“Wow, that’s very cool.”
“Yeah, I like them sometimes.”
Laughing again, Matthew responds, “Just sometimes?”
“We all don’t have the same daddy and they don’t like my daddy too.”
“Oh, okay.”
Unaware of what to say next, they both sit in silence. Darcey begins swinging her little legs as they dangle from the bench.
“What’s your name?”
“My name’s Matthew.”
“Who’s this pretty lady in the picture?”
“Well, little Darcey, that’s actually my little girl. Her name is Evelyn Jade and she’s gone missing.”
Darcey gasps and says, “So you lost her?”
“Yes, I lost her and that’s why it’s very important that you always stay close with your mummy and daddy.”
“My teacher always says stranger danger.”
“Yes, Darcey. Like stranger danger.”
“You’re a stranger.”
Smirking, Matthew replies, “Yes, I am, you’re very right. But, I’m okay. I’m not going to take you, darling.”
“Your little girl was taken?”
“Yes, she was taken from me.”
“Aw, that’s so sad.” A small tear forms in Darcey’s eye as she looks to the picture on the leaflet. Looking back up to Matthew she says, “It’s going to be okay. You will find her. I will help you.”
Finished with her call, Darcey’s mum storms over to the bench. “Sorry, is she bothering you? Darcey, come on.”
“No, not at all.”
Taking a proper look at Matthew and instantly judging him, Darcey’s mum looks as if she’s wondering whether he’s some sort of molesting paedophile. Grabbing her little girl’s hand, she begins pulling Darcey away. Desperately trying to show her mummy the leaflet, Darcey says, “Look, Mummy, the man lost his daughter. I’m going to help him find her.”
“Yep, sure you are, darling. Come on, give the, erm, man his leaflet back.” Once again pulling on her arm, the impatient mother struggles to drag her daughter away. Resisting her mother’s strength, Darcey says, “No, Mummy, we can help him.”
Clearly annoyed at her daughter’s rebellious behaviour, she responds harshly, “I – said – let’s – go – Darcey.”
She rips the leaflet from Darcey’s hand and throws it back on the bench. Darcey begins to cry as they walk away. Feeling angry but unable to do anything about it, Matthew turns away before he lashes out and gives this woman a few home truths about her parenting abilities, or lack thereof. Matthew lights another cigarette and in frustration grabs the stack of leaflets. Furious, he stands and aggressively pushes his way through the busy pathways, not caring whether he hurts or offends passers-by. And, thanks to his current homeless, neglected look, no one is brave enough to stand up to him. They simply snarl at Matthew for his rude and impolite ways, muttering under their breath. As he pushes his way through one group, Matthew thumps one well-dressed individual in the back. Wearing a shark grey suit with a white shirt and quirky emerald green bow tie, the man had been standing outside smoking and enjoying the company of his friends. After the initial shock of being hit by a stranger, he looks at Matthew in disgust. In an eccentric posh accent he says, “Pftt. You know the saying, ‘beware the unloved’? Well, this is why. Rude behaviour.”
Gritting his teeth and choosing to ignore the insult, Matthew’s fully aware that he could simply snap this young boy into two pieces if he truly desired. But, instead, he clenches his fists and decides to keep walking. He puffs on his cigarette until it has disappeared, and as the nicotine surges around his body he feels a tiny bit calmer. Matthew leans against a tree outside one of the pubs near the car park and closes his eyes. A few minutes pass and he somehow manages to regain his composure and gather his thoughts. Shaking his head, he looks at the leaflets in his hand. Seeing his Evelyn Jade, his mouth turns up into a smile. But the smile doesn’t reach his sorrowful eyes.
Feeling his heart breaking into thousands of pieces, Matthew reminds himself why he’s doing this. His purpose is greater than the ignorance of others. Almost instantly, his strength returns. He has come so far. There is absolutely no way he’s giving up. The one thing he will never do in his life is give up on his daughter. Throwing the cigarette butt on the ground, Matthew returns to the current task in hand, once again attempting to reach out to the public. Sadly, once again, not a single person is giving him the time of day. Matthew doesn’t care that he’s being ignored. He has a burning desire to get Eve back. Little Darcey has sparked the parental love inside of him. Oblivious to the finer details of his surroundings, Matthew fails to notice something important. Standing in the distance overseeing every single one of his movements are DCS Terry and DC Flores.
Holding a coffee in his hand, DCS Terry looks to his colleague and says, “So, when it comes to judgement day, do we believe he has done this?”
DC Flores replies, “For someone who has apparently committed murder, he’s either really mentally unwell and has convinced himself that she’s still alive, or, she really is alive. What I will say is I can’t call it just yet, but you can’t blame the guy for trying if she is still alive. He has barely stopped to rest. Even I’m tired and I’m just watching. Would you really be able to convince yourself to that extreme if you genuinely knew that the person was dead?”
“You see, that’s what we have to try and do. The mind of a psychopath, murderer and someone with severe mental health issues, if unmedicated, can truly have these sorts of disturbing effects. He could pass a polygraph test right now based on his beliefs.”
“Yes, but surely that—”
“No, just because someone believes they’re innocent doesn’t mean they are. It would help our case if we had a body.”
“Yes, but that’s the thing – if she has been taken, there wouldn’t be one.”
DCS Terry is unconvinced. “So you believe one man can be that unlucky? His wife gets murdered tragically and then sometime down the line he loses his only child as well and no one can find her body?”
“I’m not saying that’s what I believe right now, but what I am saying is I wouldn’t rule it out.”
“Well, to be continued, DC Flores. He’s on the move again.” Walking towards the bin nearby, he throws his takeaway coffee cup away and says, “Come on, cheeky, let’s go.”
Smirking and shaking her head slightly at her superior’s choice of words, DC Flores follows him back to their vehicle. As soon as they sit inside, DCS Terry’s phone begins ringing, “It’s the gaffa.” Answering the call, he says, “Terry speaking.”
“You got an update for me, Tez?” says Chief Inspector Lamont.
“Not really, subject is just returning to his vehicle now so we’re just about to follow. Flores is driving.”
“Don’t you lose that bastard. I think he’s going to lead you right to where he has buried her. Where are you now?”
“Oh, don’t worry, we haven’t taken our sights off him. We’re in Chester town centre. He just keeps trailing up north.”
“Up north?”
“Yeah, we just keep going up. Probably going to end up in the highlands at this rate.”
“Yeah, I bet that’s where the sick fucker has hidden her body.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.”
There is the muffled sound of someone else speaking in the background and Lamont says, “Yeah, sure, tell them I’m on my way now.”
“Huh?” DCS Terry replies, confused.
“Right, got to go,” Lamont says sharply. “I want updates emailed to all involved in Operation Bee Sting on a regular basis. Get DC Flores to sort it, that’s what she’s there for. Women are better at that paperwork crap, that’s why I sent her with you.”
Laughing, DCS Terry replies, “Subtle as always, Monty. Don’t worry, we’ll sort it out.”
&
nbsp; As he ends the call, chuckling to himself, DC Flores gives her mischievous colleague a look.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, you know what he’s like. As subtle as a brick to the face.”
“Why, what’s he said?”
Avoiding the truth, as he doesn’t want to put DC Flores in a mood due to being stuck with her twenty-four seven, DCS Terry simply says, “Nothing, he just wants us to send more of a paperwork trail.”
“Oh, now I get it. Knowing the sexist pig that he is, he’s made a comment about the woman doing the paperwork graft?”
Laughing at how quickly she has clicked on to this, DCS Terry says, “Hey, you heard my reply, I said we’ll sort it out, so don’t look at me.” As Matthew’s vehicle pulls out of the car park, thankful for the distraction DCS Terry continues, “He’s pulling out. Follow him.”
Chapter Eighteen
What’s the Big Secret...?
Lewis is exhausted, even though he has slept right through the morning and it’s now midday. Desperate to rehydrate himself, he goes downstairs to get a drink from the kitchen to cure his dry throat. Jesse and Eve are there, having a heated, but quiet, discussion next to the cooker. Too tired to care what their conversation is about and not wanting to get involved, Lewis decides it’s best to leave it alone. Scratching his head and yawning, he enters the front room. Throwing himself on the sofa, he grabs the remote control and switches on the television. Although he can’t remember the events that took place in his horrific nightmare last night, he can however recall that he woke up sporadically throughout most of the night. As he flicks to the news, his phone begins to ring. He sees Ben’s name flashing on the screen and answers straight away.
“Safe, bro, where you at?” Lewis says, his over-the-top Mancunian accent coming through.
“At home, bro.” Ben replies with his Irish twang. “We going to that MC night tonight? Sounds sick.”
“Yeah, bro, I’ll check it with Eve. Me mum’s in hospital at the minute, though, with our Hope. Might need to see if it’s okay to leave her boyfriend with the kids.”
“Sweet, I’ll check in with the lads. What time do you wanna head out?”
Just as Lewis is about to reply, Eve and Jesse appear at the door. Eve walks into the front room while Jesse makes his way past the doorway and heads straight upstairs. Smiling at her, Lewis says to Ben, “Just one sec, bro, Eve’s just walked in the room. I’ll ask her now.”
“Sound.”
Looking confused, Eve says, “Ask me what?”
“Babe, the lads wanna head up to a big MC night in town tonight. You fancy it?”
“Yes, that sounds cool. Is…” Eve trails off, her face turning a pasty shade. Her lips look grey. Grabbing her stomach, she runs out of the room and heads straight upstairs to the bathroom.
Slightly concerned, and unsure what just happened and why, Lewis says to Ben, “Safe, bro, I’m gonna head out. Shout me later, yeah?”
“Safe, I’ll check with the lads. Hit you up later, yeah?”
“Safe bro, laters.”
Putting the phone down, Lewis makes his way up the stairs after Eve. The bathroom door is closed and he can hear violent retching sounds. Tapping on the door, he shouts, “Eve, baby, you okay?”
There is no answer, only the sound of something sloshing into the toilet bowl.
“Eve, you okay?”
“Yeah,” replies Eve weakly, her voice hoarse.
The sloshing sounds resume with a vengeance.
Lewis attempts to open the bathroom door but soon realises it is locked from the inside. Feeling helpless and extremely anxious, he goes to look for Eve’s dad. He makes his way into his mum’s bedroom, expecting to see Jesse there, but is surprised to discover that the room is empty and the bed is perfectly made. He heads to Freddie’s room, assuming that maybe Jesse is tending to him. Peering his head in, Lewis sees that Freddie’s room is also empty and his bed is perfectly made. Now really confused, as he was sure he had just seen Jesse heading upstairs, Lewis makes his way to Terence and Rupert’s room. Their room is also empty. And, much like the continuing theme throughout, their beds are also immaculately made up. Returning to the bathroom, he can still hear Eve throwing up inside.
“Babe, I’m trying to find your dad for you. Just bear with me.” He places his head against the door, feeling powerless. “Are you okay?” he asks gently.
Still no answer. Growing increasingly concerned, Lewis decides once again to go on the hunt for Jesse, except this time he makes his way downstairs. Not only is he unable to find Jesse, his brothers are also nowhere to be seen. Standing in the front room in a panic, Lewis grabs his mobile, and, just as he’s searching for his nana Dorothy’s number, he feels an intense chill coming from behind him. Stopping what he was doing and freezing, Lewis slowly turns his head and peers over his shoulder. He jumps slightly at the sight of a very grey and pale-looking Eve. She’s staring at him through the gap in her hair which hangs on either side of her face. With dark rings around her eyes, she looks as if she has handed her soul to the afterlife. Scared, Lewis says, “Eve, you made me jump. Is everything okay?”
Eve quietly croaks, “Yes.”
Guiding her towards the sofa, Lewis replies, “You look terrible.” He instantly realises the insult he’s just given Eve, and stutters as he attempts to rectify this and remove himself from the hole he has just potentially dug. “I mean, erm… what I actually meant was… erm… You look poorly, baby.” Desperate to redeem himself, he guides Eve towards the sofa and, as he lays her down, he tucks her up with a blanket. Kneeling next to Eve and stroking her hair away from her face, he whispers, “Baby, I’m trying to find your dad, but he ain’t about and neither are the boys.”
“They’re gone,” Eve says.
“Gone? What do you mean? Gone where?”
“To the hospital.”
“Oh, right. Had me worried then.”
“Why?”
Hesitating slightly, Lewis replies, “Nar, nothing, just the way you said they’re gone.”
Rolling her eyes, Eve responds with, “What do you mean by that?” She pauses, but not long enough for Lewis to respond before she says, “Do you really think my dad’s just going to steal your brothers in broad daylight and leave me behind? Seriously, Lewis? Don’t be so paranoid.”
“Nar, I didn’t mean it like… erm…” Once again finding himself at a loss for words, Lewis scratches his head. He knows he’s offended Eve and doesn’t want to continue to do the same, so he says, “Baby, just ignore me. Can I get you a drink or anything?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’ll ring Ben now and tell him to leave the gig tonight.”
“Don’t do that. It’s fine, we’ll go. It will be good to see everyone and get out the house for a bit. I’ll be okay, I think I just ate something dodgy.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying in.” Cuddling up to Eve, he cheekily says, “We could play doctors and patients and I could look after you?”
Smirking, Eve says, “As tempting as that sounds, I want to get away from the little ones for a bit. Honestly, let’s go – I could do with laugh.”
“Okay, but only if you’re sure. I think I had a leaflet somewhere. Let me grab it and we’ll check out who’s playing.” Getting up off the sofa, Lewis makes his way into the dining room. Straight away he shouts, “WHAT THE FUCK?!” and runs back into the front room. In a fluster he says, “Eve, where’s all my mum’s pictures gone from off the wall?” Not getting a quick enough answer from Eve, he panics, saying, “Seriously, she’s gonna go mental.”
“For fuck’s sake, chill out, Lewis. And stop shouting – it’s hurting my ears. My dad has taken them to get cleaned.”
Unlike most people who wouldn’t believe a single word of this, Lewis, a sixteen-year-old boy, hasn’t the first idea about cleaning picture
frames. Innocent and naïve, he doesn’t bother to question Eve any further. He’s just relieved they’ve not been broken. “Oh right, phew,” he says. Then, trying to justify his panic: “That’s mum’s shrine to dad. It would destroy her if that went missing.” Making his way back across to Eve, he says, “I’m sorry, baby. Just ignore me.”
“It’s okay.”
Lying next to her, he brings his legs up and moulds himself around her body. Getting cosy, they snuggle into one another. Holding Eve tightly in his arms, with his chin resting on her head, he smells her hair, taking in the moment with his girl. As the pair are enjoying the peace and quiet, Lewis’s phone suddenly rings. This time it’s Renato. Answering the call, Lewis says, “Yo, safe bro.”
“Ben just rang about this MC night tonight. You in?”
Looking to Eve and kissing her on the head, Lewis says, “Not sure yet, bro, Eve’s not too well.”
“Don’t listen to him, Renz,” Eve shouts. “We’re coming. I’ll be fine.”
“That’s my girl!” Renato yells louds enough for Eve to hear. “See you later.”
“See you later, Renz,” Eve hollers.
“Lewis, everyone who’s anyone is going to be there tonight. You know that, don’t you? You gotta come,” Renato says.
“I know, yeah. Don’t worry, we’ll be there.”
“What time you goin’ town?”
“Was thinking about half seven.”
“Sweet, see you then.” Renato raises his voice again to say, “See you later, Eve, hope you’re feeling better.”
“Thanks, Renz. I’ll see you later.”
As Lewis ends the call, suddenly a distressed expression crosses his face. An instant shooting pain travels through his brain. Suddenly, uninvited, a flashback from the nightmare he endured last night surfaces at the forefront of his mind. Shaking the image out of his head, Lewis shouts, “Fuck!”
With a concerned look upon her face, Eve glances to Lewis and says, “What’s wrong?”
The Broken II: Tainted Trail Page 13