by Jay Gill
“Like who?”
“You just did it then, in front of our waitress. And in front of the owner of the guest house.”
“Fiona?”
“Yes, Fiona. Mrs Crabb.”
“Don’t take it personally. It was all part of the act.”
“Banging her over the desk was part of the act too, I suppose.”
“Fiona is a passionate woman. A woman like that can only be truly fulfilled by an alpha male.”
“You’re full of shit.”
Barton took a piece of paper from his top pocket and passed it to Donny.
“What’s this?” asked Donny.
“It’s our next stop. Fiona – Mrs Crabb to you – overheard Fischer and his girlfriend, Faye Moon, talking. Fischer wanted to pay a visit to the detective who put him behind bars. I say we do the same.”
Cheri arrived back at the table with the drinks. “Your meals won’t be long.”
Donny waited for the waitress to be out of earshot. “Mrs Crabb told you that?”
“Of course. I just had to promise her another rodeo in the very near future.” Barton winked.
“Jeez! You’re revolting.” Donny took a sip of his drink and rested the cold glass against his bandaged ear. The cold offered a little relief against the constant hot, throbbing pain. “Where did the address come from?”
“Just like you, I have connections.”
Donny tutted and sipped his Pepsi.
“What are you really pissed about?” asked Barton. “You’re always angry.”
“What are you, my counsellor now?”
“You have a counsellor?”
“It’s a figure of speech. Just, you know… let’s change the subject.”
“Fine,” said Barton. He leaned back and surveyed the room.
Donny checked that nobody was in earshot and then leaned forward. “Look, here it is. You know nothing about me, and I prefer to keep it that way. I was quite happy before you came along. I like working alone. Now, I’m driving around with the world’s most vulgar wannabe cowboy. I’ll be lucky if I don’t lose half my ear. And, I’m probably wanted in connection with the murders of a cop and some fella returning home on his moped. All because you decided they should be killed – no planning, just killed in broad daylight. It’s amateur, man.”
“It was necessary.”
“Necessary? Let me explain something to you.” Donny spoke slowly. “You’re not a cowboy. This isn’t the Wild West. You’re not Clint Eastwood, and you don’t reside on the High Chaparral.”
“I know that.”
“I don’t think you do. Where are you from? Originally?”
“Billericay, Essex.”
“There you go. Billericay. Quite a way from the American frontier. Not many buffalo, Sioux or prairies in Essex.”
“You don’t like my style, that’s fine. At least I have style. You, on the other hand—”
Cheri returned with the meals. “There you go, gentlemen. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you,” said Donny.
“Just one of those smiles, princess,” said Barton. “There it is. Beautiful. Thank you, sweetheart. And please tell the chef for me, the food looks great.”
Cheri went to assist another table, where a toddler had spilled her squash over herself and onto the floor.
Barton cut into his steak. “You, on the other hand, have nothing but complaints, opinions and mood swings. You also think you’re a better driver than me. I’m glad he bit your ear off. He did me a favour. You know why? You don’t talk as much. Before it was blah, blah, blah, all the time.”
Barton and Donny ate their meal in silence. They split the cheque and Barton left a large a tip for Cheri. They walked to the car in silence.
Next to the car, Barton said, “I shouldn’t have said I was glad he bit your ear off.”
“It was a bit harsh.”
“Yeah, you didn’t deserve that.”
Donny leaned against the car. “I actually quite like your boots. Not so much the shirts.”
“Fair enough. You want to drive?”
“Up to you.”
Barton spoke in a western accent. “How ’bout I drive the wagon first? Halfway, we find a watering hole, rest the horses, then you take the reins.”
Donny laughed. “Okay. I’ll take a couple of painkillers and get some shut-eye.”
The two men got into the car.
Barton sat behind the wheel and looked across at Donny, who had reclined his seat and was attempting to sleep. Barton smiled to himself. What he hadn’t told Donny was that Fiona had also told him about Fischer’s money. According to Fiona, Fischer was in possession of nearly a hundred grand.
That sort of money would top up his retirement fund nicely.
Chapter Forty-Four
I opened the fridge door and closed it. Folded the tea towels and emptied the dishwasher. I held my breath for a moment before speaking and gathered my thoughts.
“While Alice and Faith are on a play date,” I began at last, “there’s something I need to talk about. With both of you.”
Mum was at the kitchen table; she looked up from her newspaper. Monica was at the breakfast bar. She stopped scrolling through her phone and looked at me, puzzled. I felt myself tighten up; this wasn’t going to be easy, but I needed to get it out in the open. I couldn’t allow it to continue chewing me up.
“What’s going on?” asked Monica.
I sat down at the table opposite Mum. “Why don’t you join us,” I said to Monica. “This is important.”
“What is it, James? You’re worrying me,” said Mum. She put down her newspaper and folded it. She gave me one of her looks that told me I needed to spit it out. All of it. No matter how hard. And it had better be the truth. So help me, it had better be the truth. It was a look I’d been seeing since my brother and I were children and getting into all sorts of mischief.
Monica pulled out a chair, her hand resting on our unborn baby as she sat, a look of concern on her face. “What is it, honey?”
My voice trembled. “You were right, Mon, there’s been something on my mind. The nightmares. There’s a reason for them.”
“Whatever it is, you can tell us,” said Monica.
“Of course you can. We’re family,” agreed Mum.
I decided to dive right in. “It’s about when Kelly Lyle took Alice. Something I didn’t tell you. A secret. I didn’t know how to…” I swallowed hard. My head started spinning. I’d rehearsed what I was going to say, but now that the time had come it was harder than I’d ever imagined it would be. “I can’t carry on without the two of you knowing.”
Monica moved her chair closer and put an arm around me. Mum reached out and placed a hand on me. I didn’t feel like I deserved their comfort right now. I got up and moved to the corner of the kitchen. I could feel my hands trembling. I shoved them behind me and squeezed the worktop with the tips of my fingers to get control.
“I’m afraid I might be responsible for the house fire and why Rayner and Jenny are in hospital. It might all be my fault. If Jenny dies…”
“You listen here,” said Mum. “I know you. Monica knows you. When your little girl was snatched, we knew that come hell or high water you would get your daughter back. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, on this earth that matters more than keeping the babies safe. Whatever it is you’ve done, or think you’ve done, you tell us. You understand me?”
I was silent for a moment as I tried to put the jumble of words and thoughts in order. “When I found Alice, I’d tracked Kelly Lyle down to a remote farmhouse; there was nothing else for miles around. It was night-time, cold and raining heavily. Lyle insisted I come alone. When I first saw her, I wanted to kill her. I could have, and she knew it. She told me if I did, Alice would die. Her body would never be found. So, I sat across a table from Kelly Lyle, just like you two are now with me. All the while, every fibre in me was wanting to hurt her. I wanted to make her tell me where she was hiding Alice.
Lyle told me Alice was running out of time, that she’d soon die, and that the only way I could save her was to make a deal.
“I tried to find another way, but I could see no other option. She gave me no choice but to make the deal. Lyle also told me if I reneged on it, she’d find us and kill the girls, and you two as well. We all know what she is. I have no doubt she meant it. You have to understand – I was running out of time. As far as I knew, Alice had only minutes to live. I had to be quick. I had to let Lyle go. Once she felt safe, she’d tell me Alice’s location.”
Both women were silent for a moment, absorbing what I’d just said. Finally, Monica spoke.
“You had no choice,” she said softly. “You had to let Lyle go.”
“She left you no other option,” agreed Mum. She narrowed her eyes at me. “But there’s more, isn’t there?”
“Yes. I also had to promise…” I took a deep breath. Now or never, Hardy. “…I’d kill the man who murdered Helena.”
“Edward Richter?” said Monica, her eyes widening.
“Yes. His real name is Edward Fischer. It’s the same man. Fischer has escaped prison. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lyle is behind his escape and the house fire was a warning from her to make good on our deal. Don’t you see? It means I’m responsible for Jenny’s injuries.”
Tears filled my eyes. “How can I ever look Jenny in the eye, or Rayner for that matter? What if Jenny dies? What if they lose the baby?” My body began to shake uncontrollably; my legs gave way and I sank to the floor. All the pain and hurt and fear erupted to the surface. “I’ve failed,” I whispered, my voice raw.
Monica got up and came to me. She knelt beside me and cradled me to her. “You haven’t failed…”
“Of course I have. I’ve failed you and the children,” I insisted. “On top of that, I gave up the security of my job for a dream. I’ve lost our home. Gone forever are things precious to you and the children, things that can never be replaced. All my papers and reports and presentations, and the book I was writing. Everything has gone. Why did I think I could escape my past? What have I done?”
I buried my head in my hands and howled like a child.
Chapter Forty-Five
Finally, spent, I dragged myself up and sat at the table and tried to sort out what I was feeling. Shame – I’d made a deal with Lyle to get my daughter back. Despair – my actions had caused harm to people I love. Uncertainty – how would I support my family with no income and all my work, reports and writing lost in the blaze? Concern – where was my family going to live now that our home was in ruin? Fear – what would our future look like, and would anyone ever forgive me? And how could I ever forgive myself, for that matter? I’d been drowning in a tide of intense emotions, and now they’d overflowed like a river bursting its banks.
“This isn’t a burden you need to carry alone, James,” said Monica. “None of us knows what’s around the corner. What is certain, though, is that we’ll get through this together.” Mum nodded and Monica continued. “You were put in an impossible position and did what any parent would have done to get their child back. You, more than anyone, know you can’t blame yourself for the insane actions of Kelly Lyle. Screw her and her goddamn deal.” Monica hit her fist on the table. “The woman’s crazy. You can’t reason with a psychopath. If she comes near my family, I swear, I’ll rip her fucking heart out.”
“Not if I get there first,” said Mum.
Like sun after a rainstorm, a tentative smile rose from somewhere inside me, and I looked adoringly at the two supremely maternal women beside me. There’s nothing more fearsome than a mother protecting her child.
“And what happened to Jenny is not on you,” insisted Monica. “Never was and never will be. Jenny and Rayner will not for one second blame you. You’re taking on a burden of blame that is simply not yours to bear, and you’re doing it because you love them like family.”
I nodded. I could feel the weight easing a little from my shoulders.
“As for money, I’ll get more hours teaching. While you go back to doing what you’re best at. You speak to whomever you need to and get back on the force. It doesn’t have to be Scotland Yard. Down here is just fine. Cotton has been trying to persuade you to join her department since the day we moved down. You just need a desk, and Dorset police is just fine. You’ll be inundated with cases from up and down the country as soon as word gets out DCI James Hardy is back working serious crimes.” I opened my mouth, and she put up a palm to stop me. “Don’t pretend it’s not what you want. Your mother and I both know you miss it. So, you get your arse back in the inspector’s seat where it belongs.”
Mum agreed, and she repeatedly pressed a finger down on the table as she spelled out her thoughts. “It is where you belong, James. Much as we might like to think of you safe and sound in an office or giving presentations, it’s not what makes you happy. There are some things we cannot change. The sad truth is, you need to go back full time to investigating serious crimes. We all know it. Your father, God rest his soul, knew it too.”
“Thank you,” I said, looking at both of them in turn. “You don’t know how much it means to me to know you’re behind me. This is more than I could’ve imagined.”
“As for where you’re going to live. Well, I have more than enough room,” said Mum. “You father’s passing has left a huge hole in my heart and my home and my life.” Her voice broke as she thought of Dad. “You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you want. If that turns out to be permanently, you’d be making this old lady very happy.”
“We couldn’t do that,” I said. “It’s unfair to you.”
“That’s utter tosh. This is a huge house, far too big for just me. I’ve been considering downsizing, but maybe I don’t need to. I told your father it was too big when we bought it. Did he listen? No. Well, maybe this is why. It was fate. Your father had in his mind that his granddaughters would be sleeping over regularly, and we needed the space. I also know that a couple need their space – I’m not stupid. With the baby on the way, it could work out well. I’d be an extra pair of hands. I’m sure we could make it work. Nothing would make me happier than to be useful again. I don’t want to spend the rest of my years alone and without purpose. We could easily convert part of the house to an annex for me. Promise me you’ll think about it. I have only one stipulation, and that is I reserve one night a month.”
“Why’s that?” asked Monica.
“The first Tuesday of each month is poker night,” said Mum with a sly smile. “The girls come around, and on occasion we’ve been known to get a bit squiffy. We’re trying a new gin each month. It’s been quite an education.”
“Your offer is incredibly generous,” I said. “We’ll certainly think it over.”
“Yes, we will,” said Monica. “I won’t deny the thought of an extra pair of hands when the baby comes is quite appealing. I’m not a young mum.”
“I don’t want to railroad you into anything,” said Mum, “but you have so much going on right now, let’s say this is now your home. I know it’s a few months until the baby arrives, but that time will fly past, and that infant isn’t going to wait. So, until such time as you decide it isn’t, this is now your home. That way we all know where we stand. I’ll sort out my living area. Alice and Faith can relax and decorate their room; I’ll help them. Jamie, you can convert the garage to your study. Monica, you and I will prepare the nursery.”
“Oh, that’s amazing,” said Monica, beaming. “What would we do without you?”
“Nonsense,” said Mum. “It’s logical.”
“Mum, you’re a godsend. Thank you. Thank you, both of you.” I got to my feet and came around the table. The two women got to their feet and we all held each other. “I feel like an impossible weight has been lifted from my shoulders. My mind feels clearer already.”
“Good. That’s settled,” said Mum.
“I can’t wait to tell Alice and Faith,” said Monica. “They’re going to be so excited.”
Within the hour Monica and Mum were busy organising and planning the new living spaces. I was in the garage moving things around and figuring out how my office space would be arranged.
I thought about the call I needed to make to get myself back on the force. I took out my mobile and called Chief Webster. It felt like the right thing to do. I was keen to get the wheels in motion and find out what my options looked like. I couldn’t return full-time as a Met DCI, but I wanted his blessing to start again as an inspector down here in Dorset. I felt sure he’d put in a good word for me.
What I hadn’t anticipated was that Webster might have an exciting opportunity of his own for me.
Chapter Forty-Six
A sharp tapping sound woke Fischer. Startled, he looked up to see a face peering in through the window of the pale-blue Volkswagen Polo. He lowered the window and looked around to check whether anyone else was about. He’d parked up during the night when it was dark and needed to get his bearings.
“You wanna move, buddy? You’re blocking the bloody gate.” Directly ahead was an idling tractor. The young farmer, in his thirties, pale-faced with copper-red hair, strode back to the tractor shaking his head.
Fischer threw off the jacket he’d used to keep warm overnight and started the car. He reversed back out of the field and pulled up at the side of the road. As the tractor came out, the young farmer glanced down at the small car. Fischer mouthed, “Sorry.”
Stern-faced, the farmer acknowledged his apology with a nod.
Fischer needed to decide his next move. He turned off the car and pulled the jacket back over him. As he lifted the jacket, he noticed a piece of white paper sticking out of a pocket. He took it out and unfolded it. It was a note from Moon.
Eddie, I hope you read this in time. I’m not supposed to tell you anything. I swear I never wanted to leave you. I had no choice. Kelly Lyle made me give you up. She’s nuts. She knew all about my sister and the boys. She said she’d kill them. She made me take all the money. I’m sorry. She wants you dead. She helped me get you out. I didn’t know who she really was until it was too late. Run, baby, run.