Psychological Thriller Series: Adam Stanley Boxed Set: Behind Shadows, Positively Murder and Mind Bender

by Netta Newbound

  "Kinda, I'm going to have to study again, but I don't mind that."

  "I'm pleased for you, love. How's Tina?"

  "She's good. Claudie's not well though. Tina stayed home with him today."

  "She took a day off work for a dog?" My lip curled, and my voice gave away my thoughts on the subject. They treated Claude, their giant poodle, like a baby.

  "He's not just a dog, Mother. He's our dog."

  Soon after, I hung up and gave Yvonne a quick ring.

  She told me her and Keith planned to try for a baby after Krystal's wedding.

  This news had been all I'd dreamed of since they got married four years ago. I'd begun to think they'd never be ready to start a family, but now it might actually happen. Yet, instead of the euphoria I'd expected, I felt emotionally flat. For Vonny's sake, I tried to I tried to sound excited.

  Since deciding to give up work, I'd been much better. Not that I had a stressful job. The added pressure on top of everything had almost pushed me over the edge and I had no intention of getting to that point again.

  On Thursday morning, Gavin told me he would be staying away for the night and everything came crashing down around me.

  I don't know why you're so surprised. Did you think just because a couple of his boyfriends bit the dust he would stop?

  I ignored her. Tried to shut her out and continue as normal but by lunchtime we were having full-on conversations again.

  Have you checked where he is?

  "Ten minutes ago he was at the office."

  And now?

  "For God's sake!" I snatched my mobile off the table and glanced at the screen. "Still at the office," I snapped.

  Are you sorted and ready to go once he's on the move?

  "I don't think I'm going anywhere this time."

  I knew it! I bloody knew it.

  "You know nothing, Mother. Keep your nose out."

  Charming, here I am trying to be of help and you speak to me like that.

  "I'm not speaking to you like anything. You're not even here you've been dead thirty-odd years."

  Do I sound dead, to you?

  My nerves were close to frazzled. The familiar cloud seemed to be settling around me and I was scared of what it meant.

  And then I wasn't.

  Good girl.

  Once again, I dressed in Gavin's clothing and retrieved the pillowcase from the airing cupboard. Sitting at the dining table, I waited for my husband to make a move.

  At just before 2pm he left the office and headed for the motorway.

  As I was about to leave, I had an idea. I walked back to the kitchen, rummaged about in the junk drawer and found what I was looking for. Placing the key in my bra, I headed out the door.

  Moments later I hit the motorway heading for London.

  ***

  Anthony Kingsley got out of his top-of-the-range metallic grey Honda and flashed his hazel eyes up and down the road. With no other cars in sight he growled, raked his fingers through his close-cropped dark blond hair and kicked the tyre.

  "Bloody heap of shit!" he muttered through gritted teeth. He glanced at his watch. Three o'clock already. He should be on the other side of town by now. He'd never make the meeting on time.

  Back behind the wheel, he cursed the car once again. His last car hadn't come with all the fancy gadgets and gizmos this one had, but ran on the sniff of an oily rag without any problems at all.

  This one had been in the shop three times already, and he'd not even had it six months yet. To top it all off, he'd allowed his RAC subscription to lapse.

  "Fuck!" He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. Clearing his throat, he reached for his mobile, and after trawling through his numbers, he dialled.

  “Gavin May.”

  "Hi, Mr May, Tony Kingsley here. I'm supposed to be meeting with you today—twenty minutes from now, in fact," he said.

  "Yes, of course, Tony. What can I do for you?"

  "My car broke down. I'm running late."

  "I tell you what. I haven’t got any other appointments booked, so how about you give me a call once you're sorted, presuming you still want to meet up?"

  "Definitely. I appreciate your understanding. Thanks, Mr May."

  With a sigh, Tony hung up and dialled another number.

  "Dave, Tony here. Any chance you can sort out this piece of shit car? I need to get into town asap for a meeting."

  "Sorry, Tone, no can do. I'm flat stick and on my own today. Best I can do for you is tow the car in once I finish up for the day. Text me the location and leave the keys on top of the front tyre."

  Oh, this day was going from bad to worse. A superstitious man might take this as a sign that he shouldn't go ahead with the business deal after all. He dialled his wife, his last hope.

  "Susan, you'll never guess. My car's gone and bloody died again. I'm stuck on Harbet Road. Where are you?"

  "Oh heck, I'm still at the orthopaedic specialists. Cheryl's just had her X-ray and we're waiting for the doctor to take a look. I'm going to have to wait. We've been stuck here all afternoon."

  "Of course, any idea how long you might be?"

  "Can't you phone your Phil?" Her voice sounded irritable.

  "I can't. Remember, he's gone to that convention with Sam today."

  "Oh yeah, I forgot. Okay, you'll have to wait for me. I'll get to you as soon as I can."

  An hour later, his wife parked her car behind his. He rang Gavin back.

  "Hi it's Tony again. I have a ride. Where would you like to meet?"

  "Come straight to my motel if you like. There’s a bar in the restaurant which is good a place as any."

  Tony jotted down the address and hung up. He locked the car and put the keys on top of the tyre.

  He bundled his briefcase and jacket into the foot-well as he climbed into the passenger seat of his wife's red Mitsubishi. His eighteen-month-old twins, Damien and Cheryl squealed with delight when they saw him.

  "Hello, my babies." He kissed Susan on the cheek before handing her the address.

  "I know where that is," she said, manoeuvring the car into the road.

  "How did you get on with the specialist?" Tony asked.

  "Fine. They think she'll grow out of it, but will send for us in a few months to make sure."

  Cheryl's left foot had started turning in as she walked. It didn't seem to bother her, but the doctor had been worried in case there was some underlying problem.

  "That's good news, then."

  "How will you get home?" Susan said as she parked outside the motel.

  "I'll get a taxi—shouldn't be more than a tenner from here." Anthony got out of the car and walked round to the driver's side.

  Susan wound her window down and he bent to kiss her.

  "Thanks, Suze. I owe you big time."

  "You sure do," she laughed. "Don't forget the twins. They'll go berserk if you take off without making a fuss of them."

  "I would never forget my two favourite little people." He jumped in the back, causing a commotion of hysterical belly-laughs as he kissed and tickled Damian and Cheryl. He climbed back out and waved at them as Susan drove away.

  Standing his briefcase between his feet, he shrugged into his jacket, before walking into the bar.

  Gavin waved as he entered.

  Tony made a drinking motion, pointing at the bar, but Gavin shook his head. He ordered himself a rum and coke before joining Gavin.

  They'd met in person once before, at an insurance seminar Gavin had held, and they'd been corresponding ever since. Tony had been an insurance broker in his own one-man team for the past thirteen years. He had gone to a seminar to see what all the fuss was about and had been impressed with what Gavin's company offered.

  Tony would be able to afford the initial investment, at a push, using Susan's inheritance. If Gavin's figures were correct, with his company's backing, Tony would be raking it in by the end of next year. His dream was to employ a team of people and expand the business outside the Lond
on area.

  They exchanged small talk for the first ten minutes or so, before getting down to the business at hand.

  "So, from what I can gather, you're thinking about going ahead with our proposal?" Gavin asked.

  Tony nodded. "I am, yes."

  "What took so long? I'll be honest with you, I’ve been in negotiations with other businesses in your area, but as yet nothing has been signed."

  "I was nervous at first—it's a big step. I've built up a decent name for myself over the years and worked my arse off to put it bluntly. Recently I've been struggling to compete with the big boys. My hands are tied since the changes to the industry. I find I'm losing business hand over fist."

  Gavin nodded. "I see, and yes this is a huge step for you, I appreciate that. However, I can honestly say that, with our help, you will be one of the big boys yourself soon enough."

  "That's what I need, and with all the other services I'll be able to offer, I'll be unstoppable."

  "Sounds like a done deal then," Gavin said. "Did you bring the paperwork I sent you?"

  "I did, I have them right here." Tony opened his briefcase, pulled out a manila folder and handed it to Gavin.

  Gavin flicked through the stack of papers. "I can't seem to find the signature page of the contract."

  Tony bounced the palm of his hand on his forehead. "I'm so sorry. I must have left it at home. I can send a courier parcel to you in the morning."

  "No problem, there's a copy in my room. If you don't mind, we can quickly grab it before you leave?"

  "Yeah, great. Now if that concludes our meeting I suggest another drink—my shout, and how about a bite to eat?"

  "Don't mind if I do." Gavin smiled.

  Chapter 17

  By the time I arrived in Pinevale, Gavin was already at the motel.

  I parked behind several huge trucks in the freight company's car park next door to the motel and waited. I had a perfect view of the units and the motel car park through the chain-link fence and bushes.

  Over an hour later, Gavin emerged from his room and headed into the restaurant at the front of the building. I got out of the car and stood close to the fence, watching closely in case he came back out.

  When a car pulled up on the other side of the fence right beside me, I could hear the conversation of the couple within. The guy got out and walked round the car and kissed the female driver.

  "Thanks, Suze, I owe you big time," he said.

  "You sure do," she said, good-naturedly. "Don't forget the twins. They'll go berserk if you take off without making a fuss of them."

  "I would never forget my two favourite little people."

  I chuckled to myself as he opened the back doors and clambered inside, making a huge display of kissing the two squealing kiddies.

  The car drove off and the man entered the restaurant.

  I desperately needed to find a toilet. I pressed my hand to the top of my legs and clenched, worried I might pee my pants.

  You have your phone. If he goes anywhere, you'll know.

  "Ah, yes," I whispered. I'd forgotten about that.

  In the restaurant across the road, I ordered a takeaway coffee and used the bathroom.

  Gavin still hadn't moved when I returned. I climbed back into the car to wait.

  A while later Gavin appeared at the restaurant door. I got out of the car, trying to see who he held the door open for.

  My stomach flipped as I realised Gavin's companion was the man with the twins.

  I shook my head. No matter how much I seemed to prepare myself, this situation never failed to disgust me.

  Thinking about the delicious little twins I'd seen him fussing over earlier, an immense anger once again exploded within me.

  Stay calm. You know what you need to do.

  Oh, I knew all right. I needed to stop this once and for all.

  Once they were inside the unit, I reached inside my car, grabbed the cap from the passenger seat and pulled it snugly onto my head. Then I grabbed the wrench wrapped in the pillowcase.

  Once again, I kept to the fence-line and ran in short bursts, stopping to hide and look around a couple of times when possible.

  There were three cars parked up. The middle one was Gavin's. As I reached it, I fumbled inside my bra and pulled out the key I'd taken from the house earlier. I hit the centre button and the side lights flashed and I heard the doors unlock.

  Climbing inside, the interior lights stayed illuminated for the longest minute of my life. I was beside myself, certain Gavin would come out and catch me red handed. But he didn't.

  I slid down in the driver's seat and lay in wait.

  After around twenty minutes, a cab pulled up outside the unit and tooted its horn.

  Gavin opened the door and waved to the driver and then shook hands with his friend. He watched until the cab backed out of the car park before going back inside, closing the door behind him.

  I needed to act fast. I clocked the direction the cab headed, started up Gavin's car and caught up—keeping just enough distance between us not to draw attention to myself.

  ***

  After a couple more drinks and a bar meal, Tony and Gavin strolled to Gavin's motel unit where they both signed the all-important contract.

  "So, I guess that's it," Tony said.

  "Yes, for now. I'm not sure when things will happen, but I'll get the Branding team to keep you in the loop. Welcome aboard."

  Gavin held his hand towards him and Tony shook it enthusiastically.

  "Can I call a cab?"

  "Of course, feel free." Gavin indicated the phone at the side of the bed.

  The taxi arrived ten minutes later and Tony said his goodbyes.

  He had a great feeling about this. Susan had been worried, but he'd managed to convince her it was the right thing to do.

  Granted, all their savings would be used up and more besides, but if what Gavin said was true, they'd replace every penny in no time.

  He got the taxi driver to drop him off on the main road at the top of his street. The twins had always been light sleepers and he thought the taxi's noisy diesel engine would wake them.

  Tony paid the driver and gave him a generous tip, then turned towards home.

  The navy blue car came from nowhere. It mounted the curb and rammed him into the brick wall beside him.

  A million thoughts raced through his mind at once. One of them being how lucky the car had missed the briefcase he held at shoulder height, in front of him. He realised how stupid this was, considering the car had pinned him to the wall. He didn't feel any pain though—tremendous shock and confusion, but thankfully no pain.

  His surprise and shock were mirrored in the wide-eyed stare of the driver. Her gaunt grey face seemed close enough for him to reach out and touch.

  She reversed the car and stopped.

  Tony expected her to get out, to come racing to his aid, begging his forgiveness. He could hear screams and a voice yelling for someone to call an ambulance. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion and he winced as his hand touched the ground, realising he'd slid down the wall.

  He lifted his head and saw the car hurtling towards him again.

  Chapter 18

  Mum had taken over by the time we'd caught up with the taxi. I was merely a spectator.

  I thought she'd do what we'd planned the last time, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

  We slowed the car as the twins’ dad got out of the cab, and we watched as he turned into a side street. I presumed we would pass him and park the car further up the street. However, Mum had other ideas.

  As the car struck him I screamed, and my head collided with the steering wheel. It had taken a couple of seconds before I realised what had happened. Until I saw the man hunched over the bonnet of the car, staring straight at me. His right hand held his briefcase up and out at a strange angle.

  We shot backwards and the sound of tearing metal filled my ears. I expected Mum to speed away, but instead, in true horr
or film fashion, she darted forward once again.

  I managed to brace myself to avoid another bang on the head.

  The street began filling up with people and their screams were deafening.

  The car backed up once more, before speeding off towards the motel. Something metallic sounding scraped along the road as we drove, making an ear-splitting noise that would set anybody’s teeth on edge.

  Tears streamed down my face.

  Pull yourself together. Do you want to get us caught?

  Unable to speak, I shook my head frantically.

  Mum drove to the motel car park. I expected the grating noise the car made to bring everyone out of their units, but it didn’t.

  She stuffed the pillowcase underneath the passenger seat and placed the cap in the glove box.

  We climbed from the steaming, hissing vehicle, taking care to lock the doors.

  Wasting no time, we ran to my car, and soon sped off in the direction of the motorway.

  Half way home I realised I was back in control.

  I replayed what had happened in my mind and touched the bump on my forehead as I remembered the first collision.

  Gavin would be done for, now. With all the evidence against him, he wouldn't be able to hurt another family ever again.

  I shuddered.

  What Mum had done was for the best. However, now Gavin's secret would be known to the world, including Yvonne and Stella. But what choice had there been? I couldn’t protect myself and my girls at the expense of all the other sweet and innocent people. No, this was the only way short of killing him.

  Pulling off the motorway, I stopped at the first layby bordering a copse of trees and I threw Gavin's key into the thick of them.

  My phone showed Gavin still at the motel, but I didn't think it would be too long before they found him.

  I pulled up in front of the house, relieved nobody seemed to be around to notice me arrive home at 10pm.

  Once inside, I called Gavin's phone, conscious I would need keep my voice as steady as possible. I didn't care if he answered or not. A message would be as effective, but he answered.