Eric looked up, Julia caught the glint in his eyes. Eric gave another dramatic sigh and said, “I shall have to take that chance, I’m sure Brandon would have understood. Do you want to talk about the school?”
Julia was saved from answering by the arrival of a new group of parents. She said thank you to Eric and moved to one side. Eric immediately turned to the parents and smiled at them. “Welcome to my humble classroom!” he boomed out.
Julia feared for her hearing and quickly left the classroom. Someone called her name. Julia stopped and looked over her shoulder. Yvonne was running after her.
When she caught up with her, Yvonne said, “Thank you so much for recommending that repair man in the market. He sorted me out straight away. He managed to save all my data too, that was a relief! I didn’t want to tell Eric that I’d lost everything.”
Julia smiled and said, “I am pleased for you. Did you have chance to look for any more photos?”
“I’ve had a good look through but I can’t find anything, I’m sorry about that.”
Julia waved a hand at her. “There’s nothing to be sorry about, thanks for looking. He might turn up again at another rehearsal.”
Yvonne looked back nervously over her shoulder. “I’d better get back, Eric likes to have me at his side. Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.” She scuttled away before Julia could say another word. Julia shook her head slightly. That poor woman was petrified of her husband. Was his temper that bad?
Julia walked back to her car and thought about Eric Murphy. He was, without doubt, the number one suspect in her mind. He had a bad temper, he had a motive and an opportunity to kill Brandon, and he was certainly strong enough. What was she supposed to do next with all this information?
Chapter 19
As soon as Julia got up the next morning she remembered that Louisa was going to have her second interview that day. She sent her a good luck text and told Louisa to let her know how it went.
During their first cleaning job Julia told Cain all about her visit to Edgethorpe School the previous evening. Cain nodded and agreed with her comments about Eric being the number one suspect.
Cain said, “That’s a shame because he’s a good director. He’s bringing out the best in me and your dad. Do you think … no, I’m being selfish.”
Julia looked up from mopping the floor. “Don’t tell me that you’re thinking the play should go ahead! Even if the director is a murderer! Cain!”
Cain shrugged. “It was just a brief thought. It’s gone now.” He patted his flat tummy and said, “I think I might have to go to that slimming club, I think I might have put on a pound or two.”
Julia looked at him. She raised her mop and said, “This is fatter than you, stop being ridiculous.” She paused. “Although, you could go to the club as a spy, I’m still not convinced that Sherry is innocent.”
Cain thought for a moment. “That’s a good idea but I think you’d be more convincing as a possible slimming club member.” He turned back to cleaning the windows.
Julia was tempted to stick his head in her mop bucket. He was saved by her phone ringing.
It was DI Clarke. “Ms Blake, good day. We have a man in hospital, he’s the victim of a hit-and-run. He’s unconscious.”
“Okay,” Julia said. She looked over at Cain who was now watching her, she gave him a shrug.
“From his description he could be the man that you saw at the town hall rehearsal on the evening that Brandon Briggs was murdered.”
“The man in black?”
“It could be, based on that photo that you sent me. Would you be able to come down to the hospital and have a look at him? Now?”
“Yes, of course,” Julia said. “Which ward is he in?”
“Ward seven.” The inspector rang off without another word.
Julia told Cain what the inspector had said. “Do you want to come with me?”
Cain shook his head vehemently. “No. I’m staying away from that hospital.”
“Why? I thought you were dating one of the nurses there.”
“I was but she was too intense. A man needs his freedom, Julia, I can’t be tied down.”
Julia shook her head. “You sound more and more like my dad every day.”
“Ray is a man of great wisdom. Why don’t I finish up here? The next few cleaning jobs are in this building, I can manage them on my own. Do what you have to, and then come back when you’re ready.” He looked from left to right as if expecting to see someone there. “And if anyone asks where I am, any nurses, tell them you haven’t seen me.”
Julia gave him a serious nod. “I will do. Thanks for this, I won’t be too long.”
A short while later Julia walked on to ward seven of the local hospital. DI Clarke was standing next to a bed, he beckoned her over and pointed to the occupant. Julia studied the pale-faced man laying there. She said, “That’s him, the man in black.”
“His name is Fabian Black,” the inspector said.
An unladylike snort escaped from Julia. “Fabian Black? Are you joking?”
“This is a serious matter, Ms Blake, I am not joking. We’ve made some enquiries. Mr Black lives in London, he’s a script writer.”
“Ooo! Really? A script writer? Just like Brandon Briggs? That’s interesting, isn’t it? Do you think he knew Brandon Briggs? I bet he did.”
The inspector treated her to one of his piercing stares. “Ms Blake, you do witter on sometimes, has anyone ever told you that?”
Julia nodded. “Yep. Where was he knocked over? And when?”
“Last night. He was found at ten o’clock. He was knocked down not far from Edgethorpe High School.”
Julia gasped. “It was Eric Murphy! It must have been. He works at Edgethorpe High School, he was there last night, there was an open evening! I knew he was evil!”
DI Clarke gave her another stare. “How do you know Mr Murphy was there last night? Did you speak to him at any point?” He sighed and shook his head. “No, don’t bother to explain. Thank you for confirming his identity, you can go now.”
“Is that it? Don’t you want to talk about the case with me? I have some theories about why Eric Murphy would want to kill Brandon Briggs.”
DI Clarke put his hands behind his back. “No, Ms Blake, I do not want to hear about your unfounded theories. Off you go.”
Julia hesitated for a moment. She looked back at the unconscious man. He must be connected to Brandon Briggs somehow. Well, if the inspector wouldn’t talk about him, then she’d make her own enquiries. She said goodbye to the inspector and walked away.
New thoughts began to buzz around her mind as she walked to her car. She jumped as her phone rang. She suspected for a second that it might be the inspector again, telling her to keep her nose out of his investigation.
It wasn’t DI Clarke, it was Mum.
“Julia! You have to come to the school! Quick!”
Julia gripped her phone tighter. “Mum? What is it? Are you okay?”
“It’s not me, it’s Louisa! Something terrible has happened. Please, hurry!”
Chapter 20
Julia drove to the school as fast as she dared. She parked up and ran towards the main doors. Mum saw her approach and opened the doors.
“Mum! What’s happened? Where’s Louisa?”
Mum put her hand on Julia’s arm. “You need to calm down before you see her. Let me explain. She came for her second interview today and was doing extremely well. She helped tidy up at the end of the lesson but somehow, we’re not sure of the details yet, she managed to get locked inside the supply closet in the year-three classroom.” Mum shook her head. “I think someone didn’t know she’d gone in there and so closed and locked the door. I wouldn’t like to be locked in that closet, it’s cramped and the light goes out when the door is locked. Louisa started to scream the place down. Whoever had locked her in must have walked straight out of the room before Louisa started screaming. It was me who heard her. I ran into th
e classroom and opened the door. Louisa fell into my arms, she was hysterical.” Mum’s eyes welled up. “I’ve never heard anyone scream like that, it was like she was being attacked. I told her to take deep breaths and, eventually, she started to calm down. She’s in the staffroom now with a strong cup of tea.”
Julia looked towards the staffroom. “Poor Louisa, something must have happened to her in the past to cause such a reaction.”
“I think so too. When she calmed down she asked me to ring you, she wants you to take her home. I’m sorry for bothering you at work, but I couldn’t say no to her, she looked as if she was going to start screaming again.”
“You did the right thing. I’ve left Cain in charge of the cleaning anyway. Could you ring him and explain what’s going on? He might need to get the bus home.”
Mum took out her phone. “I’ll phone your dad first, I’m sure he’ll give his young friend a lift. Leave Cain to me. Louisa’s waiting for you. Thanks, Julia. I’ll let Mrs Warren know that you’re taking her home.”
Julia patted Mum’s arm and walked towards the staffroom, fearful of what she might find inside.
Louisa’s face lit up as Julia entered. A teacher who was sitting at Louisa’s side stood up and said, “I’ll leave you to it.” She swiftly left the room without a backward glance.
A tear trickled down Louisa’s cheek. “Julia, I’ve made a mess of everything. I knew I shouldn’t have applied for this job, look at what’s happened. I’ve made a real nuisance of myself.”
Julia sat at Louisa’s side and gave her a kind smile. “You have not made a nuisance of yourself. Mum told me that you got locked in the supply closet, it was an accident, it certainly wasn’t your fault.”
Louisa’s eyes welled up with fresh tears. “How I reacted was my fault. When the door closed, and the lights went out, I tried to remain calm. I knocked on the door and called out for help. But no one came. The walls seemed to move in on me and I couldn’t breath and …” Her voice rose hysterically and tears splashed onto her shirt.
Julia moved closer and put her arm around Louisa. She held on to her until her crying subsided. When the last tear had fallen, Julia said, “Let me drive you home. You’ll feel better once you’re home.”
Louisa nodded and sniffed. “What should I say to the head teacher? I feel like I should apologise for wasting her time.”
“Don’t worry about that, Mum will sort everything out. Come on.” Julia stood up and helped Louisa to her feet. Louisa swayed slightly but Julia caught her.
They left the room together. Mum was waiting outside with an overly bright smile on her face. She said, “Thanks for coming in today, Louisa, we’ll be in touch about the job.”
Louisa gave a sad sniff in return and lowered her head. Julia gave Mum a small smile as she led Louisa out of the main doors.
Neither Julia nor Louisa spoke on the drive back to Louisa’s house. When they stopped outside, Louisa said in a dull voice, “Thanks for the lift. Sorry for putting you out. Bye.”
Julia said, “Louisa, do you want to talk about what happened?” She paused, unsure whether to carry on. “Louisa, has something happened in your past? Something that made you react so violently inside that closet?”
Tears spilled down Louisa’s cheeks as she nodded.
Julia went on, “Would you like to talk about it? It sometimes helps to talk. I’m a good listener.” There was no response from Louisa who was now staring at her lap. Julia gave a forced laugh and said, “I could do with a cup of tea! I’m parched.”
A tiny smile appeared on Louisa’s mouth. She wiped her eyes and gave Julia a direct look. “I’ll make you a cup of tea. And then I’ll tell you what happened to me when I was a teenager.”
Chapter 21
Julia followed Louisa inside and offered to make the tea herself. Louisa refused and said she could do with a moment or two to collect herself.
Julia went into the front room and sat on the sofa. She looked around at the photographs that she had dusted many times. She gave a start as she recognised one of the photos. It was of Louisa at high school. That was where Julia had seen the earlier Edgethorpe High School uniform before. Louisa had gone to that school.
Pieces started to fall into place.
Brandon Briggs had gone to that school too. He must have been about the same age as Louisa.
And Eric Murphy had been a teacher at the time that Louisa had been there. Why hadn’t Louisa mentioned that before? And why hadn’t Eric Murphy or Brandon Briggs mentioned it?
Julia looked closer at the photo. Louisa was much slimmer, and of course younger, in the photo. Had she changed so much that neither Eric or Brandon had recognised her?
Julia jumped as Louisa spoke, “My school photo. My last happy photo.” She placed two cups down on the table in front of Julia, and then she took a seat opposite her.
Julia indicated her head towards the photo. “That’s an Edgethorpe High School uniform, isn’t it?”
“It is. And I think I can guess what you’re thinking. Why didn’t Brandon or Eric recognise me at that first audition?”
“I was thinking that. I don’t think you’ve changed too much.”
Louisa gave a bitter laugh. “You’re being too kind. I can understand why Eric didn’t recognise me, I didn’t take drama classes so our paths never crossed. But Brandon Briggs … he recognised me straight away. I could see it in his eyes. I could also see the disgust in his eyes when he saw what I’d become.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Julia said.
Louisa gave Julia a direct look and said, “I’m going to tell you something now that I’ve never told anyone, apart from my mum.” She took a big breath. “I will most likely cry at some point.”
Julia pulled a pack of tissues from her pocket. “I am prepared.”
Louisa smiled. “Right, I’ll begin. Brandon and I were at school together, we were the same age and often in the same class. He was always asking me out. You should have seen me then, Julia, I was the proverbial life and soul of the party. I said no to Brandon because he was a bit too intense, he used to stare at me for too long when he spoke to me. People used to make fun of him too. He was in the drama club and was always writing his own plays. You know what Eric Murphy’s like, he encouraged Brandon to write more and more.” Louisa frowned. “They put on a school production once, it was a play that Eric and Brandon had written together. I didn’t like it, it was about putting women in their place. They actually used that expression in the play.”
“What? How did they get away with that?”
“They didn’t. There were loads of complaints, Eric was suspended for a while but eventually he came back to work. No one spoke to Brandon after that. I’d often see him sitting alone on a bench, scribbling away in a notebook. I felt sorry for him. So much so that I asked him out. He thought I was joking at first. But he soon realised I wasn’t and we had our first date.
“He wasn’t like the other boys I’d dated. He was attentive and polite. He listened to everything I said and often asked what I was thinking. I revelled in his attention.”
Julia said, “How old were you at this time?”
“I’d just turned eighteen, just heading towards my last exams and thinking about university. Brandon was too, he said he wanted to go to a drama school in London. He was still scribbling away in his books, even on our dates. I didn’t mind, I could see how committed he was towards making his career a success.” Louisa looked down at her lap. “We dated for a few months, got to know each other well, but then everything changed.”
“How? What happened?”
Louisa looked up. “Brandon became overly confident in our relationship. He would often turn up late for our dates, he’d forget to phone me when he said he would, things like that. And, he’d insult me, always as a joke he said, but I didn’t find those kind of jokes funny.”
Julia picked her cup up and said, “He sounds like a typical man.”
“A typical man doesn’t mak
e a note of everything you say, and every reaction that you have. That’s what Brandon would do. He’d say something awful, watch me intently for my reaction, and then write something down in those damned notebooks. I felt like I was part of some experiment he was doing. I felt like he was recording my reactions and words so that he could use them in his writing. I tried to break up with him but then he’d apologise profusely and I gave in to him.”
“Oh, Louisa, that sounds awful. What a horrible person he was.”
“You haven’t heard the worst yet. Brandon said he had to go away for a few days but insisted that I go for a walk in our special park at a certain time. He said he’d look at his watch at that time and feel happy knowing that he knew exactly where I was. Being the fool that I was, I did go to our special park.”
Julia put her cup down and said, “I don’t like where this is going.”
Louisa took a few deep breaths and continued, “I’ll give you the short version. I was kidnapped as I walked through the park. I was thrown into a cellar and kept prisoner for a week or so, I lost count of the days. Food and water were thrown at me from a hatch in the door. I never saw the person who had kidnapped me, but I saw the camera that had been placed on the wall. The camera watched my every movement. Julia, I thought I was going to die in that room. That’s why I became so upset at school today, I thought I was back in that disgusting cellar.”
“Oh, Louisa, how did you escape?”
“I didn’t. I woke up one day and the cellar door was open. I didn’t move at first, I thought it was a trap. Eventually I did move. I walked out of the cellar and through an old deserted house. There was no one there. I walked out on to the street. There was still no one about. Then Brandon came driving down the street. He jumped out of the car and grabbed me. He said he’d been looking for me everywhere. He took me back to my house. Poor Mum, she’d aged fifty years by the look of her. Brandon insisted that I tell him everything so that he could let the police know, he said he didn’t want me to go through the ordeal with someone I didn’t know.”
Death Shows Up (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 7) Page 8