Christmas in Peppercorn Street

by Anna Jacobs

  ‘No. I’ve not changed my mind. I can’t bear to see that worried look on Gabby’s face and when I think of such anxiety always being in the background, well, I can’t bear it. If there’s any chance of a permanent solution, I want to take it now that I’m not alone. Your offer of help has made such a difference to me and I’m truly grateful.’

  He too had seen that look on Gabby’s face. Dee was able to cheer the younger girl up for a while, but she always grew quieter again after their games and jumped in shock at sudden noises outside.

  He noticed that Dee kept her hockey stick near the back door and took it with her when she let Helly out. Very sensible. But that meant his daughter was caught up in the web of menace and anxiety too, on top of her own worries about what her mother might do about her living with her father again.

  His determination grew. He was going to free them all from their various worries – and before Christmas, if possible – and then they were all going to enjoy the festivities.

  Was that possible? It had to be.

  Tom Douglas fretted all weekend, worrying about what his son was doing and about Claire and Gabby’s safety. He didn’t think Martin would hurt Gabby, but he had a leaden feeling of dread in his belly when he thought about Claire because his son couldn’t speak about her without wishing her ill and making wild threats.

  Hilary dismissed what Martin had said as hot air, or letting off steam, but Tom wasn’t so sure.

  They hadn’t heard from their son for a few weeks. His wife was starting to get worried about that and had mentioned once or twice that it wasn’t like Martin not to answer her emails or phone calls, even though she’d marked them ‘urgent’.

  ‘Why have you been trying so hard to get in touch with him? What’s so urgent?’

  ‘He’s our son and we haven’t seen him for a while. I wanted to find out what he was doing with himself and invite him round for a meal at Christmas maybe.’

  She frowned at her husband and added sharply, ‘Last time he came here, you and he had sharp words about Gabby. Please don’t get into that again.’

  ‘I can’t guarantee it, Hilary. Martin has grown … well, obsessive is the only word that comes to mind.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘About wanting to find Gabby and take her away from Claire.’

  ‘It’s only to be expected that he’ll miss her. He’s her father and he adores her. He wouldn’t be going on about it if Claire hadn’t run off and hidden Gabby from us. It was cruel of her. Wrong.’ She dabbed at her eyes.

  He couldn’t even pretend to agree with his wife about this. Obsessive was the right word for Martin and that wasn’t a good thing to be. Hilary couldn’t see it. Would she ever? Their son was the only thing they ever quarrelled about.

  He worried about whether they’d be able to spend time with their granddaughter over the coming years if Martin didn’t change. He doubted it and that made him sad.

  He was beginning to think it wouldn’t be safe for him to contact Claire, even if Eric did find out where she was hiding. If his wife found out, she might, no would pass the information on to their son.

  His original intention had been to take Hilary somewhere safe and meet their daughter-in-law and granddaughter there. But if he met Claire and Gabby on their own and his wife found out, it could seriously damage their marriage.

  Oh, hell. Sometimes there didn’t seem to be any solution to problems.

  Tom had hired Eric hoping for a reunion with Gabby to brighten up their Christmas. Instead it looked as if it was going to be another very quiet festive season, with just the two of them on the day itself.

  Like last year.

  When Hilary had wept in his arms.

  On the Sunday evening, Eric received an email from a woman he’d asked to help him search for information after he’d found out who he’d be guarding. She was even better than he was at finding things out online, one of the best at that sort of work, in fact.

  Sure enough, she had found a lead which he now wanted to follow up personally, so he went up to the living room to find Luke.

  ‘All right if a colleague takes over the guard duties tomorrow morning? There’s something I need to check out.’

  Luke looked at him hopefully. ‘Does that mean you’ve found something important?’

  ‘Might have done. Don’t know how important it is, but it’s definitely relevant. As I said, I need to check it carefully first. Caitlin is highly competent, used to be a police sergeant. You’ll like her and you’ll be quite safe in her hands as long as you don’t go out anywhere on your own.’

  ‘Do as you think best. Hire anyone you need to. As I’ve said before, money is no object; it’s safety I care about.’

  Eric shot off an email and Caitlin agreed to come round to Peppercorn Street at seven o’clock the next morning and stay there as long as necessary.

  He spent Sunday night keeping watch, but nothing disturbed the peace of the old house.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Caitlin arrived on the Monday morning, so Eric introduced her to Luke and Claire, who’d got up early on purpose, then briefed her himself, taking her quickly round the house before leaving her to look after security there. He was a bit short of sleep, but that didn’t matter. He was used to it.

  Bartons End was about an hour’s drive away and Eric had no trouble finding the old industrial estate because it was starting to get light now. But there was no one at the units yet, so he went across to walk round the burnt-out car, which was still sitting in front of the dilapidated house Claire had lived in.

  As he studied the blackened remains, he let out a low whistle. Whoever it was had done a thorough job of burning the whole vehicle. This had been a planned action, not an impulse.

  He looked round the area, which looked like a war zone. She must have been desperate and very short of money to rent here at all. The house didn’t even look fit for habitation and he’d bet that roof leaked.

  He walked across to the nearest unit, which his research friend Elsa said was rented by the man who had made a report to the police. But Bill Turner had still not turned up, so Eric went back to wait in the car. It was a frosty morning and he was glad of his warm, down-filled jacket.

  When another tenant arrived, Eric walked briskly across to ask about Bill, but the woman only knew that he didn’t start work till around nine most days.

  ‘Sorry not to be more help but I only took this place temporarily,’ she said. ‘I’ve hardly ever spoken to him, just a nod in passing.’

  ‘Thanks anyway.’

  OK. He’d guessed wrongly. Tradespeople usually started work earlier than other folk, but not this man apparently. Eric went back to his car. He could see people working on the new houses now at the other side of the demolition area, but this side was deserted apart from the woman’s van. He sighed. He hoped Bill wouldn’t be late.

  It was quarter past nine before someone turned up in a large combi-van with ‘Bill’s Electrics’ on the side. This turned in to the parking area in front of the nearest unit and a burly man with a shaven head got out. No-brainer that this was his man. After unlocking the double doors of the unit, the guy started unloading some empty cardboard boxes.

  Eric got out and hurried across to him. ‘Need a hand with those?’

  Bill studied him intently as if suspicious then shrugged. ‘Thanks. I’m not taking on any jobs today, though. I’m packing up and moving to another unit in a day or two. And I’ll be glad to go. This place is like a morgue these days.’

  Eric helped him carry the boxes inside. ‘I’d be grateful if you could spare me a few minutes, though. I’m a private investigator and I need to ask a few questions about a man you were talking to on Saturday. Here’s my ID.’ He fumbled in his pocket for the card, with fingers that were stiff and cold by now.

  Another shrug greeted that. ‘He said he was a private investigator, too, and had ID that looked genuine. Only he didn’t seem right, behaved really strangely. What’s supposed to be
your reason for coming here and why should I believe you?’

  ‘My reason is probably similar to his, only I’m the genuine article.’ Eric held out the ID card again. ‘Look, if you don’t believe me you can phone the police station in Swindon where I used to work. If you take a photo of me and email it to them, they’ll vouch for me, I promise you.’

  ‘Hmm. How did you know about me and that other chap?’

  ‘I’m retired now but I still have friends here and there in the force. I’m trying to keep the woman who rented the house safe.’

  ‘You’re working for her?’

  ‘Yes. Claire.’

  After a thoughtful study of his face, Bill said, ‘I will check with the police about you first, if you don’t mind. There’s an old saying that fits this situation: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Only it wasn’t you who fooled me the first time, I will admit.’

  ‘Why are you so sure he wasn’t a PI if he had some ID that looked genuine?’

  Bill explained about the car being parked away out of sight of the unit and the furtive way the fellow had behaved when going back to it, not to mention his bad manners.

  ‘Have a look at this.’ Eric took out his phone and found the photo of Martin that Tom had given him, holding it out for his companion to see. ‘Is that him?’

  ‘Oh, yes. That’s definitely him. Who is he, then? His name on the ID was John Carter.’

  ‘His real name is Martin Douglas. Phone up Swindon now and check on me, then we’ll talk, if you don’t mind. This guy is stalking his ex-wife and it’s getting worse.’ He gestured towards the car.

  ‘If the police say you’re legit, I’ll be glad to tell you anything I can. It’s been worrying me even though I reported the fellow to the police.’ He gestured towards the burnt-out car. ‘There was a small child living there. What if the car had exploded and injured her?’

  ‘Yeah. That could have been a tragedy. Which is why I’m doing my best to help her stop the ex.’

  ‘Well, if you’re genuine, I’m glad someone is on her side. She must have lived a damned lonely life, her and that child. I never saw anyone else visit her.’

  Bill made the phone call, sent the officer who answered a photo of the man standing beside him and got confirmation that this was indeed Eric Bancroft and yes, he was a licensed and well-respected PI.

  After that the two men had a talk and Bill told Eric everything he knew, even agreeing to keep his eyes open for anyone else going near the nearby house or car, and taking down Eric’s phone number.

  ‘Don’t say a word to anyone about this,’ Eric warned him. ‘I don’t want the ex finding out that I’m looking after that woman.’

  ‘All right.’

  Eric was very thoughtful as he set off for home. What he hadn’t told Bill was that his friend said the police had a file on Martin Douglas, a file which included other stuff besides his harassment of his ex. Only they wouldn’t say what that was about and had asked her to keep quiet and tell Eric to let them know quickly if he got any more information on Martin Douglas.

  It was all turning out to be a lot more complicated than he’d expected.

  Feeling guilty about not keeping in touch, Eric stopped the car halfway home to phone Tom, relieved when he caught his client at home.

  ‘Did you find out where Gabby is?’ Tom asked eagerly.

  ‘I might have.’

  ‘What does that mean? Either you’ve found her or you haven’t.’

  ‘I’ve still got something to check but your granddaughter is all right. That much I am sure of. I thought you’d like to know.’

  ‘Yes, I do. Thank goodness. If anyone hurts that little lass, I won’t be answerable for my actions.’

  Eric didn’t like the sound of this. Did he expect his son to hurt Gabby? ‘What about her mother? Doesn’t Claire’s safety matter?’

  ‘Yes, of course it does. But it’s Gabby who’s our blood relative, the one I care about most. Where has she been taken this time?’

  ‘She’s only about an hour’s drive away from you.’ He added a hasty, ‘I think.’ He didn’t want to give away too much information even though Tom seemed a decent guy.

  ‘Where exactly would that be?’

  ‘I’ll be able to tell you after I’ve checked the rest of the information. Have you heard from your son?’

  ‘No. Martin doesn’t contact me. It’s his mother he speaks to.’

  ‘Well, has she heard from him?’

  ‘Not lately. He’s not answering her emails or phone calls.’

  ‘Could you let me know if he contacts her?’

  ‘Why?’

  Should he or should he not say something? Eric wondered.

  ‘Tell me!’ Tom said harshly.

  ‘Turns out he set fire to Claire’s car. That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think? I’m rather worried about his mental stability.’

  ‘Burnt her car! Oh, hell. You’re sure it was him?’

  ‘Fairly sure, yes.’

  ‘Why on earth would he do that?’

  ‘Who knows what was going through his head? Look, I have to go now. I’ll get back to you once I have more definite news.’

  He cut the connection before Tom could protest, already regretting contacting him.

  It might complicate matters if Tom said something to his son about burning the car.

  When he got back to Peppercorn Street, Eric tried the front door, pleased that it was locked, and used his key to open it without ringing the doorbell to warn them.

  By the time he got inside, Luke was already peering out of the small room nearby that he was using as an office and Claire had come to the door of the dining room.

  Good. He liked to see them keeping checking on things.

  ‘No problems?’ he asked.

  Luke answered. ‘No signs of trouble. Bit of an anti-climax, actually. But I’m glad you’re back now because Claire and I need to go and see my lawyer this afternoon. His secretary rang to say there’d been a cancellation for three o’clock, so we can go in for a preliminary consultation. We thought it might be best to leave the children here with the two of you.’

  As laughter came from the kitchen, he grinned and gestured with one hand. ‘I don’t think they’ll mind. It turns out Caitlin also likes board games. She’s been winning hands down, too.’

  ‘She always was good with kids.’

  Claire smiled. ‘Mind you, the girls are still carrying their weapons around. Those two are certainly prepared for trouble. I wonder if they’d actually use them, though.’

  ‘You can never tell what someone will do if they’re attacked.’

  ‘Martin won’t attack Gabby, surely. He’s obsessed with her.’

  Eric could only shrug. Since he didn’t know this Martin he wouldn’t even hazard a guess.

  Caitlin came out of the kitchen to join them. ‘Great kids you’ve got there, Claire and Luke.’ She looked at Eric expectantly. ‘How did it go?’

  ‘I’ll tell you about it. Do we want the kids in on this?’

  ‘No,’ Claire and Luke said at the same time.

  ‘Not till we’ve heard it anyway,’ she amended.

  ‘Then we’ll go into the dining room. There’s room for us to sit comfortably there.’

  He waited till they were settled to say, ‘I checked your old house, Claire. Not a nice area.’

  ‘Tell me about it. I hated living there. I hope I never see the place again!’

  ‘I don’t blame you. There don’t seem to have been any more break-ins and no more windows have been smashed. The car’s still standing with police tape across it. You’ll have to have it taken away eventually. Have you contacted the landlord?’

  ‘No, and I don’t want to.’

  ‘I can get a message sent to him that won’t be traceable, if you like.’

  ‘Would you?’

  He nodded. ‘Write the details down for me.’

  ‘Why did you go there? Not to see the remains of my old car,
surely?’

  ‘I had word someone suspicious had been to see that electrician in the nearest unit.’

  ‘Bill, you mean?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And had they?’

  ‘Yes. It was Martin. I showed him a photo.’

  Eric heard her suck in her breath sharply and saw her mouth her ex’s name.

  ‘So he’d found us again. Does he know where we are now?’

  ‘I can’t tell. I’ve been wondering about those former neighbours of yours that you met at the shopping centre. Did they see your car?’

  Both of them frowned, then Luke said reluctantly, ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘They could have followed us out of the shopping centre on foot and seen it, I suppose,’ Claire said slowly. ‘We tried to keep watch for them doing that, but who can see every single person in a huge car park?’

  ‘I’m pretty sure they didn’t follow us home,’ Luke said. ‘I watched all the traffic behind us really carefully and I even slowed down unnecessarily a couple of times to let people pass. No one lingered behind us. Why?’

  ‘I’m thinking if they got your car registration, they could have told Martin about it. Would they have bothered to do that?’

  Claire didn’t hesitate. ‘Darren would have told him straight away.’

  ‘Then he’ll probably trace you here. On the other hand, he won’t know you have guards on duty, so I’d advise you to stay put, but improve your security. I doubt you’ll ever be able to get away from him permanently unless you go to a women’s refuge, so I agree with Luke that you should make a stand.’

  ‘I’ve been trying to avoid going to a refuge.’

  ‘I’ll tell some people I know in the police that he’s still stalking you. It’s a women’s unit and they’ll be interested, believe me. And if you see any sign of your ex, you should call them immediately, Claire. I’ll get you a name and phone number.’

  She swallowed hard and Luke took her hand, holding it between his.