talking, yes that sounded sincere, good thinking.
“Oh!” She finally replied. “I was hoping to stay with you at your place. Can I still stay there?”
“Sadly I’ve got the keys on me, and I don’t keep a spare hidden like some do, sorry. Look I’ll come back as soon as I can. As soon as my meeting is over, I’ll rush straight back. I would willingly cancel it, but Jerry has worked so hard to get this meeting, it wouldn’t be fair if I cancel...” he paused, come on take the bait bloody woman!
“Oh no darling you mustn’t. It’s ok I’ll just book into a hotel nearby, look I’d better get back, I’ll ring you later, bye my love thanks for listening and good luck!”
She ended the call, and he sighed, a long sigh of relief, he had successfully bought himself a little time. Luckily the hospital was miles away from his flat, and he actually hadn’t given her his address, well he didn’t think he had, so he should be safe from her bumping into him, especially if he was with someone else.
The morning papers were full of a terrible and violent killing of a small time villain called James Quinn, known locally by the name ‘Big Jim’ on account of his muscular frame. Tom couldn’t believe it. How could anyone take on and beat Jim. Jim was a bastard and a real hard case, but had always been a good mate of his; this was bloody criminal, he was stunned and confused as he reread the story.
He definitely needed cheering up, time to go clubbing tonight and pick a willing fuck-buddy for the night. He chose his usual haunt, The Blue Lamp, there were always willing young lads there desperate for a quickie.
Auburn had stopped for lunch and was having a sandwich with Oli. Their burgeoning friendship was a delight to see, as both in many ways were quite similar especially in how they viewed the world. Both also loved books with a passion, and both spent hours of their free time on their computers. Oli was more outgoing in public and at work, but outside of that, he was a loner with few friends. Auburn also had few friends and because it was extremely difficult for her to understand obvious human responses, she preferred to seek a friendship of sorts via odd websites, and specific chat rooms containing other like- minded queer fish.
When she was talking to Oli she still averted her gaze, unable to meet his, but still very willing to talk, in itself quite an achievement for her.
So every day she was working, now up to four days a week, they met at coffee time in the morning, at lunchtime if possible, and again for a tea break in the afternoon. Sometimes Moira joined them, and although they were always polite to her, and kept her in the conversation, she nevertheless came away with the feeling that they wished to be on their own. Increasingly they appeared to be communicating in a language all of their own, chatting happily, sometimes excitedly, sometimes talking over each other in their desire to get their unique point across. Auburn was desperate to move things forward and have sex with him, but was lost as to how to proceed. Freddy was no use and she wondered if this was something she could ask Rachel about. Oh how she wished her sister was down here, but even if she rang her she would only become flustered and unable to get her question across over the phone, so she desisted and fretted. Then an opportunity presented itself.
Chapter Eleven
Tom had had a great night at The Blue Lamp and had ended the evening by persuading two young men to come home, this being his fantasy of the moment, being in a love sandwich. One had panicked when Tom suggested they took their clothes off and got comfortable on his bed with a bottle of champagne. He stayed long enough for a glass of champagne but fled the flat half-dressed when Tom attempted to grope him. The other man, Jamie, was possibly more intoxicated than his compatriot, and thus more accommodating; and willing stripped off. But he quickly became agitated when Tom spinning him onto his front as if he was no more than a ragdoll, violently forced himself on him from behind.
Screaming like a piglet in deep distress he squirmed and fought Tom’s every move, which excited him ever more and being a strong man he dominated the proceedings.
The outcome was predictable, but not before Tom had hit Jamie several times, each one more injurious than the last.
Tom was a violent sexual predator; enjoying metering out pain to gratify his more perverse needs, and the level of violence was steadily increasing in direct proportion to his desires. The danger signs were there.
Auburn now having had two driving lessons, took it upon herself to buy her own car. This would enable her to drive every day, providing she could force a responsible person to accompany her, and that with her daily lessons she reckoned should make her be able to pass her test in six months tops. To this end she realised it would be impossible for her to buy a car without some help. The thought of having to go into a garage and speak to a car Salesman, let alone negotiate a price was a daunting prospect, and quite beyond her capabilities.
And so this lunchtime she just blurted it out.
“Oli I want to buy a car, you must come with me, I need you to talk to the salesman for me.”
“Wow, that’s a bit soon isn’t it. How many lessons have you had?”
“I have seen a garage just past our house,” she continued ignoring his question. “And it has loads of used cars. Tonight will you come with me after work please?”
“Well... yes ok, if you’re sure I’m the right person. I’m not very good at negotiating...” He laughed. “We could end up buying an old banger, at some astronomical price well above market value. Wouldn’t you prefer someone with more savvy than me?”
“Do you have a valid driving licence Oli?” she persisted.
He nodded slowly. “Six years, but I have never owned a car I’m afraid.”
“That’s all I need, and a mouthpiece, I’ll tell you what I want to buy and the price I will pay, you relay that to them it’s very simple.”
“Very well, I’m glad you think so.” He answered realising to argue would be pointless.
“We’ll go there together after work.” He said. “I should be finished by 5.o’clock, will that be ok with you?”
It was her turn to nod.
The garage professed to sell ‘A1 Used cars, all guaranteed.’ But on careful examination of their extensive stock, it appeared the only thing guaranteed was the fact that all the cars were well used.
Auburn had instructed Oli she wanted to spend no more than £1500, and as soon as this was conveyed to the bored looking salesman, he smiled with his mouth although his eyes remained focused, and pointed to the rear of the garage where several tired looking vehicles, stood.
Oli turned to Auburn who was lingering behind him to whisper, “I don’t know anything about these cars, it’s up to you, are you still sure about this?”
“Yes!” she muttered back impatiently.
There was a choice of six cars at the back, but she walked straight up to a bright red one and beckoned Oli to join her.
“This one, ask him how much?” She whispered.
Oli looked at the car and sighed. There was a sticker on its windscreen.
“Low mileage for yea
r, only 5 owners.” He read aloud.
But by now she had walked around the car, deciding it was sweet and just what she wanted. It had a few scratches and a small dent on its boot, but otherwise seemed perfect to her.
She came back to Oli and purposely stood on the other side to the salesman who had joined him sensing blood.
“Is this for you madam?” The salesman asked in his best voice.
She turned her head away and moved off back to the car as Oli quickly replied on her behalf. By now she had opened the driver’s door and got in behind the wheel, examining all the dials and switches in detail.
“Can we have a test drive?” she called out, “But Oli you’ll have to drive.” She confirmed from inside the car.
“Right!” The salesman said coming to life at the prospect of getting rid of this car. “I’ll fetch the keys, and find the details and price for you. Be right back madam, sir!”
He returned in a couple of minutes beaming brightly with the keys to hand.
“Right, it’s ten years old, done only ninety thousand, has three months MOT, and if we agree a deal today, we’ll tax it for you for six months. That’s a really good deal you know!” he said with a beaming smile.
“Any guarantee with the car?” Oli dared to ask.
“Well we can’t because of the age, but we have an arrangement with the RAC, and we can do you a good price for six months warranty.”
Yes he certainly would do us thought Oli suddenly unsure how to proceed.
“How much for cash, right now?” Auburn asked suddenly poking her head out the door.
“She’s a good little runner, won’t let you down...” began the salesman building up his spiel.
“How much?” Oli reiterated, feeling suddenly more bold.
“999 but let’s say, 950 for cash, how’s that grab you?”
“Nothing grabs me unless I let them.” Auburn mumbled as she got out of the little car.
“Can we have our test drive please. You can sit in the back,” she said to the salesman. “Oli you drive, I will sit with you. Well let’s go, let’s go!”