Once inside the store Julie began to dash in and out of the displays in order to keep herself out of the man’s view. Then she spotted a rail full of evening dresses, standing against the wall of the shop. Julie dashed towards it and hid amongst the garments. The length of the gowns ensured that she was well hidden. She huddled tightly against the wall gasping from exertion and fear.
Julie adjusted the gowns in order to form a peephole. The view from it was limited, but she couldn’t risk making it any larger in case she exposed her hiding place. The time spent in her hidey-hole seemed like an age. For a long while there was no sound or movement close to Julie, until she heard the sound of footsteps approaching followed by voices, female voices. Then she noticed them; two middle-aged women fumbling amongst the garments.
‘Ooh, this one’s lovely Vera,’ said one of them as she admired a dress on a nearby rail.
Julie could see part of the woman’s back, but the other woman, Vera, was in full view. As Vera approached Julie’s hiding place, she stopped and glanced back, admiring the gown. ‘Oh yes, Lil. I like that. What about these ones over here?’
She then continued on her mission to examine the rail that Julie was secreted behind.
Before she had a chance to reach the rail, however, Julie noticed a swish of material in her peripheral vision as Lil dragged out the dress she had been admiring. Lil stepped away from the rail and held the dress up against her body, and Julie caught full sight of her.
‘What do you think Vera?’ she asked.
This action was enough to command Vera’s attention, and she approached her friend, cooing in admiration at the vision of the stunning gown against Lil’s dark complexion.
‘Should I try it on?’ asked Lil.
‘Ooh yes, it’s beautiful.’
To Julie’s relief they then made their way towards the changing rooms. She watched until they disappeared from her field of vision, then another shape stepped into the picture. Tall, dark, thickset; it was the man who had pursued her into the shop.
‘Oh no!’ thought Julie as he faded in and out of view, scanning the aisles. Then he passed in front of her rail and she drew a sharp breath. Within seconds he had gone: it hadn’t occurred to him to search behind the rows of clothing. She exhaled in relief.
Julie didn’t leave her hiding place straightaway however. She wanted to be sure that he was no longer there, so it was some minutes before she extricated herself from amongst the dresses and began to walk tentatively through the aisles. A faint smile crossed her lips as she saw Vera and Lil standing at the cashier’s till chatting; Lil clutching the beautiful garment. Julie couldn’t see any sign of the man, so she made her way to the exit at the far side of the store.
She left the store in a hurry and scanned the street for any signs of the man. Julie was now about fifty metres from her bus stop. Once she had reached it, however, she kept going. She was too close to the store for comfort and she figured that if the man had been trailing her before today then he might know which bus she caught for her trip home. Instead, she carried on to the next stop, then the next, walking rapidly and looking back at intervals to see if she could spot her bus, or the man.
When the bus appeared Julie was a good hundred metres from the nearest bus stop, and she had to gather speed to make sure that she caught it. She joined the queue, which now consisted of a couple of remaining passengers. As soon as she stopped running her legs began to buckle and she had to grip the edge of the bus shelter to stop herself falling over.
It was only when she had paid her fare that another thought occurred to her; if he had been observing her and knew which bus she caught, then he might be on the bus already. The colour that had flushed her face after her jog to the bus stop now drained away as she searched amongst the passengers. When she was satisfied that the man wasn’t amongst them, she took a seat next to an elderly lady.
The lady turned and smiled at Julie before commenting, ‘Make yourself comfortable love. You look as though you could do with a sit down.’
Chapter 29
Tuesday 2nd September 1986
By the time Julie reached home she had composed herself and managed to put on an appearance of normality for the benefit of her family. She didn’t wish to confide in her parents about the events of the last day because she didn’t want to worry them. “Haven’t I caused enough trouble for them already?” she asked herself.
She was seeing Vinny that evening so she didn’t have to keep up the charade for long. As soon as tea was finished and the dishes washed, Julie was in her room getting changed and made-up. At a little after 6.30pm Julie kissed her parents and Clare goodbye and promised to see them later.
Julie took a taxi to Vinny’s house. Although he didn’t live far away she didn’t want to take any chances after the day that she had experienced. Vinny was already at the door waiting for her.
‘I thought I heard a car, and wondered who it was,’ he announced. ‘What are you doing catching a taxi you lazy sod?’ he teased.
The expression on Julie’s face told him something wasn’t right.
As soon as they were inside the house he challenged her. ‘What’s wrong Julie?’
‘Nothing Vinny,’ she replied.
‘Come on Julie. I know there’s something wrong. Is it something to do with why you got a taxi here?’
‘Sort of,’ she began. ‘It’s nothing really. I just didn’t want to take any chances, that’s all. I’ve had a bit of a bad day. Someone rang work, and I thought someone was following me home. But it was probably me imagining it. Anyway I’m OK now, so what’s the problem?’
Vinny’s reaction surprised her. In no time at all he was standing facing her, gripping her arms. ‘Don’t shut me out Julie. Don’t fuckin’ shut me out, not again! I want to help you. Can’t you see that? But if you’re just gonna clam up every time things are bad, then how the fuck can I help?’
‘You’re hurting me!’ she cried.
Vinny released his grip and stared down at the floor, embarrassed. Then, raising his head so that his eyes met Julie’s, he said, ‘I’m sorry Julie. I didn’t mean to hurt you but I need to know what’s happening. I don’t want it to be like it was before when you wouldn’t even see me let alone talk to me!’
‘What did you expect Vinny? I was cracking up. It’s not surprising after what’s happened. And now I’ve got some fuckin’ nutcase after me and I don’t know what to do!’ As she spoke the words she began to sob, ‘I’m scared Vinny. I’m really scared and I don’t know how much more of this I can take!’
Vinny began to comfort her and when the tears had subsided, he allowed her to relate the day’s events as he listened patiently.
He responded by asking, ‘Are you sure it wasn’t Les following you.’
‘Positive,’ Julie replied.
‘Then he must have put someone up to it. It’s got to be Les. He knows we’re onto him after what went on at his flat and he’s running scared. Do you think the man who followed you was the same one that delivered the rat?’
‘Probably,’ said Julie, recoiling at the mention of the rat.
‘Right, then we’ll have to do something about it. We’ll have to report it to the police.’
‘Not now Vinny, I’m tired. I just want a nice quiet night when I don’t have to think about it.’
‘We’ll have to do it soon Julie. I think this is all connected with Les. He’s already killed Amanda and Jacqueline, and God knows what he might have done to you when he found you in his flat! We can’t risk leaving it. What about tomorrow? Can you get the day off?’
‘No, not at such short notice. Besides, I’ve had enough time off recently. We’ll have to do it after work. Oh Vinny, I’m so frightened!’
Vinny gently took hold of her shoulders. ‘Don’t be,’ he said. ‘We’ll make sure there’s always someone with you outside work. Don’t walk anywhere, get taxis and don’t go out alone.
‘Chances are he won’t do anything to you Julie, not when you�
�ve got people with you. Anyway, as long as he’s still trying to pin the blame on you and Rita, you’re safe.’
‘I wish I felt reassured by that Vinny.’
‘Don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon. I’ll pick you up from work at five o’clock, and once we tell the police what’s been going on, maybe they’ll arrest Les. Bring the rat with you! I think Inspector Bowden will need to see that.’
--------------------
Wednesday 3rd September 1986
Julie was feeling nervous when she arrived at work the next day. After greeting Norma she began to search for the box.
‘I’ve already looked; it’s gone,’ said Norma.
‘Gone, gone where?’
‘You tell me! Where did you leave it?’
‘On the shelf underneath the desk.’
‘Maybe the cleaners have shifted it then.’
Julie, however, had other suspicions. It was evidence, and to her it was just too much of a coincidence that the box had disappeared at such a crucial time when she and Vinny were planning to take it to the police station.
‘They can’t have done,’ she said. ‘The cleaners never shift anything off the shelves. They just move things that are lying on the floor. They couldn’t have taken it Norma. I think somebody else did.’
‘What are you saying Julie?’
‘That someone else took the box. They must have come in and grabbed it after we went home. What time did you leave last night Norma?’
‘Just after you, but I can’t see how someone would have got away with walking in the building and rummaging through the desks.’
‘Look Norma, that door’s always open to the public. Anybody could walk in off the street, and if most of the staff had already gone home then they’d have plenty of time to rummage about.’
‘Well, I suppose they could at a pinch.’
‘I think it’s Les. In fact, me and Vinny are going to the police station tonight after work to tell them what’s been happening. I was followed home last night. I think it was the same man that delivered the rat. Les must have put him up to it.’
‘You’re joking! That must have been awful. Let’s hope you have some joy with the police. It’s about time this was all over with.’
The rest of the morning passed by uneventfully but Julie received another menacing phone call just after her lunch break. It sounded like the same voice again, taunting her as it said, ‘I hope you enjoyed your little present. Pity you haven’t kept it, isn’t it?’
Before Julie could respond the caller had put down the receiver.
At 5pm she was relieved when Vinny came to meet her and she flung herself towards him seeking reassurance after another trying day.
They arrived at the police station just before five thirty, hoping that Inspector Bowden would still be on duty. Unfortunately for them, he was.
They were led into the same interview room as last time. This time Inspector Bowden had Sergeant Drummond seated beside him and they both appeared to be equally stony-faced. As Julie and Vinny walked into the room, nobody spoke. They weren’t offered a seat but they took one anyway. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence the inspector began talking.
‘I hope you’ve not come to waste my time again,’ he stated.
‘We haven’t been wasting your time. It’s not our fault you wouldn’t take us seriously!’ Julie began, but she was silenced by the touch of Vinny’s fingers on her arm.
‘We want to report a case of harassment and we think it might be connected to the case,’ he said.
‘And what case might that be?’ asked the inspector, putting them on the spot.
Julie decided to leave the talking to Vinny as her emotions were running high and she knew that she would have difficulty controlling herself.
‘The case of Amanda Morris’s death and maybe the other girl, Jacqueline, as well,’ Vinny replied.
‘Would you like to explain how a case of harassment could be connected to the deaths of Amanda Morris and Jacqueline Bartlett?’ asked the inspector.
Julie noticed how calm Vinny was trying to remain as he answered each of the inspector’s questions.
‘Julie is being harassed,’ he explained. ‘We think it’s connected with Les because he knows that we suspect him.’
‘How is she being harassed?’ the inspector asked.
‘I was coming to that. Julie’s been getting phone calls at work from a man. She’s also had a dead rat delivered to her at work and someone followed her last night.’
‘Have you brought the rat?’
Julie watched Vinny’s reaction as, unperturbed, he continued. ‘The rat went missing, but her colleague Norma saw it as well before it disappeared. She also saw the courier that delivered the rat. We think it’s the same man that followed Julie.’
‘The word of a work colleague is not evidence enough. I need to see the rat. What about the man? Do you know who he is Miss Quinley?’
Julie flinched as Inspector Bowden addressed her. ‘No, I’ve never seen him before, but he looked similar to the man who delivered the rat, tall and, and … dark.’
‘Are you describing Les Stevens?’ Sergeant Drummond asked, sounding confused.
‘No,’ Julie retorted. ‘He was much bigger.’
Inspector Bowden re-joined the conversation, his voice beginning to take on a tone of annoyance. ‘Then how on earth can you claim that this so called harassment is connected to Leslie Stevens?’
Julie was at a loss for words. She knew that if she described the connection she would have to admit they had broken into Les’s flat and that would land them in more trouble. She also knew that Vinny would be aware of her thoughts at this moment, and she heard him jump to her defence as he said, ‘We think Les put him up to it. Maybe someone told Les that I spotted him dealing drugs, so he’s trying to get at Julie because he knows where she works.’
Regrettably Vinny’s reasoning was insufficient to quell Inspector Bowden’s wrath.
‘Nonsense!’ he shouted. ‘It’s all nonsense. I think you two fabricated this whole story to get yourselves off the hook. Now get out of this station before I have you for wasting police time!’
His voice was still booming in Julie’s ears as she marched up the road outside the police station. Vinny was having difficulty trying to keep pace with her as her anger penetrated through to her fast and furious pacing. It took several minutes before he managed to calm her down. Eventually she agreed to let him take her home.
‘Why won’t they listen to us Vinny?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know Julie. Maybe there’s not enough evidence with the rat having gone missing. All they’ve got is our word for it. For all we know he might be looking into it now. All that might have just been an act for our benefit. After all, if he was going to arrest Les Stevens, he wouldn’t tell us about it, would he?’
Vinny’s words failed to convince Julie.
--------------------
Wednesday 3rd September 1986
They reached Julie’s home a little before seven o’clock. By this time Julie had managed to steady herself, and she and Vinny decided to act as though everything was fine, but it was to no avail. She knew by the expressions on her parents’ faces when she walked through the door that something was amiss.
‘What is it, what’s wrong?’ asked Julie.
‘You’d better sit down Julie, you too Vinny,’ said Bill. ‘We’ve been getting some phone calls, not very nice ones.’
‘What have they been saying?’ Julie asked but, seeing the torment on her father’s face, she spared him the anguish of having to give details. ‘It’s all right. You don’t have to repeat them Dad. I know all about them. I’ve been getting them at work as well.’
‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ Bill asked, the hurt evident in his voice.
‘I didn’t want to trouble you. I’ve put you through enough lately.’
‘Oh Julie love,’ said her mother. ‘We’re your parents. You should confide in us if somet
hing’s troubling you.’
‘I hope you’re going to report it to the police,’ said Bill. ‘They were round here quick enough when they thought they had something on you, weren’t they?’
‘I already have done Dad. That’s where we’ve just been, but they didn’t take us seriously. They said we didn’t have any evidence. In fact, they said we were just making it up to get me off the hook, and they threatened to arrest us for wasting their time.’
‘The cheeky buggers!’ said Bill.
Julie couldn’t stand the looks of hurt and desperation on her parent’s faces. She left the living room and wandered into the kitchen accompanied by Vinny.
‘Jesus Vinny, this is awful!’ she said. ‘I didn’t want them to know. I didn’t want to put them through it again.’
‘I know,’ said Vinny, taking her in his arms.
They remained locked together for several minutes, Julie feeling consoled by his silent embrace. It was as though Vinny could home in on her feelings, knowing that she didn’t want to hear any more false assurances that things would get better, that her parents would forgive her, or that justice would be done in the end. What use would those utterances be? The only thing that could help her now would be proving Les guilty and at the moment that seemed further away than ever.
She was relieved that Vinny had allowed her those few moments of silence, but when he finally spoke, it wasn’t to offer any vain hope through words that held no real meaning. Instead his words were full of meaning and determination as he said. ‘I’ve got an idea. I think it might help.’
Chapter 30
Saturday 20th September 1986
The man was tall and dark with a menacing air about him. He mingled easily in the surroundings of the Blue Macaw, accustomed to the decadence and sleaze that was commonplace in his line of work. He hardly noticed the scantily dressed women with their heavily made-up faces chatting to aggressive looking men covered in tattoos and scars, and blowing endless streams of smoke as they flirted.
Slur: The Riverhill Trilogy: Book 1 Page 19