STALKER ON THE FENS a gripping crime thriller full of twists

by Joy Ellis

  Andrew always said that to be successful at work you should always be able to do something that others couldn’t do. Make yourself indispensable. Well, he seemed to be making a pretty good job of that. Sometimes she wondered if Seymour Kramer Systems had any other trouble-shooters working for their sodding global network.

  A sudden feeling of loneliness washed over her. He seemed to be away so often, and she missed him more with every trip. Surely she had never felt this insecure before the accident? Sometimes it seemed that the Helen Brook who, a year ago, had walked happily into that alleyway, had never come out. A different woman now inhabited her body.

  She looked across at her front garden and saw silver diamonds of frost glistening on the grass. She dearly wished the winter was over. She hated how it got dark so early and was still dark when you got up in the morning. After being in that cellar, she was not a fan of the dark.

  A thin, hungry-looking cat moved silently along the top of a wooden fence and she watched it drop down and make its way across the road to the wall that edged the river walk. She kept watching its progress until it disappeared, and then she froze.

  A shadowy figure appeared, visible for a fraction of a second, then gone.

  Helen slowly replaced her mug on the side table, shrank back in the chair, and sat perfectly still. She held her breath and stared fixedly at the spot where the shape had been. There was a sudden rush as a truck thundered down the road, cutting off her view of the river wall. It sent Helen crashing back into the awful darkness of a year ago.

  Unable to move and barely able to breathe, something sticky covered her face, but she was unable to wipe it from her eyes. She heard herself whimper in the darkness, but other than that, and a roaring sound inside her head, it was oddly quiet. She tried to call out but only managed to cough up some brick dust from her throat.

  ‘Is someone there?’ A man’s voice said.

  Helen felt herself begin to shake. She wanted to answer but nothing came out. Then again she heard it.

  ‘Hello? Are you hurt?’

  She managed a small moan, then waited.

  ‘I’m sorry, I can’t get to you. My legs are trapped. Are you badly hurt?’

  She wanted to cry with relief. She did not know what had happened, but at least she was not alone. Thank God!

  Another vehicle whistled past her house, and she found herself back in her leather chair, rocking back and forth, shaking and hugging herself. Whose was that voice? She put her hands to her face and clamped her eyes shut. This was no mental glitch. It was a full-blown memory in the form of a horrible flashback. What the hell was happening to her? One thing was for sure. That was not Joseph’s voice.

  Tears formed and slowly ran down her cheeks. She wanted Andrew. But as Andrew was God knows where, she rang the only other person that she trusted.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Nikki and Joseph were preparing to leave work and discussing how they would deal with their unwanted new arrival, when she heard the muffled sound of her mobile ringing in her shoulder bag. She pulled it out and saw Helen was the caller. A tiny shiver went down her spine.

  ‘Nikki here. Helen? Are you all right?’

  Her friend’s tone said it all. Helen Brook was far from all right. ‘Hang on in there. I was just going home anyway. I’ll be with you very soon.’

  Exactly ten minutes later, Nikki sat across the table from Helen and tried to understand what had frightened her so badly. Helen had already admitted that she never actually saw anyone watching her, just a shadow over by the river walk that could have been anything. Her problem was the flashback.

  Her friend was cocooned in an over-sized sweater that must have been Andrew’s, and sat fidgeting anxiously with the long sleeves. ‘I don’t understand. All the other things I’ve remembered have been true, so why imagine someone else being there?’

  Nikki shifted in her seat. ‘I don’t know. I wish I did. Do you think that maybe it was more a dream than a flashback? Maybe you dozed off for a minute or two?’

  Helen laughed dryly. ‘I do know the difference, Nikki. Believe me, if you’d ever experienced something so horrible that it has to come crashing back when you least expect it, you’d know exactly what I mean.’

  Nikki knew all too well, but she wasn’t going to tell Helen that she still suffered panic attacks after one of her own “horrible” experiences. She swallowed hard and pushed the past back where it belonged. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said softly.

  ‘Oh, Nikki, it’s not your fault. It’s me. I’m just afraid to remember.’

  Nikki got up, walked around the table and put her arm around her friend. This really should be Andrew, she thought. ‘You shouldn’t be on your own right now.’

  ‘I know. But Andrew’s job is so demanding.’

  Bugger Andrew! ‘Would you like me to talk to him for you? If he thinks a police officer is taking you seriously, maybe he’ll climb out of his computer for a moment and see the real world.’

  Helen’s eyes brimmed with tears. ‘Would you? I know he loves me, Nikki, but sometimes he’s just on a different planet. He’s always had to struggle. And now, for the first time in years, his company has recognised his talents and actually backed that up with a solid pay cheque. He wants to make a difference, give us a good life together.’ She smiled wanly at Nikki. ‘You’ll never believe this, but after all this time, he’s asked me to marry him! I really shouldn’t criticise him when he’s making such an effort, and I know I probably sound selfish, but I just want him here with me.’

  ‘Of course you do. So would I, if I were going through something like this.’ Nikki sat back down. ‘How about I make you a hot drink and maybe a sandwich? I’ll stay with you until you feel a bit better.’

  ‘I don’t want anything to eat, thank you, Nikki, but please do stay for a while, if it’s not holding you up?’

  Nikki stayed for two hours, and endeavoured to keep the conversation light and away from talk of anything scary; like shadowy figures lurking in the dark. Then she looked at the clock and said, ‘I suppose I’d better go. I have something of a difficult task to carry out tomorrow, and I get the feeling that I’ll need my wits about me. When’s Andrew due back?’

  ‘Around eleven.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll ring him then, if it’s not too late?’

  ‘Oh no, that would be fine, he’s a real night owl. Thank you, Nikki, and please, can you keep it just between us regarding the engagement? It’s under wraps for the present.’

  ‘Of course,’

  ‘And don’t give him too much of a hard time, will you? He’s a good man and he means well.’

  Well, actually, Helen, he’s acting like an arsehole, and I might just tell him exactly what I think about his stinking priorities. ‘Trust me, Helen. I’m a copper.’

  * * *

  As Nikki drove home she wondered whether it would be a good idea if Helen saw her neurologist again. A slight shiver moved between her shoulders when she remembered those awful days after the Blackmoor Cross crash. Days when it had been touch and go whether Helen would live. Then, when they knew that she would survive, their immediate relief had been replaced by the terrible concern that she would be brain-damaged. Other than the kind of damage her own lovely daughter had suffered, Nikki didn’t know too much about head trauma. She did know several police officers who’d had their lives wrecked by psychological problems following serious head injuries. She quietly prayed that this was not what was happening to Helen.

  Perhaps she should moderate her planned conversation with Andrew. Maybe a bollocking wasn’t the way to go. She of all people should understand how a job can take over everything. Much as she’d like to give him a real Galena-style tongue-lashing, the concerned friend would probably be the most effective option. Then again, perhaps she’d just play it by ear.

  Nikki unlocked the door to Cloud Cottage Farm and felt warmth surround her. She hung up her jacket, flung her bag on a chair and wandered through to the kitchen. From the window she c
ould see across the fen to where Joseph lived. The lights were still on in Knot Cottage. She went to the fridge and took out an opened bottle of Sancerre and poured herself a glass, then took it through to the lounge.

  Joseph answered the phone on the second ring. ‘Home at last?’

  ‘Mmm, but far from happy. Helen should not have to cope with these blasted flashbacks on her own, it’s not fair.’

  ‘And are you going to be the one to tell Andrew?’

  Nikki glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece, ‘In about thirty minutes.’

  ‘I’ll set up a no-go zone around Cloud Fen, shall I?’

  ‘Not a bad idea. Thing is, I don’t want to lose it and make things worse.’

  Joseph exhaled. ‘Tough one. He clearly needs to be told, but half the time he’s away with the fairies. I’m sure he doesn’t intentionally want to hurt her, but he’s on a completely different wavelength.’ He paused, ‘Have you eaten tonight?’

  Nikki had to stop and think. ‘Uh, no, and it’s getting too late to start cooking now.’

  ‘You never cook, Nikki Galena. All the food in your kitchen comes with microwave instructions printed on it, is that not right?’

  ‘No! Well, maybe, although I do cook a rather good omelette,’ she added huffily.

  ‘Whisking up an egg does not constitute cooking. Now go look in your fridge. I’ve left you a salad Nicoise with some cling film over it. It should go nicely with the glass of Sancerre that is clasped tightly in your right hand.’

  ‘Can you see through walls?’

  ‘Now that would be useful in our line of business. Go eat, then phone Andrew. You can fill me in on how it goes at work tomorrow. Night.’

  ‘Thank you for the food, Joseph, and goodnight to you too.’

  Nikki ate, drained her wine glass, then with a long intake of breath, picked up the phone again. Here goes nothing, she thought.

  Andrew sounded surprised to hear her voice, and Nikki was relieved that Helen had had the sense not to warn him to expect her call.

  ‘It was great to see you the other night, Nikki. Has Joseph mentioned anything about that fantastic piece of kit I found for him? It’s a diamond of a package, it could—’

  ‘Yes, I know, revolutionise the national police computer system, and I’m sure he’ll talk to you about it again, but that’s not why I’ve rung you. Look, I know it’s late, but the fact is that I’m really worried about Helen.’

  ‘What do you mean, worried?’ He sounded genuinely puzzled.

  ‘She’s frightened, Andrew. She thinks someone is following her and I don’t think you are taking it seriously enough.’

  Andrew stifled a cough. ‘Eh, well, yes, but she’s never actually seen anyone, has she? She’s just stressed out, Nikki, with the clinic opening and all that. She’s exhausted.’

  ‘And do you believe that being tired has triggered the flashbacks too?’ Nikki fought to remain civil.

  ‘I . . . I don’t know. Maybe?’

  ‘And the memories? They have only just started to surface, haven’t they?’ In the silence that followed Nikki could visualise Andrew’s craggy, handsome face, screwing up in confusion. ‘She needs you right now, Andrew. Hell, I know I can’t lecture you on the dangers of letting your career ruin your home life, but when I said she was frightened, I meant it. She’s terrified. And fear escalates when you are alone.’

  ‘You really are concerned about her, aren’t you?’

  Hallelujah! Light dawns! ‘Very much so.’

  She heard him exhale loudly. ‘Right, well, I’ll ring up and get the locks changed. A friend of mine will sort that for me.’

  It’s a start, thought Nikki, but she needs more from you.

  ‘And I’ll look into getting a security camera for the front and back entrances. That would give her some peace of mind, wouldn’t it?’

  ‘Good idea, Andrew, and your technology is a great help, but do you know, I think she’d appreciate you taking a few days off even more. Like, had you thought of just being around for her?’

  This time the silence was heavy. ‘Things are . . . are rather awkward for me right now. Of course I want to be with her, but I have to take call-outs. Anyway, I’ll get the security sorted first thing tomorrow, I promise.’

  Nikki knew that other than driving over and nailing him to the floor, it was the best she’d get from Andrew tonight. ‘Okay, but while you are sorting those locks, I think you should think about whether Helen should go see her neurologist again, just to keep him in the picture. He needs to know about these anomalies.’

  ‘Bloody hell, Nikki! Helen’s been doing so well. She’s just a bit stressed over the clinic opening, that’s all. I don’t want to overreact and frighten her even more.’

  Nikki thought that Andrew wouldn’t overreact if his trousers were on fire, and right now she was talking to the proverbial brick wall. ‘Well, I’m sure you’ll do the right thing, Andrew. Give Helen my love. I have to go.’

  She replaced the receiver, rubbed hard at her tired eyes and muttered, ‘He’s a sweet guy, but he’s also such a wanker! If anyone is going to help that woman, it will have to be me.’

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The morning mist had still not cleared the fields as Joseph made his way to work. It was one of those days when he felt eternally grateful that he lived on Cloud Fen, and that Greenborough police station was only fifteen peaceful minutes’ drive from home.

  A silvery, watery sun was staining the steel-grey sky and lighting up the hazy landscape. A heron flew silently across the lane ahead of him and he slowed down to watch its graceful flight towards the river. Sometimes this odd water-world in which he found himself seemed almost unreal, a fantasy film set, or a dreamscape. He would never have believed that he could feel so at home here, but he did. He had lived all over. In towns, in cities, in army camps, in the desert and in the forest, but that had all been travelling, exploring and working. The fens had become home. For the first time in many years, Joseph had a sense of belonging, and he liked it.

  He negotiated a tight bend and smiled smugly to himself as he heard the travel announcer on the radio describe a four-junction tailback on the M25. Yes, living on the marshes had its merits, and this wonderful drive to work was one of them.

  He yawned and wondered what the day would bring. Nikki must have left early as her car had gone when he drove past Cloud Cottage Farm. He hoped it had nothing to do with Helen Brook and her mysterious, and possibly imaginary, stalker. His calm expression gave way to a worried frown. Something told him that Helen’s fears were real. After all, Nikki was good at reading people, and if she was concerned about her friend, then he should be too. He decided that if the day turned out to be fairly quiet, he would suggest they took an hour out and went for a stroll around Helen’s garden and maybe that of the next-door neighbour. Peeping Toms often left tell-tale signs where they had hidden themselves. It would be worth looking for footprints, cigarette ends, sweet wrappers, broken branches, anything to prove that someone had been where they shouldn’t have been. Although it would confirm Helen’s worst fears, it would also confirm she wasn’t imagining it all. And, he thought almost angrily, perhaps it would make Andrew sit up and take notice.

  As Joseph drove towards the main road to Greenborough he marvelled that for once he wasn’t agonising in some way or another over his daughter Tamsin, or his ex-wife, or Nikki Galena. It seemed that for the past few years, the people he cared about most had been intent on causing him as much angst as possible, but suddenly all was quiet. Tamsin had moved back to England and taken a conservationist job working as a project manager in Woodland Creation outside Cambridge. Joseph smiled. It was good to have her around, even if she did spend most of her available free time with PC Niall Farrow. His smiled widened. Now that was really something. Tamsin Easter going out with a police officer! He could only guess what her mother was thinking. He chuckled softly. But then Laura was pretty busy herself at present, settling into a permanent position with the WHO i
n Geneva. And Nikki? Well, he guessed they had reached a plateau in their relationship, and while many people questioned it, it worked for them. They looked out for each other, as colleagues, neighbours and friends. Joseph knew that wouldn’t last forever, someone would come along one day, either into Nikki’s life or his, and the whole thing would change. But for now, what they had together was enough. In fact, it was fine. They had both suffered broken marriages and disastrous affairs, so for them the status quo was practically domestic bliss.

  So right now he could afford to worry about someone else. Someone like Helen Brook. As he drove through the security gates and into the station car park, he decided that if they were busy, he’d still make it a priority to make a trip to the Westland Waterway, even if he had to do it in his lunch break. Helen deserved some answers.

  * * *

  Cat sat opposite Nikki and chewed ferociously on her bottom lip. She wasn’t taking the news about Eric Barnes particularly well. In fact she was heading for melt-down.

  ‘Why us, boss?’ she asked for the third time. ‘The man’s a liability.’

  Nikki exhaled. ‘I know, but I really do not have any say in it, Cat. I’ll try to keep you two apart as much as possible, but if the job demands it, you’ll simply have to work together.’

  Absent-mindedly, Cat touched the scar that ran down the side of her face. Nikki had noticed that she did this when she was upset or thinking hard. The surgeons had done a brilliant job after she was injured on duty, but there was still a long uneven line from her eyebrow down to her jaw. ‘Maybe I could take some leave?’