by M A Comley
He pressed the number one and listened to the dial tone for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, the person he was after answered the phone.
“Yes, what do you want, Stan?”
“You gotta help me.”
The woman let out a derisory laugh. “I do! Who says?”
“Come on, I need a place to stay. You bloody got me in this mess. It’s the least you can do.”
She laughed again. “Get stuffed. No one forced you to do what you’ve done. Why can’t you stay at your flat?”
“Because the filth have just been there. How do they know where I live?”
“It’s not difficult to find out. Surely, you have a mate who’ll help you out. Go and kip on their floor for a day or two until everything settles down.”
“I’ve got no mates. Stuart was my mate. Now he’s gone, I’ve got no one I can rely on,” Stan whined out of frustration.
“You’ll have to hide out in your car, then, won’t you? You’re definitely not welcome here. The cops could come knocking on my door at any time. Anyway, I’m busy,” she replied curtly.
Stan searched around him. Did he dare try to make it up to his flat? He shook his head. That would be like committing suicide. Maybe it would be better to leave it a few days before he tried to get in there to retrieve fresh clothes.
“All right, thanks for nothing. I’ve got a word of warning for you.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“If I go down for what’s happened, I’ll be taking you with me. I ain’t taking the rap for any fucker. Have you got that?”
“You can try and take me with you, but we both know I’ve covered my tracks well in all of this,” the woman retorted before she ended the call.
Stan was left seething. She was right. How the heck did I get so involved in this? He ran back to his car in a crouched position, relieved that the detectives hadn’t spotted his vehicle in the car park of one of the shops. He started the engine and sat there for a while, having no idea where he could drive to next for the shelter he desperately needed. He pulled away and headed into the country, where he would be less likely to be discovered.
Chapter 10
That evening, Hero returned home feeling dissatisfied by the day’s lack of progress. He had hoped that the case would have found some traction and even a forward momentum. But nothing could be further from the truth.
“Hi, Fay,” he knelt beside his wife, who was nursing one of the twins on the couch, and kissed her cheek. “Good day? Did the girls behave themselves?”
“Not bad. A few niggles here and there. I suppose I’ll need to get used to that. Double the trouble and all that. You’ve got a visitor.” Fay nodded her head at the person standing behind him, leaning in the doorway of the kitchen.
“Sis? What are you doing here?” Hero asked, surprised to see Cara.
Fay nudged him with her foot. “Take it in the kitchen, guys, will you. I don’t want the little ones picking up on any bad vibes.”
Hero stood and frowned at his wife. “Bad vibes? Why would there be bad vibes when I’m talking to my sister?”
“You haven’t heard her news yet.” Fay winked and looked down at Zara.
Hero ran a worried hand over his face as he stepped into the kitchen to switch on the kettle. Looking anxious, Cara sat at the kitchen table, her hands clenched tightly together. He didn’t say anything until he’d made two very strong coffees and sat down opposite her. Cara grabbed her mug and wrapped her hands around it.
“Okay, let’s have it. Are you pregnant?”
His sister’s head shot up, and their gazes locked. “No, I am not! Christ, if only that was the case, do you think I’d be crapping myself like this?”
Hero leaned back in his chair and braced himself. “All right. So what’s wrong then? Come on, hon. I would like to spend some time with my family this evening, if that’s okay with you?”
Cara’s chair scraped back, and she stood up. “Sorry to have disturbed your evening, I’ll come back another time.”
Hero ducked down to get in her sightline. Searching her eyes, he cursed himself for being so abrupt towards her when he saw the tears welling up in his twin’s eyes. “Cara, what’s wrong? You’re starting to worry me now. Forget my crass remark. Sit down and tell me. I’m always willing to share your troubles. You know that.”
Cara slumped into her chair and buried her shaking head in her hands.
Hero shot out of his own chair to comfort her. “Sweetheart, you’re seriously beginning to worry me.” He had to wait until her out-of-character sobbing ceased before he could try again. “Sis, tell me what’s happened?”
Cara wiped the drips from her nose on her sleeve, making Hero cringe. “I did something stupid.”
That much, Hero had already assumed. “Such as?”
She inhaled a large breath and let it out slowly before she replied, “I hit someone.”
Hero was tempted to laugh, but he restrained himself because he sensed Cara was about to follow up with something far more substantial than hitting someone. “And?”
“It just happened to be my instructor.”
Hero covered his face with his hand and groaned. “Tell me you’re joking?”
“I’m not. Don’t go all high and mighty on me now. He had it coming. He has WHT.”
“What? WHT?”
“Wandering hand trouble. He never knows when to keep his hands to himself. The other girls might not mind him having a sneaky grope when no one’s looking, but I bloody do!”
“Cara, Cara, Cara… what have you done?”
She pushed her mug away in disgust. “Well, I thought I’d get support from you, at least.”
“Of course I’ll support you. It doesn’t alter the fact that your fiery temper has probably caused severe damage to your career and got you thrown off the course.”
“Why is it always my fault? He groped me first. Doesn’t that effing count for anything?” Cara leaned forward and lowered her voice in case Louie overheard them talking. “Why do men always think we women should ignore such assaults? If you men didn’t think with that thing dangling between your legs ninety percent of the time, this type of shit wouldn’t happen.”
“You’re twisting my words, and you know it. No, no woman should ever ignore harassment of that or any other kind. However, these issues have to take the right route in order for things to change. You thrashing out like that has only made your situation a darn sight worse.”
“Gee thanks! Just what I want to hear.”
“You know what I’m getting at. I shouldn’t have to point out the obvious. You’re not stupid. Were there any witnesses?”
“Witnesses? What to? His assault or mine?”
“Both, preferably the former. Well?” Hero took a sip of his coffee then pushed Cara’s mug back across the table to within her reach.
“Yes, but everyone I’ve talked to is denying it,” she replied glumly.
“Jesus, really? I see there’s a lot of solidarity within your group then.”
“Ha, hardly. The girls are shitting themselves after seeing me instantly suspended.”
“Crap. Do you want me to see if I can find out what’s going on?”
“There’s no point. This instructor has been at the training centre for years. Who are the disciplinary panel likely to believe, him or me?”
“Who is the instructor, and what did he actually do?”
“His name is Wade. He was using me as a willing participant in a self-defence class.”
Hero raised a hand. “Are you sure you haven’t misconstrued anything, Cara?”
“Jesus, Hero, give me some credit, will you? The guy groped my breast, for Christ’s sake. Why the hell would he bloody need to do that?”
“All right, don’t bite my head off. I’m merely trying to figure out what’s gone on and how we can offer up some kind of defence.”
“Sorry. Can’t you understand how frustrating all of this is for me? You’re lucky. You men don
’t have to put up with shit like this.”
“Granted, there have only been a few cases of sexual assault brought against an ex-instructor that I know of. We have to be one hundred percent sure before we fight back on this one, Cara. A man’s career could hang in the balance here.”
“Hero! I can’t believe you just said that. What about my effing career? Doesn’t that count in all of this? Why do you think I’m so upset?”
“It does. You know it does. I’m just saying that we have to be cautious how we tackle the authorities. Obviously, it would be better if you had witnesses who were willing to speak up for you, but if there aren’t any, then I sense that we’re in for a tough ride.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand tightly. “You know that I’ll be behind you one hundred percent, love, even if that means putting my own career in jeopardy.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. If you get involved, the higher-ups will just take it that you’re up to your old tricks again, out to cause trouble.”
“No they won’t. I’ve behaved myself in that department for the past few years now. My disciplinary record shouldn’t be called into question. I’m concerned about you, not me, though. Most of the time, if a recruit is put on suspension, then their career usually comes to a grinding halt.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. That’s my biggest concern in all of this. Should I consider just walking away?”
Hero thought while he took another sip from his mug. “That’s a tough call and one that ultimately, you’ll have to make. In my book, the force would be foolish to lose you. And if you walk away from the training, I think it could turn out to be the biggest mistake of your life.”
“So what’s the answer?”
“I’m thinking.” Hero smiled, hoping it would be infectious. It wasn’t.
“Well, think faster. I’m drowning fast, brother dearest.”
“Knock, knock, mind if we come in?” Fay asked from the doorway. Little Louie had his arms wrapped around her legs, and she was still holding Zara.
“I think you’ll need to get rid of your hanger-on if you intend coming in.” He laughed and rose from his seat to lend his wife a hand. “Here, let me take my beautiful daughter.”
“Thanks, that’s a great help. Someone not far from here wants his hot chocolate before going to bed. Don’t you, mate?” Fay ruffled her son’s hair, and he let go of her legs and ran to the fridge to retrieve the milk carton.
Hero glanced at his watch. “God, is it that time already? I don’t know where the time goes.”
Cara stood and looked at Hero and Fay. “I’m sorry for taking up so much of your valuable time. I’ll leave you to it now.”
“You will not. Sit down. We haven’t finished yet, and stop taking umbrage just because I told the truth about the time.” He turned to Fay. “We’ve got enough dinner for Cara to join us, haven’t we, love? I can ring for a takeaway or chop a few extra veggies.”
“I don’t mind. It’s up to Cara.”
“No need, I think I’d rather go anyway. I want to try and get my head around a few things. I appreciate the advice, Hero. Maybe I’ll ring you later for another chat if things refuse to become clearer.”
Hero stepped forward and kissed his sister on the cheek. “We’re behind you, love. Don’t ever doubt that. You don’t have to leave. I’d rather you stayed and discussed it once the little one’s ears are out of earshot.”
“Thanks. I’ve made up my mind. I think I need a drink to help me decide what to do next. I’ll call at the pub on the way home.”
“Well, you know my answer to that. Drink never solved anything, love. I should know. I used to be a walking pint of beer, remember?” He smiled again, hoping to lighten the atmosphere a little.
“I’ll talk later. I promise I won’t get bladdered, despite needing to.” Cara picked up her jacket and handbag and left the house.
Fay ran a hand down Hero’s arm and kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “Did you manage to get anywhere with her? No, before you answer that, let’s get this young man sorted and tucked up in bed first.”
After giving Louie his treat and bathing him together, Hero and Fay collapsed onto the couch with a glass of orange juice. Because of Hero’s past drinking problems, that was really all he allowed to pass his lips nowadays, maybe an odd pint down the pub with his work colleagues after they’d successfully closed a case, but certainly nothing more than that.
Fay tucked her legs up onto the couch beside him and placed her head on his chest. “Do you want to talk about Cara?”
“I think we should. I take it she told you what had happened?”
Fay sighed and caressed his hand. “It’s not a situation I would envy getting caught up in.”
“And if that had occurred with you, how would you have dealt with it, Fay?”
“I don’t think anyone could answer that properly until they found themselves in that kind of difficulty. But I certainly would have struck out if it did happen to me. I have, in fact.”
Hero placed his glass on the table next to him and pushed Fay upright so he could look into her eyes. “When? Where? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Hey, stop with all the questions. The incident took place when I first started work. I didn’t even know you back then. Some sleazy guy in the packing department at a factory I used to work at. I only lasted there a week, and the job was just too mundane for words. Anyway, he copped a feel of my backside one day when I was stretching over the conveyor belt to get something. The rest of the workforce thought it was hilarious until I kneed the little shit in the groin. He ended up putting in a complaint about me.”
“Geez, the gall of some people. What did your boss do?”
“Sacked me.”
“Sacked you! Why?”
“Men tend to stick together at times like this, Hero. Maybe it’s a male ego thing. I don’t know.”
“That’s despicable. What reason did the boss give for sacking you?” Hero asked, shaking his head in disgust.
“I wasn’t up to scratch. I was just within my seven-day trial period, which by the way, I never even knew existed. So as the bloke who assaulted me had been there for donkey’s years, they took his word over mine.”
“But you had a bunch of witnesses.”
“Yep, all of them friendly with him.”
Hero inhaled and let the breath escape slowly through tight lips. “Were there any female witnesses?”
“At least ten of them. My take on it is that they had gone through a similar experience. Maybe it was some kind of initiation test. If you didn’t retaliate or squeal to the boss, then you got accepted. That was my reading of the situation, anyway. Of course, no one would agree with my assumption. I suppose they thought if they spoke out in my favour, their jobs would be on the line, too.”
“I’ve never even considered this sort of thing before. Do you think it’s prevalent in all trades and workplaces?”
“I’m not sure. I’d say about fifty percent. I dread to think how many women out there never speak out about the harassment they receive at work. You only have to look at the statistics surrounding rape. You know how many women are too scared to come forward to the police, right? Well, it would be the same in this instance, surely. I have no doubt about that, Hero. Meanwhile, scum like Cara’s instructor get away with it time and time again.”
“We’ll see about that.” He reached for his glass and took a sip.
“Now don’t go doing anything silly. I recognise that look.”
He pointed a finger at his chest. “Are you talking to me? Would I?”
Fay kissed him on the lips before resting her head on his chest again. “If you have to get involved, be careful. In my experience, men who carry out this so-called ‘innocent fun crimes’ can be a force to be reckoned with.”
“Yeah, and so can I be once I’m angered. Wade will get what’s coming to him.”
Chapter 11
The bright sunlight hurt Hero’s eyes on the drive
into work the following morning. Added to his sleep deprivation because of the twins’ incessant crying all night, he feared he was in for a long, arduous day. During his sleepless night, his mind had constantly mulled over his sister’s predicament, and he’d finally come up with a plan to help Cara out.
He put his foot down and pulled into the car park just as Foxy was parking her car. He papped his horn, intimating that he wanted her to wait for him.
“Morning, Foxy.”
“Morning, sir. Rough night with the kids?” She smiled and locked her car.
He bent down and looked at himself in the wing mirror of her car. “Christ,” he moaned, “is it that obvious?”
“Afraid so.”
“I’d like a quick chat if I may. It’s a personal matter.”
She raised her hand in front of her. “If it’s about babies, forget it. I wouldn’t have a clue in that department.”
He snorted. “No, it’s not. You might think I’m being a little cheeky here, but Cara is in a heap of trouble, not of her doing, well… sort of. Anyway, I’ve promised I’ll do all I can to help her.”
“Sounds ominous. Are you going to tell me what kind of trouble your sister is in, or do I have to guess?”
“Sorry, I was getting around to it, honest.” Hero relayed the conversation he’d had with Cara the previous night.
Foxy looked perplexed. “Bloody hell! She doesn’t believe in doing things by halves, does she? I’m puzzled how you think I can be of help, sir.”
“Well, here’s the sneaky part. I need to find some dirt I can fling at this instructor. You know as well as I do that there’s no point looking through his work background. It’s sure to be cleaner than a pair of nun’s knickers.”
“All right, I hear what you’re saying, but I’m still lost about how I can help, sir. Sorry for being so dense. In my defence, it is first thing.”