The Beth Papadakis Thriller Box Set

by Cara Alexander

  Then a terrible thought comes to me. I grab my phone and text Helen.

  Jamie is missing call me as soon as you land.

  Ten minutes later PC Arnold arrives, I take him into the kitchen, he glances at Mum who points to a chair.

  ‘Now tell me exactly what happened?’ he says, taking out his notebook.

  Mum and I look at each other.

  ‘Has the little lad been under a lot of pressure recently?’

  I tell him about the firebomb, how he hates his new school and wants to go back to Athens. I tell him that DCI Thomas is dealing with the case and to check with him if he needs anything.

  ’What are you going to do?’ Mum asks, impatiently.

  He looks at her then at me. ‘I’ll need a recent photo of the boy.’

  Mum pulls out her phone and shows him one taken in Spain.

  PC Arnold nods and hands her a card. ‘You can send it to me here.’

  He walks to the door then turns. ‘Keep your phones with you at all times.’

  Mum follows him out. ‘Get them to search the streets of Oxford.’ Then in a lower voice she adds. ‘He may be sitting somewhere, frightened to come home, he's only eleven, he'll be twelve next week.’

  PC Arnold nods and leaves.

  27

  WHERE IS JAMIE?

  I have visions of Jamie wandering around Oxford, not wanting to come home, worried I'll be angry. Then I think of what could happen to him. What time is it? When will Helen land? Oh, this is crazy, what can she do, he's in Oxford not Athens. But maybe he did call her. Maybe he left her a message.

  Mum's making tea, she says nothing, but her face says it all.

  A couple of hours later my phone rings, it's Helen.

  ‘Beth have you heard from Jamie?’

  ‘No, I was hoping you might know something.’

  ‘But why would I know? Why would he call me?’ She pauses for a minute. ‘Have you tried his dad? He might have called him.’

  ‘He's the last person I want to talk to.’

  I start pacing around the kitchen rubbing my forehead, trying to think. ‘And why would he call Alex? He never had time for Jamie when we were in Athens, he was always too busy running around being the hotshot lawyer.’

  ‘Beth, when we were in the park you said Jamie hates the school and wants to go back to Athens.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Shall I give Alex a call, he might know something, what do you think?’

  ‘I don’t know why he should know, but if you think it would help.’

  A few minutes later my phone rings, it's Helen.

  ‘Beth, I've something to tell you, now don't worry, and don't get upset.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Jamie's here. He’s with his dad.’

  ‘What?’ I can't believe it, he can't be in Athens, how could he get there?

  As if reading my mind she quickly adds.

  ‘He called Alex, told him about the fire, about going to Spain with your Mum. Beth, he told him he hates the school and that he wants to come back to Athens with you.’

  I sit listening in horror, it's my worst nightmare come true.

  ‘Alex is furious you didn't tell him, that's why he did this.’ She pauses for a moment. ‘Didn't you miss him this morning? I thought you walked him to school?’

  ‘I do, but as he wasn’t downstairs, I thought Mum had taken him, she said she was getting up early to see the agent so I just presumed she had taken him. She said he was up early and told her he was going to London with me and she believed him. He must have left for the airport soon after because when I came down, he wasn't there.’

  I try to breathe slowly. I still can't believe he would do this. I stare out of the kitchen window thinking of Jamie, he could have left me a note, he could have sent me a text.

  Then I think of Alex.

  ‘Why did Alex send him a ticket? Why didn't he call me or at least text me? He knew I'd be going out of my mind with worry when I discovered he wasn't here.’

  Then a thought comes to me. ‘How did they allow him on the plane by himself? I had to accompany him through security at the airport to make sure he was taken on board by a flight attendant, I had to complete loads of forms, they’re very hot on this, how did he do it?’

  ‘Jamie was lucky. It seems a friend of Alex’s, another lawyer, was returning to Athens. Alex asked him to accompany Jamie on the flight, he spoke to the authorities, sent them all the relevant documentation giving his consent, he is his father and also a very good lawyer. I think this was done a few days ago, Jamie had it all planned.’

  ‘So when I took him to school yesterday, he’d already planned it with Alex?’

  She grunts. ‘Beth, try to relax, get some sleep, I'll see him in the morning, we'll have a chat, then I'll call you.’

  I say nothing, I know she's trying to help but I feel so angry. I wish I'd hidden his passport, but how was I to know he'd do something like this, he's only eleven well nearly twelve.

  ‘I'm just so angry, Helen, at least Alex could have texted me. I want to speak to Jamie.’

  ‘Leave it Beth, Alex said he's in his room, he must be exhausted. It's just gone 11.00 in the evening here, so he's had a long day.’ She pauses then adds. ‘Alex has a big court case tomorrow, he...’

  ‘I'm getting the next plane to Athens, we'll sort everything out when I get there.’

  ‘No Beth, it's too late, stay there, go to bed, I'll call you in the morning.’

  I quickly tell Mum that Jamie's okay, that he's at his dad's. She shakes her head in disbelief.

  ‘But how did he get there?’

  ‘He asked his dad and he arranged it,’ I shout, running upstairs for my passport.

  I'm on my laptop searching for a flight but there aren't any. September is high season in Greece. There are no flights, so how on earth did his dad get him one? Helen can do it, she’s in the trade, but she told me to wait until tomorrow.

  I inhale deeply and go downstairs. Mum and I make tea and toast, talk about schools, then go to bed. But sleep evades me. I lay thinking about Jamie, I must find him another school, or move somewhere else, somewhere he likes, but not Athens.

  Then I think of DCI Thomas, why did he want to see me? It must be something about Nick, maybe they know where he is?

  I fall into a restless sleep dreaming of Nick then wake up screaming his name.

  I sit up gasping for breath and see Mum staring at me.

  ‘Are you alright, Beth?’

  I sit up and look around.

  Nick was here, he was in this room, he was looking at me.

  28

  BETH

  Oxford - 8.00 am in the morning

  I wonder if Helen’s up? They're two hours ahead in Athens so she should call me soon.

  After coffee and toast I drive to the police station. I’m informed by the officer at the desk that DCI Thomas has just arrived and to wait in reception.

  Fifteen minutes later he tells me to go in.

  I knock and peer round the door. ‘Sorry about yesterday, I was in London, then when I arrived home Jamie...’

  He waves his hand for me to come in. ‘I was out anyway, something came up, close the door and sit down.’

  I sit on the seat opposite him. ‘Did you talk to PC Arnold yet?’

  He's watching me over his glasses, which have slid down over his nose, he pushes them up. ‘Yes, I heard all about it from him this morning. Well, at least the boy's safe.’ As an afterthought he asks. ‘Would you like a coffee?’

  ‘No thanks, I just had one at home.’

  He shuffles some papers on his desk, then stands up and starts pacing around the room.

  ‘I've something to tell you, Beth.’ He stops and looks at me. ‘There's been a sighting of Nick.’

  My heart suddenly leaps into my mouth. I knew this would happen. I sit staring at him, waiting for him to say something.

  He walks back to his desk, picks up a piece of paper and sits down to read
it.

  Why is he taking so long, he knows where he is, why draw it out?

  ‘So, where is he?’ I growl, impatiently.

  He instantly looks up. ‘It's only a sighting, we have to check it out.’

  I sit clenching my hands together staring at him.

  ‘I'm waiting for more information.’ Then he frowns as if deciding whether to tell me or not. ‘He was seen at a petrol station in the Lake District, someone recognized him from a photo in one of the old daily newspapers.’

  So, he is still here, I remember him saying something about his parents – he said they'd moved up north, maybe he's staying with them?

  He looks at me thoughtfully. ‘Don't worry. I just thought you should know.’

  Well of course I should bloody well know.

  I get up and start pacing around the room, he’s staring at me. Did I just think that or say it? I shrug and sit down. ‘I didn't think he'd still be here.’ I try to sound calm but inwardly I’m screaming. After what that bastard did to me, of course I should know where he is.

  ‘He doesn't have much choice, does he, Beth?’ He looks at me closely, then carries on. ‘We have the train and bus stations covered and the airports and ports, I don't think he'll be going anywhere.’ He grunts and begins typing on his laptop then gets something out of his drawer, it's a tracking device.

  He walks over to me. ‘This is just to be on the safe side, Beth, can you roll up your sleeve?’

  This is just what Nick did, but with my phone. It doesn't seem so long ago, I often wonder why he did that, why should he care if they caught me again? I roll up my sleeve. ‘But you just said he's in the Lake District, why do I need this?’

  ‘It's just a precaution.’ He peers at me over his glasses. ‘You can still go to Athens with this on.’

  ‘I'm trying to find a job and a place to live, somewhere Jamie likes. As long as he's happy, that's all that matters, but definitely not Athens.’

  He frowns and gives me a serious look. ‘It might be a good idea to spend a bit of time in Greece, till this is over.’

  ‘And what if Nick follows me there?’

  He sits with a thoughtful look on his face. ‘Don't worry, we'll get him, it's just a matter of time.’

  We sit in silence for a few minutes, each with our own thoughts, then I get up to leave.

  He looks up at me, a look of concern on his face.

  ‘Think about what I said, okay?’

  I nod and leave him rummaging through his desk.

  Outside the police station I check my phone. No call or message from Helen. It's 10.20 in the morning so 12.20 in Athens, what the hell is she doing? I try her number, it goes to voicemail, I'll give Tula a call maybe she knows.

  ‘Hi Tula, I need to speak to Helen, she said she'd call me this morning, but she hasn’t.’

  ‘But Beth, she's on her way to London.’

  ‘What?’ I can't believe it, why didn't she call me? ‘Which flight is she on?’

  ‘She should be landing at Luton at 1.45 our time, so 11.45 your time.’

  I hail a passing cab and ask him to put his foot down, this is an emergency.

  On the way home I text Helen saying I'll be at the airport to meet them, then I call Mum.

  ‘Good news, Mum, get the car ready, we're going to the airport to meet Jamie and Helen.’

  29

  Luton Airport

  I stand searching everyone coming through customs. At last I see Helen's long brown hair and Jamie's dark curly head bobbing alongside her, I run over to meet them.

  Jamie throws his arms around me. ‘Sorry Mum, I didn't mean to worry you, but I hate that school.’

  I'm so happy to see him, my anger disappears. ‘I've been so worried,’ I murmur, holding him tight.

  Mum comes over and looks at him. ‘We've been sick with worry about you Jamie.’ Then she ruffles his hair and gives him a kiss. ‘Don't ever do that again, promise?’

  He nods.

  Helen's hovering behind him, a satisfied look on her face.

  ‘Thanks Helen, I...’

  ‘Don't be silly, you'd have done the same for me. Anyway, I forgot to do something in London, so I had to come back, won’t be a minute, I just have to make a call.’

  I laugh and leave her to make her call.

  Fifteen minutes later, we’re in the car driving home. Mum's in the back with Jamie, Helen's in the front with me. Jamie's so tired he's fallen asleep on Mum's shoulder.

  I nudge Helen. ‘He's asleep, so tell me, what happened?’ Her voice is low, I can hardly hear what she’s saying.

  ‘I told him he wouldn't have to go back to the school in Oxford, and that you weren’t angry.’

  ‘But where is he going to go?’

  ‘Beth, it's the only way I could get him on the plane.’

  Jamie starts to stir, we stop talking and resume when he's gone back to sleep.

  ‘Did you see Alex?’ I ask as quietly as I can.

  ‘Yes, he was on his way to court. I think he was relieved to see me.’

  I grip the steering wheel tight. ‘I'll bet he was, still the same old Alex, who is he defending this time?’

  Helen shrugs and yawns, her eyes begin to droop, we drive along in silence and she nods off.

  As soon as we arrive back at Mum's, Jamie falls asleep watching TV, Helen goes for a lay down, and Mum and I start cooking cannelloni for dinner.

  Suddenly my phone rings. It's a woman from the estate agents in Queensway, the one who showed us the apartments.

  ‘Hello, I'm calling to let you know we have the keys for your apartment, when will you be collecting them?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You just called us,’ she says, sounding surprised. ‘You paid six month’s rent in advance for the apartment in the mansion block.’

  ‘There must be some mistake.’ I look at Mum and frown. ‘You must have the wrong number.’

  ‘No, this is the number…’

  ‘Sorry, you’ve made a mistake.’

  I close my phone.

  Mum looks at me questioningly. ‘Who was that?’

  ‘The estate agent in Queensway, they said they have the keys to my apartment, they wanted to know when I was collecting them.’

  ‘But didn't you go there the other day, with Helen?’

  ‘Yes, we looked at a couple of apartments, but I didn't rent one, how could I? I'm not working, someone else must have looked at it, she made a mistake and called the wrong number.’

  As soon as Helen wakes up from her nap, I tell her about the agent calling from Queensway.

  ‘She got the wrong number. Someone else must have seen it after us.’

  ‘Is it the apartment you liked, the one in the mansion block?’

  I nod.

  She laughs. ‘Then take it.’

  ‘Are you crazy?’ Didn't she hear me right? ‘I didn't send them any money; she made a mistake?’

  She suddenly laughs. ‘But it is yours, Beth.’

  Then the penny drops.

  Before I can say anything, she comes over and sits next to me. ‘At least this way you'll know if you like it, won’t you?’

  ‘But Helen…’

  She holds up her hand. ‘I got a very good deal. I said it needs a lot of work, the rooms are too small - blah blah blah. They’ve had it on their books for some time, so if you don’t mind decorating it…’

  ‘Of course I don’t.’

  ‘Great, and if you change your mind, you can always stay with me, or sell the apartment in Athens. Why should Alex have it all to himself? You can buy another apartment.’

  She's right. We can always sell the apartment and with my half of the money I can buy something else. Alex is rolling in money, so it won't bother him. The trouble is I really love that apartment.

  Then I think of Jamie, what about his school.

  As if reading my mind Helen laughs.

  ‘Beth, the school I told you about in London, they still have a few places, give them a call
you never know Jamie might like it.’

  Mum comes over and looks at me excitedly. ‘Now tell me what's happening? Is it the apartment you like, the one near where we used to live?’

  ‘Actually, Mum, it's very near, it's in a mansion block, just off Queensway, not far from the station. It needs a bit of work, but I can do that. It's on the first floor, facing the street. There's a small balcony which is amazing for London, the rooms are quite small but who cares and there's plenty of room for you.’

  Jamie comes into the kitchen looking confused, probably wondering why everyone looks so happy. I just hope we can get him into the school.

  ‘Is there any Cava in the fridge, Mum? I think this deserves a celebration, don't you?’

  As we clink glasses, I think of Nick, I'll give DCI Thomas a call in the morning, tell him I'm moving to London.

  30

  BETH’S IN LONDON

  A few weeks later

  It’s Friday and for a change I'm alone in the apartment. Mum's gone to Oxford to see one of her friends, she usually does this on a Friday, and Jamie's at school.

  I stretch and pour myself another cup of coffee. Now what shall I do? Get started on my latest article for work, relax and watch TV, or go to the park for a walk?

  This is one of the benefits of working freelance. The disadvantages are you don't get paid when you're sick and you don’t get paid holidays.

  The intercom phone buzzes.

  It's Joe, the porter calling from downstairs.

  ‘Hi Joe, what is it?’

  ‘Beth, a hand delivered letter has been left for you, it’s marked urgent.’

  ‘I'll be down in a minute, thanks.’

  Our apartment’s on the first floor so it’s always quicker to take the stairs.

  Two minutes later I’m in reception.

  Joe greets me with a smile. ‘Sorry, I didn't see who it was, I was on the phone, when I turned around it was on the desk.’

  ‘Thanks Joe.’

  On the front of the envelope is my name in large black, block capital letters - BETH - very strange, the writing doesn't look familiar. I turn to go upstairs, when the woman who lives above me comes over.