The Beth Papadakis Thriller Box Set

by Cara Alexander

  The sun’s streaming through the kitchen window, it feels hot so I open the back door for some fresh air. A streak of something like marmalade runs past me. Its Tabitha, Mum's ginger cat.

  ‘Hey Tab,’ I murmur, bending down to stroke her. She stares at me with her big green eyes, purring like an engine, waiting for me to fill her bowl, which I do.

  Soon the scent of cumin and mint fill the kitchen, the falafel sizzle in the pan, the salad's ready, and the pitta's in the toaster. I'm just about to take the falafel from the pan when there's an almighty crash from the living room.

  Tabitha jumps with fright, her ears go back and she runs out of the kitchen. I drop the pan, it smashes to the floor.

  I run into the hall. Smoke seeps from under the living room door and there's a weird crackling noise.

  As I wrench the door open, the full force of the blaze hits me, Jamie's on the floor and the TV looks as if it's about to implode.

  I haul him out of the room as fast as I can, through the hallway, out of the front door and onto the grass.

  ‘What happened, Mum?’ he gasps, opening his eyes.

  Suddenly our next-door neighbour Martin appears brandishing a fire extinguisher. ‘Don't worry Beth, I called the ambulance, the police and the fire-fighters are on their way.’ He points to the fire extinguisher. ‘I'll try and put it out with this.’

  I nod with relief; he disappears inside the house. Jamie tries to sit up to see what's happening then falls back.

  ‘Don't sit up, try to relax,’ I murmur, holding onto him.

  A couple of minutes later a car screeches to a halt outside our house. Out jumps a police officer, he spots me and Jamie and runs over.

  Pulling out his phone he talks to someone, then squats down beside us.

  ‘The ambulance and fire-fighters are on their way; they won't be long.’

  He looks at Jamie, then turns to me. ‘I know it’s difficult but it would be really helpful if you could tell me what happened.’

  ‘I was in the kitchen making dinner, there was an explosion.’

  He nods.

  ‘It happened so quickly; I ran out into the hall, smoke was seeping from under the door…’ I stop and look around for the ambulance.

  He stands up and gently says. ‘Don't worry, it'll be here soon.’

  ‘But it's taking too long.’

  I pick Jamie up and run to my car. ‘I'm taking him to the hospital.’

  The sound of an ambulance siren stops me in my tracks.

  ‘Over here,’ shouts the police officer, pointing to me and Jamie.

  The paramedic nods, runs over and examines Jamie. ‘It’s smoke inhalation, I think.’ Then he looks at me.‘How are you?’

  ‘I'm okay, it’s him I’m worried about.’

  ‘Don't worry I'll get you both checked out.’ He glances over at the house, then back at me. ‘They'll probably keep him in for the night.’

  I follow him as he carries Jamie into the ambulance.

  ‘I don't think you'll be coming back here for a while,’ the police officer mutters, following me to the ambulance. ‘You'll need to stay with friends for a few days.’

  ‘But we can't, I don't know anyone.’

  Suddenly our neighbour Martin comes over, a look of concern on his smoke blackened face. ‘Beth, I got these for you.’ He hands me my bag and phone. ‘You’re lucky, they were on the kitchen table not in the living room.’

  I nod. ‘Thanks Martin, I really appreciate it.’

  He looks at Jamie, then back at me. ‘I'll keep an eye on the house for you.’

  The police officer yells at Martin to move away then pokes his head close to mine. ‘What about him, can't you stay at his place?’

  I remember Mum saying Martin had some friends from France staying with him so shake my head. He shrugs, the ambulance doors slam shut.

  At the hospital, Jamie's wheeled into the Accident and Emergency room. A nurse says a doctor is on her way, then leaves.

  As soon as she’s out of earshot Jamie grabs my arm. ‘I don't want to stay here, Mum,’ he hisses. His face is black from the smoke and he's shivering. ‘Can we go home?’

  ‘Don't worry, I'll be with you, they have to check you, make sure you're alright.’

  Ten minutes later a doctor arrives to examines him.

  ‘He's suffering from smoke inhalation,’ she says. ‘It's not serious but I'm keeping him in for the night. We'll see how he is in the morning.’

  Jamie's wheeled into a ward and within minutes of being tucked into bed he's fast asleep. I sit propped up in a chair beside him deep in thought. I eventually drop off for a few minutes but I’m soon wide awake.

  I sit listening to the sounds of the hospital, I still can’t believe what happened. Who would do such a thing and why? We don’t know anyone here. Things were bad in Athens, I thought we’d be safe here but maybe we’re not. First someone tries to rape me, then our house is set on fire. I sit staring into space.

  What the hell am I going to do?

  ‘Cup of tea love?’

  Tears spring to my eyes. ‘Thank you, I’d love one.’

  The nurse puts her arm around me and looks at Jamie laying peacefully in the bed. ‘Don’t worry, he’ll be out of here tomorrow, things always seem worse at night.’

  3

  EVESLY - The Cotswolds

  A few days later

  Wiley and Jonas work in a factory near Evesly; on their days off, they go to pubs to catch their prey. Sometimes they take trips on the local train, or travel from London to Oxford and then onto Evesly, it all depends on how they feel. The women always travel alone. They watch then follow them. They often get lucky. Their victims are usually young and too scared to go to the police, they know what will happen if they do.

  Wiley frowns, screws up his watery pale blue eyes and touches his sore face.

  After it happened, he'd watched her go back to the train station in Evesly. He couldn’t follow her the state he was in, so he called Jonas, told him to get a cab to Evesly station and follow her. He told him what she looked like, it was easy. He smiles thinking of what he did to her, then he scowls and touches his face. She’ll suffer for this. He picks up the local newspaper to check the racing results. A smirk suddenly appears on his face.

  LOCAL WOMAN ATTACKED IN FIELD

  He sits reading the article chortling to himself, but then he gets to the bit about the attacker's description. He re-reads the article and screams with rage. ‘She’s only gone and given the police my description.’

  Jonas laughs. ‘What ya gonna do?’

  Wiley walks around the room cursing her. ‘I’ll have to buy new clothes, make myself look different.’ He suddenly stops, looks at Jonas and screams. ‘The bitch, I’m going to kill her.’

  ‘Don't be a dickhead, I don't believe in killing. Do all the other stuff but not murder.’ A sly smile spreads over his face and he licks his lips. ‘Don't worry - you'll get her back in other ways, she's one of those women...’

  ‘You're the dickhead,’ snarls Wiley, tearing the page from the paper and screwing it into a ball. He thumps his fist so hard on the table his coffee cup falls over. His face is contorted in rage as he throws the newspaper over the coffee to soak it up. ‘Bitch - fucking bitch – this time I'll shut her up!’

  Suddenly he catches sight of his reflection in the living room mirror and hurls an ashtray at it. Then glaring at Jonas, he runs to the front door, wrenches it open and storms out. His face is red and blotchy, his blood pressure high.

  ‘Where're ya going?’ Jonas shouts, taking his eyes off the TV screen to watch him.

  Wiley strides off, slamming the door behind him, Jonas goes back to watching TV.

  Sometime later, Wiley returns with bags of shopping. He disappears into the bathroom and an hour later emerges.

  ‘What d'ya think?’ he asks, parading in front of Jonas. His long greasy limp brown hair is now platinum blond.

  ‘What the fuck...’ Jonas eyes him up and down, then
sniggers. ‘You look like a woman. The blokes at work will think you've lost it.’

  Wiley grabs Jonas's packet of weed, runs to the toilet and empties it down the toilet. ‘Now who's laughing, wanker!’

  Jonas sits looking stunned, Wiley returns to the bathroom.

  Ten minutes later he comes out and saunters over to Jonas.

  ‘I look good, don't I?’

  His limp long blond hair has been replaced with small gelled blond spikes all over his head. Jonas takes one look at him and runs from the living room into the bathroom, laughing and clutching his pants.

  Wiley just ignores him and grabs his new clothes. Off come the faded blue low waist jeans, and on come the tight skinny leather trousers. A slow smile spreads over his pockmarked face as he surveys himself in the smashed mirror.

  ‘She thinks she's so clever,’ he mutters, narrowing his cold watery blue eyes. ‘She won't feel so clever when she gets what's coming to her.’

  4

  BETH & JAMIE

  Oxford Hospital

  7.43am next morning

  I still can’t believe what happened yesterday. It’s only a few days since we arrived from Greece and already I’m beginning to regret coming.

  I start stacking the breakfast dishes onto a tray at the end of his bed. It’s early morning and already the hospital's a hive of activity. I glance over at Jamie, he looks a lot better than he did last night, his appetite is good, so hopefully he’ll be able to leave this morning.

  Then I think of Mum’s burnt out living room and how close Jamie came to being seriously hurt. I must call Mum and let her know what’s happened then I’ll contact the police, see if they know what started the fire.

  A young dark-haired police officer suddenly appears on the ward, and after talking to one of the nurses for a couple of minutes she walks over to me.

  ‘Mrs Papadakis, I'm PC Hamilton, we need to talk.’ She looks at Jamie, then back at me. ‘Don't worry he'll be alright, I've asked one of the nurses to come and stay with him.’

  Just then a nurse comes over, she starts puffing up Jamie’s pillows and gives him a smile. ‘Let's get you ready for the doctor, see if you can go home today, you'd like that wouldn't you?’

  Jamie's eyes light up at the sound of going home, the nurse smiles and takes his temperature.

  I give him a wave then follow the PC into a small room outside the ward. She sits down at a desk and points to a chair opposite.

  ‘Do you have any news, about the fire?’ I ask, sitting down and watching as she flicks through her phone.

  ‘Sorry but I'm here to discuss alternative accommodation.’

  ‘But surely you can...’

  ‘You'll have to ask at the station,’ she replies, briskly. ‘Now is there someone you can stay with for a couple of days?’

  ‘No, we've only been here a few days, my mother's on holiday. I know the living room's a mess, but I don't think the fire reached the upstairs bedrooms.’

  ‘Well, we have to make sure it's safe before you can return .’

  ‘Can you find out, please?’

  She nods and speaks to one of her colleagues.

  ‘Well, you’re in luck,’ she exclaims. ‘It often looks worse than it is. The kitchen and top floors of the house are okay. Forensics have finished, so you can go back if you like.’ She pockets her phone then hands me a card. ‘Give me a call if you need anything.’

  She stands up as if to go, then turns and looks at me. ‘I believe you are due to make an official statement at the station tomorrow?’

  I nod and slip her card into my trouser pocket.

  ‘If you have any concerns you can discuss them with the detective in charge of the case, I think it’s Detective Chief Inspector Thomas.’

  I thank her for her help, she leaves, I return to the ward.

  Still no doctor so I go in search of a strong cup of coffee for me, and a chocolate bar for Jamie.

  When I return I’m relieved to see the doctor talking to Jamie.

  She looks up. ‘Your son is much better today. We just have to finish the paperwork and he can go home.’

  Jamie’s over the moon, I call a cab.

  On the way home he’s very quiet, he’s probably thinking of what happened last night. We can’t stay at Mum’s, I'll look for somewhere to stay, maybe a hotel for a few nights? But what if it takes longer to fix? Then I think of Mum's lovely living room. Is she insured?

  Suddenly the taxi screeches to a halt. Jamie leaps out and runs to the house, I search for some change to pay the driver.

  ‘Mum,’ Jamie yells, running back to the cab looking flustered. ‘There's a policeman in our garden.’

  I follow his gaze, a young police officer is watching us.

  The taxi driver raises an eyebrow, gives me a knowing wink then drives off.

  ‘What the hell is he doing here?’ I groan. ‘I thought they'd gone.’

  ‘Is anything wrong?’ I ask, walking over to the officer.

  ‘It's orders. I thought you knew. There's an officer at the back as well.’

  I'm speechless. I wouldn't have thought they'd have the budget for even one officer, let alone two.

  Jamie follows me into the house. We pass the blackened door of the living room, I'll look at it later, when Jamie's in bed. We walk into the kitchen, Jamie looks out of the kitchen window, then at me.

  ‘Why are they here Mum?’

  ‘I'm not sure, but they won't be here for long.’ I’m amazed that they’re here, I nearly add, but don’t. He looks very glum, so I quickly add, ‘At least we still have the garden.’

  He stares at the young officer at the end of the back garden. ‘But we can't sit in the garden with him over there, can we?’

  ‘Don't worry, I'll sort something out. Now let's have some orange juice.’

  He stands frowning, then looks over to the living room door. ‘Do you think it'll happen again?’

  ‘No, of course not, the police will soon find out what happened.’

  ‘But I saw it,’ he says, looking surprised. ‘It came through the window, someone threw it.’

  Even though I had a feeling it wasn’t faulty electrics I still feel shocked. I wish he’d said something earlier. But then why should he, he probably thinks we know what happened.

  ‘It was probably a couple of kids larking about and their homemade fire-bomb ended up in our living room.’

  He gives me one of his looks, as if to say - you must be joking - it’s times like this he reminds me of his dad. He’s only eleven years old, well nearly twelve, he looks young for his age.

  I give him a hug. ‘Don’t worry, the police will soon find out who did it.’

  He’s just about to say something, when there’s a pitiful meow coming from the back door. He looks at me in alarm then rushes to open it.

  ‘It’s little Tab.’

  He scoops Tabitha up in his arms and hugs her. ‘We forgot all about you, are you hungry?’

  Tabitha meows and nuzzles her head against him.

  ‘I know, I'll feed Tabitha,’ I say quickly, glad of the distraction. ‘You have a shower, and then I’ll have one.’

  ‘We're not staying here, Mum. Are we?’

  ‘Of course not, we’ll shower then go and get something to eat.’

  His face brightens up. ‘Can we go to McDonald’s?’

  I laugh. ‘Of course.’

  ‘And can I get some new jeans?'

  ‘Yes, now go and have a shower.’ ‘Yay!’ He runs upstairs, I feed Tabitha.

  When we leave, Tabitha's watching from the bedroom window, probably hoping we won't forget to come back and feed her.

  I suddenly shiver and look back at the house. It could have been much worse. Who would do such a terrible thing?

  5

  NEXT MORNING

  I’m sitting in the garden thinking about Mum, I still haven't told her what happened, I don’t want to ruin her holiday but…

  I pick up my phone. ‘Hi Mum, how are you?’
>
  ‘Beth, what a surprise, I’m fine how are you?’

  ‘Listen Mum, I have something to tell you.’ She doesn’t say anything, so I continue. ‘There’s been a fire at the house, but it’s okay now.’

  ‘A fire, what sort of fire?’

  ‘The living room’s a bit of a mess, but the rest of the house is okay.’

  ‘But how did it start?’

  So, I tell her, just as much as I need to.

  ‘Are you okay?’ she gasps.

  ‘Yes, of course, don't worry Mum, we're both okay. I'm sure the police will sort it out soon.’

  She pauses for a few minutes. ‘Okay, I'll book a flight. I'll be home tonight.’

  I knew she’d say this.

  ‘No, finish your holiday, I'll get the living room cleaned up.’

  Then I remember the insurance.

  ‘Mum, do you have insurance?’

  ‘I have house insurance, but I'm not sure if this is covered, I'll have to find out.’

  ‘Can I help?’

  ‘No, I'll call them, you go online and get some tickets to Palma, let me know when you're arriving, I'll be at the airport to meet you.’

  Of course, she's right, how can Jamie stay here. ‘Okay, but I'm staying here, I'll clean up the living room, get some new furniture...’

  ‘Are you crazy, Beth? What are you going to do? Let the police deal with it.’

  ‘I need to find a job, Mum. I'll stay here, get this place sorted, and don't forget Tabitha, someone's got to look after her.’

  She's silent for a minute. ‘Do you remember Nick?’

  Now it's my turn to be surprised. ‘What has he got to do with it? I haven't seen him since we were at school in Evesly.’

  ‘Give him a call, tell him what happened.’ Then she mutters something I don’t quite catch.

  ‘What did you say, Mum?’

  ‘I said if he doesn’t know already. Now promise me you'll call him.’

  ‘But I haven't seen him for years,’ I groan. ‘How on earth can he help?’ I know word gets around quickly in Evesly, it always does in these small Cotswold villages, and it’s not as if Nick and I were close at school.