by Kay Leitch
Vanessa slammed her hands down on the table, 'NOOOOOO you've got it all wrong, the wrong way round…I could never have hurt her…you have to believe me, why won't you believe me?'
Carla sighed, she was getting nowhere, and she still had to find out what had happened to Derek Styles, she decided to let Vanessa sleep on it, maybe a night in the cells would make her think more clearly.
'I think we're going to leave it there for today Vanessa, but we will keep you here tonight I will need to speak to you again tomorrow, do you need me to let Giles know where you are?' At this Vanessa lifted her head and threw Carla a look that chilled her to the bone, and at that moment she could have easily pictured Vanessa as a violent murderer, her eyes were filled with such fury and hatred, but it lasted for a mere second and was so quickly replaced with her usual look of vulnerability that Carla couldn't help thinking that she had imagined it, especially when she said in a pleading voice.
'What do you mean keep me here tonight, I've done nothing wrong…Carla please you have to know I've done nothing…'
'Sorry Vanessa but I still feel that there is more that you are not telling me, and as such I will be keeping you here, now I can let Giles know where you are if you need me to. Oh by the way you might be interested to know that we can't find your dad…you wouldn't have any idea where he could be would you? He had told everyone at the home that he was staying with your sister for a couple of weeks…they had a letter apparently from her telling them that he would be picked up by taxi, and indeed he was, but she is still in Australia and hasn't seen your father for years, she claims not to written to invite him either… anyway someone sent a taxi for him… that was well over two weeks ago and he hasn't been seen since…any ideas?'
At this piece of information Vanessa's whole demeanour seemed to change in front of Carla's eyes; she stood and started walking round the small room moaning into her hands.
'Oh god…oh no, no, no please… surely he can't have…oh god no no…' she turned to Carla pleading, 'Oh Carla please you have to stop him…he doesn't know what he's doing…you must find him and stop him.'
Carla tried to calm her down; she was working herself up into a frenzy of panic.
'Vanessa! What is it that you are so scared of…do you suspect your dad of doing something, are you scared he will hurt you in anyway…you have to help me Vanessa…VANESSA! I can't help you unless you tell me everything.'
She sat back down at the table and was once again sobbing quietly, Carla tried again. 'Vanessa, you are obviously worried that your father may have done something or be about to do something…you have to trust me love, what are you so scared of?'
'NO….you've got it all wrong…not Dad, it's not him that I'm worried about,' said Vanessa in a frightened whisper.
'Who then…what do you mean when you said he doesn't know what he's doing, who doesn't know?' Carla waited; she could see clearly that Vanessa was battling with herself about what she should do and say…at last she seemed to come to a decision, she raised her eyes to Carla's once again.
'He just loves me so much…he couldn't bear the thought of anything hurting me again…he saved me you see, he made me whole…and then he saw the letter…I think he just thought it was going to send me back into the abyss again. He didn't think I would be able to handle it…and she just kept trying so hard to find me…I tried to stop him, but I got there too late…my little girl…my little girl…oh god oh god…' Vanessa started retching and was violently sick…Carla was stunned by what she had just heard, and no matter how sick Vanessa was she needed to get this clear, she poured her a glass of water and waited until she had got herself together a bit.
'Ok Vanessa I need to get this clear in my head, who is it that you are talking about… are you saying that you know who killed Louise, you know who emailed her and later texted her, posing as you, and arranged to meet her here in Kenley and then killed her in the Glory Woods…is that what you're saying Vanessa?'
Vanessa nodded, retching again and again, when she was able to speak again she pleaded, 'You have to understand he did it for me, he thought I would want him to, he didn't tell me that he had started talking to her, he had got her email address from my Dad's letter…he told me to put her out of my mind, he would deal with it, he said.' She looked up at Carla with hollow eyes, 'but you have to believe me I never for one moment thought he would do what he did…I found his 'other phone' the one he'd been using to text her, I thought he was having an affair so I decided I would follow him…catch him at it. I was so furious with him, it didn't cross my mind that it was my Louise he was arranging to meet…dolled myself up I did…let this whore know who she was dealing with…he was meeting her in the glade near the hills in the woods…when I got there I heard him shouting at her…telling her that she had ruined my life once and he wasn't going to let her ruin it again. She obviously got scared because she screamed and started running and he started after her, I tried to keep up, I shouted out to him but he didn't hear me, I got completely lost in the darkness, but I could hear her scrabbling about, frantic…terrified, trying to get away…then I heard the thumps and the crack, and I knew it was over…I waited until he had gone and then I went to her…oh god my baby…my baby…he had destroyed her face…he doesn't know that I was there…he did it for me I know that…you have to understand, he loves me so much…he won't let anyone hurt me ever again…he promised me,' her voice had risen to near screams… 'Please Carla…please don't hurt him, he did it for me!' Carla was stunned.
'Giles! You are talking about Giles aren't you?' Vanessa nodded, Carla took a minute to digest this amazing turn of events…she had certainly never seen Giles as a murderer.
'Ok so was that when you lost the earring, when you discovered Louise dead…my god… let me get this straight Vanessa, you followed Giles, heard him brutally murder your long lost daughter and then you just went home and carried on like nothing had happened, you didn't think to tell the police in fact the only time you felt you should do something was when you discovered you had lost an earring. Why did it take you two weeks to go and look for it Vanessa, surely you must have noticed it gone when you got home?'
'No,' said Vanessa shaking her head, 'you see I had taken them off…when I was running after Giles, they kept getting stuck on branches and things, so I took them off and put them in my pocket…I only noticed I had lost one weeks later…I tried to go and look for it, but you lot were there…all over the place, so I ran away…I just hoped you wouldn't find it.'
Carla couldn't look at Vanessa any more, she got up and left the room…the woman was deranged, she had to be, how anyone in their right mind could witness the murder of their own child and cover it up…oh god…she was tired, and sick to her very core.
Her first priority now had to be to find Derek Styles, from what Vanessa had told her it was obvious that Giles was dangerously unhinged, and it also appeared that Styles could be in great danger, if he wasn't dead already. So Carla and the team had to act fast.
She filled Chief Inspector Drew in on the situation, and she immediately took it upon herself to organize a search of all the surrounding areas within a ten mile radius, meanwhile Carla was trying to find out as much about Styles as she could in the hope that it might yield some clues as to where he might have possibly gone.
Vanessa, having unburdened herself with the details of Louise's murder had now completely clammed up again and in truth she was in no fit state to carry on, Carla could get nothing more out of her about the possible whereabouts of Giles, so she had her taken back to the cells, at least she wasn't going anywhere.
CHAPTER 54 - TRACY
Tracy picked up Buster after school and went straight over to Maggie's prepared to offer Helen sympathy and a shoulder to cry on, only to find that she had buggered off earlier to prepare for a big date with Mike.
Still she could make the most of it and have a chat with Maggie, they hadn't spoken properly since her falling out with Carla.
'You know Maggs, Car
la was so cross with herself and the way she spoke to you, you two are as bad as each other, you love each other to bits but you just look at things differently…have you spoken to her yet?'
Maggie looked sheepish. 'No, I have tried but I just keep getting her answer phone, and yes I have left a message, so I'm sure we'll speak soon…I've been pretty much tied up with Helen anyway, and she was pissed off with Carla too actually, she blames her a bit for telling her to speak to Wills…' she held up her hand as Tracy tried to interrupt. 'I know I know, it's all rubbish, but Helen's all over the place at the moment, I'm still a bit worried about her meeting this Mike tonight, she seems to be looking at him as the man who's going to save the day, and really what do we know about him…still I suppose it can't hurt if it takes her mind off that bastard of a husband of hers, but for all her positivity, she's as fragile as hell Trace.'
Tracy nodded; she had been shocked to hear how desperate Helen had been when Maggie had found her.
'So Will is serious about this…what's her name, Sarah, poor Helen, what a kick in the teeth. I mean they've known each other forever haven't they…I feel really bad now, you know encouraging her to go on the web site, and telling her it would bring him back…obviously nothing was going to bring him back…stupid idiot. God it makes my blood boil Maggs. I mean what has Helen done wrong, she's always been there for him, supported him cooked and cleaned for him…how much more do you have to do, all it takes is some big breasted trollop to bat her eyelashes at him and that's 20 years down the drain…god I hate fucking men!'
Maggie went into the kitchen to get them both another drink. 'What even the gorgeous Simon, don't tell me that's in trouble all ready,' she called from the doorway, Tracy, who had followed her in smiled smugly.
'He is an exception…oh god Maggs I know I shouldn't be getting so excited about this so soon, but I really think he is the real deal…you know, he's funny and clever and sensitive and sooo good in bed. I am missing him so much and he's only gone 30 miles away, he'll be back at the weekend, he phones me all the time, or else he's texting me…he's perfect…so why do I still have these awful little niggles of doubt…why can't I just enjoy being adored for a while instead of questioning it…aaagh.'
Maggie laughed, 'I don't know love, self doubt, I have never had that problem,' but even as she said the words Maggie knew that wasn't true…Charles hadn't called back after she had blown him out last night, and he wasn't picking up his phone either, the old Maggie wouldn't have worried at all…his loss, on to the next one…but Maggie had a sneaky feeling that she was beginning to like this one rather a lot, and she would be pretty upset if he dumped her, she changed the subject.
'I wonder what all the police activity has been about today, did you see them? Loads of them searching all over the common and the woods even outside the village…not another body I hope, no wonder Carla hasn't had time to answer my calls, I expect she's been working round the clock, poor love.'
'Well I did hear that Vanessa has been “helping the police with their enquiries”, said Tracy, half looking over her shoulder as if worried she was overheard. 'I went into the pub at lunch time and that new fellow…um Steve, he said that she had been driven to the police station by a lady detective, I assume that was Carla, and apparently the police spent hours searching the flat, took loads of stuff away with them. I always knew it was Vanessa, after seeing her on the common that day, and the earring mystery, it had to be her…but then why the fuck would she want to kill a young girl…maybe Giles has been having an affair, he is always very flirty you have to admit.'
Maggie poured herself another drink, she offered to fill Tracy's glass but she put her hand over it quickly.
'No I mustn't Maggs; I've got to get up in the morning.'
Maggie shrugged; she was a bit worse for wear herself, she had started early today.
'I can't see Giles having an affair, he dotes on Vanessa…it's more likely that she's a secret lesbian and she's been seeing this girl behind Giles's back…may be she was blackmailing her, so she had to get rid of her,' Tracy nodded thoughtfully.
'I can totally see Vanessa as a lesbian, you know with all her smart suits and the way she manages that pub, and I think it's obvious she married Giles for his money, he's so much older than her…oh poor Giles he doesn't deserve Vanessa dragging his name through the mud like this…he's such a sweetie, don't you think?'
Maggie let out a laugh of derision. 'Ha! He wasn't a bloody sweetie this afternoon when he forced my car into the trees and smashed my fucking wing mirror,' said Maggie hotly. 'That reminds me I must speak to him about that…bloody cheeky bastard, nearly pushed me off the road…what the hell he was doing there I don't know, he…'
Maggie stopped as her mobile began trilling, she began fumbling around in her enormous handbag until at last she found it, but the ringing had stopped.
'Fuck fuck fuck…I can never find anything in this bloody bag, I'm going to get myself a tiny bag, just big enough for my phone, my purse, my hairbrush and mirror and make-up and stuff, oh and my ipad…oh fuck it, it's no use I am condemned to carrying this fucking great thing for the rest of my life.'
Tracy who had been laughing at her; took her phone from her and checked who the caller had been.
'Oh damn it Maggie,' she exclaimed, 'that was Carla calling you, try phoning her back, the sooner you two speak and make up the better…go on do it now,' she handed the phone back to Maggie.
'Ok ok,' said Maggie blearily hunting for Carla's number.
'Oh for god's sake how much have you had to drink…there! said Tracy snatching the phone back from her and pressing last caller redial, she waited until she heard it ringing and handed the phone back to Maggie.
'Hi Carla sweetie,' said Maggie after a couple of seconds. 'Oh god me too honey, no, no it was all my fault, I'm such a moody cow sometimes…Carla stop…it was not your fault, you were just trying to be cautious, I know…oh I know, well…um it didn't go well actually, no Wills walked out, apparently he wanted to be with…oh whatshername…all the time…yes she was devastated, came here last night…no she's not here now…she's going out with that Mike tonight, seems to think that they might be able to make a go of it…I know…too soon, I did tell her, but she was on one you know, wouldn't listen…yeh well you never know it might be just what she needs. What's up with all your lot searching the village and everywhere, Tracy and I were just talking about it, not another body I hope…oh bloody hell…oh my god, oh yes I do remember Jools saying he hadn't come back, she was quite pleased actually. Oh…blimely…Giles?...no I haven't seen him love sorry can't help you, I've just been here all evening with Tracy we were just having a few drinks. Oh, I saw him this morning if that's any help…or rather the back of his head, I was just telling Tr…what…ok ok calm down, it was near those two barn conversions I was telling you about…you know out near Godstone, well just passed Godstone on the way to Lingfield…what now…yes of course love I'll be here, ok …yes see you soon…bye.'
Tracy who had been listening to one side of the conversation looked at Maggie expectantly, Maggie smiled. 'Carla's coming over, she needs to find Giles, he's gone missing apparently,' and then she went and slid down on the couch in the living room and closed her eyes, so Tracy had to wait until Carla arrived to find out what was going on.
Carla turned up about ten minutes later in a real tiz along with a couple of police cars.
She woke Maggie up and ordered Tracy to get some coffee on, 'I need her to tell me exactly where she saw Giles…come on Trace it's really important!'
Tracy didn't need telling twice and had soon made three strong cups of coffee one of which she gave to Maggie who was trying to describe to Carla exactly where she had seen Giles driving like a lunatic.
'You know Stoats Nest Farm that was…just past Godstone, oh you must know it's been there as long as I can remember, well anyway you go through the village and keep going straight heading towards Lingfield and East Grinstead, I think it's the A22, but I'm not sure
anyway once you get near to Stoats Nest Farm you turn left onto a narrow track, which takes you up past all the old farm buildings until you get to my two barns, which by the way are looking fabulous…'
'Cut the crap Maggie, where did you see Giles?' snapped Carla impatiently.
'Well he was coming in the opposite direction to me, driving like a bloody idiot, so fast that he pushed me into a hedge…broke my wing mirror…' at Carla's impatient look she got back to the point, 'anyway I suppose he must have been either at the barns or maybe looking round the old farm…I thought maybe he was thinking about buying one of the barns, I couldn't understand why else he would be there…there's nothing there but empty farm buildings.'
'And you are absolutely sure it was Giles, you couldn't have just thought it looked like him?' Carla asked firmly.
'Oh no it was definitely him, he spotted me too, I know he recognised me which is what made me so mad.'
Carla reached over and kissed her. 'Thanks my lovely, you may have just saved us a lot of time…you may have even saved a life,' and with that she rushed outside shouting instructions to the officers in the other cars as she went.
'Wow,' said Tracy after the cars had gone squealing and skidding out of the drive, 'she was in a hurry…and what's more it looks like you two have made up, hallelujah!'
Tracy left not long after Carla, she had walked over to Maggie's, and was glad of Buster's reassuring, if rather tubby, little presence as she made the journey back. Such terrible goings on in her little village, she could see the lights of the cottages round the green from here, it was such a peaceful scene, all her neighbours sitting in their cosy cottages eating their tea, or watching telly, and she wondered where Giles was. Poor Giles all alone, her heart went out to him, he must be frantic with worry about Vanessa to have gone off somewhere like that…she decided to go to the pub later, see if he'd come home…let him know he still had friends, despite what Vanessa had done.
