by Stuart James
‘OK, Marsden. We need to take a trip to Sotwell.’
∞∞∞∞ The satnav said it was a fifty-minute drive if they went via the A34. It was another small village with a population of just over fifteen hundred. They had called ahead, and Mark’s old boss said they could come over anytime. He had sounded concerned. The drive over was slow. Reynolds was an impatient driver at times and getting stuck behind a tractor for fifteen minutes up a country lane was the last thing she wanted. The A34 was clear though, which allowed them to make good time. They found the office; luckily there was an empty carpark around the side of the building. They pressed the buzzer and waited.
‘Hello, Sotwell Pensions and Funds.’
‘Yes. Hi. We’re here to speak with Mike.’
‘Do you have an appointment?’
Marsden lent forward until his mouth was on top of the speaker. ‘It’s the police.’ ‘Third floor.’
They made their way inside, found the lift and went up to level three. Mike was waiting for them when they got out. He introduced himself and beckoned for the officers to join him in his office. Reynolds led the conversation.
‘Thank’s for seeing us so quickly.’
‘Pleasure. Anything I can do. Just name it.’
She filled him in on exactly why they had come over, letting him know that the family were
still missing and hadn’t been seen for a few months. He looked genuinely concerned. Reynolds decided to keep the recording they found to herself. ‘I don’t get it. We hadn’t heard from him as he was due back at work on the Monday. My colleagues and I called several times on his mobile and home number. When Thursday came, and we still hadn’t heard anything, we presumed he’d just upped and left.’
‘Did he give you any reason or suspicion that something was up?’
‘Nothing. Look, it’s a call centre. Not the most glamorous job in the world. The hours are long, and the pay is shitty. The phones are slammed down more times than my ex-wife has ever hung up on me, and that’s saying something. It’s a thankless task.’
Marsden smiled. He liked Mike.
‘So, what was he like?’
‘He kept himself to himself. He seemed like the educated type. Spoke well. I had a feeling he wouldn’t last. After running the show as long as I have, you get a vibe.’
Reynolds was making notes.
‘Did you ever meet any of his family? Friends? Just wondered if he spoke about anyone?’
‘Not really. As I said. He came in, did his work, and went home.’
‘Look, Mike. If you hear anything else, please call us.’
She handed over a card, and they made their way out.
‘Great lot of good that was,’ said Marsden.
∞∞∞∞ The drive back was slow. Their next appointment was at the school where Julie worked. Mrs Cracknell, the head, had made time to speak with them. She sounded concerned over the phone. They found the staff car park and headed in. It was break time, and a small crowd of children had gathered by the fence when they arrived. A smarty pants shouted over, ‘I didn’t do it, officer. It was the voices in my head.’
They ignored the sarcasm. Just inside the door, they found a lady struggling with a pile of books, her head just popping over them.
‘Hi. We have an appointment with Mrs Cracknell.’ Marsden offered to help with the books, but the offer was politely declined.
‘Her office is down the corridor. Last on the left.’
They thanked her and made their way down. A buzzer to the side of the door. They could see the head on the phone, and she released the catch, beckoning them in. The office was well organised. She finished up the call and introduced herself. Reynolds and Marsden shook her hand and were asked to take seats. There were a couple of pictures decorating the room. A young boy and girl they presumed were her own children and possibly her husband in another. She was elegant and dressed immaculately. The type of woman who commanded respect by her appearance alone.
‘First, thanks for seeing us so quickly. We need to ask you a few questions.’
‘By all means. I was extremely fond of Mrs Prescott.’
Reynolds went on to explain that she’s on the missing person’s list along with her family. The head looked concerned. ‘I’m aware they’re still missing. Such a tragic story.’
‘What can you tell us about her and the family?’ Asked Marsden.
‘Well. They were close. She often mentioned Mark, her husband and she adored her children, as all us parents do. You know how it is.’
‘Was she popular?’ Marsden continued.
‘Oh yes. She was well-liked but also kept herself to herself. Whenever I went to the staffroom, she’d be chatting to one of the teachers with a coffee in hand. I never heard anyone bad mouth her.’
Reynolds was taking notes as Marsden asked the questions.
‘Has anyone mentioned the family here? I mean, teachers or students?’
‘Not that I’m aware. I’d like you to talk with Mrs Kelly. I can call her in now if you like? They were very close.’
‘If you could, it would help.’
Mrs Cracknell left the office and returned a few minutes later with the teacher she had spoken about.
She introduced herself and sat by the desk.
‘I’m going to leave you all talk. I have a few things I need to sort. Please, take all the time you need,’ said the head.
After the officers explained why they were here, they watched Mrs Kelly as she burst into tears. Reynolds grabbed a tissue from the side. They weren’t expecting that.
‘It’s a shock. I know. I understand you two were close?’ Stated Reynolds.
Mrs Kelly was in her early forties, attractive, and had a Polish accent. When she composed herself, she spoke. ‘I just didn’t know. We hadn’t talked in a while. She retired early as you guys probably know. Julie adored her family and wanted to spend more time with them.’
‘What was she like?’ Asked Reynolds.
‘She was such fun. We met in the staffroom most days. I’d been over to the house several times; you know, drinks and girly chats. She was a little reserved, shy if you like. Just a good person to be around.’
‘Did she ever give you any reason to believe there was a problem on the lead up to their disappearance?’ asked Marsden.
She continued sniffling. The tissue was held up to her nose. The officers could see the blood drain from her face.
‘We went out for a drink one Friday, in town. It had been an exhausting week. Stressful. It’s a tough job looking after so many children here.’
‘I bet,’ said Reynolds.
‘The wine flowed. The atmosphere was building in the pub, and we were letting our hair down. She looked me in the eye, and I could see something was on her mind. I asked her what it was that was bothering her. You know. A problem shared’
Reynolds and Marsden were enticed by the way Mrs Kelly spoke.
‘She gripped my forearm, quite tight. I asked her what was bothering her. She looked scared. No. Terrified. Then she left.’
‘Left?’ Asked Marsden.
‘Yes. Ran out of the pub. I followed her onto the street, but there was no sign of her anywhere. I called her mobile numerous times but it went straight to voicemail. I even called over to the house the following day. I’m so sorry. I feel bad that I didn’t report it. Somethings happened to them, hasn’t it? I know it.’
Chapter Fifteen The phone rang early afternoon. It was Kate’s mother, checking in to see how everything was going. She wanted to tell her everything; her mother would be on the next train up. June could hear there was something wrong in her voice. ‘Kate. What is it?’
She did her best to hide it. Let on that everything was fine.
‘Nothing. I’m fine, Mum. Really.’
‘Have you and Jake had a row?’
‘God no. He’s been amazing.’
‘I’m coming up.’
‘No, Mum. Stop worrying.’
‘You’re not f
ine. I can hear it in your voice.’
Kate felt like she had no strength left. Couldn’t cope. It was times like this that she needed
her mother more than anything. June lived an hour away and the train journey was straightforward. Kate’s mum lived on her own as she and Kate’s dad had split up years ago. He was a gambler. Not a pound here and there and a splutter on the Grand National once a year. Here, Ian mate. A red-hot tip. Can’t be beat. 2.30 pm. Uttoxeter. Go on them. I’ll have a fiver each way. Ian went through their life savings, practically every penny they owned. June tried. God, did she try, but when he refused to get help, and the drinking started, that was it. Final. No going back.
‘I’m coming over. Today.’
‘You really don’t need …’
The phone went dead. Jake joined her in the kitchen. ‘Mum’s on her way.’ Jake looked at her, ‘Do you think that’s wise?’
‘What can I do? She wouldn’t take no for an answer. I can’t tell her what’s going on.’ ‘I get it. I get it.’
‘Anyway. She’ll help out. You know what she’s like. Never sits down.’ Kate called her back
and wrote down the train time. She assured her mum that Jake would pick her up from the station. Jake was restless. Kate could see it; he was like a caged Lion. He had to collect June from the station at seven.
‘Go for a run?’
‘Are you kidding me?’
‘I mean it. Go.’
‘What if …?’
She cut him off. ‘Jake. It’s late afternoon. We have the alarm. Nothing’s going to happen. Go.’
He kissed her and went up to get changed. As he left the drive, he turned down Rectory Lane.
∞∞∞∞
The monitor showed a man leaving the drive. Dressed in black tracksuit bottoms and a green hoodie. The gates closed behind him. Not enough time now. But there would be. Very soon.
Chapter Sixteen Reynolds received a call an hour after the meeting at the school from Mark Prescott’s brother. She explained they were looking into the case and she stressed how important it was that they spoke. He told her he lived in London with his family now but said he could come up to Ramsbury in the morning. Reynolds noted it on the board.
When she finished, she and Marsden sat looking at the missing persons list in case they had missed anything.
‘What do you think?’
‘I don’t like it. A missing person, yes. Happens too often. It’s bloody tragic. But an entire family?’
‘What are we missing?’
Jake was finishing his run. He’d been tired this afternoon and had to stop numerous times. The lactic acid was building on his calves, and he was struggling. Panting and red-faced he turned into the top of Rectory Lane. As he passed the house, he was surprised to see Hugo back in the garden. He stopped. Was it curiosity? He didn’t know. He wanted to stop himself. Keep running. Get home to Kate and Sean. Leave this place and never come back but he found himself crouching by the dog. ‘Hello, boy. Where have you been?’
Hugo was limping. Ever so slightly. He appreciated the attention, licking Jake’s hand as his tail wagged. After a minute Jake looked up. He’d been spotted. He thought the place was empty. There was no car in the drive, and the lights were out. It was getting dark now. Jake moved closer to the gate. A man was standing by the kitchen window. Jake could make out his shadow. Just. He was big. Much larger than Jake. The guy had on some sort of hooded mack on. He was staring right at Jake.
∞∞∞∞
Kate was tidying the house; her mother was arriving in an hour and, thanks to Sean, it was upside down. She started in the living room. Vacuuming the floor. Stacking the magazines which were scattered about. Sean had been eating ice cream on the sofa and had gotten it everywhere. She asked him about the mess, but he didn’t answer.
‘Oh, Sean. Really. What am I going to do with you?’ There was a sponge lying in the kitchen sink. Kate wrung it out, watching the suds drop off and returned to the sofa. As she applied elbow grease, the phone rang.
‘Who’s that now? Don’t tell me Nanny’s early … Kate speaking. Hello.’ She waited a couple of minutes, and when no one replied, she hung up. Once the living room was presentable, she started in the kitchen. Kate ran a broom quickly across the floor, wiped the worktop and emptied the dishwasher. The kitchen was a good size, with lots of storage.
‘Sean baby. Come on. You need to get ready.’ The phone rang.
‘Kate speaking. Who is this?’
Nothing.
‘Arsehole.’
She put the phone back down.
Jake returned a few minutes later and found Sean upstairs in the bath. Kate was having her usual struggle. Water soaked the bathroom.
‘Here hun. Can you wrap him in the towel, it’s hanging on the door?’
‘What time’s your mum arriving?’
Kate glanced at her watch. ‘Shit. Half an hour.’ They got ready and headed to the station. It
was around twenty minutes drive. If Jake put his foot down, they’d just about make it.
∞∞∞∞ The little boy on the monitor. Running alongside his mum. They looked flustered. He falls before getting into the car. Only a scratch. Mum rubs his knees better while inspecting his hands. Rushing. The guy already in the car, warming it. The house. Empty.
∞∞∞∞ June had already arrived and was standing outside. She saw the car pull up.
‘Hello, you guys.’ Sean opened the door and ran over. ‘And how is my favourite little man
in the whole world?’
Jake followed closely behind and grabbed June’s bags, kissing her on the cheek. ‘You’ve put on weight,’ she said.
‘Thanks, June. Great to see you too.’
Kate and her mum cuddled and struggled to let go. They held each other for ages. Jake could
feel the stress melting from his wife.
‘Look at you. Are you getting enough sleep? You seem whacked.’
‘I’m fine, Mum. It’s just been stressful. I’m so glad you’re here.’
‘I can’t wait to see the house,’ said June.
Jake replied, ‘Well. It’s getting there, June. Still lots to do.’
Jake and Kate had decided not to mention the problems that the last week had thrown at
them. They’d never get rid of her. I’m not leaving you with this going on. What kind of a place have
you brought my daughter to? I always knew you were an idiot, Jake. She’ll come home with me,
now. Sean too. Deal with this mess yourself. Idiot. Jake couldn’t have her finding out.
When they pulled off the A34, ten minutes from home, Jake found himself on a narrow country lane barely wide enough to squeeze through. It was pitch-black. No street lights or cat’s eyes.
‘My, this really is the middle of nowhere,’ June said. ‘Great, isn’t it?’ Jake replied. As he spoke, a light glared behind him. He noticed the Jeep in the rear-view mirror, possibly black, around four hundred yards back.
‘So, how are you both finding it? It must be a big change?’
‘It’s so different from home, Mum. The main problem is having to travel to get anything.’
‘It’s certainly quiet.’
‘It is, but you quickly get used to it.’
‘What are the neighbours like?’
Kate looked at Jake. ‘Yeah. Great, Mum.’
∞∞∞∞ The light got bigger. Like a fireball hurtling through the air. Jake looked and saw the Jeep forty yards behind and gaining speed. As he watched, it continued at breakneck speed. After another couple of seconds, it was so close he could see the driver but couldn’t make out a face. It was too dark. ‘You’ll have to wait, pal. There’s nowhere to pull over.’
‘Who are you talking to?’
‘This clown behind me.’ The Jeep was three to five yards from them. The light blinding and its full beams lighting up the fields ahead. Jake clicked his visor to dim the glare. The Jeep was almost on top of him. What is it with this clo
wn? The smash jolted June and Sean forward. Jake slammed against the side window. He had his seatbelt on otherwise he would have ended up the other side of the windscreen. Kate spun around.
‘What the fuck?’
She watched the Jeep slow, then speed up again. Another slam from behind felt like they were being hit by a bumper car. Again, the Jeep backed off to twenty yards behind them. Jake was panicking. He had nowhere to go. He couldn’t risk speeding up; the roads were full of sharp bends cut into the hills. It sped towards them again. Ten yards. Five. Bang! Jake felt his bumper rip from the back of the car. June was screaming as Sean started crying into his mum’s arm. He had one choice. The Jeep was again a hundred yards back but preparing to move. This time as he viewed the light gaining on him, Jake knew it was coming fast. This jolt could finish the four of them. Whiplash. Hospitalised. Worse. Crushed to death. Like a small metal box, you often saw at the scrapyard. As the Jeep came at him, Jake spun the steering wheel to the left.
Hard. The three in the back fell to the right side of the car. Kate, gripping onto her son for dear life. They plummeted into a field. Luckily, it wasn’t a steep drop. The bush split with the car racing through the middle of it. They landed with the bonnet bouncing against the ground. He spun around making sure everyone was still conscious. The Jeep flew past as Jake drove the car across the field to the other side, praying for a way out and then eased up on the speed to a crawling pace. The three in the back were composing themselves. He noticed June had a cut just above her nose which dripped blood onto the seat.
‘What the hell is going on?’ She asked. ‘He nearly killed us.’
‘We need to have a talk when we get back,’ Jake said as he pressed slightly on the accelerator and drove through the field. He pulled the car up to a wooden gate. A sign swung from the panel in big letters. NO TRESPASSERS!