by Ony Bond
“Maybe he isn’t. I wouldn’t push her. You don’t want her feeling manipulated and controlled. And I wouldn’t tell Frank his daughter has a boyfriend as she told you. Let’s leave it to her. Jamie, it appears like she isn’t joking and likes this new guy. Couldn’t you see she looked excited when she talked about him?”
“He’ll hurt her like the last one.”
“She’s got a new man now. Walk away, Jamie. Besides you don’t like her and blondes that much. What do you have to lose?”
“If I didn’t know you well I’d suspect you’re doing the best to make sure I don’t get a chance with Rose. I want to help Frank. It’s not every day a man trusts you enough to take his daughter out. Given the chance me and her will get along better. When that new guy hurts her again she’ll get sober. That should teach her.”
“Jamie, I want to ask you something about Moto.”
“Moto?” His eyes darted to his left and right. He scratched his cheek. “What about him?”
“His wife came looking for him at my place on Saturday morning.”
“She did?”
Godfree explained. Thought his friend looked uneasy. James said he only saw Moto that evening at Godfree’s place. The Englishman had several questions. And then the smile came back. He patted the African’s shoulder.
“That beast had enemies, Godfree. My theory here is someone out for revenge got him. Followed him, bundled him in a car and slit his throat. Don’t worry. If that happened whoever did it might have been doing you a big favour. That scum deserved to die anyway. You let him go when you had a chance to revenge.”
“He has a pregnant wife.”
“What’s the matter with you? Maybe somebody did you a favour. Avenged what happened to you and instead of appreciating the gesture you worry about the wife? Who cares if that man’s lying at the bottom of a lake? Who cares if someone killed him? I don’t.”
James left.
Godfrey wondered. Was there something hard and cruel about James’ eyes? Like he wished Moto had been killed. Had there been an acute interest in him about Moto’s disappearance? He wondered whether the wife had heard from her husband yet.
Rose texted. Miss you, too busy to meet at graveyard?
He texted back. No, you there already?
Yes.
See you in a few minutes.
He walked to the shed. Rose was at the back. She held his hand.
“Feel better now?” he asked.
“Mm.”
“Rose.”
“Yeah.”
“Last thing I want is someone seeing us and telling your dad.”
“Tired of this hiding. Why not tell him now? I can see him now and let him know.”
He did not agree. As much as he agreed Frank needed to know he was too angry right now. They needed to make him cool before he knew.
“It’s not going to be easy to pretend,” she countered. “How can I pretend not to like you when we have to meet in the factory all the time. Plus, how long can we do that? You’re going to buy me coffee, and I’ll do the same. People will notice. I must smile at you because you like my dimples and wear skirts for you too. Do you expect me to ignore you now when I visit the workshop to see dad? Where were you all these years?”
“Looking for you.”
“Why couldn’t I see it when I met you the first time?”
“I didn’t have blue eyes.”
She pulled his nose.
“You got to go now.”
“You’re right.”
She didn’t leave.
“Someone’s coming.”
“I don’t hear anyone.”
“Want your dad to find us here alone?”
She left. Two minutes later a buzzing sound in his pocket made him start. Rose was calling.
“Still out there?”
“Yes. Back at office?”
“Yeah, hard to function as I’m still reeling from fact I have new boyfriend. Hadn’t planned it.”
“It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“I’m in this head over heels.”
“Me as well.”
“So Saturday’s all set again for the seaside unless it’s snowing.”
“Yes.”
“Will talk later.”
“Love you.”
“Nicest thing anyone said to me today. Love you too.”
He put away his phone and walked back to the factory. As he passed the workshop and walked for Mark’s office Frank glared. James stepped inside and closed the door.
“Want to ask something. Did you hear news last night concerning that missing girl? Something about a taxi driver seeing the girl on the road and seeing her get into a black car.”
“Has there been further development? At least someone saw her that night. Any arrests yet?”
“No. I’m worried, Godfree.”
“What’s wrong? You ok?”
“No, my car’s black. That taxi driver saw one with the same colour. Don’t want people thinking it’s me.”
Godfree shook his head. “You aren’t the only person here with a black car. Did you take that road after you left my place the night that girl disappeared?”
“No, I took the direct route through town. Saw guys look at my car strange today, heard one say there’s our black car.”
“Who was that? That’s no way to joke about a missing girl, or even imagine you captured her.”
James relaxed. “Thought for a moment you suspected me too, called that police hotline and gave my name.”
“That’s crazy. How can I suspect you? All the same I’m wondering if the guy police are looking for isn’t local. My feeling’s he could be.”
“He is. I mean he must know the area well, stopped for this girl. Looked like he knew what he was doing and is a meticulous planner.”
“He might be a sex predator. Someone who enjoys hurting girls. Hope he didn’t hurt her.”
“He isn’t just kidnapping, but killing them.”
“Jamie, they’re alive.”
James’ tone was firm. “How can they be alive after this long? There’s no trace of them. Nothing. That means they’re dead, dumped at the bottom of some pool and zipped into bags. A lake out in the woods. They aren’t coming back. It’s over for them.”
“Now you’re giving me the creeps. So a monster’s killing girls and dumping the bodies in a lake? You keep talking about lakes.”
“A person had to hide the bodies somewhere. I’m just a bit worried people might suspect me.”
“Cut that out, will you?”
“My car’s large and black and that Tracy disappeared on Wednesday evening. That’s when she was last seen. I was at your house that evening. We played chess, had cobs and Nandos before I left. You remember the time? Around 11, was it?”
“Right, around there. No, I recall it was 11:45. Remember because we had just finished another game of chess. You checked your mobile, said you hadn’t realized it was after 11:30 already, you needed to be in bed and left. You drove home, went to bed. You sure you didn’t use the road the girl was last seen?”
“No, no. I just went home. Remember now. It was indeed 11:45. It’s these jokes about my car and me being a killer that winded me bad. You don’t know how upsetting it is.”
“I know. If people say that again let me know and I’ll face them. Take things easy, man. As I said you aren’t the only one with a black car. My Honda’s black too. Other people here have black cars. Even Mark, and the managing director whose is even larger. I might as well be a suspect too.”
“You’re no killer. Hey something else I wanted to talk over with you. About Moto. You mentioned him before. He really never came back after that time?”
“No, not since that day.”
“Maybe he left the area, ran off in fear.”
“Got no idea.”
“So you were just going to let him off the hook?”
“Jamie. You like scaring me. Now you’re going to tell me he was kil
led like you’re so sure about those girls.”
“What I’m trying to say here is if you’d broken the bastard's ribs and cut him he’d deserve that after what he did to you. I would. If someone kills him he’d do you a big turn. Look at it this way. Moto was trash that loved to torture people. A bully like that deserved to die anyway. Tortured slowly until he begged for his life. If I was in your shoes, I’d threaten to kill him if he didn't pay for the torture.” James’ eyes were excited and bright. “Mention a thousand pounds. That scared creature would get the cash. You wait for him in the trees and kill him.”
“Jamie! No talk about killing again. There are girls missing and now you talk of me killing a man. I got to check on a machine.”
James looked hurt. “I just wanted to help. That man hurt you bad. You were going to carry those scars all your life while he carried on with his life. You needed to settle the score. You didn’t. What about all those people he killed? The widows he caused and the orphans?”
“Violence isn’t always the answer.”
“You can’t let bullies trample you. Crime has to be punished. I had to help you. I’m your friend and did what you were supposed to. That man isn’t coming back ever. He paid for his sins. I talked to him.”
“You did? You met Moto?”
“I did. He won’t be bothering you ever again. You’ll never see him again.”
“You threatened him and chased him from town?”
James laughed. “I helped you, mate. If only you knew what measures I had to take for your sake you’d thank me. One day you’ll know.”
“I don’t understand. Where’s Moto?”
“He left, went far away to hide for a while. I told him to find another job really far and never come back. Lied there were men looking for him. Couldn’t have him living so close to you. I’m your mate.”
Smiling he patted Godfree’s shoulder and walked away.
Godfree was sure James was joking. He couldn’t have met Moto. But suppose he had? No, there was no away James could be serious. He was just pulling his leg. Just like he did about those girls. He liked shocking Godfree.
CHAPTER 16
All the same watching James leave caused Godfree to frown. Could have been so horrified with Moto he had gone to see him? Told him Godfree had confided to him there were people looking for Moto and he needed to hide? The scared Moto had recalled the scene of being dragged to a stove. So he ran from home and left a wife.
Back in the office Godfree pulled a folder, sat and checked out something on a new machine. Minutes later a girl laughed. He would recognize that voice anywhere. Rose, Frank and James were in the workshop. Godfree felt like a sell-out. James was a friend who had never joined Frank or other guys to isolate him. Mark was out somewhere on the factory floor. He was sure Rose would not come into the office.
He was wrong.
“Busy, Godfree?” She had opened the door, leaned in the open doorway. Her voice was loud enough for the others to hear. “Need to ask you something on a design I’m working on. Can you spare a minute? May I come in?”
“Sure.”
She walked in, closed the door behind her, pulled a chair, laid her pad on the desk and sat close. As she explained her sketch and what she wanted Frank burst in without knocking and stood near her, a frown on his face. She smiled at him. Godfree asked a few questions. Rose spoke about how she wanted to computerise a machine and what she was facing. They discussed plans. Godfree got a pad, wrote some stuff down. Frank asked him a few questions. He had ideas of his own. Godfree had noticed before the old man was sharp, clever with his hands and had a lot of experience. But although he beat him on the latter, Godfree liked designing and was good at it. Father and daughter listened as he spoke. Frank shot sarcastic remarks. Godfree caught it, Frank was trying to ridicule him in Rose’s eyes. Even James came into the office curious. Godfree held his cool.
Rose nodded, a smile on her face. “You got it, Godfree. That’s what I wanted, had been missing something. I should have seen you much earlier. Pass by my desk and I’ll show you what I have when you have time. Anytime today will be fine.”
“You weren’t far at all, Rose,” Frank said. “You got a doctorate. He hardly did anything.”
“Come on, Dad. Admit it. He nailed it. I needed his input. Designing’s his field, remember. We can do with some coffee, guys. Why don’t we all head for the machines?” She stood, grabbed her dad’s arm. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t need one,” Frank said his face flushed. “James, need to talk to you now.”
“You’re going to have a cup, Dad. Do I grab you down the stairs?”
“I’m ok.” Frank’s voice was gruff. “Come on, James.”
“You coming Godfree?” she called. “I’m not having that coffee alone. You guys think I want to poison you or what?”
“Ok, I’ll have a cup.”
Godfree got up to his feet and followed her out. Frank glared. Rose waited for him at the top of the steps. They walked to the coffee machines. Curtly, she slotted in some coins.
“You want to make your dad to suspect us?”
Her voice was stiff and low. “Maybe he should be told you’re my boyfriend now. He’s got to know we get along, not follow me around to stop me talking to you like he just did. He was trying to bully and ridicule you. Here, drink that.”
“Thanks.” He accepted the cup. “I see a storm brewing between you two. He’ll stamp his foot, order you to stop talking to me.”
“He didn’t hear us flirt. We talked about work in there and we’re having drinks here. I can guess he’s telling James now to make sure he takes me out.”
“Think so too. If you wanted to prove you’re going to have your own way; you wouldn’t have expressed it better.”
“Sounds like you’re feeling sorry for him.” He knew her facial expressions enough to read her anger. “Even after the way he treated you in there. Trying to make you appear daft. You could have blown your top. He didn’t have to follow me into the office, and I don’t like my boyfriend treated that way. Does he think you can force me in the office with him yards away? This is getting absurd.”
“He’s just afraid he’ll lose a daughter to the last person he accepts.”
“Time he accepted it. I’m looking forward to another trip to the sea on Saturday and this time he’ll know who’s taking me if he asks. I’m over twenty-one. There comes his trusted lieutenant.”
“Keep calm.”
James had his trademark smile, asked if he could have a drink too. Rose bought him one.
“Frank isn’t happy, Rose.”
“About what?”
His eyes slipped away. “Remember Loyce. He’s touchy. I mean when he saw you and Godfree in that office alone it brought it all back about your sister, made him snap.”
“He doesn’t want me talking to Godfree.”
“You got it. Sorry, Godfree. Am only relaying what her dad said.”
“You also think I’m getting too friendly to Godfree, do you James?” Rose asked. “Earlier today you told me he was a decent guy and I shouldn’t be nasty to him. Now I’m doing just that, and here you are saying something else. We aren’t kissing or holding hands. Did Dad tell you I met Godfree in town on Saturday?”
“You did?” Baffled he looked from her to Godfree. “He never told me that.”
“We ran into each other at the boot-fare.”
Rose spoke about the incident when he had chased off the bully. “He was a star, James.”
James’ voice oozed jealousy. “Why didn’t you say a word to me, Godfree? No wonder why she’s suddenly friendly to you.”
Godfree spoke, “It was nothing, Jamie. I just happened to be on the scene, wanted to buy some stuff. Doesn’t make me a big hero, only did what any other person could have when given the chance.”
“He’s just being modest,” Rose said. “Not anybody could have chased off that nasty character. You should have seen him manhandle him. And the guy was big too, muc
h larger than Free here.”
“You’re making it such a big issue, Rose,” Godfrey said.
“You were the knight that saved the maid from the evil dragon. Period. You expect me to keep quiet about that? I won’t.”
James snarled. “Here I got all worried and hurt about what that Moto did to you. Angry he was enjoying his life here while you carry those scars. Liked how you got angry about those guys said about my black car and the missing girl. All this time you held back information about meeting Rose on Saturday. Had days to tell me. Why didn’t you? What was there to hide? It’s like you didn’t want me to know. Like there’s something going on between the two of you. Do you know what length I went to protect you? What was the secret about meeting Rose? Was it staged, and I was never supposed to know about this? Can someone tell me the truth here? You two are real friends now, huh? No wonder why she’s buying you coffee and took that cup meant for you, and you two aren’t fighting any longer. Is there something else going on between the two of you I need to know?”
Dread washed over Godfrey.
CHAPTER 17
“We’re mates here. You’re taking this all wrong, James. I meant to tell you later.”
“Were you? My mate’s the town hero, beat up a guy and rescued a girl, and yet forgot to tell his pal. So did you two have drinks, went for a film?”
He was sure James’ mind was running fast, wondering whether Godfree was Rose’ new boyfriend.
Rose spoke. “Stop riling my hero, James. He’s just being humble, didn’t want to blow the trumpet. After what he did I was in a jovial mood, and wanted to treat the new hero, so bought us drinks and burgers. We sat in my car and talked, discovered we have a lot in common. Music, books, engineering. You get now why I can’t be nasty to him any longer? He’s turned into my bodyguard now. He gets the rude guys off me. James, you were the one that told me last week I was being nasty, and must stop calling him a cheat because he was a genuine refugee. You said he had scars. I got curious, wanted to see them. Afterwards I was ashamed of my previous conduct. I had believed he was a fake political refugee. Him helping me on Saturday only raised him in my eyes. He became a true gentleman. That was my opportunity to apologize for my previous revolting attitude. Now you and dad don’t want me to talk to him, go back to being Miss Nasty. I can’t any longer. Stop being angry with Free, James.”