‘I need to speak to you,’ she said.
Ken started, ‘I’m just going in to see the police. It’ll have to wait.’
‘Fine,’ she said. ‘I’ll wait.’
She settled herself in his office, but left the door open so that she would hear him leaving the conference room. She did not have to wait long.
‘Who told them about us?’ Ken demanded, after he left the conference room. He sounded annoyed.
‘I don’t know,’ Nicole replied. ‘But anyway it won’t be long before everyone knows.’
‘What d’you mean?’
‘Well, I thought we’d agreed you were going to leave Claire. I’ve already arranged to change the locks so Scott can’t get back in. We’ve burnt our boats, my love.’
Ken fidgeted with his tie and tugged at his collar.
‘You haven’t told her yet. Have you?’ Nicole glared at him. ‘What a coward you are.’
‘I need more time,’ Ken mumbled.
‘Tell her tonight. If you don’t I will,’ Nicole snapped. The expression on her face softened. ‘Anyway I need you to be with me tonight. I don’t want to be in the house on my own, not with all this going on.’
‘I don’t know if I can manage,’ Ken faltered. ‘If I’m to tell Claire tonight she might be upset.’
‘Oh, fuck Claire,’ Nicole snapped. ‘I’m tired of hearing about Claire. It’s Claire this, and Claire that, and we mustn’t upset poor Claire. What about me? I’m being threatened and stalked and nobody gives a damn.’ Her voice faltered, ‘I need you tonight. Don’t fail me.’ She laid a key ring, with a square button pad attached to it, on the table. ‘That’s a spare control pad for the gates. I’ll see you tonight.’
***
Julie returned to her office, but could not concentrate on the invoices. She kept thinking about Bill Murphy, the way he had looked at her, the way his eyes seemed to bore into her and the tone of his voice when he spoke. It was a long time since she had thought about any man and she could not understand why he was affecting her the way he did. It was no use thinking about him though, not now he was investigating Nicole’s stalker. Julie realized, with a start, that she was now taking Nicole’s fears seriously.
She did not hear Nicole enter her office, but when she looked up, there she stood, wraithlike and pale, with shoulders slumped and a look on her face that was nearing desperation. Julie’s emotions flipped, first one way then the other and she was not sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry. This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? This was what she had aimed for, the destruction of Nicole. Well there could be no doubts left that Nicole had been brought down, her self-esteem hammered into the ground, her confidence shattered.
‘Nicole,’ she said, meaning to tell her she intended to leave Drake’s and return to Edinburgh, before she started to feel pity for the woman.
‘Come home with me,’ Nicole whispered. Her eyes seemed larger than normal. ‘I’m afraid.’
Julie combed her fingers through her hair. No, this was too much. Maybe she was suffering from remorse because the revenge she had planned had spiralled out of control. Things had happened for which she had no explanation, but she had fed into them, increasing the emotional impact on Nicole. So she was as much to blame as anyone for Nicole’s state of mind. But she could never be a friend to this woman. So, although it would have been the easiest thing in the world for her to say yes, she closed her eyes and said, ‘I can’t. There’s something else I have to do tonight.’ She kept her eyes averted, unable to look at Nicole because she was so sure her lie would be patently obvious.
‘Oh.’ Nicole’s voice was like a breath of air that had somehow escaped.
Julie opened her eyes and looked at her, but Nicole was already turning away. There was a defeated, helpless air about the woman. It showed in her posture and the look on her face. Julie almost changed her mind. She rose from her chair and extended an arm towards Nicole. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said and sat down again, feeling as miserable as the other woman looked.
After Nicole left, Julie sat for a long time just staring at the wall, not seeing or taking anything in. She did not even register that Nicole had left her briefcase resting against the end of her desk.
***
Bill tucked his notebook into his pocket. ‘Well, we’ve seen everyone we can see today. There’s only the security man to interview and we can catch him tomorrow. Pity he left early.’
Sue had a faraway look on her face. ‘D’you think she’s in any danger?’
‘Who? Mrs Ralston? I’d be more likely to think that once she finds out who’s doing this, they’ll need protection from her.’
‘It’s not normal, you know, dead animals. Most people won’t harm animals. It’s the batter the kids before harming the dog syndrome.’
‘I know what you mean, but I’m not totally convinced that Mrs Ralston’s as upset as she makes out to be.’
Sue studied him. ‘You still think she’s doing this herself?’
‘Let’s say I’m not convinced there’s anyone else involved.’ Bill smiled. ‘It seems to me she’s one tricky lady.’ He levered himself out of the chair and rubbed his legs. ‘God, I’m stiff. I think I’ll walk back. You can take the car and I’ll meet you there.’
‘If you’d sit in a chair in the same way everyone else does you wouldn’t get stiff.’ Sue’s eyes narrowed. ‘This wouldn’t be about that rather attractive witness we interviewed, would it? What’s her name again? Ah yes, Julie. Anyone with half a brain could guess she’s the same Julie you’ve been rabbiting on about all day.’
‘As if.’ Bill grinned at her. ‘See you back at the station, Sue, my love.’
He escaped out of the conference room door, leaving Sue to tie up any loose ends. ‘I’m off,’ he said, popping his head into the main office. ‘But before I go I’d like another quick word with Miss Forbes. Where can I find her?’
Evelyn reached for the phone. ‘I’ll ask her to come back upstairs. Shall I?’
‘No need for that,’ Bill said, smiling pleasantly and making Evelyn blush again. ‘Just tell me where to find her.’
‘If you’re sure then.’ Bill could hear a trace of doubt in Evelyn’s voice, ‘You’ll find her in the food hall. It’s on the basement floor.’
Bill whistled as the lift descended. He had not felt so happy for a long time.
***
It was the second time Julie had been disturbed in her office. She had not done any work since Nicole left, although she was less confused and gradually returning to normal. She had managed to push the guilt feelings away by telling herself that she owed Nicole nothing, on the contrary Nicole owed her a life, Dave’s life. So when the knock on the door came she was feeling considerably more alert.
‘Come in,’ she shouted in response, thinking maybe Nicole had returned.
‘Hi,’ Bill said, standing there grinning at her. ‘I didn’t think I was going to find you again.’
Julie hid her confusion by shuffling the papers on her desk. ‘Did you have some more questions?’ she asked without looking up.
‘A very important one.’ He pushed the door shut with his foot and sat down in the chair opposite her, although she had not invited him. ‘When I left Donovan’s the other night you never told me when we could meet again. So, I thought I’d come to arrange it now.’
Her pulse quickened and she was aware of her heart thumping so much it was almost choking her. ‘I wasn’t aware I’d agreed to meet you again.’ She tried to keep her voice calm, but was not making a very good job of it. ‘Anyway, isn’t that a bit unprofessional of you considering you’ve just interviewed me in connection with an investigation.’
‘Ah, but I didn’t interview you. Sue did. Besides, the police work with the entire population, so does that mean we can never ask an attractive woman out.’
Julie laughed. ‘I think you’re stretching it a bit. Anyway what makes you think I’d like to meet you again?’
‘You’d be as well to s
ay yes, you know, because now I know where to find you I’ll never leave you alone until you agree. What about tonight?’
‘Not possible. Nicole has asked me to keep her company tonight because she’s alone.’ Was that a lie, or wasn’t it? She had not said she was going.
‘Tomorrow then?’
‘I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow.’
‘Okay, I can take a hint.’ He grinned and stood up. I’ll be back tomorrow anyway to interview the security man. ‘See you then,’ he said as he left her office.
She watched the door close and once again had that strange urge to run after him. She had botched it again, but maybe not completely because he was coming back tomorrow to see Harry.
‘Damnation,’ she muttered. She had forgotten to phone Harry.
Lifting the phone she dialled. After several rings a woman’s voice answered.
‘Mrs Watson? This is Patrick Drake’s department store. I’d like to speak to Harry.’
‘I’m sorry, but Harry lost his job with you today so I really don’t know if he’d want to speak to you.’ The woman sounded distressed.
‘Mrs Watson, tell him it’s Julie on the phone,’ she hesitated. ‘I’m a friend of his.’
‘It doesn’t make any difference. He came home and then he went out again. He was in an awful state.’ Julie thought she heard the woman sob. ‘And now, I don’t know where he is or when he’s coming back.’
‘Mrs Watson, when he comes back tell him he’s got his job back. I’ve spoken to his boss and it’s going to be all right.’
‘I’ll tell him, if he comes back.’ The phone clicked down.
Damn, Julie thought, I should have phoned him earlier.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
He waited until he was sure no one was left in the building. Then he crept out of his secret hiding place into the darkness of the early evening. The stone steps up to the outside world were slippery with an accumulation of grease which had built up over many years. He climbed upwards, into that dangerous world of other people with staring eyes; eyes that shifted and moved away from him only to watch him when they thought he was not looking.
Smells wafted down to meet him: interesting smells; rotting smells; the smells of corruption and putrefaction – fascinating smells. Rubbish blew down the deserted alley, fluttering and rolling until it gathered in the lowest corner, where it trembled and settled.
His fingers traced the cold stonework as he moved slowly up the alley. However, despite his attempts to blend into the shadows of the building where they were at their deepest, they were no protection once he came to the street.
He disliked the street intensely. There were too many people, too many eyes. Eyes were everywhere, staring at him, spying on him when he was on his travels. In these situations he had often tried to pull his cloak of invisibility around him, but it did not work under the harsh street lighting and the flickering, shining eyes of passing traffic. And all he could do was scuttle through the streets, eyes down, until he found the darker, quieter places he preferred.
He knew it would be no different tonight, but he had his work to do, his mission to complete, which left him no option but to reveal himself. A premonition tingled in his bones, he had great faith in his premonitions, they came from the Greater Being. So he hesitated on the corner before sidling round it onto the street.
If he had not been so close to the wall he would not have bumped into the rowdy group of young men congregated in front of one of Drake’s display windows. But he did, and it was too late to draw back.
Two of the men turned and glared at him. ‘Watch where you’re going, you fucker,’ the one with the leather jacket said.
They clustered round him, surrounding him, pushing and prodding him and breathing their fume-laden breath into his face. For a moment he was transported back in time to the ward, where he feared the lunatics were going to invade his body and take over his mind. Desperation, like the clutching of firm fingers round his chest, almost stopped the beat of his heart. He was being suffocated, the dark was closing in on him, but it was an unfriendly dark filled with bodies, not like the dark he loved. He had to escape. He tried to push past them, but there were too many and they stood too close together.
‘The bastard pushed me,’ the guy with the tattooed forehead grunted.
‘You going to let him off with that?’
‘No way.’
The bodies smelled of sweat and filth. He knew he was being taken over and his panic mounted. If they took over his body and mind how would he complete his mission.
‘Aw, leave him alone.’ This man was a bit older than the others and he held out a bottle. ‘Have a drink mate and we’ll call it quits.’
He pressed his back into the cool glass of the window, shaking his head. Alcohol was Satan’s weapon. He could not allow it to pass his lips.
‘My drink no good enough for ye,’ the older man roared. His eyes glared and his face twisted into a menacing mask. ‘Ye see that fellas, he’ll no drink with me. That’s an insult, that is.’
His panic mounted. It was like an animal inside him struggling wildly to get out. He twisted his head from side to side, his eyes bulged. He tried to slide away from them, but his path was blocked. The feeling of invasion increased. He slipped a hand into his pocket and caressed the cold steel of the blade. Pulling it out, he waved it at them. They would go now.
‘Bastard’s got a knife,’ leather jacket shouted.
The other one did not wait, but swung his bottle.
The blow was sharp, bringing with it an exquisite pain. Somewhere far away he heard the window cave in. He floated for a moment, feeling something wet trickle down his forehead, before sliding slowly to the ground. A booted foot kicked his precious knife out of his hand, and he flexed his fingers feebly in a vain attempt to hold on to it. Then he was vaguely aware of the older man, the one with the glaring eyes, bending over him and forcing Satan’s drink into his mouth and down his throat. ‘No bugger refuses to drink with me,’ were the last words he heard.
When he woke up he was no longer lying on the pavement. He was in a strange place. Somewhere he had never been before. There were bars on the windows and the door was made of steel. He tried to open it, but it was locked. He gave up and cowered on the bench-like bed with his knees drawn up to his chin.
For the first time in his life he had failed in his mission and surely this was his punishment.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Julie pushed herself beyond the pain barrier, but still her feet thudded on the pavement in a rhythmic pattern. If only life were as simple as running.
She was passing the darkest bit of her running route, the entrance to Balgay Park which, as usual, tried to seduce her with its solitude and shadows. There had been many times over the past six months when she had thought she wanted to embrace the dark, that she would find peace there. At these times she was tempted to enter the shadows, but tonight she kept going, no longer sure whether she was running into the dark or away from the dark.
The repetitive beat of her feet was like music playing familiar chords over and over again. The breeze, wafting over her face and lifting the ends of her hair, a friend she had known for a long time. Even the street smells, car fumes, foliage, damp soil, and the odd whiff of animal urine, was pleasant. Running was a solace for her, it cleared her mind and allowed her to think, or so she believed. Up until now those thoughts had been angry thoughts of revenge. Destructive thoughts that threatened to destroy not only Nicole, but herself as well.
She reached the crest of the slight hill and stopped to look at the spreading lights of Ninewells below. Bending over, she clutched her middle with one hand and a nearby lamp-post with the other. The muscles in her legs quivered and ached now they were no longer being pushed beyond their capabilities, while each breath she took tore painfully from her chest leaving her weak and gasping. Her hand tightened on the icy, wet surface of the lamp-post. The hospital had always had an effect on her, arousing
mixed feelings of despair and anger, and tonight it looked the same as always, a conglomeration of buildings winking their lights into the surrounding darkness. A sight that usually reinforced her desire for revenge, but tonight, she just felt sadness.
Her breath rasped painfully in her chest, but it was only physical, not the intense, overwhelming emotional agony that had all but destroyed her. She was able to think of Dave now without suffering that searing pain, remembering the good times and the not so good times, and all that was left was sadness. It all seemed so long ago. Maybe it was time to say goodbye to him.
Cold sweat trickled from her hair into the sweatband she wore round her forehead. Her shirt clung damply to her back. Maybe she should feel happy now she’d had her revenge, a revenge that was more complete than she had ever imagined it could be. But it was an unsatisfying revenge, which made her feel soiled and dirty.
‘Goodbye, Dave,’ she murmured, turning her back on the hospital and forcing her legs to run again, away from the dark and into a new life. Tomorrow, she promised herself, I’ll really do it. I’ll hand in my notice. It’s time I returned to Edinburgh and got on with my life. She smiled as she ran, no longer conscious of the pain. There was a lot she had to do so that she could start living again.
***
Dusk was gathering by the time Nicole arrived home. Her nerves jittered, sending spikes through her body like breaking glass, making it difficult for her to handle her remote control and keys. She skidded the car to a stop, as near to the door as she could take it, and, not bothering to lock or garage the car she bolted for the house door. Once inside she locked it and then inspected the house making sure all the other doors and windows were secure. Even then she did not feel totally safe.
The kitchen was still a mess from the morning and she tiptoed through the debris to inspect the fridge. There was nothing in it she fancied, but then she decided she was not hungry anyway.
She percolated some coffee; then did not drink it.
She wandered through the house, but did not know what to do with herself.
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