by P. F. Ford
He pushed the door open and took a step inside. 'Yo!' he called out. 'Is there anyone here?'
His voice echoed back. There was a light switch just inside the door. He didn't think for one minute that it would work, but he flicked it anyway. Nothing happened. 'This house is totally derelict,' he said.
'Even squatters would want somewhere better than this,' agreed Darling.
Norman slowly led them along the gloomy, narrow hallway of the house, the light from the open doorway just about enough to let them to see where they were going. Years of dust and grime quickly proved that Norman's assessment of the building was correct. There was a door to either side of the hallway, and a tumbledown staircase on the right.
'I'm not going up there,' said Darling.
'There's no need. It's supposed to be a downstairs room at the back,' said Norman. 'It must be that one.'
He pointed to a door a little further down on the right.
'I thought Casey said there had been a fire,' said Darling. 'Surely it would have burnt the whole house down in minutes.'
Norman reached for the door handle and put his shoulder to the door as it turned. It creaked open to reveal a charred interior, the ceiling blackened with soot. The room was open to the elements, courtesy of a smashed window at the far side of the room, the remaining shards of glass blackened with a sooty layer.
'Crap. There's nothing left to see in here,' said Norman.
'This was no accident, was it?' said Darling. 'I can't believe the whole house didn't go up.'
'Someone knew what they were doing,' said Norman. 'My guess is this fire was only supposed to destroy any evidence that might have been left in this room.'
'Can we get out of here?'
'There's nothing to stay for, is there?'
Darling scuttled back through the house and out into the fresh air, Norman following close behind.
'God, what a stink in there,' she said.
'Yeah, damp, rot, and charred fire remains. It's not exactly your regular air freshener, is it?' Norman looked up and down the street. 'This whole street's derelict, isn't it?'
'It looks like it's been like this for years,' Darling said.
'So why did Casey and the pathologist describe it as an area where users live?'
'Jenny couldn't have been living here,' said Darling. 'You've only got to look at the clothes she was wearing. There's no way she could have kept herself that smart if she was dossing here. Should we go back to Casey?'
'We'll keep that as an option,' said Norman, 'but as he's likely to give us nothing but more bullshit, I think we should first see how far we can get on our own.'
'So where do you want to start?'
'I'd like to know for sure if there was someone else in this dump on the day she died. I wanna know who it was and what they were doing there.'
'Yeah, finding whoever that is could blow the whole thing wide open,' said Darling, 'but where do we start?'
'We could try that pizza place,' Norman suggested.
'Didn't Casey say they wouldn't deliver out here?'
'Yes he did, but there's a good chance that was bull as well. It won't hurt to check for ourselves, will it?'
Chapter Nine
Patty's Pizza restaurant was strategically situated in a small square not far from the town centre. Patty herself was a forty-year-old bleached blonde with a sound business brain and a no-nonsense attitude.
'You buy a pizza and I'll give you five minutes of my time,' she said when they approached her. 'I think that's fair, don't you?'
Norman smiled appreciatively. He liked people who let him know where they stood right from the start. 'Yeah, that sounds totally fair.'
'We're not too busy, so I'll bring it over when it's ready.'
Norman and Darling made their way to a corner table and sat down. Norman looked around the room thoughtfully.
'What's on your mind?' asked Darling.
'I just can't see her suddenly getting into heroin, can you?'
'The pain relief idea doesn't grab you, then?'
'Does it grab you?' he asked.
'No way. If she got hit by a car, how come she didn't end up in hospital? That foot was pretty badly battered, and her leg was broken. She wasn't stupid. She would have known she needed hospital treatment.'
'Maybe we're barking up the wrong tree thinking it was a car that hit her,' said Norman. 'What was she doing in a place like that? If she was living there, why was none of her stuff there? It makes more sense to think someone had taken her there. What if you were right and those wounds were the result of a blunt instrument?'
'You think someone might have broken her leg on purpose? But why?'
'Jenny had got herself into some serious trouble. That's how she came to be living rough. We knew that much right from the start, but she never told Dave what exactly that trouble was. Suppose she knew something, and someone wanted to know what it was?'
'Or maybe she knows where something is,' said Darling. 'Perhaps she's got some incriminating evidence hidden away somewhere.'
'I think she was living somewhere in this town,' Norman said.
'Good luck finding that without anything to go on.'
'Maybe we have got something to go on. When we found her on the street, she had dyed her hair black, and she's done it again now.'
Darling shrugged. 'I don't see how that's going to help.'
'It's just a hunch, but what if she was here before and she knows people here?' Norman said. 'Maybe she was living on the street here before she came to Tinton. She might just have dyed her hair black because that's how people here would remember her.'
'I still don't see how that helps.'
'I could be completely wrong, but if she had been in touch with some of the homeless people around here, maybe they know where she's been living.'
'It sounds like a long shot,' said Darling slowly, 'but I suppose we've to nothing to lose by asking around.'
'So you'll do it then?' asked Norman.
She stared at him. 'Me? Why me?'
'Because you're young, female, good-looking, and you don't look like a cop. They'll see me as a cop, which makes me a threat, whereas there's no reason they should see you as a threat. Flash a photo of Jenny and ask around. Tell them you're her cousin and you're looking for her.'
'But you saw the clothes she was wearing,' Darling pointed out. 'She wasn't living on the street.'
'Yeah,' Norman said, 'but that doesn't mean she wasn't talking to them. Maybe she was helping them out with money or something. I'll be nearby keeping an eye on you. If there's any trouble, I'll be there.'
Darling looked doubtful, but they had nothing else to go on. 'I don't need protection,' she told him. 'I can look after myself.'
'Yes, I know, but I'll feel better if I know you're okay.'
'Can I eat my pizza first?'
Norman could see Patty approaching with their pizzas. 'Sure. Here they come now.'
'So what's this all about?' asked Patty once she had delivered their pizzas and settled alongside Darling.
Norman placed a photo of Jenny on the table. 'This woman was found dead in Claremont Road a couple of weeks ago. We're trying to find out what happened to her.'
'Was she the suicide?'
'You know about it?'
'Only what I read in the local newspaper. Didn't she overdose on heroin or something like that?'
'That's a possibility,' said Norman, 'but it's also possible that's not what really happened.'
'Are you the police?' asked Patty. 'Only I don't recall seeing your ID.'
'No, we're not police, and you don't have to talk to us if you don't want to. We're here on behalf of Jenny's parents. The police say she was a heroin user who overdosed. Her parents don't believe she was a heroin user, and nor do we. We're just trying to find the truth about what happened to her.'
Patty studied Norman's face for a few seconds. 'I've got a daughter of my own,' she said. 'She's only a teenager now, but if anything happened
to her, I'd want to know as much as I could. How can I help you?'
'When she was found, there was one of your pizza boxes nearby with a half-eaten pizza. If we can find out when that pizza was delivered, it might help us pin down a more accurate time of death.'
'Did you say she was found in Claremont Road?'
'That's right.'
'Then it wouldn't have been delivered by us. We haven't delivered down there for months, not since all the slums were emptied and the squatters moved in. They don't pay, you see.'
'They can't help being homeless,' said Darling.
'I've got nothing against them being homeless, love,' said Patty. 'As a matter of fact, I supply the local homeless shelter with fresh pizzas every Tuesday night. If anyone homeless wants a free one, they can go there, but I'm not prepared to give them away any other time. I'm trying to survive as well, you know.'
'I'm sorry,' Darling said. 'I didn't mean to offend you. It's just a bit frustrating when no one seems to want to help us.'
'No offence taken,' said Patty. 'Anyway, I didn't say I wouldn't help, I just said we don't deliver out there.'
She had Norman's attention now. 'Yes, but?' he said encouragingly.
'But I did have a bit of a bust-up with some bloke who came in here demanding we deliver a pizza to Claremont Road.'
'When was this?'
'A couple of weeks ago, maybe a bit more. It was a Friday, I remember that because it was lunchtime and we're always busy Friday lunchtime. He got quite abusive about it until I threatened to call the police. That shut him up, I can tell you.'
'What happened then?'
'He calmed down, paid for his pizza, waited while we cooked it, and then took it with him.'
Norman leaned forward. 'Can you remember what sort of pizza it was?'
'I think it was just cheese, nothing exotic.'
'And it was in one of your boxes, right?'
'Oh yes,' she assured him. 'It gets our name around.'
Norman looked at Darling. He could see she was as excited as he was. 'Can you recall what this guy looked like?' he asked.
'I'm not sure I can remember exactly what he looked like,' she said, 'but I remember he was fortyish, and he was tall, well over six feet. He seemed to be head and shoulders above me. I think he was hoping he could intimidate me because he was so tall, but he got that wrong.'
'He sounds like a pretty big guy,' said Norman.
'Not that big,' said Patty. 'Oh, he was tall enough, but there was nothing of him. He was really skinny, like a beanpole.'
'Have you ever seen him before?' asked Darling.
'I don't think so.'
'Have you seen him since?'
'No, I'm sorry.'
'Don't apologise,' said Norman. 'You've been very helpful.'
'Have I? Oh, good, that's nice to know.' She looked around the restaurant, which was beginning to fill with customers seeking something to take home after work. 'I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to go.'
'Sure,' said Norman. 'Thanks again, you've been great. This pizza's really something too!'
She gave him a big smile. 'Why, thank you.' She rose from the table and began to walk away, then turned and came back. 'One more thing,' she said. 'He had a tattoo on his forearm. Some sort of dagger, I think it was.'
'Right or left arm?' asked Norman.
She thought for a moment. 'I'd say right, but I couldn't swear to it.'
'That's great, Patty,' said Norman. 'You're a star.'
Chapter Ten
There was a group of about ten men of varying ages sitting around a small bonfire. There were at least three who Darling thought were probably not even eighteen, and one or two around twenty. Living rough tended to age people prematurely, so after the obviously young ones, it was difficult to work out how old anyone else really was.
One of the youngsters spotted her first. She couldn't make out what he said, but soon all eyes were turned her way as she approached. It said a lot for Darling's confidence in her ability to defend herself that she didn't for one moment consider she might have been at risk.
A surly-looking man seemed to be their leader, and now he stepped forward to intercept her.
'Hi,' she said, loud enough for them all to hear. 'I'm sorry to disturb you guys. I'm looking for someone, and I was hoping one of you might be able to help me.'
'Which one of us?' asked Surly Man.
She was momentarily thrown by his question, but quickly recovered. 'I don't mean any particular one of you, just anyone who might recognise a face in a photo.'
'Are you the law?' asked Surly Man. 'Cos if you are, you can piss off. We ain't done nothing wrong.'
'No,' said Darling indignantly, 'I am not "the law", as you put it.'
'Why should we help you then?'
'Would you help me if I was "the law"?'
'Course not. Why would we? What do they do for us? Nothing, except give us grief. They say we're makin' the place look untidy, like we're litter. They seem to forget we're human beings, so sod 'em, that's what I say.'
'So it wouldn't make any difference if I was "the law", or not,' said Darling. 'You wouldn't help anyway.'
'Why should we?'
'How about because I'm here looking for my cousin? I was told she was here in town somewhere, but I haven't been able to find her, and I'm worried about her. I was hoping one of you might have seen her.'
'What's in it for us?' Surly Man asked.
'Apart from the satisfaction of doing someone a good deed? Well, I would imagine you could all do with a good, hot meal.'
A sneaky smile creased the man's face. 'Well, if you're paying for information I can probably help you.'
Darling smiled back at him. 'I wasn't born yesterday, you know, so don't think you're going to give me any old crap. I'll pay, but only if the information is good.'
Surly Man stepped forward and glowered at her. 'I don't think you're in a position to be makin' threats, little girl.'
He reached for her arm, but she was much too quick for him, and before he knew it he was on his backside, looking rather stupid. 'Why, you little bitch,' he hissed. 'I'll get you for this.'
'I don't think so,' said a voice behind him.
'Who the f-- Ah! Jesus! You're standing on my bloody hand.'
'Am I?' asked Norman innocently. He looked down at his foot. 'Oh yeah, you're right, I am. Sorry about that. I didn't see it in the dark. Good job I lost some weight or that coulda really hurt.'
Just to emphasise the point, he put little more weight on the hand before he moved his foot, then he grabbed Surly Man by the scruff of the neck and hauled him to his feet.
'You probably think you're pretty hard, but you should think yourself lucky,' Norman hissed in his ear. 'If I hadn't come along, she probably woulda beat the crap out of you, and that would make you look even more stupid in front of your crew here, wouldn't it?'
'Oh, I get it,' said the man. 'You've just come here for some sport, have you? Pick on the down-and-outs?'
'No, it isn't,' snapped Darling. 'I told you, all I want to do is show you a photo of my friend and ask if anyone has seen her. You're the one who wanted to make it into something else.'
'Well, tell your gorilla to take his hands off me and maybe I'll help you. It'll cost you, mind.'
'How much?'
'A ton!'
Norman guffawed. 'Come on, let's get out of here. This guy's having a laugh.'
'It's a fair price!' argued Surly Man.
'And I suppose you want all the money?'
'Well, yeah, of course I do. I'll share it out.'
'What you mean,' Darling said, 'is you'll stuff it into your pocket, and the other guys'll get nothing.'
He glared at her but said nothing.
'I'll tell you how this is going to work. I'll show you all a photograph. Everyone who looks at it will get a tenner. Anyone who has information will get more. Okay?'
'I decide what happens here,' snapped Surly.
Norman yawned. 'Lo
ok, pal, that's our final offer. You can take it or leave it.'
He scowled at Norman. 'I ought to kick your head in,' he muttered.
'Yeah, but you already tried that, and ended up on your arse,' said Norman, 'so it's probably not a good idea. We already told you we didn't come here looking for a fight, so why don't you calm down and accept our offer? Ten quid each has to be better than nothing, right?'
'Piss off,' said Surly, and stormed off into the darkness.
Norman turned to the other guys, who were watching, open-mouthed. 'Anyone else want to walk away? No? Okay, come take look at the photo and see if you can help us.'
Darling produced a torch and shone it on the photograph so each of them could see it properly. Each one took their ten-pound note, but no one admitted they knew who the girl in the photo was. No one would own up to knowing a tall, skinny man with a dagger tattoo either.
One young lad called Spiderhair, who had wild, curly hair that was being kept under control by a large woolly hat, seemed to be on the verge of admitting he knew her, but then seemed to change his mind.
'That kid with the crazy hair knows something,' said Darling as they walked away.
'Yeah, I thought so too,' said Norman. 'I wonder why he wouldn't say anything.'
'He's the smallest. Perhaps he's frightened the others will steal any extra money we might give him.'
'You could be right. Maybe we'll try finding him tomorrow and ask him again.'
They were almost back into the centre of town when a shadowy figure stepped out in front of them. Darling was so startled she almost launched herself at him, but Norman put a hand out to stop her.
'Wait,' he said. 'It's okay. It's Spiderman.'
'You want to be careful,' said Darling to the boy in front of her. 'You jump out in front of people like that and sooner or later someone is going to give you a good hiding.'
Spiderhair looked sheepish. 'Sorry,' he said. 'It's that girl in the photo. I know her.'
'I thought you did,' said Norman. 'Why didn't you say back there?'
'If Jasper knows I've got money, he'll kick the crap out of me until he gets it.'
'I take it Jasper's the mouthy guy we humiliated back there.'
'Yeah, that's right.'