“I just wonder you know, if anything could be done – for Jacob.”
As she sat down with a plate of toast in one hand and her own coffee in the other, Judy shrugged. “He’d need to either want to find help or, heaven forbid, hurt someone so badly that the police were involved and they would make him have treatment I think.”
“What will be happening now, with the website?”
“Hmmm, let’s see, it’s eight o’ clock. The first of his pictures will be going live in half an hour. Then it will pretty much depend on whether he sees it himself or someone tells him. There is the outside chance that if he sees the first couple he will get in touch with IT and get them to investigate. He could possibly have the thing stopped if there is anyone there bright enough to get to it. I’m hoping though that by the time he finds out, enough of his degree work will have been published for it to mean he’s no chance of replacing it and then, at two o’ clock this afternoon the pictures of you and Chloe will be up. That’s when it’s busiest, as people come back from lunch and they want to check mail and so on.
“I did it that way so that interest will build through the day, we could have put it all up together one image after the other quickly, but then a lot of people might not have seen it. What will happen now is that during the day anyone on the computers will suddenly find their screen filled with one after the other of his pictures and then this afternoon ours. By just after two o’ clock it will be done Mary, and then we just have to wait and see what happens.”
“The college might take action, he could just make a run for it, or the others might be so shocked that they force him to leave. It was a great plan but we can’t be absolutely sure of the outcome. I hope the college chuck him out but...” she shrugged.
“I thought that I’d go in this morning to the college and see what sort of reaction there is and then come back here to be with you later. We can watch it live if you can bear it or just wait until something happens. It’s up to you.”
“I’m going to have to ring work this morning and tell them I’ll be back next week and then I’m going to clean the house, top to bottom. I’m going to keep busy, keep my mind occupied. I think I’d want to watch it go live and then I’ll know it’s happened.”
“Right.” Judy gulped back the last of her drink and then pulled on her coat. She leaned and kissed Mary on the cheek. “Be strong Mary, it’s nearly over.”
The kindness almost overwhelmed her but she straightened her shoulders and walked to the front door to take off the locks and then reinstate the security after the other woman had left. A long morning stretched before her but she felt a stirring of an odd excitement.
Chapter 67
She told herself she was ready and said so to Judy but Mary’s stomach was tied in knots. In just a few minutes the photographs of her battered and bruised face would pop up on all the “in use” computers at the college. It was the middle of the afternoon. Judy had remarked that just then almost every computer would be in use.
An hour ago she had come back from her morning at the campus and reported that the publication of Jacob’s degree show images were causing a furore. Most people were incensed she said.
“Nearly everyone has assumed that it’s a rotten trick by someone who is jealous of his skill and so he has a great deal of sympathy.”
Mary covered her mouth with her hands, “That’s not what was supposed to happen. I didn’t think that would be what happened.”
“No, no it’s exactly what should happen. Up to now no one knows what it’s all about and so he is a bit of a hero – once the other pictures come up those people who have come out on his side will be thrown into turmoil. They can’t approve of what he’s done and they are going to hate the fact that by association he has put them in the wrong camp. Really, it’s fine Mary, it’s what I expected.”
“Has he said anything?”
“No, nobody has seen him, he’s not at the house and none of his friends have seen him in the college. He could be out on an assignment, but wherever he is there is a nasty surprise waiting for him when he comes back.”
They settled themselves in front of the computer desk, booted up and counted down the minutes.
When the first of the photographs popped up Mary found her response to be flat and unemotional. She had known what her face looked like, had watched the swelling decrease and the bruising fade from livid purple to black through to yellow. Seeing it now on the screen it felt as though she was looking at a photograph of someone else. The images of Chloe shocked her more. The damage seemed a greater outrage on the younger, prettier face, though she knew that it was no such thing.
There were six images in total and between each one the text, ‘And this is the work of Jacob Chadwick. Is this a man you want to call friend?’ in flashing red letters which slowly faded into the next horrible image. Judy had done a brilliant job.
Even before the last picture flashed onto the screen Judy’s phone began to chirp and tinkle, text messages and emails flooded in from friends and class mates. She scrolled quickly through them reading out excerpts here and there. Of course they didn’t know of her involvement and so many of them simply told her what was going on and then commented on their reactions.
‘What a monster, who are these women?’
‘No, this can’t be true.’
‘Who put this show up? I want to shake them by the hand.’
‘What proof is there that this is genuine?’
And of course, ‘Where is Jacob, has anyone seen him, what does he say about it?’
Judy pushed back from the desk and turned to Mary who was staring dried eyed and silent at the screen.
This wasn’t how she had expected people to react. All she felt was drained and emptied out. It had taken a lot of arranging from the first germ of a plan and now with no real idea of what was coming next it all seemed an anti-climax.
“You okay Mary?” In response to Judy’s quiet question she just nodded. How strange was this? She had expected a sort of euphoria and all there was really was a deep sadness and a feeling that something precious had been lost to her.
“You did a brilliant job Judy. Thank you.”
“Mary, this is only the start, we have to wait now. That was only the touch paper, we lit it and now we have to wait for the fireworks don’t we?”
“Yes, yes of course you’re right. I wonder where he is though, I wonder if he’s seen it yet, or maybe someone has told him. You’ll think I’m mad but I feel sorry for him.”
“I know, I know.
“Hell Mary haven’t you got any alcohol in this place? This is time for a drink, a big drink. If you like I’ll stay with you. I’ve told Steve I probably can’t see him tonight. We could send out for a pizza, maybe, or something. We need to lift your mood and we deserve a celebration, at the very least it was damned good hacking.” She laughed and raised her hand palm facing Mary and they high fived and then fell onto each other in a hug.
“You are amazing Judy, you really are.”
“Yeah well – if you say so. Now about that drink.”
As she uncorked the bottle of wine Mary couldn’t shake an awful premonition that she hadn’t yet seen the worst of it. Somewhere a foreshadowing told her what was to come next would be shattering and would change her life forever. She didn’t believe in premonitions but this belief was so very strong it was as if the very air she breathed knew about it and wanted to warn her.
She told herself it was reaction. It was only adrenalin withdrawal after a period of stress, a trick of her overwrought brain but no matter what she told herself it felt real and no amount of red wine and pizza was going to chase it away. She caught a glance of her face reflected in the kitchen window. A pale wraith-like creature looked back at her, a creature who had seen the future and knew the horrors that it held.
Chapter 68
Judy had been gone for a couple of hours, the house was calm and tidy again. Mary peered at her reflection in the hall mirror. Anot
her couple of days and she could probably risk a visit to her mum and dad. The bruises were fading fast and could soon be covered by foundation and concealer. It was a long time since she’d seen her parents and guilt had started to wheedle its way in. At the thought of the last time she had been with them she felt the now familiar prickle of tears in the corners of her eyes. Would the crying ever stop?
So much had happened since she was last in their little bungalow and a lot of the drama hinged on the call her mum had made. Of course they were never to know anything about all of this. She would cut out her tongue before she told them the torment she had endured and would go to any and all lengths to avoid her mum feeling guilty because of her words on the telephone. Yes, by the end of the week she would go to see them and maybe take them out to lunch. It would be lovely to do something normal, something that felt like old times.
With a jolt of shock she realised that the house phone had been unplugged since before the horrible night when Jacob had tried to strangle her. She flew down the hall, yes, there was the tiny plug lying on the carpet. Her mobile was off as well, if her mum and dad had been trying to contact her at all over the last couple of days they would be worried sick. She would have to ring them.
She stuck the little plastic plug back into the socket and lifted the receiver, why she did that she couldn’t have said but in the event the purring of the dial tone was reassuring, being as it was a connection with life outside of the house and her problems.
She glanced around. There was no mark on the wall, no blood on the carpet, nothing to witness the horrible events of two nights ago. Would she ever truly be able to forget, to move on and enjoy her home the way that she had before? Doubts were creeping in and ironically the steps she had taken to protect the status quo had led her to think that it wasn’t what she wanted after all.
She replaced the handset and it rang before she had a chance to move more than a couple of steps away. Jacob didn’t have this number, it was alright, “Hello.”
“Mary, it’s Judy. Are you okay?”
“Hi. Yes, I’m okay.”
“Are you really, is there anyone there with you?”
“No, I’m on my own. I was just going to go to the shops.”
“Honestly?”
“Yes, Judy what’s the matter?”
“Oh, I’m probably just being silly. Nobody has seen Jacob. He didn’t go back to the house last night. Steve rang me this morning. He wanted to talk about yesterday of course. Anyway it seems that Jacob was out early yesterday morning and nobody has seen him since then. We don’t know if he has seen the pictures and already made a run for it, though that seems unlikely as his stuff is all still there. The boys at the house are wondering what to do. They don’t know whether they should tell the college, or just wait. They’ve tried ringing him and his phone’s off. I was really calling to make sure he wasn’t there and to warn you.”
“Oh. I don’t know what to say Judy. I don’t know what to do. I haven’t been out yet today but I’ve had no trouble here. I suppose it would be best if they report it, I suppose it is unusual for him not to come home isn’t it?”
“Well yes but it is just one night. The college is buzzing with reaction to the pictures yesterday, the authorities obviously know about it. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next. Look make sure you lock your doors and windows – better still can’t you go and stay with someone, you know, just get away from there for now?”
“I don’t know, I suppose I could but…”
“Look just be careful yeah. I’ll call you again if I hear anything. Do you think you could bear to put your mobile on? There is the risk that he’ll call you or text but anyway I think you should make sure you can be reached.”
“I will. Thanks Judy. I’m going out now for about an hour. I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”
“Mary, take care.”
A quiver of fear ran through her body, a board somewhere in the house clicked as it cooled and her heart pounded, every nerve ending jumped as if she’d touched a live wire.
Where was he?
Chapter 69
Jane. Jane was the answer, well maybe. Mary wanted to try and sort things out anyway and perhaps now, when she truly needed a friend and a safe haven, this was the time. She had read somewhere that if you want to make someone your friend then ask a favour of them. Jane had long been her friend, until the recent nastiness anyway, and so perhaps this was an ideal way to get back in touch.
She picked up the telephone handset. “Hi, Jane it’s me. It’s Mary.”
“Oh. Hi. How are you?”
“Not that brilliant actually.”
“Oh, oh right, well I’m sorry to hear that. Can I do anything, are you ill?”
“Not exactly but I’m in a hell of mess Jane.” Mary was surprised to hear her own words were shaky and her voice cracked. She had intended to be calm, strong, but the sound of the familiar voice undid her shattered nerves.
“Oh love.” And there it was. The depth of their friendship swam to the surface and in an instant all was resolved.
“Oh Jane, I’ve been such a fool and you were right and, well it’s been dreadful and now I’m very scared.”
“Scared?”
“Yes, I think I may be in danger. Look I don’t want to talk about it over the phone. Can I come over to your house, and Jane, could I stay with you tonight?”
“Of course you can. Get yourself here right now. I’ll shift the car so you have room to park. Just pull in behind me on the drive. See you in about half an hour – yeah?”
“It’ll take me a bit longer. I need to pack a couple of things and lock up. Jane – thanks.”
“I’m waiting for you love.”
She threw her overnight things into a bag, watered her plants and packed the perishables from the fridge into an insulated bag to take with her. She chose a couple of bottles of wine from the rack and dumped the whole lot into the car. Once the house was locked and bolted she left without even a backward glance. Reaching the end of the road a wave of relief swept over her. Her heart lifted as she let go the fear that had wrapped around it like a string of barbs. It was all spoiled wasn’t it, her home, her life, her peace? In spite of the plan and the fight against it everything of value was gone and she didn’t see how it could be regained. Not there anyway, the love that had made the place special had been overwhelmed with fear, pain and ugliness.
Passing the bus stop where the whole sorry affair had started she glanced at the small queue. Of course he wasn’t there but if he had been then it wouldn’t have surprised her. In her mind he was always there, bright hair shining in the sunshine, mouth curved in a gentle smile and his eyes glinting with amusement.
The drive was uneventful and as she turned into the narrow driveway Jane opened the door and hurried forward to help with the bags. Once inside they held each other for a long time, there were hugs and smiles and comforting warmth. Jane offered tea but they decided to open the wine; Jane in celebration at the return of her friend and Mary because she needed the boost to her courage. Each of them still stood in different landscapes but now Mary was to pull Jane across the divide as she revealed the turmoil that her life had become. They settled in her bright dining room and for a long moment there was quiet as Mary searched for the words to start the difficult conversation.
Once she started it all spilled out easily. Jane reached across the shining table top and laid her hand on top of Mary’s, her eyes glittered with moisture but she didn’t speak until it was over.
“So, where is he now?”
“Nobody knows. He hasn’t been seen since yesterday.”
“Well, you’re safe here anyway, but why haven’t you called the police? Surely that’s what you should do.”
“Oh Jane, you were right before and you’re probably right now but it’s all too late. I’ve got it all wrong from the start and I just don’t know what I can do to fix it. I think I’m going to have to move, away from the house. It�
�s just not the same anymore, all the memories of Bill, the things we did, the happiness, it’s been obliterated, I just can’t find it any more. I think that’s one of the worst things you know. I feel that I let him down, Bill.”
Now was the ‘I told you so moment’ but it didn’t happen and the fact that she simply squeezed Mary’s hand and then took a big swig of her white wine was more precious than gold to Mary and wiped away any residual ill feeling between them.
“You can stay here as long as you want to. Does your friend Judy know where you are?
“No, I’ll call her and let her know. Right now though I would love to just sit here with you in this room and wipe it all out. I wish I could make it not have happened but I can’t.”
“No, you can’t but you can move on, I’ll help you. This isn’t the end of the world Mary, it’s a glitch and no matter what you decide to do, about your house and all of that, I’ll help you. It’s going to be fine.”
Mary’s phone chimed and the text alert blinked at her. For a moment her finger hovered over the answer key but the peace was so very precious that she rejected the call and turned off her mobile without even glancing at the screen and the tiny scroll of words.
Chapter 70
Although the problems were still there, Mary felt soothed and gentled spending time with her old friend. They talked for hours about Jacob and about the abortive lunch date which had ended in bitterness and ill feeling. They laughed also, about good times, and Mary was surprised to find herself with a smile on her face and lightness in her soul that had for a time seemed unreachable.
“I’ve put you in Millie’s room and Alan is away on business so it’s just us, at least until the weekend if you want to stay that long.”
“I don’t know love, perhaps tomorrow. A lot of it depends on what happens with him, Jacob. If the college throw him out and he goes quickly then I can safely go home. I have a horrible feeling that if I stay away too long it might be impossible to go back, even now when I think about it I feel sick. I’m going to have to sell it aren’t I?”
PICTURES OF YOU: a gripping psychological suspense thriller Page 18