Lost Innocence

by M A Comley

  Straining to keep her cool, she agreed. “That’s right.”

  He scratched his head, a puzzled expression on his face. “She could be in either of two places. The first is…”

  Jack had flipped open his notebook. Abbott’s gaze landed on his pen. Jack glanced up at the man. Abbott locked eyes with him, toying with him.

  Sally nudged Jack’s leg under the table, and out of her peripheral vision, she saw him drop his challenging gaze back to his notebook. “Okay. I knew this would be a waste of time. Let’s go, Jack,” Sally pushed her chair back and stood, her attention never leaving Abbott’s eyes .

  Jack closed his notebook and followed suit, much to Abbott’s amazement.

  “All right, all right. Man, you guys need to be able to read when someone is trying to wind you up by now.”

  Sally and Jack both sat again. “Do you think it’s appropriate to mess with us over this? Is winding the police up what turns you on these days?”

  “I have to have some pleasure in life, Sally. Now that beautiful women like you are out of my reach.” He peered over his shoulder at the officer behind him then leaned over the table. “Of course, the officers take it in turns to visit my cell at night for extra curriculum activity, if you get my drift.”

  The officer placed his hand to his head and screwed his finger into his temple. “Bullshit!” he said, clearing his throat to shift what Sally assumed was an imaginary tickle.

  Abbott smirked. “He’s bound to say that, right? He’s the one who visits me the most in the dead of the night.”

  Sally shook her head. “If you’re trying to shock me, nothing—I repeat, nothing —you could ever say will do that.”

  “Is that so? Maybe I should go into detail of how each of the women reacted before I finally ended their miserable lives. Because they were, you know, miserable.”

  “They told you that, I presume?”

  “Oh yes. They easily came to me because they were all searching for something to enhance their lives. I was happy to oblige. I showed them what it was like to be loved by someone. I did love them, if only for the briefest of moments. I loved them intensely until they took their last breath. The girls would have gone to their maker knowing what true love was, if only for a few minutes in their lives. I have a generous soul and giving nature inside.” He held his hand up to his chest.

  “It would be generous of you to tell us where Katrina and the other girls are buried.”

  “Let’s talk about the other girls for a second or two, shall we?” A small smile pulled his thin lips apart.

  “What about them? We know who the others were. We’ve worked it out for ourselves.”

  “You are a bright spark. Was it you, or was it one of your minions, like Jack here? ”

  “Actually, it was another member of my team. It didn’t take them long to figure out who the other victims were after spending time looking over the information I gleaned from you on my last visit.”

  He grinned. “I knew you were a smart cookie. All the male officers they’ve sent to see me over the years were egotistical bastards who thought they’d get the information out of me through being angry. They were wrong, as they found out to their cost. I like you, Sally. I can see into your soul. I recognise a woman who has suffered at the hands of a man. He was wrong to treat you like that. I would have shown you what true love could feel like, if we’d met before I got sent down.”

  Trying hard not to react, she held his gaze. “Maybe, but then you would have killed me, just like you did to the other girls you fell in love with.”

  “See! I told you you’re smart. A darn sight smarter than the psychiatrists who’ve spent hours visiting me over the years, too, I hasten to add. Most of them didn’t have a clue. Again, I found myself only warming to the woman. I have an affinity towards the female gender. What more can I say?”

  “While you’re warming to me, perhaps you’ll tell me why you changed your MO?”

  He frowned. “My MO? Ah, yes—Lynn Jackman. She may have only been ten years old, but when I picked her up, she’d been at her friend’s house playing dress-up, which made her appear a lot older. I actually thought she was sixteen, if not slightly older. Can you imagine my shock when she whispered her real age to me when we were having sex? I killed her there and then. Can’t abide people who intentionally lie to others, can you?”

  Sally shook her head in disgust at Abbott’s blasé manner and hypocrisy. “Why didn’t you simply drop her off somewhere? Perhaps if you had, you wouldn’t have been caught. You were arrested when they found her body in the boot of your car, am I right?”

  “You know damn well you are.” His anger was evident in his tone. “The truth is, I panicked. Kidnapping her was the biggest mistake in my life. No—correct that. Getting caught was the biggest mistake.”

  “Now you have the chance to make amends. Tell us where the girls are: Sophie Johnson, Millie Potter, Carina Sanders and Jasmine Winkleman. You loved and killed them all, didn’t you? ”

  His chin dropped to his chest, then his watery gaze met Sally’s again. “I did. The trouble was, none of them could find it in their hearts to love me back. No one—no one makes a fool of me like that.”

  “I sense a bit of remorse in you since we began this meeting. Won’t you find it in your heart to tell me where the girls’ bodies are buried, not just Katrina’s?”

  He gulped noisily. “After all this time, the novelty has worn off. I had control at one time, keeping the information to myself, but now, what does it matter? I’ll tell you.”

  Sally’s heart rate escalated tenfold. “I’m waiting.”

  “After you’ve given me more photos to look at.” Sally shuddered at his laugh.

  “You’re sick. We’ll find them.” She produced the map from the file and placed it in front of him. “We know your hideout has to be in this area; we’re not stupid.” She watched his eyes scan the map and settle on a certain area on the Norfolk coastline.

  I’ve got you, you bastard. You might think you’ve won this round, but you’re grossly mistaken, arsehole!

  She snatched the map and the photo back and tucked them in the folder again. “I’m going to give you one last chance to reveal all.”

  “That sounds like a threat, Sally.”

  Despite cringing when he uttered her name, she pulled back her shoulders. “It was. I’m giving you one last chance to tell us. If you give up the location, I’ll do my best to have a word for you with the governor to get you extra privileges. On the other hand, if we discover the bodies ourselves, then I’ll make sure you stand trial again for each of their murders. Proper trials, not Mickey Mouse ones, which will ensure you spend the rest of your life behind bars.”

  “It ain’t going to happen, Sally. You’ll never find the girls. And if that’s the case, they’ll always belong to me.”

  Sally rose from her seat. “This meeting is over. We will find them, and when we do, you have my assurance that I’ll come after you again. You’ve had your chance to do the right thing, and you blew it. I’ll ensure you never obtain your freedom. Ever.”

  Jack stood and followed Sally to the door.

  They left Abbott doubled over in laughter.

  “Fucking sick shit!” Jack mumbled as they retraced their steps through the corridor to the exit of the prison .

  “I agree. Fucking scumbag. I’m even more determined to find those girls now. I think I know where they are, too.”

  Jack halted and stared at her. “How could you possibly know from what he’s just said in there? I didn’t pick up on anything.”

  “I watched his eyes carefully when he studied the map. They were drawn to an area on the coast Wells Next the Sea. I’ll get Jordan and Stuart to search the area in the morning. I have a good feeling about this, Jack. The bastard dropped his guard for an instant and screwed up.”

  “Well, I didn’t notice anything like that. Let’s hope you’re right and that you’re not about to send the boys on a wild-goose chase.�
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  Sally let out a weary sigh. “I feel drained. Let’s hope our next stop proves to be just as successful.”

  Chapter 13

  “I think we’re in luck. Looks like he’s home.” Sally noted the time on the dashboard; it had just turned five forty-five.

  Steven Jay’s home stood on a small new-build housing estate on the A11 at Ketteringham. It was a large house with a double garage. Two cars were parked on the drive.

  “Great news. No hanging around, and we get to go home earlier than anticipated. That’s music to my ears.”

  “And a little presumptuous on your part. Come on, grouch.”

  They approached the house as a neighbour was parking his car in the drive opposite. He paused, watched them for a moment then slipped the key into his front door. After another glance their way, he closed the door.

  “Inquisitive lot,” Jack grumbled.

  “Ignore them. Our concern lies with Steven Jay, no one else.” Sally rang the bell, which chimed melodically on the inside of the house.

  Within minutes, a man in a grey suit opened the door.

  “Hi, are you Steven Jay?” Sally asked, smiling.

  “I am.”

  She extracted her ID and introduced herself and Jack. “Would it be possible to come in for a quick chat?”

  “In connection to what? Oh, wait a minute. If it’s about the accident on the main road, I arrived after the incident took place. I didn’t see the accident as such.”

  “It’s not about that, sir.”

  “Then what is it about? I’ve just come home from a hectic day at work. This is the last thing I need to contend with this evening.”

  “It’s regarding a matter to do with your childhood, sir. We shouldn’t keep you long.”

  He shrugged and gestured for them to step inside the house. “Come through to the kitchen.” He led them into a large kitchen- diner, where a blonde woman, considerably younger than Steven, was stirring ingredients in a wok.

  “Steve? Who’s this?” the woman asked.

  “This is my wife, Gail. This is the police, love. Any chance you can put dinner on hold for a spell?”

  Gail’s eyes grew large. “Of course. What do they want?” She immediately switched off the stove.

  “I’ve yet to find out. Is Daniella all right? Maybe you should go and check.”

  “Okay, I’ll be back in a second.”

  Gail left the room, and Steven invited Sally and Jack to join him at the large oak dining table. “What’s this about exactly?”

  Sally removed her notebook and turned to the page in which she had jotted down the notes from the three older neighbours on the Rylands’ former estate. “We’re investigating something that was found at the property that used to belong to your aunt May.”

  His expression changed instantly from inquisitive to horrified. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Sorry. What I meant to say is that a few days ago, we were called to your aunt’s former residence after a skeleton was discovered in the back garden.”

  His hand covered his face. “A skeleton? How did that get there? Sorry if that’s a dumb question.”

  Sally nodded. “An understandable question, I would say. One that I was hoping you could help us answer.”

  The hand covering his face dropped to splay across his chest. “Me? How do you think I can help? My aunt died in that house over five years ago. I’m not sure how many people have owned the property since then. Have you asked them about this?”

  “There was no need to do that, sir, as the remains were buried during the time your aunt owned the house.”

  “What? How do you even know that?”

  “Forensics, sir. You can obtain a vast amount of detail using the science.”

  He fell back in his chair. “What does this have to do with me?”

  “As I said when we arrived, this visit is to do with something that occurred during your childhood. When speaking to the neighbours still living in the area, your name cropped up a couple of times.”

  “It did? In what context? ”

  “Do you remember being part of a gang along with the Ryland brothers, sir? They lived next door to your aunt.”

  “Not particularly, no. Why?”

  “Did you ever visit your aunt’s house?”

  “Of course I did.”

  Sally nodded. “Did you ever stay in the residence overnight?”

  “Yes. Why?” He shuffled forward in his chair and scratched his neck.

  “How often?”

  “A few times a month. I’m not sure. We’re talking thirty-odd years ago. My memory from back then isn’t so good.”

  “I appreciate that, sir. Have you had a head injury in recent years?”

  He appeared puzzled by the question. “What kind of question is that?”

  “It’s just that the elderly neighbours recalled things in detail, and yet a much younger man like yourself seems to be having problems.”

  He inhaled a large breath then let it out slowly. “Perhaps they’ve led uneventful lives and like to dwell on the past. I don’t. My childhood wasn’t a very happy one, Inspector, and I’ve tended to block it out of my mind over the years.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Your mother was raising you by herself, I seem to remember.”

  “She was. I stayed at Aunt May’s when Mum had to do a night shift. Is there a law against that?”

  “No, sir. There’s not. While you stayed at your aunt’s, you used to hang around with a group of boys, didn’t you?”

  “If you say so, although I can’t really recollect that happening.” His gaze dropped to his hands, which were clenched together on the table in front of him.

  “So you don’t remember the day Jeff Ryland went missing?”

  He lifted his head to look at Sally. “Vaguely, I think.”

  “Vaguely? But you used to hang around with his brothers in a gang. Didn’t you help in the search when he was reported missing?”

  His chin fell against his chest again, and Gail entered the room.

  “What’s this about, Steve? Are you going to be long?”

  “Something from my past that I’m having trouble recalling, love. Nothing for you to worry about. I don’t think we’ll be long now, will we, Inspector?”

  “That depends, sir. Can you answer the question? ”

  “I might have helped in the search, possibly.”

  “Surely something as significant as a child going missing would be hard not to remember.”

  “What? A missing child? Steven, what is she talking about?” Gail asked, shocked. She sank into the chair next to her husband and reached for his hand.

  “Let me fill you in, Mrs. Jay. Back in May nineteen eighty-five, a neighbour of Steven’s aunt May went missing. He was twelve years old at the time. His body was never recovered, and according to his family, nothing has been heard from Jeff Ryland since.”

  Gail stared at her husband. “Did you know this boy, Steven? You’ve never told me about this.”

  “Nothing to tell. Life was a roller coaster back then. I was shunted around all over the place. Forced to make new friends every time we moved.”

  “Is that why you don’t have a clear image of what happened regarding Jeff?” Sally asked, feeling sorry for the man for the first time since they’d stepped foot in the house.

  “Maybe. I chose to block a lot of things out when my father left us. He used to beat the crap out of me.”

  Gail gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  He smiled at his wife. “Would you have wanted to get involved with someone so damaged?”

  “What a ridiculous question. Of course I would.”

  Sally cleared her throat. “Sorry, just a few more questions, and then we’ll be out of your hair. Forensics have been at your aunt’s former house and discovered more bones in the walls of the house. Any idea how they likely got there?”

  His eyes narrowed for an instant, and he gulped noisily. “No i
dea. What type of bones?”

  “We’re waiting for confirmation, but we believe they are remains of animals. Did your aunt ever have any animals?”

  He shook his head and shrugged. “Can’t remember.”

  “That’s a shame. Perhaps you can tell us what your relationship was like with your aunt? Did she ever lay a hand on you?”

  “No! Never. She was a lovely lady. Why would you ask such a question?”

  “Because someone buried that body in her back garden. If it wasn’t her then maybe you can offer a suggestion? ”

  He heaved out a long breath. “Maybe it was the builder who erected the shed for her.”

  “Maybe. It’s an avenue we’re investigating at present. Okay, thank you for all your help. If we have any more questions, we’ll drop by and see you again, if that’s all right?”

  “I hope you find out who the bones belong to, Inspector. I’ll show you to the door. You might also want to check about a lodger that Aunt May used to have living with her around that time, too.”

  “A lodger? Do you remember his name?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry, I can’t.”

  “Not to worry. We’ll do some digging. Here’s my card if you should think of anything you’d like to add.”

  “Good luck,” he said then gently closed the door.

  Walking to the car, Sally craned her neck when raised voices came from the Jays’ kitchen. “Oops, looks like he’s going to cop an earful tonight for keeping secrets about his past.”

  Jack peered over the roof of the car. “Yep. There’s nothing worse than you women feeling left out when we forget to tell you things.”

  “Get in the car. And don’t package all women in the same way, Jack.”

  “Okay. Sorry,” he apologised, a suitably remorseful expression on his face.

  Sally dropped Jack off at the station and continued on the journey home to Simon’s house. She still struggled calling her new living accommodation her ‘home’. That time will come in the future, I hope . Everything was so new to her at the moment. She yawned a little during the drive. It had been a long day yet again. Upon reflection, it had also been super frustrating in parts.