“I say, you are rattling in there, aren’t you? I will need to have a better listen. Just unfasten your bra for me. No need to take it off, we just need to allow you ribcage to expand.”
She followed his instruction.
“Now this time really breathe in, and hold it as long as you can.”
He started on her upper back, resting a clammy hand on her shoulder. Anna was unsure but felt he had moved her bra strap a little as she breathed in. He moved round to the front he started listening to her upper chest. As he made her continue inflating her lungs to a maximum, she knew her bra was moving and she knew he was watching her breasts rise and fall.
The next time she propelled the air of her lungs it induced a heavy cough. Her bra rose up over her breasts. She frantically caught hold of it and yanked it back into position.
“I am a doctor. There is no need to be shy.” He stepped to the side and placed the stethoscope a few inches below her right breast.
Anna breathed in and out without being instructed to do so.
The stethoscope moved up and he lifted her breast with his spare hand.
Anna jumped back. “You do not need to do that.”
“Have it your way my dear. But I warn you, you will not find another doctor to treat you.”
“Give me antibiotics, I will be fine.”
“My dear, I cannot prescribe prescription medicines without first being sure of their need. Now, you allow me to examine you properly, or you find another doctor.”
“If I find another doctor, I tell him about you.”
“Have it your way.” He took a pen from his pocket and without sitting down started to scribble on a form in front of him. “Amoxicillin, take one tablet every eight hours.”
“Thank you.” Anna was already fastening her bra.
“You cannot take this to any pharmacist.”
“Boots. I go to Boots, this is a good chemist.”
“Turn right two junctions past Boots and there is a chemist down on the left. It opens late on a Wednesday evening and will give you what you need.”
It did not take Anna long to find the chemist shop. She walked in to see the back of a woman that looked very familiar. Once Anna got a side view of the woman’s face, she knew exactly who it was.
“Rashida,” she shouted, and then proceeded to cough several times.
“Anna. It is good to see you.”
“You also.”
“Did you meet your man?”
“Anton? Yes, it is so good to be with him again.”
“Look Anna. I must go, I should not be here.”
“Why?”
“I am working. I needed these.” She held up a white paper bag. “I sneak out. I have to get back.”
“We should talk.”
“We talk. I give you my telephone number. You put it into yours.”
“I do not have phone. You have phone?”
Rashida turned to the pharmacist. “Do you have a pen and paper?”
He slid a small notepad and pen across the counter without speaking. Rashida immediately scribbled her number on the top sheet and tore it off.
“Here you are. Call me, one week maybe.” Rashida was already heading for the door.
“I will. I will call you.”
Anna was still watching Rashida rushing along the pavement outside when the pharmacist spoke.
“I am about to close. How can I help you?”
“I need these.” She presented the prescription to him.
“Ah, these are very expensive.”
“Antibiotics are not expensive.”
“These ones are. Thirty pounds.”
Thirty of Anton’s hard earned pounds and she would be out of there. Decline and maybe she would need a hospital and all the trouble that would bring down on her.
“Okay.” She opened her handbag and then pointed to the shelf behind him. “How much are they?”
“Nine ninety-nine for a box of twelve.”
“I take.”
She had not dared to ask the doctor to prescribe her the pill. It was a strange logic, she did not need to buy condoms yet, but at least she would have done something so they could continue to have protected sex when her supply did run out.
“We have fruit flavoured ones if you prefer. Most girls prefer them for oral.”
It took a moment for Anna to understand. And then she wondered why a woman would use a condom for oral sex. Finally the penny dropped.
“Those are good.” She hastily pointed at the blue box he already had in his hand.
“Let’s call it thirty-five. I will get your prescription.”
The reality of what she had just been through hit Anna as she walked home in the cold night air. Being an illegal immigrant did not sit comfortably on her shoulders. Having to choose between paying the rent and eating that week felt even worse. She hoped Anton would have news of a job for her when he got in. She wondered how Rashida afforded a mobile phone so quickly after entering the country. The conclusion she came to troubled her even more.
It was a depressing walk. Anna consoled herself with the fact that the longer the journey home took, the less time she would have to sit waiting for Anton. She walked slowly, looking at the faces of strangers, wondering if they were illegal immigrants and how they earned their money. Very few were well dressed. And even fewer looked happy.
On Thursday morning, DS Harrington was sitting at his temporary desk at Reading police station. In front of him were the details of every woman they had managed to establish Hetherington-Jones may have had sex with. All of them were alive and well, even if they were a bit pissed off about ever meeting him in the first place. He was starting to think that he somehow needed to get Sarah, the young woman who worked at the stables, to open up. He was convinced that she knew more about Hetherington-Jones than her statement suggested.
His mobile vibrated and beeped.
“Hello George.”
“Hi Chas, how are you doing?”
“Fine. You don’t usually ask.”
“Don’t I?”
“No, what’s up?”
“Oh well, I might as well get straight to the point. It’s nothing for you to worry about though. Can you talk?”
“If I keep it down,” he almost whispered. “Yes.”
“DCI Chadwick has been onto me, off the record like. The DS you are working with has got her knickers in a twist and is making noises. Nothing formal, but noises nonetheless.”
“I’m not following this, George.”
“She’s making comments in senior company that could be interpreted at best as sexism, or at worst, sexual harassment.”
“And I’m the subject of these comments, am I?” He was struggling to keep his voice down.
“Well, if it were Cusack, I wouldn’t be phoning you.”
“Cusack’s not working this end. It’s me and Lambourne.”
“I know Chas.”
“They’re unfounded. She’s totally out of order.”
“Did you tell her not to wet her knickers?”
“Hang about; you said she was getting them in a twist.”
“But not to her face, Chas. Besides, there are other things. She’s suggested you tried to trick her and her husband into going to a lap dancing club.”
Harrington’s brain froze. The fact that his commanding officer seemed to know he had been to a lap dancing club terrified him. It took a while for him to respond.
“We did not. Sorry, I mean; I didn’t.”
“It matters not a jot to me Chas, lap dancing clubs are not illegal, but trying to drag an officer you are liaising with to go with you was not the wisest thing to do.”
“But I didn’t.”
“Clear your desk there and make sure you turn up for work here tomorrow.”
“This is not right.”
“Chas. DCI Chadwick has kept this off the record. If you stay there, it may well turn into a formal complaint.”
“The bitch.” He knew he had
said it too loudly. Mulvey’s conniving face looked his way. “And you want me to interview her?”
“What?”
“Okay, I’ll be there as quick as I can.”
“What’s going on Chas, is someone within earshot?”
“That’s right. Thanks for the call.”
“See you tomorrow Chas. Please don’t disappoint me.”
“No way. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Mulvey wasted no time in approaching his desk.
“Something urgent cropped up, has it?”
“Yes. My DCI thinks this end has hit a brick wall and wants me back in London to follow up a new line of enquiry.”
“And what line of enquiry would that be? Have you used your connections to link Hetherington-Jones to some stripper or the like?”
“I am sure Lambourne will update you at the next liaison meeting.” He opened his desk drawer and started to pile his bits into a briefcase.
“Bye DS Harrington.”
“Bye DS Mulvey. Give my regards to your husband.”
“Give my regards to your tart.”
“Your husband seemed to enjoy her company the other night. Why is that, I wonder?”
“You’ll regret that.”
“Just remember. You invited yourself, and the staff at the pub will confirm you arrived well after us.”
“Don’t be daft, they won’t remember you, they serve hundreds of people a week.”
“Like your husband, they won’t have forgotten.”
“Just go Harrington. I don’t want you hindering me anymore.”
He wisely decided not to respond. He closed his briefcase and left.
Chapter 9
Daniel rolled off Felicity and reached for the box of tissues on his bedside table. “I almost forgot to tell you darling. Katherine called round this morning.”
“Katherine? Katherine Hetherington-Jones?”
“Do we know another Katherine?” He offered her two tissues.
Was her husband playing some sort of sick game? she asked herself. Had Katherine told him about her affair with Phillip? If so, why would he wait until after they had had sex to raise the issue? She took the tissues without speaking.
“You were out riding at the time. It has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to have a good old chat with Katherine. Was two enough, or do you need another?”
“Two is more than enough.” She wiped herself as she answered.
“Huh,” laughed Daniel. “Are you telling me my old pecker does not deliver the punch it used to?”
“Your pecker is not that old dear.”
“I still satisfy you then?”
“Of course you do.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Felicity bit the bullet. “What did Katherine have to say?”
“Lots. Did you know Lord Brock’s wife gave him a black eye for indiscretions with their cook?”
“No, I had not heard about that.”
“Good luck to the old boy, that’s what I say. Can you imagine being married to that old battleaxe?”
“No, I can’t.” She pulled the covers up over her chest and handed Daniel the used tissues.
“Ha, I don’t suppose you can. I bet old Brock thought a black eye was a small price to pay for the fun he had.”
“Would you shag their cook then?”
“Oh God no. I am only jesting. You know how much I adore you.”
“Good. Could you be a dear and put the light out?”
He threw the tissues at the brass wastepaper basket.
“Damn, missed. I will pick them up in the morning.” He pulled the chord dangling above the oak headboard.
“Goodnight Daniel.”
“Goodnight Felicity. Thank you for the shag. It was fun, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was fun.”
“Dear-o-dear, I nearly forgot. Katherine asked us over to her father’s for a shoot on Saturday morning.”
“The season does not start until October.”
“Not pheasants my dear, clay pigeon.”
“I see, but are you not away on business this weekend?”
“I am, though that doesn’t stop you going along.”
“I don’t think so. I would prefer to go riding.”
“It is too late darling. I told Katherine you would be there, and she promised to get Phillip to take care of you.”
Felicity immediately realised it was Katherine who was playing games, not her husband. “I am riding and that is that.”
“We will talk about this in the morning. I have given my word and I do not let people down.”
“Goodnight Daniel.” Felicity turned her back on him.
“Goodnight Felicity.”
When Felicity arrived at the manor, the drive was full of parked vehicles. She hit reverse and guided her Mercedes back towards the entrance. It was touch and go for a moment, but she managed to squeeze in between an Audi and the Cotswold stone wall.
“Your Audi TT does not look so impressive now, does it? Whoever you are?” She beeped the central locking and headed for the manor house.
The front door opened as she approached it.
“Good morning Lady Wilkinson.”
“Good morning Edward. Are they gathering yet?”
“Indeed they are. Hot drinks and bacon rolls are available on the back terrace, as always. May I assume you will want to keep your coat?”
“You may.”
Felicity continued across the hallway and on down a long passageway that led out onto the back terrace. The smell of bacon hit her nostrils as soon as she opened the heavy wooden door. Not for the first time she scoffed inside her head at the choice of breakfast offered by such a wealthy man.
Rosemary was the first to greet her: “Felicity! It is so good to see you.”
“And you Rosemary.”
The two women air kissed.
“How are you Felicity? I haven’t seen you since… Well, you know what.”
“I’m fine, how about you?”
“Good. Very good in fact. I cannot help thinking though; things could have been very much different if I had waited for you that morning.”
“Someone would have found the body one day. It just happened to be me.”
“Was she a terrible sight?”
“Terrible does not cover it. If you used a word like gruesome, horrific or hideous, you would be halfway there.”
“Oh, poor Felicity.” She wrapped both arms round her and pulled her close.
“No need to make a fuss Rosemary.”
“Is that Chanel you are wearing?”
“It is, yes, Cristalle.”
“I thought so. Now, can I get you a tea or coffee?”
“Are there no waiters?”
“I am afraid not. All part of Albert’s keep it simple crusade.”
“Let’s go over together.”
Two loud bangs ricocheted around the walls of the building. Felicity looked down to the bottom of the lawn where two men were standing. She immediately recognised the one with his shotgun pointing to the sky as Phillip.
Rosemary was just about to say something, but bit her lip at the last minute.
“I am so glad you could make it,” said Katherine Hetherington-Jones from over her shoulder.
Felicity turned. Katherine’s arms were already held out to embrace her. The resulting hug was longer and harder than the two women had ever had before.
What game are you playing? thought Felicity, but said, “Lovely to see you. I am sorry I am a bit late. Life is never simple, is it?”
“It’s the complications that make life so interesting, don’t you think? The important thing is that you made it. Now, the fun and games are only just starting.”
“I am just so grateful for the invite.”
“Nonsense; us ladies need someone who can shoot on our side. It is our duty to keep the menfolk in their place. Why don’t you go down and join Phillip and Simon? It might encourage others to follow
suit.”
“I was hoping to get a drink first.”
“Oh, silly me, I wasn’t thinking. Go ahead and I will catch up with you later.”
Katherine carried on moving through the assembled guests, greeting each as if they were the most important person in attendance. Felicity continued towards the refreshments table.”
“Would you like tea or coffee, madam?”
“Tea with milk and no sugar please. And one bacon roll. No tomato ketchup though.”
“We have fresh tomato if you prefer.”
“Nah, as it comes governor.”
The servant smiled obediently and set about pouring her tea.
“You really object to this, don’t you?” whispered Rosemary.
“Well… What can I say?”
“Whatever it is, don’t say it too loud.”
“To be honest, I don’t know why I came in the first place.”
“It pays to keep in with them.”
“Does it? I am not so sure.”
“Here you are, madam. One tea with milk; one bacon roll without tomato.”
“Thank you.” Felicity took the small silver tray in both hands.
Scanning her options she decided on one of five small tables set out on the upper lawn. Rosemary followed behind as she made her way down the stone steps.
“Have you heard the gossip?” asked Rosemary.
“Well, that depends on what the gossip is.”
“Katherine’s husband, Phillip, was taken into Reading police station.”
“Why would that be?” Felicity pretended not to know anything about it.
“He is said to have been at the stables, the morning you and I were out riding. You know, the morning you found the body of that poor woman.”
Any appetite Felicity had evaporated in a split second. Nonetheless, she took a bite from her bacon roll, just to buy some thinking time.
“I am surprised Katherine tolerates it.”
“Tolerates what?” asked Felicity, still chewing some bacon.
“He was having an affair.”
Felicity quickly put her hand to her mouth as she choked on her food.
“It doesn’t surprise me though. To be honest, I already knew.”
Felicity spoke quietly so as to encourage Rosemary not to talk too loudly in return. “Rosemary, you are talking in riddles woman.”
“Phillip was doing the business with Sarah that morning.”
Down in the Woods Page 10