by Sara Dalton
“I will do it. I need to,” she said. Robert nodded as they waited in a little room to be escorted to where Alan Reed would be waiting. After what felt like hours, they were finally escorted to a large room. Alan was sitting at a table with his legs facing the door. Robert entered first but Alan's eyes fell on Addison the moment she came into the room. Alan didn’t even acknowledge Fletcher.
Robert and Addison sat down in front of him and Fletcher went to stand behind them, leaning against the wall. Alan’s eyes were always on Addison. She tried to ignore him but she knew he was looking at her. Addison was sure he knew who she was, but he didn’t show it. As she looked up her eyes fell upon him and he sat back in his seat with a smirk on his face. He rested his arms on the chair beside him and crossed his legs. Addison’s hands were trembling because he knew exactly who she was.
“My name is Detective Sergeant Addison McCain and this is…” she started but he interrupted her.
“You’ve changed your name.” He spoke. His voice was low and croaky. The voice Addison remembered from when she was younger, the voice that made her fall apart, gave her nightmares and lived with her for the rest of her life.
“And this is Detective Chief Inspector Robert Arrows.” She carried on. Robert sat forward and Alan finally turned his attention to him.
“Do you know who she really is?” Alan laughed. It was a deep evil laugh and Addison could feel her heart beating faster and faster.
“Of course, I do, she will be the one in control.” Robert smiled. Alan sneered and turned his attention back to Addison. His eyes flickered over her shoulder to see Fletcher but he looked straight back at her.
“Call me daddy,” he grinned. Addison glanced at Robert who nodded for her to get started. She found it hard to swallow, a lump in her throat as his eyes pierced her.
“Alan,” she said as she cleared her throat which sounded louder than intended.
“You look just like your mother,” Alan spoke before she managed to carry on. She glanced up at him trying her hardest to keep a poker face. “Do you have a boyfriend?” He asked. Addison glanced over at Robert again and Alan followed her glance. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you did, I mean look at you,” Alan said as his eyes found Addison again. “Mads,” he said.
“You’re a pig, you don’t even deserve to be breathing right now.” Addison jumped up from her seat and was yelling in his face, pointing her finger and waving it around. “What you did to mum and all those women, you’re a freak, a disgusting human being. You deserve to die.” She spat on his face. Alan leaped up from his seat and launched himself towards Addison. Robert was up from his seat grabbing hold of Alan, pulling his arms behind his back. Addison was on the floor, looking up at Alan in shock. He scratched her face. She put her hand to where it stung, and she could feel blood dripping down her cheek. Fletcher was by her side putting a white cloth on her face.
“I wish I killed you when I had the chance.” He shouted. The guards came rushing into the room and cuffed him. They led him out of the room and down the corridor. Robert glared at Addison.
“What was that?” He yelled.
“I don’t know, it was building up and I couldn’t control it.” Addison whimpered. Fletcher helped her to her feet and she sat back down in her chair.
“You can leave it to me and Fletcher next time. I won’t have you jeopardizing anything again.” Robert stomped out of the room. Fletcher slipped into the chair beside her and watched her. He saw her blink back the tears that were threatening to drop.
“I didn’t expect myself to act like that. I haven’t seen him since I was a teen and after all these years he doesn’t look any different. He’s just looking, older.” Addison said softly. She held the cloth hard against her cheek.
“Leave it to me and Robert, we will get something out of him. He was tormented by you being here. You can watch behind the screen in the other room with the guards.” Fletcher turned her face to him so she was looking straight into his eyes. “We will break Alan and we will get a lead on who this murdering bastard is,” Fletcher told her.
“Thank you,” Addison said. She got up from her seat and exited the room. She went around the corner to see Robert waiting, leaning against the wall.
“Sir, I’m really sorry for what happened in there.” She started but he put his hand up to stop her from saying anything else.
“You don’t have to apologise. It was my fault for getting angry with you. I know you haven’t seen him since you were a teenager. I should have been more sensitive.” Robert confessed. Addison stood staring at him. He was apologizing to her.
“Did you just apologise to me?” She chuckled.
“Don’t push it, it’s all you’re going to get.” He defended. He moved from the wall and patted her on the shoulder. “It’s best to get your face checked out.” Addison nodded, and he started going back into the room.
“Robert,” she called out to him. He stopped before opening the door and glanced around at her. “Thank you,” she said.
“No problem, kid,” Robert entered the room.
Chapter Twenty-Three
10th April 2016
Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Addison was stood in the next room along from Robert and Fletcher. She was watching through a two-way mirror. Her father was sat calmly at the table, his fingers linked together as this time he was cuffed to the table in front of him. Addison was told that he was a role model in the prison, everyone worshipped him, the ground that he walked on.
His grey-blue eyes felt as if he was staring right back at her through the two-way mirror, his brown-grey hair was combed back. He was crossing his legs under the table, changing side’s each time. Robert's voice filled the room. Alan’s lingered on the mirror before turning his full attention to Robert and Fletcher.
“Alan Reed, that’s your full name, isn’t it?” Robert started. Alan looked at Robert but stayed silent. Addison didn’t realise his full name was Alan Anthony Reed, she flicked through the file on her father that was given to her by one of the guards. He changed his name almost 35 years ago, the year Addison was born. The information wasn’t in their case files that she had in her apartment and wondered why?
“Detective Chief Inspector Robert Arrows, you should know my full name. It’s written on that piece of paper under your hand.” Alan finally said. Addison saw Fletcher’s head turn to Robert.
“Alan Anthony Reed. Or is it just Alan Reed.” Robert asked. Alan sat back in his chair and smirked. Robert didn’t move or even flinch. He was completely calm.
“You can call me whatever you want Detective Arrows.” Alan’s eyes glanced back up to the mirror again, knowing Addison is standing behind there. “So, what is it that I can do for you fellas?” Alan said as he swapped his crossed legs again. Addison had counted seven times now.
“We wanted to get an insight on your murders Mr. Reed,” Robert said. “You know, how you felt when you killed all those women and children.” He carried on. Addison felt sick, she hadn’t seen him or spoke to him since the court date against him.
“Do you want to know about my first kill and what drove me to it.” Alan’s eyes were wide. He was excited to tell his story. He’s told this story many times to others, but it’s the first time Addison will hear it from his mouth. She never knew why he did it, what drove him to kill them. “She went by the name of Katie Herman, she is the person who caused my mother’s death. I’m pretty sure my wife-to-be at the time went into labour, but I wasn’t there. I bet you never knew that.” Alan said as he glanced up at the mirror again. “I was killing a woman and her daughter while you were being born Mads,” he carried on.
“Katie Herman, what did she do that caused your mother’s death?” Robert grabbed Alan’s attention back.
“She was in bed with my father, they had an affair. It was going on for a while and…” Alan paused for a moment. Robert noticed Alan’s hesitation. He switched his legs over again and sucked in his lips as if h
e was holding back a burst of anger. He let out a breath.
“And what Alan?” Robert pressed. “Did you get fed up with your dad’s behaviour?”
“Yes, I got fed up. I ended up calling my mother to meet me at home while he was in bed with another woman. But it wasn’t my fault that she actually came home.” Alan defended.
“So, your mother came home and found them in bed. Were you there when it happened?” Robert questioned.
“No, I was picking up my little brother from school. I’m not being caught in the crossfire.”
“But it was your fault that it happened?” Robert continued.
“You know, it was my fault when Mads was born and it was my fault that she had to see her mother die the way she did.” A smirk appeared on his lips as he looked at Robert.
“I don’t know who Mads is?” Robert said.
“Madison, my daughter.” Alan’s smirk started to slip off his face as Robert shook his head. Alan’s eyes widen.
“Nope, the name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“Oh, I see what you’re doing. I’m talking about Addison who’s standing behind that mirror.” Alan nodded. She folded her arms over her chest trying to stop herself from barging into that room to shout at him again. He was playing games with them and she didn’t like it, but who is supposed to like coming into the prison to see a murderer.
“I’m pretty sure she told me she hasn’t got a father.” Robert smiled placing his hands on the table in front of him clasped together. Addison let out a small chuckle as she watched Robert calmly take on the man who once was her father. Robert was right, she doesn’t have a dad and she’s better off without one. “You know she’s a very brave kid. I’ve seen her do things and she is a very tough woman.” Robert carried on. Alan’s eyebrows arched forward, gritting his teeth with a slight hiss. Robert knew that he didn’t like to hear about his daughter’s success. All Alan wanted was to turn her life upside down.
“We will see how tough she can get.” Alan finally spoke. His anger suddenly slipped away, and he sat back calmly in his chair, crossing his legs again. “After what she did to me all those years ago, putting me away, she will get what’s coming. She doesn’t betray her father and walks away with it.” Alan threatened.
Robert and Fletcher both got up from their seats while Alan watched them head to the door. The pair both exit the room to find Addison standing outside.
“Let me speak to him one last time,” Addison asked. Robert glanced at Fletcher, looking for an opinion. Fletcher shrugged his shoulders and Robert stepped out of the way. Addison walked through the door and Alan was looking at her. The scratches on her face started to dry up. She sat down in front of him, both sitting in silence. Robert and Fletcher both watched from the two-way mirror like she had before.
“There is a killer out there admiring your work,” Addison said. Alan tilted his head. There was another long pause before Alan spoke up.
“And so, he should.”
“So, you know who it is?”
“Nope,”
“But you said ‘he’, you know who the killer is?”
“Figure of speech,” Alan said as he shrugged his shoulders. Addison leaned forward as she looked him in the eyes. She didn’t hesitate or look away. Alan took on her challenge.
“Who is he?”
“I’m not the only one who knows who he is,” Alan whispered. The guards came into the room and started to unchain his cuffs. Alan stood up from his chair and towered over Addison. He looked down at her and blew her a kiss. She sucked in a breath before he was guided out of the room. She saw Robert come inside and tapped his watch. Time was up.
Chapter Twenty-Four
10th April 2016
Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Addison was standing in Robert’s office. He was pacing back and forth before he spoke up. Addison had asked the guards at the prison for any copies of the signed visitors book, hoping it would give them somewhere to look.
“I think our next step is to speak to some of Anna and Rebecca’s friends at school. Talk to some of the teachers, find out how close Wendy Willis and Joan Charles were.” Robert suggested.
“Do you think Wendy and Joan knew each other as well as Rebecca and Anna?”
“From everything we’ve learned about Wendy, it seems out of character. But it’s possible she was a new friend. Someone she needed to help her turn her life around if you get my meaning?”
“Yes, Yes I do. It’s a good way to look at it and we just need to connect the dots and we may find our killer,” Addison hoped. Robert nodded his head agreeing with her. He started pulling out pictures and papers from the box that was left behind from Fletcher. She recognised everything he pulled out, her eyes lingered on the box before she decided it was time to go.
“I’m going to head home now. I’ve got a lot to ponder on tonight, might take me some time to actually fall asleep.” Addison laughed jokingly. Robert put the pictures down on his desk and glanced up at her. He looked at the scratch marks that Alan had left on her face. He reached out to touch her cheek. His fingers brushed so gently against her skin, she breathed in her lips at the sudden touch.
“Does it still hurt?” He asked. Addison stayed silent but she shook her head. Robert dropped his hand to his side and stepped back behind his desk. He waved her off and she left the room. The moment was gone. She touched her cheek where his fingers brushed. That was the first time he noticed her, but she wasn’t sure if that was a colleague or a friend.
Addison grabbed her keys and jacket making her way to the car park. She noticed Fletcher walking towards her.
“You off home?” He asked.
“Yup, I’m shattered. I’m planning to have an early tonight.”
“Make sure you lock the doors,”
“I’ll be double locking them.” Addison laughed.
“I’ll give you a ring later and see how you are,” Fletcher said before heading inside. Addison gave him a quick wave before getting into her car and driving home.
She pulled up onto the side road and parked outside her place. She got out of the car and headed up a couple of steps to her front door. She found herself looking over her shoulder before entering. Addison took off her shoes and headed straight into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. She took a quick gulp as she headed to her living room, she glanced down at her empty coffee table where the case files were before. She missed having something to research, a routine that helped her steady her mind and falls asleep. She knew tonight would be a long night, she had no material to read, sleep struggled to come. After a few glasses of wine, she finally fell asleep.
Addison was later woken with a start. The sound of someone knocking on her door frightened her. She glanced at the time on her phone and saw it was early hours of the morning. She grabbed a baseball bat from her cupboard that she has always kept and started to head for the front door. She put her hand on the door handle and slowly opened it.
“What took you so long? It’s freezing.” Robert said. Addison was surprised to see her boss standing on her doorstep. He saw that she had a baseball bat in her hand. “You better put that thing away before you hurt yourself.” Robert strolled past Addison inside her flat. She glanced outside before shutting the door and locking it.
“What are you doing here? Did something come up at work or with the case?” Addison said. She passed Robert into the kitchen and she could smell he had been drinking. “Are you drunk?” She got two mugs out from her cupboard and started to boil the kettle, something non-alcoholic would be best. She didn’t want him to know that she’s a drinker. Robert turned to glance around her flat, he took in the small space of her living room. She quickly hid the wine glass in her kitchen sink before Robert turned back around.
“Nope, had a couple while I was working putting the board together.” Robert told her. “And, just wanted to pop by and see if everything was okay?” He added.
“Robert, it’s…” She started but
he cut her off.
“Call me Rob, while we’re off duty.” He grinned.
“Rob, it’s the early hours in the morning.”
“You did say it would take you a while to sleep.” Robert defended. “To be honest, I just wanted some company and hoped you would too?” Robert sat on her sofa. Addison brought the two mugs of tea to the coffee table and perched beside him on the sofa.
“Is something bothering you?”
“You know my father was the one who took on the old silent killer case all those years ago.” Robert told her.
“Jack Robert, I already knew. He was nice to me when I stood against Alan in court.” Addison replied. Robert glanced up at her, forgetting that she was a witness in that case.
“My dad was teaching and training me to become a police officer back then. I remember he would come home late because of Alan Reed. It was all he cared about. He was resolved into that case.” Robert said.
“Alan killed so many woman and children. I can’t even think what was going through his mind. I don’t know why he didn’t kill me.”
“Remorse?”
“I don’t think so. But after today, he knew it was a mistake to leave me alive. I’m going to show him how strong of a woman I really am.”
“A strong woman is captivating.” Robert grinned.
“Fletcher told me about your ex-partner?” Addison said. She changed the subject and she wondered if he would confide in her about his loss.
“That is something he shouldn’t have told you.” Robert replied.
“What was she like?”
“She was a good detective. She died in the line of duty, but sometimes I always try and think of ways that I could have saved her. It was possible, you know.” Robert admitted.
“She also sounds like a strong woman.” Addison gave him a faint smile. She was kind of jealous that he spoke highly of his old partner. She hoped he would speak about her like that soon.